Author note: I never really took much interest in Shelley and Wordy, but lately I'm just loving them! I decided to write a few chapters of them based off of "More in Love with You" by Jason Reeves and Nelly Joy. It's one of my favorite songs, and I thought it'd be fun to work with. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Don't own Flashpoint, Jason Reeves, Nelly Joy, etc.
Chapter 1
"Shell? Shelley, you need to get up."
Shelley Wordsworth groans as she presses her face further into her pillow. "It's not time yet."
Kevin snickers at her. "You're already ten minutes late. We have to go in half an hour."
She lets out another moan and suddenly finds herself rolled onto her back, pinned down by her husband's body. She squeals and half-heartedly tries to get away before allowing him to subdue her with kisses.
"You have to take a shower," he moans at last, pulling back from her and giving her that adorable look he gets when he wanted them to stay home from whatever obligations they both had for the day and instead just indulge in their…marital pleasures. "It's a big day."
Shelley lays back for just a moment, staring up at him. How had she ever been blessed with a man like him? He's perfect. "I know," she whispers. She gives him another good, hard kiss just for spite before crawling out from under him and staggering to the bathroom to wash her hair. Today's the day.
She has to rush a bit in the shower, and her mind is whirling as she rushes to get ready. Three years ago, she'd never have imagined she'd be at the place where she's at now. She's happy. Really, truly happy, and married to the best man she's ever known. The three weeks since they got married have just felt like one big honeymoon, and things aren't looking to take a downturn anytime soon.
Kevin never misses the chance to tell her that one of the reasons he loves her is that she can get ready so quickly. He grew up with sisters and knows how long it can take some women to get ready for the day. Not Shelley. She just jumps in the shower, dries her hair, and puts on a little bit of makeup. Thirty minutes after rolling out of bed she's racing out the door with him, gnawing on a bagel slathered with peanut butter and trying not to drip it on her blouse.
"You think this shirt is okay?" Shelley asks nervously as they drive to the church. She smoothes the dark material before glancing at Kevin. "You don't think it'll be see-through?"
He glances at her before quickly putting his eyes back on the road. "Looks like it'll be fine." She can see him trying to hide a grin as he reached over to rub the cloth between his fingers. "Feels thick enough." She doesn't have enough time to react before he's tickling her.
"Kevin!" she shrieks, hunkering down into her seat and trying to get away from his fingers. "Stop it, pay attention to where you're driving!"
He lets out a laugh and does as he was told. "Come on, Shell, you know I'm careful."
She smiles at that and moves their Bibles from the middle seat to the dashboard so she can sit next to him. She snuggles up against him and puts her arm through his. "I know." She presses further against him as he presses his lips to her forehead.
They pull up in front of the church with a couple minutes to spare, but Shelley still rushes inside, urging Kevin to hurry up or they'll be late. He chuckles and puts his arm around her waist to give her a good kiss. She sighs against him and feels all her anxiety rush out. Can life get any better? She's never felt such a sense of belonging.
Pastor Stone meets them outside the sanctuary doors and goes over the schedule with them a bit more so they'll know what's going on. Shelley and Kevin will head to the back room a few minutes after the end of the service so they'll be ready to start by the time everyone is back from the break. Shelley grins up at her husband as they walk into the big room to take their seats. "I'm so excited," she whispers.
He gives her a huge smile and, really, could he get any better looking? She never thought she'd be the one to end up with a looker, but here she is, and he's hers.
The service goes by smoothly, and immediately afterwards they head to the room behind the stage to get ready. Pastor Stone is back there already, changed and ready to go.
"I'm just going to go to the front and get my mic," he informs them softly, "and then I'll meet you two back there. The bathroom's right there for you to get changed."
Shelley and Kevin go into the tiny bathroom and change together, him into an orange shirt and a pair of shorts, her into a pair of blue shorts with her purple shirt. She frowns again as she studies her blouse. "You're sure it won't be see-through?" she asks softly.
Kevin looks up from where he's stuffing his clothes into her backpack. He gives her a soft smile and comes to her, holding her elbows in his hands and allowing her to press her palms against his chest. "It'll be fine, Shell," he whispers, leaning down to give her a gentle kiss. "You look beautiful."
Her insides squeeze, her chest actually aches. How is it possible to love someone so much? And everyone says it'll only increase.
"I am so blessed to call you my wife, Shell," Kevin murmurs, pressing his forehead against hers and making them both cross-eyed. She would have laughed if her heart wasn't squeezing at his words.
"I'm honored to be the one to baptize you today," he continues, the tears shining in his eyes making hers spill over. "You've already had a new beginning," he clears his throat and blinks rapidly, which only makes her cry more, "but this is a beautiful way to bear testament to it. I'm so proud of you." He prays softly over her.
After he's done Shelley lets out a little sob that is anything but attractive, but he just smiles at her like she's beautiful and adorable, and pulls her into his arms. She takes in a few shuddering, deep breaths as he holds her tightly for a long moment.
"I love you so much, Kev," she whispers at last, burying her face in his shoulder and effectively letting the waterworks take over again. "You're the only person I'd ever want up there with me today." She sniffles a bit before turning her head up to look at him, resting her chin on his chest. "Just promise you won't let me drown?"
He snorts and gives her a hard kiss. "Nah, I think I'll keep you."
There's a knock on the door, and they hear Pastor Stone. "Shelley, Kevin, it's about that time."
They rush to cram all their clothes into the backpack and come out just in time to hear one of the assistant pastors calling everyone back together for the baptism. The three of them pray together before making their way to the baptismal pool.
Pastor Stone enters the baptismal pool first, followed by Kevin and then Shelley. The water's nice and warm as Shelley steps into it, holding onto Kevin's hand for balance. She doesn't let go once she's in.
"Alright," Pastor Stone begins, turning to face the congregation from the pool. "As everyone knows, both Kevin and Shelley have been a part of our church for a few years now, and they got married about a month ago." He pauses as there's a round of applause.
Kevin looks down at Shelley and squeezes her hand in reassurance. She swallows and squeezes back. She's not that great with crowds anymore, after all her years trapped in the house, but as long as Kevin's with her it'll be okay.
"Kevin and Shelley asked if it'd be alright if he gave a bit of their testimony together before we baptize Shelley." Pastor Stone picks up a mic from off the pool railing, checking to make sure it's on before handing it to Kevin. "Whenever you're ready, Kev."
Shelley looks up at Kevin as he begins to speak. They hadn't really gone over what he was going to say, just how specific he should be about their circumstances, and that was pretty much it. She takes in a deep breath as he starts.
"Thank you all for being here today," Kevin begins, his eyes going over the crowd until he settles on Ed and Sophie Lane. He and Ed were best friends growing up, and Sophie and Shelley got along pretty well too. After a lot of hemming and hawing they'd agreed to come to the baptism. Shelley makes a mental note to thank them both afterwards for coming.
"Shelley and I met when we were both fourteen. It was our first day of high school and we were in the same English class together. We kind of hit it off, and from there I was history." Kevin chuckles softly along with the crowd, and Shelley tears up at the memory. He has loved her so long, so faithfully, long before she reciprocated.
"I never had the guts to tell Shelley how I really felt about her. I felt like we were too young, and she dated some other guys so I knew she wasn't interested in me." Kevin continues to apply a gentle, constant pressure to Shelley's hand; he knows how it calms her. "I found out she was engaged about a week before we graduated, and figured that was that, she was gone. Couldn't do anything about it."
"After Shelley got married we kind of lost touch. I felt awkward being around her since she was married now, and her husband was kind of jealous so I figured it'd be best if I just stayed away, let them get settled into being married. I joined the police force, and it wasn't until two years later that I even saw Shelley again. We ran into each other at the post office, and I noticed she had a bruise on her forearm. She seemed really sad. After that we'd see each other on and off, just at the grocery store, or friends' weddings. Everyone knew how jealous her husband was, and I didn't want to cause any trouble, so we never hung out beyond random stuff."
"It was around Shelley's fourth anniversary that I was called to a domestic disturbance. Guy beat up on his wife, neighbor called the police, etc. But," Kevin's voice trails off, and when he drops his head Shelley can see tears in his eyes, "this time it was Shelley." A tear trickles off his nose and splashes into the pool. Shelley can feel her own tears joining his. She shifts her hand just slightly to interlock their fingers; he pulls her closer.
Kevin clears his throat awkwardly. "After the divorce was finalized Shelley started going to a Bible study that I'd been going to for awhile. We talked a lot about the Bible and why bad things happen, and just got to know one another. I waited about a year to ask her out, and a year and a half later we're married." Kevin smiles down at Shelley, and she gives him a grin in return.
"Shelley went to church growing up," Kevin continues, "and she got baptized when she was a little girl, but after some prayer together she decided that she wants to be baptized again because she's basically starting a whole new life. She doesn't think she was a believer when she was baptized the first time, and we both want this to be a symbol to our family and friends of how we're starting over together, and how God's done so much good through all this bad." He nods and glances at Pastor Stone. "That's about it."
"Alright," the pastor responds, taking the mic from Kevin and laying it back on the railing. "Shelley, if you'll just come over here; Kevin, stand behind her." He nods for Kevin to go ahead.
Shelley takes a deep breath as she adjusts her grip on Kevin's hand and feels his other hand go to her back.
"You ready?" he asks softly.
She nods, giving him a smile.
"Shelley Woodsworth, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." He dips her back gently and she holds her breath for only a moment before he's pulling her back up and into his arms.
New.
Early in the morning When I'm still so tired Both my poor eyes hurt
You will drag me out of bed And I will drive us all the way to church
And I will pray with you In that front row pew
I will spend my whole life through Falling more in love with you