Hey guys! I'm back with a sequel! YAY! Please R&R- this takes place 10 years later…here's what's going on…
Martin and Ruthie- they have 3 kids…Madison Olivia (10), Allison Marie (9), and Lauren Elizabeth (5)
Eric and Annie- Sam and David (both 20). They're in college in New York, so they won't be in the story, but mentioned occasionally.
Lucy and Kevin- Savannah (15), Nichole (14), Daniel (12), Travis (10), and Tristan (9)
Simon and Sandy- Aaron (11) and Haley (5)
Matt and Sarah- Cory (14) and Jessica (12)
Martin stood at the front of the church, on May 6, 2021, he and Ruthie's 10th wedding anniversary. He looked out in the congregation, seeing Lucy, and the kids, Savannah, Nichole, Daniel, Travis, and Tristan sitting in the front with Annie. Matt and Sarah were sitting a row behind them with their kids Jessica and Cory. Simon and Sandy were also sitting with them with Aaron and Haley. His dad Bill (don't remember what it is, so it's going to be Bill.) was sitting with them as well.
He turned his attention to the back of the church and smiled as his daughters, Madison, Lauren, and Allison walked down the aisle, right before their mom. Then, Ruthie walked down the aisle with Kevin. Ten years and three kids later, Ruthie was still gorgeous to Martin. She approached the altar and the kids went and sat with their grandpa. Eric stood and smiled.
"Martin and Ruthie came to me a couple weeks ago, saying that they wanted to renew their vows, and I accepted. Ruthie and Martin, I thank you for both of you. You have been a constant support and encouragement to our family, as well as your three beautiful girls. Before they renew the actual vows, Ruthie has a special gift for Martin."
He stepped aside, handing Ruthie a microphone. She smiled, and a power point was projected on the wall, showing pictures of her, Martin, and the kids over the years. She put the microphone to her mouth and began to sing.
Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear
'Cause I will be here
I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to crying
Through the winning, losing and trying
We'll be together
Cause I will be here
Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
As sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here
I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we're older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here
I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me
I will be here
And just as sure as seasons are made for a change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
I will be here
We'll be together
Cause I will be here
By the time she was done, both she and Martin were crying, as well as her sister and sister-in-laws.
Ruthie went and stood by Martin and they faced each other.
"Before they exchange vows, they each have a few words to share." Eric said, stepping aside.
Ruthie cleared her throat. "We both agreed that I'd go first." She said, laughing a little bit. "Um…wow Martin. 10 years. It sure doesn't seem like that long." She said jokingly. She cleared her throat again. "Over the years, we've had tough times." She said, her voice breaking. "But I want you to know that I wouldn't trade one second. Everything that caused problems for us brought us closer together, and to our Heavenly Father. Thank you for truly being an amazing example of a Godly husband and father. Thank you for our girls. I love them all so much. We really do belong together. I remember us questioning that when I was pregnant with Maddie, if we really belonged together. These past 10 years have shown me that we do belong together. I can't wait to wake up beside you every day for the rest of my life, Martin Brewer." By the time she was done, they were both crying
"I should've gone first." Martin said, wiping his eyes with a tissue. "Ruthie…you're an amazing woman. You're the best wife and mother to our children. I'm sorry for everything I've done in the past to hurt you, because I know I've done a lot of dumb things. You're my everything, Ruthie. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. You're so kind, so sweet, generous. Even though you might not think it sometimes, there is no other woman that I would want to spend the rest of my life with. I remember long ago, after we first met, wondering if there was such a thing as 'the one' because I was convinced that you were it. God has shown me that I have found 'that one' in you. We belong together.. I'm sure the rest of our lives won't be easy, but it makes me feel so much better knowing that you're by my side through it all. I'll love you until the day I die and forever Mrs. Brewer." He said, wiping his eyes again. "I really will." He whispered, stroking her hand with his thumb. He wiped her eyes with his finger.
"I love you." He mouthed.
"I love you too." She mouthed back.
Eric smiled, and began the exchanging of the vows.
"Martin, do
you take Ruthie to be your wife…again?" he laughed.
"I do."
He smiled
"Do you promise to love and respect her, forsaking all
others, and holding only onto her?"
"I do."
"Ruthie, do
you take Martin to be your husband?"
"I do."
"Do you
promise to love and respect him, forsaking all others, and holding
only onto him?"
"I do."
"Ok…Martin,
repeat after me."
"I, Martin, take you Ruthie, to be my
wife."
"I, Martin, take you Ruthie, to be my wife."
"To
have and to hold."
"To have and to hold."
"In sickness
and in health."
"In sickness and in health."
"For
richer for poorer."
"For richer for poorer."
"And I
promise to love you forever more."
"And I promise to love you
forever more.""Ruthie, would you repeat after me?"
"I,
Ruthie, take you Martin, to be my husband."
"I, Ruthie, take
you Martin, to be my husband."
"To have and to hold."
"To
have and to hold."
"In sickness and in health."
"In
sickness and in health."
"For richer for poorer."
"For
richer for poorer."
"And I promise to love you forever
more."
"And I promise to love you forever more."
"You may kiss
your bride." He told Martin. He grinned and kissed his wife. They
walked into the congregation, hugging their family.
"Let's all
go back to our house for cake!" Annie said excitedly.
"Mom?
Why is it that you take EVERY opportunity that the family is together
to eat?" Lucy asked.
"I'm not complaining!" Savannah
said.
"That's because you're a pig!" Nichole shot
back.
"Shut up…" Savannah said, under her breath.
Kevin
pulled the girls aside."Savannah Marie! What did your mom and I say
about telling your sister to shut up?"
"Don't do it…"
she said quietly.
"Exactly. Can't you two just be nice? And
you, Nichole! Don't call her a pig."
"Ok daddy."
"Please
behave. This is a special day for Aunt Ruthie and Uncle
Martin."
"Ok." they said together, going back over to where
the rest of the family was.
"Should we tell them now?"
Martin asked.
"Once we get home…" Ruthie began. "Hey mom?"
She asked.
"What?" Annie asked.
"Is it ok if we take
Maddie, Lauren, and Allie home for a minute? So we can
change?"
"Yeah…sure."
Ruthie called the kids, taking
them to the car. She kept smiling at Martin as she drove home. They
pulled in the driveway.
"Daddy?" Allison asked.
"Yes
pumpkin?"
"Why does mommy keep smiling at you?"
"We
have a surprise for you!" he said.
"You do?" Maddie asked
excitedly. "What is it!" the girls asked together, as they got
out of the car.
"Not telling yet!" Ruthie told her daughters.
