Chapter One: 

The Beginning of the Ride

            "What do you do when your every dream is realized in one moment, when everything that your heart has secretly longed for is now reality?  Where does your life go from there?" 

I was pondering these very questions as I pulled out of the church parking lot.  Jamie had scooted over to the middle of the front seat, resting her head on my shoulder.  We had just fulfilled both of our number ones – publicly declaring our love in front of family, friends, and most importantly God.

"I just don't know…."

Apparently I had spoken aloud, for Jamie tilted her head to look at me. "Don't know what?"  A peaceful smile rested upon her face.

"I just don't know how my life can get any better than it is at this very moment."  My response was sincere, yet it lacked the uneasiness, the uncertainty, and even the fear I held toward the future. 

Somehow, she must have picked up on my subtext.  "Oh, it will… just you wait."  Her smile was growing, and I must admit it was contagious.

"And just how can you be so sure?" I asked through a chuckle.  Her assurance was always miraculous to me.

She sighed in contentment as her head once again rested on my shoulder.  "Prayer, Landon.  The Lord has a plan for us.  You and I might not be able to see it at the moment… but one day, it will all become clear.  Think how far he has already brought us."

Gently kissing her forehead, I knew she was right.  My heart was lifted as I thought back to the past few months and all the wonderful things God had done for us in such a short time – my fateful punishment after the greatest act of stupidity of my life, number 42, opening night of the play, our first date, the night in the cemetery, the strength to overcome the worst of news, the comet Hiakitaki, and of course our wedding. 

"Lord, I don't know what I have done to deserve this – in fact, I know I have done nothing to deserve all the blessings you have given me.  Yet I can't help but wonder where your plan will take me next.  My life is full of such uncertainty…  Please, help me to see the plan… help me to realize that all is in Your hands."  The prayer was so simple, yet so open and honest.  Sure, I had prayed almost nonstop when Jamie was first admitted into the hospital, but this was the first time that I had actually asked God for guidance on my own life, and it felt good.

We rode in silence, both of us reflecting.  I kept glancing down, letting my eyes partake of her soft features.  Her eyes gently fluttered as she looked ahead.  Her lips moved slightly and her forehead became furrowed as she pondered something.  It was absolutely adorable, sexy even.

Her eyes glanced my way. "Shouldn't you be watching the road?" she asked with a giggle.

"Well, I would, but I have yet to find a road as beautiful as you are.  So, what were you just thinking about?" I prodded.

"I'd tell you, but…"

"Then you'd have to kill me…?" I finished her mid-sentence.  "You've already used that line on me, remember?"

"What was I thinking? I had forgotten that I was speaking to the one and only #42!" 

Pulling up to my old house where the reception was being held, our family and friends had already arrived and were congregating in the backyard.  I knew we shouldn't keep them waiting.  "And don't you ever forget it."

"I love you so much, Mr. Carter."

"And just how much is that, Mrs. Carter?" I asked, smirking, as I held the car door open for her.

Brushing up beside me, she leaned in, whispering with such calm matter-of-factness, "You'll find out tonight," lightly kissing my temple.  Looking at me, she knew she had caught me off guard, yet she simply smiled at me before heading off to join our guests.