Chapter 25
CJ woke early the next morning and headed right to the shower. She wanted to get an early start in helping Andie. Today was the first day of the bar exam and she wanted to fulfill her promise to her daughter.
"Okay," Andie exhaled as she walked into the kitchen. "I'm up, I'm ready … God I can't wait for this to be over!"
"First this…" CJ said as she pointed to the breakfast set out on the table.
Andie shook her head nervously. "I don't think I can eat anything."
"Sure you can."
"No… I really don't…"
"Well, you shouldn't be taking a test on an empty stomach. Eat up!"
Meanwhile, Matt had awakened and instinctively reached over for his wife. He opened his eyes when he realized she wasn't there. Then he remembered what today was. He got dressed and headed right to the kitchen.
"And how are my two favorite ladies this morning?"
"Well," CJ said, "one of them is so nervous that she's not eating her breakfast."
Matt thought for a minute, remembering a few times over the years when Andie had a big test or project at school. Back then, she only thing she could eat was dry Cheerios. Matt walked over to the pantry and got the box of cereal.
"Hold out your hand."
Matt poured a small handful of cereal into her palm as CJ watched.
"C'mon, eat just a few."
She did and they went through more than a few handfuls.
With a belly full of Cheerios, Andie waddled upstairs to retrieve her purse.
Upon her return, she asked for some OJ.
"I'm ready now."
Matt kissed them both and watched as they left. No need to waste a good breakfast, he thought as looked back at the table. He had a big day too. He was heading to the police station to watch the police interrogate the Duvals. Then he would be heading over to the hospital to visit Wade.
By the end of the second day, Andie was tired but relieved. "Well, I'm very proud of you. With everything going on in the last few weeks, you've handled yourself quite well."
"Thanks, Mom. And, I'm proud of you, too."
"What for?"
"Using the GPS. You did pretty good with that!"
CJ smiled as she helped her in the car and drove home. Andie couldn't wait to check her cell phone messages hopefully from Leo. She had left him the remainder of confirmations and errands to do for the anniversary party.
A few days had gone by and Wade and Tony were both finally home from the hospital. It was a good day for it was two days before Christmas. Somehow the holiday snuck up on them and there were a rush of activities as everyone tried to do their last minute gift shopping and meal preparations.
By Christmas Day all the Houstons had managed to accomplish their respective goals and they sat around the dining room table enjoying Christmas dinner like they had done for years. Then they retreated to the family room where they drank hot chocolate and egg nog as they exchanged presents with one another.
"In some ways, CJ, this is the best Christmas we've ever had," said Matt.
"I'll have to take your word on that!"
Andie handed her parents one very special present: a box with an envelope on top.
"This is for both of you from Wade and I," she said. "Read the card first."
Matt and CJ opened it with much curiosity.
"You are cordially invited to attend a vow renewal ceremony honoring the 25-year marriage of Matt and CJ Houston. Date: The 27th of December, 2010. Time: 7:00 p.m. Reception immediately following."
CJ and Matt lifted their faces in unison, both surprised and deeply touched.
"Now, open your box."
Inside was a frame filled with pictures of them from age ten to the present. CJ and Matt cried and smiled at the same time as they thanked their children.
"CJ and Mattlock, when you first joined hands and hearts in marriage 25 years ago, you did not know where life would take you. You promised to love, honor and cherish one another through all things. Life has surely brought you both wonderful blessings and difficult challenges over the years. But here you are today, having fulfilled the vows to love, honor and cherish you each made on your wedding day."
As they read their vows, Matt and CJ were grinning from ear to ear knowing they were truly blessed to have found each other.
"May you always wear your rings as a reminder of your wedding vows to each other, and your commitment to continue to live in unity, love and happiness. Marriage is a commitment to learning to care for one another in mutually fulfilling ways. It is not an act but a life-long relationship always in the making. Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique unto themselves which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other and the potential of marriage requires a lifetime to fulfill. One of the great blessings of marriage is the joy and responsibility of raising a family. Matt and CJ have truly been blessed to be the parents of Wade and Andrea. Matt and CJ want to recognize with gratefulness the happiness and fulfillment that Andrea and Wade have brought to their marriage and family life. They would like to read a passage from First Corinthians."
Andrea and Wade both cleared their throats at the same time and read from the Scripture: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."
Andrea looked at her mom and the two shared a knowing smile as the minister continued, "Matt and CJ, today you have renewed the promises and vows you made to each other on your wedding day. You have symbolized the renewal of the marriage union by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and by exchanging of rings. And, from this day forth, may your worries be few, may your joys be many and may your love grow more abundantly with each passing day. Amen. It is with pleasure that I conclude the ceremony of renewing the vows of marriage that joined you and forever binds you as husband and wife. Mattlock, you may kiss your bride!"
Not a dry eye was found in the church as Matt and CJ confirmed their love.
Later they headed to the reception where they took the time to thank each and every guest. In a way, the guests had been waiting just as long as Matt and CJ for a real wedding.
Once everyone was seated at their tables, Will started out the festivities with a toast. "Friends, loved ones, family … on behalf of Matt, CJ, Andrea, and Wade, I am deeply honored to be able to welcome to you all to this celebration this evening. I've known Matt and CJ most of their lives and I am proud to not only call them family, but friends as well. I owe a lot to them. I know my dad would have wanted to be here tonight, along with my mom and Uncle Bill. Rosa Novelli and Michael Hoyt would have loved to seen this occasion too. As you know, Matt and CJ took awhile to get to the altar the first time around... a real long while. But, I think I speak for everyone here when I say thank God they did." A combination of tears, laughter, and applause filled the room as Will finished his speech.
Matt and CJ enjoyed having their entire family take part in their celebration as well as over 200 of their closest friends. Among them were Chris, Murray, Will and his family, Ann and Kathy Hoyt, and the entire Novelli clan. There were even a few former clients there too. But the most special guest had to be Nathaniel, who Matt toasted at the reception.
"I'd like to make a recognition of a very special person," Matt said as he stood at the head table. "Without him I may have never gotten my CJ back. Nathaniel – would you please stand?"
Everyone applauded as Nathaniel humbly waved his hand in appreciation.
About an hour into the meal, Wade stood up during dessert at the Houston table to make an announcement. "Everyone, could I have your attention? My cousin Jake has something important he'd like to tell you all. Jake –"
"Good evening everyone. As you know Lydia Novelli and I have been dating for a while, and I … well, I thought tonight would be agood time to announce that ... I've asked Lydia for her hand in marriage … and…. she accepted!" Everyone gasped in surprise as the room fell silent until it was broken by the sound of someone dropping his glass of wine onto his plate. Everyone turned and looked at Vince.
"Uh oh," Matt said under his breath as he looked at his buddy who was turning pale.
Realizing that everyone in the room was looking at him, Vince picked up his glass and stood up. "Welcome to the family, Jake." As everyone cheered and applauded, Vince gritted his teeth and said, "My only daughter is marrying a Houston?"
Will walked over to Vince and shook his hand, "I guess we're going to be in-laws."
"Yeah … in-laws."
Then Matt walked over to both of them to congratulate them. "How about this, huh? The Houstons and Novellis are finally going to be related!"
"Yeah … isn't that just great." Vince said, clearly needing a moment to digest it all.
Andie stood up to make another announcement.
"Mom and Dad, we have one more surprise for you."
"More?"
"After the reception tonight, we arranged for a private plane to take you to your honeymoon suite in Las Vegas. It's the same hotel, the same room you spent the night in exactly 25 years ago tonight."
Matt and CJ were shocked. The guests called "Speech! Speech!" until CJ finally rose from the table and walked over to embrace Andie. "I don't know what to say! How did you have all the time to make these arrangements?"
"I made the time. You don't have to thank me, Mom. I'm just so glad you're here."
CJ took a deep breath as she approached the microphone.
"You know, Matt often jokes that women make good lawyers because we like having the last word. I guess tonight is no exception… I want to thank everyone for coming tonight. You've helped make this night memorable. I want, in particular, to thank our two terrific children, Andrea and Wade, who I've come to know and love in just the last two weeks. And, Matt … I've known this man for 50 years now. He's been my best friend since the day we met. And I love him more every day." Everyone applauded as Matt stood up and embraced his wife.
The band started playing and Lydia came to the microphone to sing a song dedicated to Matt and CJ. All eyes were on them as Matt took CJ's hand and led her to the dance floor.
"Grow old along with me
Whatever fate decrees
We will see it through
For our love is true
God bless our love. God bless our love."
While they were slow dancing, Matt whispered in CJ's ear, "Any more memories?"
"No, but I'm not worried. I know I'll have at least the next 25 years to remember and make new memories."
Matt looked at his wife, not only seeing a beautiful woman, his lover, mother of his children, but his best friend, too. Through everything, that had never changed.
After their song was over, others joined them in the next slow dance. Even Andie managed on the dance floor a little with Leo supporting her in his arms. At the end of one of slow songs, Leo kissed Andie, and her parents noticed.
"Well, would you look at that," said Matt.
Wade made sure to do his share of dancing, too, although it was with more than one girl … of course! Wounded heroes have a way of attracting sympathetic females.
And everyone, especially CJ, enjoyed dancing to old disco and rock hits of the '70s and '80s.
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for reading!