The Baptist church was full to overflowing the Sunday morning after Prom. People who had not been to church in years, that belonged to different religions or did not attend church at all, came to pray and wish Jamie Sullivan well. It did not seem as if there was a single person in Beaufort who did not know Jamie or had been touched by her in one way or the other.
The Reverend Sullivan carried on the service much as usual, his only concession was the sound system, which had been set up at the last minute to carry his voice to the people seated in the church basement and out into the parking lot. The Beaufort Baptist church had never seen such a crowd on what appeared to be a normal Sunday.
As the Service ended a hush filled the entire church. Not one mention had been made of Jamie. They could all see her up front with the choir, but they all wanted a bit of reassurance.
Clearing his throat the Reverend spoke into the microphone in front of him. "As I am sure you are all aware, my daughter Jamie is due to have surgery this coming Tuesday. It's experimental and we can only hope for the best." He looked down at his hands, gaining his composure. He turned then and smiled at Jamie who smiled back. "Both Jamie and I would like to thank everyone for their support and friendship during this time and we ask that you continue with your prayers."
Again there was a lengthy pause as he sought Landon's face out in the crowd. "Jamie and I were dealing with this on our own until a couple of months ago a very determined young man came into our lives. One I am sad to say I did not have much faith in. He proved me wrong then and has continued to do so since. He asked me if he could come on up and speak to you all today and so now I am going to turn the pulpit over to him."
He stepped away and made a sweeping motion with his hand. "Landon Carter, come on up." He then went and sat next to his daughter in choir pews.
Landon swallowed hard before he stood. He had been sitting between his mother and father, along with his father's wife Crystal and their son Daniel. His mother squeezed his hand and his father his shoulder before he made his way slowly to the front.
Jamie smiled at him encouragingly even though he could see she was confused, the Reverend, much to his surprise winked at him.
Turning to face the many people in front of him, knowing that there were many more scattered around the building and church grounds he decided it was best if he kept his eyes down. He had prepared a speech the same night he spoke with Reverend Sullivan in his study, but it didn't seem right now. He needed to speak straight from the heart.
"My name is Landon Carter. I'm sure most of you know me, or at the very least have heard of me. I'm also pretty sure you don't have a very good opinion of me. To tell the truth I didn't really have that great of an opinion of myself. But then a couple of months ago I met this amazing girl." He paused and looked up for a brief moment into her eyes. "Well, not met because I have known her my entire life. But I got to know her. And the more I got to know her it was like the more I got to know myself. I know that sounds crazy, but it's true. I have goals and dreams now..."
This time he looked up and found his parents side by side, for the first time in almost 10 years, both looking so very proud. He swallowed hard and continued. "The thing is, I love this girl, with all of my heart and so her hopes and dreams have become mine too. She's sick, and on Tuesday we don't know what is going to happen." Just saying it felt as if a hundred bricks had come crashing down on his chest. He could see that it had the same effect on many more people in front of him.
"One of the most important things I have learned in my time with her is that life is too short not to take chances, not to do the things we really want to, because we're scared, or we don't have the time. I know if I don't take this chance, I will live the rest of my life regretting it."
He stepped down from the Pulpit and turned to Jamie; her father nudged her to stand up which she did. Landon reached out for her hand and before she could open her mouth to say anything he was down on his knee in front of her.
"Jamie Sullivan, I love you. Will you marry me?"
"Oh, Landon." She murmured, tears streaming down her face. She could only stare down at his face, the entire congregation around them completely silent.
"Please say yes." He whispered. And as simply as that she nodded. He bounded up from his knees and grabbed her up in his arms.
Neither one of them noticed as the Reverend stepped back up to the pulpit. "Ladies and Gentlemen, if you look under your seats you will find invitations to the wedding which will take place at the First Baptist Church in Hazleton which is were my wife and myself were married many years ago. The ceremony will take place at 4 this afternoon with the reception to follow in the backyard at my home."
The whole congregation let out a shout and clapped loudly, but still they were in their own little world, whispering and giggling excitedly in each other's arms. They were getting married!