Chapter 13

The week had flown by, and before anyone knew it, the entire wedding party had descended on the three homes in Silver Spring. Beth was running around crazily and Kevin watched with admiration and amusement. The rehearsal was set to begin in less than an hour. She was on the phone with her mother, sister, and Helen who were already at the church finishing up decorations. Kevin and the men were packing their things to return to Jack's house after the dinner that night. Joan and Grace were preparing rooms for the bridesmaids who were straggling in at various intervals. Kevin wanted to pick on Beth a little to lighten the mood, but he knew better than to do so at this moment. Finally, mostly everyone was ready to go. Kevin messed with his tie; he detested wearing one. Beth was wearing a flowered sun dress and dangerously high heels. He was amazed at how gracefully she moved in spite of this. Beth directed the traffic to the cars, shouting last minute instructions to everyone, including her mother on the other end of the phone. Kevin got in the front seat of Jack's car with Jerrod, Luke, and Adam in the back. Annika drove Beth, Jocelyn, Joan and Grace while both fathers followed in Will's car.

They all arrived at the church in plenty of time, much to Beth's pleasure. The minister greeted the couple, parents, and wedding party members. The musicians for the ceremony were students at a local college. The group included a harmonica player, Kevin's gift to Beth, knowing she was a sucker for anything that sounded remotely like Bob Dylan. The incorporation of the unique sound in the classical feel of the songs the couple had chosen added an air to the ceremony that was so quintessentially them. The musicians were just finishing their practice when the party entered the sanctuary, and Beth, hearing the sound of the harmonica, pivoted to face Kevin who nearly ran over her as she stopped directly in front of him.

"It was supposed to be a surprise," he admitted.

She smiled. "It's ok, maybe it will keep me from crying too terribly tomorrow when I hear it then."

The minister walked everyone through the entire ceremony, placing the groomsmen on the right side of the sanctuary and the bridesmaids on the left. They ran through the processional twice and they would have done it two more times if Beth had been in complete control, but her mother stepped in to remind her of the dinner reservation. She blushed a bit, thanked the minister for his help, and agreed that they were ready for the next day. Kevin remained silent, deciding wisely to pick his battles with her, especially before the marriage actually began. As they were leaving for the dinner, Annie pulled Kevin aside and told him that Beth wanted to have some time alone with him before everyone went home. He promised to give her whatever she needed.

The dinner put everyone at ease. Laughter and stories about the two resounded through the restaurant's banquet hall. Will and Helen, parents of the groom, had been responsible for the reservations and were extremely pleased at how well the evening had turned out. Will rose from his seat to address the crowd. He thanked everyone for sharing in the upcoming event in the lives of Kevin and Beth as they made the decision to pursue a life together. He continued to recognize the family members present as well as the rest of the wedding party. Finally, he turned the floor over to Kevin and Beth who prepared to present gifts to their attendants.

Beth began first. She asked her maids to stand. She began with Annie. "This is my sister Annie. I've known her since she was born. I'm so wonderfully excited that she's been here with me this week helping get everything ready. We've shared secrets, a bedroom, clothes, even boyfriends, but she's here to share the biggest moment in my life. Annie, this is for you. Thank you so much for everything." She handed her sister a wrapped package and turned to Annika and Jocelyn. "These two girls came into my life very recently thanks to Kevin, actually. I met Jocelyn and Annika first as Jerrod and Jack's girlfriends. Very soon afterward, we had ditched the guys pretty much altogether for our own 'dates.' They are two of the most supportive friends I could have ever imagined, and I'm dreading leaving them." Beth reached for two more boxes and handed them to Annika and Jocelyn. Finally she turned to Joan. "Joan is the singular reason that we're even here tonight. As most of you know, Kevin and I broke up in high school for what I thought was for good. However, around four years ago, Joan called me, totally out of the blue, and asked if I would be interested in seeing Kevin again. I said, why not. And just four short years later, here we are. Joan believed in us when no one else even considered us a possibility. For that, and everything else she's been and done for Kevin and me, I am forever grateful." She handed Joan the final package.

Kevin took center stage next. He began with Jack, his best man. "After we moved to Arcadia, I felt pretty lost. I had the same friends my entire life, and then they were gone. I was gone. It was really hard to try to fit in there. After Beth and I got back together and I started school in College Park, I met Jack in my first class on campus. He came over to me, introduced himself and some of the other people in the class. That made such an impression on me, as did the way he was sure to include me in everything that was going on. One night after we had been hanging out for a few months, he asked me about the accident. I realized then that I hadn't put myself out there to actually connect with anyone. Jack just listened, and he's been doing that for me ever since that day. I only hope that I can attempt to be as good a friend to him as he's been to me. Thanks, man." Kevin handed Jack his package and turned to Jerrod. "One of the guys that Jack introduced me to that first day was his best friend and partner. Jerrod and I have shared some pretty great memories in the relatively short time we've known each other. I'm really glad that he was able to be here with us today and all along the way. He just told me a few minutes ago that he and Jocelyn got engaged last weekend, so I want to wish the two of them the very best, as well." The two shook hands, and Kevin gave out his second box. Next in Kevin's line was Kerry O'Donnell. Kevin explained their connection through the basketball league and handed out his next present. Finally, he made it to his younger brother Luke. "Like Beth and Annie, I've known Luke since he was born. I always prided myself in being the perfect big brother, but in fact, I really wasn't. Sometimes I was downright immature and ironically it was Luke who called me on it mostly every time. He's a good man, and he's made me a better man than I should have become. I'm so proud of everything he's done and am looking forward to seeing all the great things he's going to do. I know there will be a lot of them. Luke, I don't tell you this nearly enough, but I love you." Luke approached Kevin and embraced him in an unusual show of emotion. Kevin handed him the final package on the table.

It wasn't much later that the party began to disperse. Annika and Annie were instantly at Kevin's side. They told him he should leave with Beth. He didn't really understand but didn't feel that he should question the girls. Beth was already outside in the car, and Helen sent Kevin after her when he tried to stay and be helpful. She assured him that his parents could handle everything. He kissed his mother goodbye and joined Beth in the car.

"Is this legal?" he asked her. "I thought I wasn't supposed to see you before the wedding."

"You saw me like five minutes ago," Beth answered. "I just wanted us to have a little time to see each other before the craziness tomorrow." Beth pulled the car out of the parking lot. She drove the car to the park near their home that had become their special meeting place over that past few years, even before Kevin had moved to Silver Spring. She parked on the side of the road and led him to the swing set.

As a child, she had loved the swings more than any other playground toy. She sat on a swing and kicked off her shoes. Kevin came up behind her and gave her a gentle push. On the back swing; however, he caught her waist and held her close. He pulled her back through the swing onto his lap. This was their most intimate position, one that they were often in. Beth sat with her head resting on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. She broke the silence of the night.

"Kevin, do you believe in God?"

He was shocked by the question, as the two of them had never really discussed religious matters. He knew that her parents attended church regularly and that his parents had both been raised in the Roman Catholic church, but they had never insisted that Kevin attend. Beth hadn't really gone regularly since she finished high school. He wasn't sure what her point was going to be, but he wasn't sure he was going to like it.

"I don't think that I do, Beth. Why are you asking me this?"

"My dad and I were talking earlier, and he told me about the accident. You know he was there, right?"

Kevin nodded.

"He's seen people hurt really badly in his career. He said he thought that you were dead. The paramedics couldn't get vital signs. He was ready to pronounce it, but something happened. He was so upset that he didn't know what to do or say. Andy was hysterical. They were trying to hold him back from where you were. My dad just said 'Oh God, please.' He turned back to you and they found your pulse. He said he told you that you got your miracle that night. I know he didn't elaborate before, but he believes that something supernatural happened there. I believe him. I've known him all my life and he doesn't exaggerate."

Kevin swallowed. He didn't know how to answer her. He knew about Joan's 'God experiences' or whatever. His mom had tried to get them all to go to church for a while, but Kevin wasn't sure he could celebrate a God who would allow his hopes and dreams to end, especially if He had the power to heal Kevin's injuries. The bitterness was just too great. He had refused his mother's request and had barely thought about God since then. Everything he had done in his life he had accomplished with his own hard work. He hadn't ever asked God for anything. His mother and Joan had, he was sure of that, but he himself had not. Now Beth was telling him that Dr. Reinhart believed that Kevin had miraculously survived the accident. Did that mean he wasn't entitled to walking? Was there a limit of one miracle per person? This was a subject he didn't know anything about at all. He didn't know how to answer Beth. It wasn't that he hadn't tried to believe before, even when Joan had been sick. He just didn't know who God was, if He really did even exist.

"I'm not doubting what your father says, Beth, but I can't tell you that I believe in something that I'm just not sure that I do. I'm willing to listen, to learn, but I'm skeptical."

Beth seemed satisfied with this answer. She had been so amazed when her father had pulled her aside earlier in the week. She had been raised to believe in God and the miraculous powers that were in His nature. Religion had never been an issue between herself and Kevin, but she was pleased to hear that Kevin was open to at least learning more. He had agreed to a church wedding for her family's benefit and had gone through counseling sessions with the minister. Yet, nothing had piqued his interest before hearing her father's account of the accident. It wasn't enough to convince him, but it was enough to get him started. She was instantly glad that she had insisted upon this conversation.

"I know you are Kevin, and I'm not trying to give you answers or insinuate that I have them, but I think this is something that we should explore together. If we don't like it or think it's bogus then we don't have to continue."

"Ok. I can live with that. We'll find a place where we fit in and where we can learn more about this whole thing."

She glanced at her watch, unaware of how long they had been sitting under the stars. She showed him the face and he wheeled the two of them back to the car. Beth slid behind the wheel as Kevin placed himself in the passenger seat. She drove him to Jack's house where the men were staying for the night. She leaned across to kiss him goodnight before he exited the car and left her sight. When he closed the front door, she pulled away and drove the six blocks to her own house.

Jack, Jerrod, Luke, Dr. Reinhart, and Will were sitting in the living room watching the end of an Orioles' game when Kevin entered the house. They all turned when they heard the door slam. Grinning, Jack asked slyly, "Well, well, well. Where have you two been? Oh, sorry D.R. (Jack's nickname for Beth's father) Didn't mean to make you think about your little princess and this guy doing anything scandalous." Everyone in the room laughed as Jack's ears turned a bright shade of pink.

Kevin grinned at his friend from behind tired eyes. "We were just talking over some last minute details. Don't worry, I don't think either of us is ready to bolt. But now I'm exhausted, so I'm going to turn in. What time is tee time in the morning?"

Jack confirmed that the foursome was to begin at 8:30. Kevin said goodnight and left for the spare bedroom where he would be sleeping. A few minutes later he had gotten into bed when he heard a knock on the door. Will pushed open the door and came in.

"Hey, Dad. What's up?'

Will crossed to the bed and sat on the edge facing Kevin. "Can we talk for a minute?"

"Sure."

"I, uh, I know that we don't talk as much as we used to, so I wanted to take some time for both of us tonight before you marry Beth and move away. I hope you know that I love you, that I would do anything for you. And I'm proud of you, son. I'm so very proud of you. I didn't know what to do after your accident. I know I held you back, but I couldn't believe that this was real. I still don't. I remember the day you were born like it was five minutes ago, and I remember that night. Every time the phone rings, even now, I get this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. My first instinct was just to hold onto you so tightly that you would never be out of my sight again, so that I could protect you. But you were amazing. You just never quit. I know you wanted to. I can't imagine what you've gone through and how you've gotten through it all. Kevin, you are my hero. I can't believe that you're my son, that I could have had even some small part in who you have become."

At this point Kevin interrupted his father. "Dad, no. I only wanted to be like you. I only wanted to be the type of man that you are. Now I just hope that I can be even a fraction of the husband and father that you've always been for us. I'm so scared that I'm going to let Beth down. She's so perfect and I love her so much, and I've hurt her before. I can't believe she wants to spend her life with me. Yeah, I'm pretty much scared shitless, but I have the best example that I can imagine to follow. Thank you for everything you've done and been. And you're wrong about one thing. I would have never have made it without you."

Will placed his hand on Kevin's leg and continued. "You're going to be a great husband. The main thing you have to do is listen to her and tell her how you're feeling, too. Don't keep things inside. She loves you, too. Anyone can see it in the way she looks at you when she thinks nobody else sees. Take it easy on babies, though. Spend some time enjoying each other. You have plenty of time. Well, it's getting late and you have a horribly big day ahead of you tomorrow. Get some sleep, Slugger."

Kevin winced, "Dad."

"Sorry, old habit." Will turned to go out the door when Kevin called out.

"Beth asked me if I believed in God."

Kevin's father stopped in the doorway and turned around. "When did she ask you that?"

"That's what we talked about tonight. Apparently her dad told her that when he got to the scene of the accident, he thought I was dead. Then he prayed or something and then the paramedics got a pulse. He told Beth that it was a miracle that I lived. You know how they feel about church and God and everything. And I know about mom and Joan, and the stuff they believe, but I just wanted to know what you think."

Will frowned. "Kev, I'm not the person to ask about this. I'm pretty much neutral about God. I know that we were very lucky to have you still here with us, but I don't know about miracles. Every day I have with you I consider a little bit miraculous, so maybe I do believe in something."

Kevin sighed. "That's kinda what I thought, too. I'm going to bed. I can't really think about this anymore."

"Good night, Kevin." With that Will closed the door. Kevin turned off the lamp on the night stand.

A/N: Next up, the wedding. But I'm doing some revisions on it. I've been a little busy lately, but it should be coming soon. After that, the next 10 chapters or so are already ready.