Redemption

Chapter Eighty-Three

The reverend began the ceremony with a beautiful scripture about love and fidelity, knowing just by looking at Bobby and Danni that those were two things this couple would not stray away from. Their love for one another made the grandfather of twelve's heart swell as he looked upon them, their love for one another as true and honest as the Good Book, itself.

Before he'd agreed to wed the two, he'd counseled them in the ways of marriage, explaining that just by slipping a ring on a finger wouldn't make their hardships disappear. At that time, Danni had just gotten her stitches removed and it was still too painful to walk on her own. He was touched by the gentle care that Bobby took with her—even carrying her out to the car after their session was over. The Aussie had claimed that he needed the practice for when it was time to carry his new bride over the threshold, yet the good reverend knew better. He was simply trying to take care of his fiancée, though going a bit overboard.

Still, every session it was clear that they were getting married for the right reasons; they were simply meant to be. And now, as they stood before him, ready to proclaim their vows of love and devotion, he could see that their love would prevail through the best and worst of times. No lover were either of them shaking, afraid of what lay ahead, but they were standing tall, gazing into each others' eyes—which were filled with the most purest love Reverend Jacobs had ever seen in his long reign as head of this church. This marriage would last for a long time, he was certain of that.

"And now," he said, surprised that his voice was filled with so much emotion—the couple had brought it out in him like no other he'd presided over, "Robert and Danielle have written their own vows which they would like to express, now." He nodded to Bobby, giving him the signal to go first.

At first, Bobby had forgotten everything that he had memorized the night before, his nerves violently shoving his memory out of the way so he could make a fool of himself in front of so many people, but when he looked into Danni's eyes and saw the beautiful, perfect smile that he'd fallen in love with that first night they met and went out for coffee, he relaxed and exhaled sharply before beginning.

"Danni, we met on… strange terms, you and I, but at that first moment when we spoke, I fell hopelessly in love with you. I know the difficulty you went through to keep your cover intact, and I know I said some terrible things to you after I discovered who you really were—things you forgave me for—but, I just want to tell you that even through that and everything since, I have never stopped loving you." The corners of his mouth twitched upward in a smile when he saw her lips do the same. Her eyes were wide and watery as she hung on to every word that exited his mouth.

"We've fought a lot in our relationship, Luv, and I know that arguments will be one of the downfalls of married life, but no matter what, you can always come to me. I want to be the shoulder you cry on when you need to, I was to be the one to embrace you when you're sad and help you through the hard times, I want to spend the rest of my life with you and only you. I'd learned a long time ago that you were the only one for me and I want to keep it that way. You will always have my love, my trust, my fidelity, and most importantly, my heart. I love you with all that I am." He took in a breath and slowly let it out when he felt more tears rise to the surface. He sniffled and managed a smile when he felt her soft, gentle hand cup his cheek as her thumb lightly wiped his tears away. He leaned gently into her cupped hand, reveling in the smooth, silky texture of her skin as it brushed against his cheek.

Their hearts were beating in sync as he reached up to do the same. Tenderly cupping her cheek, he took care to dry every pearly drop that trickled down her downy flesh until he could see just Danni smiling up at him. He swallowed the invisible lump that had formed in his throat as she nuzzled her face into his hand and placed a soft kiss upon his palm. Letting out a shaky breath, he wanted to lean down and crush her lips to his, searing the supple flesh that seemed to taunt him with wanton desire.

His mouth felt suddenly dry as she lowered her gaze as she took in a deep breath before she raised her gaze back to his. She was clutching his hand tightly, taking great care to not dig her nails into his flesh as she clung to him for support. She looked like she was ready to fall over at any second and he would make sure that he would be there to catch her. His thumb caressed over the pulse points on her wrists, allowing him to feel how rapidly her heart was beat—her love for him and her nerves combining in a deadly mixture that sent his heart ablaze.

"Danni," Reverend Jacobs prompted to inform her that it was her turn. To the couple, it had seemed like hours had probably flown by, but it had only been a matter of seconds between Bobby's vows and the priest signaling for her to begin.

She took in another deep breath and nodded. Searching her heart while she looked into Bobby's eyes was a lethal combination on the organ as she tried to remember everything that she'd promised herself. It was only when she felt her almost-husband squeeze her hand that she was able to continue. It was like everything was made so clear with that simple gesture and that allowed her mind to open up and reveal everything.

"Bobby, while growing up, I wasn't like you. You were always handsome and popular, while I was just the plain and quiet one, and I never thought I would ever fall in love with someone like you. I was always strong-willed and sure of myself, but no one ever gave me the chance to show who I really was. Even through my adult life, I was always told to be someone I wasn't… until I met you." She paused as she drew in another large, yet shaky breath—now that she'd begun, it was difficult to stop to take in a much-needed breath.

"You make me feel beautiful, you make me feel loved, and you make me feel like I can be myself. I know I will never be able to find the right words to thank you, so I give you my heart as gratitude." She pulled her hand away from his and placed it over her heart as she spoke, feeling the rhythmic tempo dance under her fingertips as she proclaimed her love for this man. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you and only you. You will always have my love, my trust, my fidelity, and most importantly, my heart. I love you with all that I am," she finished with the one line they'd said they would each add at the end of their vows, proving that they were truly in tune with one another and that their love would know no bounds.

Silence engulfed the church, only to be interrupted with soft sobs of joy and sniffles of those who had been truly affected by the words of love. Jack looked to Sue who had tears in her eyes. The wedding party had fanned out upon the altar in a 'V' shape so Sue would be able to read Bobby and Danni's lips as they exchanged vows. Her eyes were shining just as brightly as the other two, her heart filled will just as much love as theirs, no doubt. It made his heart swell and gave him a preview of the look she would give him when they were in the loving couple's position.

A large lump filled his throat when he saw her gaze flicker to him, pure, unadulterated love for him shining in her gorgeous hazel eyes. He tried to swallow it when their eyes made contact, but when she mouthed: "I love you," to him, the lump only increased in size and almost prevented him from returning his love. After much conflict with the lump, he succeeded and replied, knowing his eyes illustrated his feelings.

He'd spent the good part of four years trying to keep his soulful brown eyes from revealing his love for her, but once they'd proclaimed their love, he found it more than a little difficult to keep his emotions in check. He loved Sue with every fiber of his being and it was almost becoming too painful to lay in bed at night without her by his side. The night of the bombing had been one of the best nights he'd had in a long time. Not only had he slept better than ever before, but he had done so with the love of his life in his arms.

That night had spoiled him enough so that he knew that the only way he wanted to go to bed at night was with Sue in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder and her hand splayed comfortably across his abdomen. It was one dream he would make come true and revel in for the rest of his life.

"May I have the rings, please?" Reverend Jacobs asked, bringing Jack back into the ceremony. Shaking his head slightly to clear it, he took the few steps up to the priest where he deposited the wedding band he carried upon the bible in the reverend's hands, Sue doing the same before both returned to their previous positions.

The exchanging of rings was even more difficult for Bobby and Danni as more tears flowed down the bride's cheeks, causing Bobby to fumble with her ring for a second before successfully sliding the matching white-gold band with the words "Hopelessly Devoted" scrawled on the underside of the band onto her ring finger. He raised that hand up to his lips, lightly brushing them against the band before a whispered "I love you" escaped him.

Danni did the same, though not fumbling as much as he had to slide the solid, white-gold band with the same inscription onto his finger. Her lips lightly brushed his skin, making them both shiver at the light contact before their hands reconnected and they waited for the reverend to finally pronounce them man and wife.

"I've never met a couple more devoted to one another and who understands one another, despite their occupations and the secrets they must keep from friends, family, and each other. Danni and Bobby, may your marriage continue to stay strong as you each fight through your hardships. Let the love you two have for each other outshine the darkness that engulfs some of those who are in your line of work. And, most importantly, rely on each other when you feel the darkness overcome you." He paused as he let out a short chuckle of merriment at the impatient expressions he saw in both of their eyes. He hadn't meant to drag out his blessing, but he felt there were things that needed to be said and he'd wanted to get them out before the couple left to begin their lives together.

"It has been a great pleasure to discover the love the two of you have and it is an even greater pleasure that, by the powers vested in my by the District of Columbia, I now pronounce you man and wife." He didn't even get the chance to announce that Bobby could kiss his bride. At the words "man and wife", the Aussie had swooped down and claimed Danni's lips.

She was a bit taken aback by the onslaught of Bobby's lips, but when she gasped in surprise, it allowed Bobby the access he'd been craving all morning. She gave a startled squeal and clutched his shoulders when she felt her body dip as he attacked her lips with even more vigor before righting her and placing his hands on either side of her hips to steady her.

It was only after that that she realized that the church was filled with applause. It was so loud that she almost missed Reverend Jacobs stating: "I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Robert James Manning."

That proclamation made her heart swell as she realized that it had really happened; she and Bobby were finally married. Smiling widely, she looked to her new husband and embracing him as they faced their friends and family as they stood to applaud the happy couple. 'Mrs. Danielle Manning', she thought to herself as Bobby took her hand and Sue handed her the bouquet she'd given her Maid-of-Honor before the ring exchange. The name certainly had a ring to it and she couldn't wait to discover everything that came with being Bobby Manning's wife.