Chapter 8

"You're what?" John Sr. asked.

"They're getting married." Carol answered. "But you've only known each other for a few days."

"And we are in love with each other. Amelia loves me and Isabella." John responded.

"But, John." Carol stated.

"We've already talked about it. We both want to do this and I know that when I return to work, Amelia will be here with Isabella and when they can they will travel with me." John responded.

"Amelia, what do you have to say?" Carol asked.

"It's all true. I know what John does for a living and while I'm usually not home to watch it, I still support him and I want to be with him and help raise Isabella. I want to be a mother to her and a wife to John." Amelia answered.

"Well, then I guess it's settled. You're getting married." Carol responded. "When?"

"As soon as possible." John stated.

"I have to be at work tomorrow, but I am talking to my administrator about using my paid time off that I've accumulated over the last few years." Amelia responded.

"How much time do you have?" Carol asked.

"18 months' worth of time saved up." Amelia answered.

"That's quite a bit of time." Carol responded.

"It is and I want to use it. It will give Isabella a chance to have a mother at home with her and John a wife he deserves." Amelia stated.

"With all that being said, why don't we head to the courthouse at lunch time tomorrow and seal it with a kiss." John stated.

"Sounds like a plan." Amelia responded.

After agreeing to the wedding at the court house, John and Amelia headed upstairs and were soon in each other's arms making love to celebrate their engagement and wedding. As John and Amelia slept, John Sr. and Carol took care of Isabella for the night.

The next morning, Amelia was up and out the door at 7am. John kissed her goodbye and started making breakfast for him and his parents. John only had about 4 hours to get things ready for his and Amelia's wedding that afternoon. After breakfast, John and his parents with Isabella in tow headed to the shopping center and John picked up two wedding bands for him and Amelia.

Right at 12pm Amelia and John were standing in front of the judge getting ready to say their vows to each other. Amelia smiled at John and he smiled back at her. Isabella cooed as Carol rocked her back and forth.

"John & Amelia, today you celebrate one of life's greatest moments and give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, as you join together in vows of marriage." The judge stated. "John, do you take Amelia to be your Wife?"

"I do." John answered.

"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?" The judge asked.

"I do." John answered.

"Amelia, do you take John to be your Husband?" the judge asked.

"I do."

"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?" the judge asked.

"I do." Amelia answered.

"I John, take you, Amelia, to be my Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you. With this ring, I thee wed." John stated as he slid the ring on her finger.

"I Amelia, take you John, to be my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise My love to you. With this ring, I thee wed." Amelia stated as she slid the ring on his finger.

"John and Amelia, just as two very different threads woven in opposite directions can form a beautiful tapestry, so can your two lives merge together to form a very beautiful marriage. To make your marriage work will take love. Love should be the core of your marriage, love is the reason you are here. But it also will take trust - to know in your hearts you want the best for each other. It will take dedication - to stay open to one another; to learn and to grow together even when this is not always so easy to do. It will take faith - to always be willing to go forward to tomorrow, never really knowing what tomorrow will bring. And it will take commitment - to hold true to the journey you both now pledge to share together." The judge stated. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

John and Amelia shared their first kiss as husband and wife before they both needed to head out. Amelia headed to work and finished up her appointments for the day. She transferred Isabella's as well as her other patients records over to Dr. Harris and made sure that she could take the next 18 months off. Once she was done, she also changed her withholding information and such.

After leaving the hospital, Amelia headed to John's house and walked in the door to hear Carol and John Sr. trying to calm down Isabella. After setting her bags down and taking off her lab coat, Amelia walked over to her in-laws and looked at Isabella.

"There, there princess. Look Mommy's home." Carol stated as she handed Isabella over to Amelia.

"How long has she been like this?" Amelia asked.

"About two hours. John ran to the store to get some more formula after her last bottle." Carol answered.

"Come here sweetie. Let me listen to you." Amelia stated as she pulled out her stethoscope and listened to Isabella's heart, lungs and stomach.

"Is she ok?" Carol asked.

"How many wet diapers has she had today?" Amelia asked.

"About 6." Carol answered.

"That's not enough. I think she might be dehydrated again. As soon as John gets back we will take her to the hospital." Amelia responded. "Can you take her so I can change clothes?"

"Sure. We will go with you as well." Carol stated.