Chapter 24
Jude
Marion,
Marion,
Today you become my wife. When you do, I will become the proudest husband in the world.
My love for you grows deeper and stronger every single day and I already know I’ll love you more tomorrow and the next day than today and all the days before.
I can’t wait to start our lives together, love. You’re my soulmate, the owner of my heart, and the woman I want to raise a family with, make memories with, and build a legacy around that will be remembered for generations of Wilsons and Coopers to come.
You are the strongest, most beautiful, most reverent woman I have ever met. I promise to spend the rest of my days giving you everything you’ve ever dreamed of until the day I take my last breath.
And even then, I will carry you with me until the moment you join me and we can be together again.
Forever Yours
Henley
“Do I even bother askin’ you if you’re nervous this time?” Wy asks with a smirk.
Today, two weeks after we arrived back in Timber Falls and just a week before Christmas, I’m getting ready to marry my wife again. Though this time, we enter into it knowingly, loving each other and planning a long life together.
Instead of being nervous I’m itching to get out there and get it done.
“Nope,” I tell my best friend.
Wy looks at his watch. “Lucky it’s time to get married then.”
I roll my eyes. “We’re already married.”
“You know what I mean.” Yeah. And it can’t come soon enough.
Twenty minutes later, I stand underneath the tall old tree in the meadow next to the main Cooper Ranch house and Case’s Christmas tree plantings.
Our family and close friends wait with me as two trucks full of Wilsons pull into the driveway, the twins and Ash in the front and Dare driving Em behind them.
Not that I’d ever admit it, but I have butterflies just waiting for her to get out.
“You should face me now,” Pete muses from his spot next to me. “Renewal or not, you should never short-change yourself from the experience of getting’ that first look at your bride, Jude. Believe me, it’s somethin’ you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
I turn to find Pete smiling at me, his expression soft and joyous.
We both met with him at City Hall last week to ask if he would officiate the ceremony for us today.
The way he spluttered and asked, “Are you sure?”, is something I won’t forget.
And when Em got up and hugged him, telling him it would be our honor to have him stand up for us again, I knew there was no way the man would deny my wife her request.
Pete leans in. “Promise I won’t register this one,” he teases.
I chuckle. “Considerin’ we’re already man and wife in the eyes of the law and up high, you can do whatever you like with it.”
He grins. “Good answer,” he says before glancing over my shoulder, his smile grows impossibly wide. “Now, that is a sight worth waitin’ for, Jude.”
That’s when the opening notes of Belong by Leon Bridges starts playing, the singer’s soulful voice washing over us like a promise, a prayer, and an oath all in one.
Wyatt nods and nudges my arm, giving me the sign I’ve been waiting for. I stare at the tree where HC 4 MW is still visible on the bark-covered trunk and with a deep calming breath, I slowly spin around and lay eyes on the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.
Em wears the same white dress from the first time we married.
Her hair is pinned half up, half down, with Marion’s silver pin sitting pride of place against her blonde locks.
What’s new this time is a white tulle veil draped softly over her face, though it does nothing to hide the love shining in her beautiful blue eyes or the smile gracing her perfect blush lips.
The other surprise is my dad walking next to her, followed behind by all of Em’s brothers. The symbolism and significance of the moment brings tears to my eyes and I’m not ashamed to admit it.
Because the woman walking toward me is everything I’ve ever dreamed of. She’s the other half of my soul, my One, the woman I want to give everything to and love for the rest of my days.
I think back to the last letter I read from Henley to Marion on their wedding day.
I promise to spend the rest of my days giving you everything you’ve ever dreamed of until the day I take my last breath.
That is the vow I silently make to my Marion as she finally comes to a stop in front of me, neither of us able to look away from one another.
Cap chuckles, breaking me from my trance.
When I glance his way, I find his eyes shining bright.
“There was never a doubt that you two were meant to be” he says before looking to Em.
“Your dad would be so proud of the journey you’ve taken and where you’ve ended up.
You, my new daughter, are the breath of fresh air this family–this mountain–has always needed.
I wish you and my son a lifetime of love, laughter, and cherished memories.
” He dips his head as he drops his voice to a whisper for our ears only.
“Though I knew you were the one when you told me you liked crab fishin’ shows. ”
A giggle bubbles out of Em. Though, father or not, right now he’s standing between me and my One.
“Think you could let me greet my wife, Cap?” I say in jest.
“Do I have to?” he counters, making Em laugh again.
“Thank you for walkin’ me toward my forever,” she says to him, lifting her veil to kiss him on the cheek. “But I think I’m in safe hands now.”
Dad shoots me a proud smile. “I think you’re right about that.”
Em’s teary eyes lock with mine and just like the first time we were in this same position, everything and everyone around us fades away.
This time though, there’s zero doubt in my mind about what the future might bring.
I know she feels our connection. I know we're walking the same path toward a happy and fulfilling life together. And this is the start of a love the likes neither one of us have ever–or will ever–know again.
This time, this moment is for the two of us.
How it was always destined to be.
As the mountain–now united–always intended.
It’s a little while after we exchanged vows under the big old tree on Cooper Ranch. Our families are gathered inside the house waiting for us to join them.
There's just one thing I wanted to do with my wife before we join them.
Pulling Gramps’s old carving knife out of its leather satchel, I turn to meet Em’s curious gaze. “What are you doin’, hubby?”
“When we first saw these initials on the tree, I was fascinated by them,” I explain. “First, I couldn’t believe we never saw the HC 4 MW there before.”
She frowns as she looks over to the letters. “How is that possible? Did someone put them there again? You know, after Henley and Marion’s ones had faded?”
I shake my head. “There’s no way of ever knowin’. But given the mountain chose me, Jude Henley, and you, my Marion, as soulmates, I felt it was fitting for us to honor them by adding our initials next to theirs. Maybe one day, our descendants might find them too.”
Her eyes soften. “I love that.”
Tilting my head, I sweep her hair away from her face before cradling her jaw and pulling her in for a soft kiss.
“Ladies first,” I say, stepping back and holding the knife out for her.
“How ‘bout we do it together. Start as we mean to continue and all that.”
So that’s exactly what we do, carving our names next to the Henley and Marion who came before us.
The couple whose love divided the mountain joined by the two of us, Jude and Em Wilson-Cooper, the couple who brought it back together.