I believe in you and me
I believe that we will be
In love eternally
Well as far as I can see
You will always be the one for me
Ooooh, yes you will

I believe in dreams again
I believe that love will never end
And like the river finds the sea,
I was lost, now I’m free
‘cause I believe in you and me

As Evangeline sang the lyrics to the love song, the bride and groom danced their first dance as a married couple. As the maid of honor, she had told Marcie that she had a special salute to the bride and groom.

“I can’t believe we’re married,” Marcie said to Michael.

“I know,” Michael said and leaned in to kiss her. “You’ve made an honest man of me.”

Marcie giggled at him, before saying, “Today has been so wonderful. Thank you for making it so special.”

“You’re worth it to me. I’m so glad that I’ll be coming home to you for the rest of our lives. I can’t imagine it any other way.”

“Me either. I’m married to Dr. Michael McBain. I feel like I need to pinch myself. This is what I’ve wanted for so long.”

“How about instead of a pinch, I just kiss you?”

“I’d like that,” she grinned back.

Michael leaned in and planted a kiss that would have been more appropriate for a private setting, but he didn’t care. He was with the woman he was spending the rest of his life with and he wanted everyone to know it.

“How soon can we get out of here?” Michael asked when he pulled out of the kiss.

“Let’s hurry,” she replied with a wink.

Glancing away from the newly married couple, Evangeline’s eyes connected with John’s across the room. The intensity of his gaze would have taken her breath away had she not been expecting it. Now that he had admitted how he felt, he had no problem showing her and the world. He still wasn’t into public displays of affection, but he didn’t mind people knowing that he was in love with Evangeline. In fact, he wanted people to know she was all his.

Marcie, Evangeline, Shannon and Jennifer had spent the night at Evangeline’s house and had a wonderful time together. Nora had even joined them, leaving Daniel with Matthew for a few hours. All men had been banned from the party. John and Michael had been slightly perturbed by the rule, but after grumbling had gone out to do man things with Antonio, Bo, Riley and a couple of the other residents from the hospital. They had apparently been good, because they’d all arrived at the church on time and without hangovers.

The day had turned out beautifully. Marcie had wanted a traditional wedding with bride’s maids and the like. She had gotten that in Evangeline, Jennifer and Shannon. Marcie made a beautiful bride in a white organdy gown that flattered her figure. She wore a tiara on her head and looked the part of a princess on her special day. It had been a pleasure to watch the look of awe on Michael’s face as she’d come down the aisle to an instrumental version of “Here comes the Bride.” Eve McBain serenaded the couple during the ceremony with a beautiful love song.

Evangeline had been spending quite a bit of time with Eve. Eve had wanted to get to know the woman that her son had given her pearls to. She had been pleasantly surprised when she met Evangeline. Evangeline was everything Michael had told her and more. She was everything Eve wanted for her son.

As Eve danced with John, she decided to bring up the subject that had been driving her crazy.

“How are you and Evangeline?”

“We’re fine, Mom. In fact, things are really good.”

“Should I be planning another wedding?”

“Mom, we’re good right now. I’ll let you know if and when that changes.”

“Well, just don’t let her get away. She is pretty special.”

“I know that, but I didn’t realize that the two of you were bonding so well.”

“We are. I really like her. She’s funny and smart and talented. . .”

“She’s also stubborn, a workaholic and can be a real pain in the butt.”

Eve stopped moving and looked in her son’s eyes with amazement, “You love her.”

Instead of balking at his mother’s declaration, he smiled at her.

“Yeah, I do.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“I don’t know yet, Mom, but I don’t plan on letting things stand as they are for too long.”

“Well, that’s my boy,” she smiled and patted his cheek.

---------------

“Evangeline, that was beautiful. I love that song,” Shannon said standing right behind the band as Evangeline left the band stand.

“Thanks Shannon. Are you having fun?”

“Yes, I am. I really like Samuel. Thank you for introducing us.” She glanced at her date across the room at the refreshment table. He was a tall, extremely handsome boy who was practically a genius. He was two years older than Shannon, but was already more than halfway through Law School and he liked Shannon for herself. She didn’t feel like she had to be someone she wasn’t. She felt safe with him and she couldn’t thank Evangeline enough.

“Well, he’s been working in my office for a while and I felt like I knew him well enough to trust him with you,” she said with a wink. Shannon wrapped her arms around Evangeline in an impromptu hug.

“When are you joining our family?” Shannon asked.

“Shannon…”

“I know John is in love with you and that you love him. What is going on with you two? I know John and I know that he’ll want to get married.”

“I wish I could explain it, but it’s complicated.”

“It doesn’t have to be. The two of you think too much. You love each other. You just have to make a choice that you will be together and make through whatever gets thrown your way.”

“But, Shannon, what if it doesn’t work?”

“What if it does? Why wouldn’t it work? The two of you are fighters. You can make it work,” Shannon said before going off toward Samuel.

“Shannon?” Evangeline called before she got out of ear shot.

“Yeah?”

“Thanks,” she said glancing around the room for John. The last time she’d seen him, he’d been with his mother. She saw Eve across the room talking to Bo. Suddenly, she felt him behind her, stroking her back. She smiled and turned into his embrace.

“Dance with me,” he said and started moving with her in his arms.

She rested her head against his shoulder and enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms. Shannon was right. Her daddy had always told her that she could be and do anything she set her mind to. She could have it all with John if she would just push past her fear. John had told her once that she didn’t run from things that scared her. Was he right?

“Hey, what are you thinking about?” he asked from above her head. She lifted her head and stroked his cheek.

“You. Us,” she whispered back.

“What about us?”

“A while ago, you told me that I needed to be open to marriage. I guess today has helped me put some things in perspective. I know that if we were to marry, we could make it.”

“Really?” he said with a smile at her pronouncement.

“Yes. I know that you love me and that you would never do anything to intentionally hurt me. I also know that when you commit you go in giving everything you are. Don’t get me wrong, you’re still closed off sometimes and that frustrates me to no end, but I also know that it has nothing to do with me. It’s just who you are and if I give you enough time with whatever it is you’ll tell me. I know you that well,” she explained.

“Yeah, you do know me that well. Are you saying that you’re ready for more?”

“Whenever you are.”

He broke into a grin and kissed her, before saying, “You are amazing. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she replied with a grin.

“Okay, so when are you going to marry me?”

“What?” she asked in shock.

“When are you marrying me? You just said you were ready. I’m not giving you a chance to think about it and change your mind. You know how you over analyze things.”

“I’m not going to change my mind.”

“I know. I’ve got you now and I’m not letting you go.” He leaned in for another kiss, before saying, “Now answer the question.”