One Special Moment - Brenda Jackson [63]
Cynthia’s words snatched Colby back into reality. And with it came the knowledge of why she and Sterling were getting married. She couldn’t look at Cynthia when she said, “There won’t be any birth control. We want to start a family right away. Come on, I think they’re ready for us now.”
“Mom and Dad would have been so proud of you, today.”
Tears burned the back of Colby’s eyes as she lovingly gazed up at her brother. “Thanks, James. And they would have been proud of you, too.”
A look of confusion wrinkled James’s forehead. “Proud of me? For what?”
Colby tried to smile but couldn’t. She could not…she would not make light of what she was about to say. “They would have been proud of you for taking care of me the way you did, putting my needs before your own and for finishing what they started by making sure I always felt loved and protected.”
James shrugged. Colby could tell her praise was somewhat embarrassing him. “I just did what any brother would have done.”
Colby shook her heard. “No. Any brother would not have done what you did. Only a special brother, a loving brother and a caring brother would have done what you did.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “And this sister thanks you from the bottom of her heart.”
At that moment the music began playing for the wedding ceremony to began.
Sterling took Colby’s hand in his the moment James walked her to him. Then together they faced the minister and began reciting their wedding vows. Sterling’s face was carefully schooled and Colby had no idea what he was thinking as he said the words that, in the sight of God and all those present, were supposed to bind their lives together forever.
She stared up at him and listened as he repeated the words the minister had instructed him to repeat. She smiled when he glanced down at her and she knew then, at that very moment, that she would love him forever. She knew in her heart she was truly pledging her life to him, and unlike him, she was not pretending. She intended to keep each and every vow she was saying.
Kyle passed Sterling the ring to put on her finger, and moments later, Cynthia gave her the one to place on his. Not long after that, the minister announced they were man and wife and told Sterling he could kiss his bride.
Sterling reached out and tenderly stroked her bottom lip with his thumb. His gaze was gentle as he lowered his head and kissed her. Then suddenly he began kissing her with a fierceness that surprised her. All of a sudden, it seemed that all the barriers he had ever erected between them came crashing down in that one kiss.
Colby felt the stirrings of desire that Sterling could arouse in her so quickly and so easily. She returned the kiss with all the love she felt in her heart. She felt happy, elated and renewed. And no matter what he thought his plans were for their future, their lives were being joined forever.
She knew she wasn’t like the other women he had been involved with, some more beautiful, worldly and sophisticated. But she believed she had something to offer him that a lot of them did not. She would give him her undying love, devotion and trust. And one day she would give him a daughter. In her heart, she truly believed that.
“Do you have any idea how beautiful you look today?” Sterling whispered to her as they moved around the room dancing. James had cleared back the furniture to make room for them to share their first dance together as husband and wife.
“No, but thanks for telling me,” she said, smiling at him.
“Chandler would have liked you.” Pain flashed across Sterling’s features. “That’s the only sad part about today. I always assumed he would be there whenever I did get married.”
Colby nodded as she gazed deep into Sterling’s eyes. “But he is here. I can feel his presence, and I know you can, too. And as always, he is very proud of you.”
At that moment, Colby’s words touched him. Once again they had been the soothing calmness he needed. He suddenly forgot about the promise he’d made to himself on the drive from the airport to remember to stay focused