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  Toby glanced around the small office. Wayne still had a picture of him and McKenzie on their wedding day, and one of them with Caleb in the middle. They looked like a happy little family, but if you looked closer, you could see the sadness in her eyes. People say pictures don’t lie. That was so far from the truth. He was in her ex-husband’s office because Toby needed to have a man-to-man conversation with Mr. O’Sullivan before he married McKenzie. He didn’t plan to physically harm him, but if he mentioned one disheartening word about McKenzie, all bets were off. That was how he met Ms. Connie Browne.

  The door swung open and Wayne stepped into his office first and Toby stood, but then a woman followed, and the two of them started making out. The woman threw her purse on the floor as he groped her ass. Toby was incredibly uncomfortable. She was about to take off her heel when she looked up and saw him. She rapidly pulled away from Wayne. His eyes widened and his jaw tightened when he saw who it was.

  “Sorry,” the lady said, slipping back on her shoe, and then wiping her lips with the back of her hand. “Hi, I’m Connie Browne.” she extended her arm. “I’m in town on some business,” she said nervously.

  “Good morning, Connie, I’m Mr. Wheeler.” He shook her hand and released it. “No need for explanations, you both are consenting adults.” Toby figured it wouldn’t be too long until Wayne found interest in other woman. He was thankful. Hopefully, hopefully it meant that McKenzie was no longer on his radar.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Wayne asked going behind his desk.

  Toby glared at the man who’d dared to hurt McKenzie as he balled his fists and held them to his sides. What would make a man beat a woman he claimed he loved? Why didn’t he just fucking walk away? “We are overdue for a conversation.”

  “Honey, I’ll come back later.” Connie picked up her purse. “Nice meeting you, Mr. Wheeler.” She headed out the door, and closed it.

  “We have nothing to talk about.” Wayne sat, looking up at Toby. “So leave.”

  “It’s time we had a man-to-man conversation, or if you want, I will do all the talking and you will listen.” Toby marched up to his desk and placed his palms on the wood, glaring at him. “McKenzie is no longer any of your concern. You two share one thing in common and that’s your son.”

  “Caleb is my son.” Wayne slammed his fist on the wooden surface. “I won’t let you or McKenzie keep him away from me. Do you hear me?” His nose flared.

  “Did you think about that when you were viciously hurting his mother?” Toby yelled, remembering her battered face. “Did you? Did you ever fucking think about the effect it would have on the son you say you love? No, you didn’t.” The muscle in his jaw twitched. “It’s by the grace of God that they are finally away from you.”

  “I was sick.” Wayne’s expression dulled. “I’m a changed man, and it’s all because of my son.”

  “I’m not trying to replace you in his life, but if you ever abuse that little boy you will have to deal with me, and you and I both know how that will turn out.” Toby’s words were fierce. “I meant what I said before: if you ever hurt McKenzie or her son again,” he pointed at the man, “I’ll come after you.” Toby had nothing else to say. “Do we have a mutual understanding when it comes to my family and yours?”

  Wayne didn’t answer, he just glared at Toby with a blank expression.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” Toby turned around, never looking back, and left his office.

  ***

  The magical sound of Caleb’s laughter mixed with the waves in the background brought him back to the present. Toby rubbed his sweaty palms together as he waited for his bride to make her grand entrance from the hotel behind them.

  The arch above his head was decorated with white and pink roses. He couldn’t wait to finally make McKenzie Mrs. Wheeler. Toby had waited for more than a year, until she was ready to seal their love for each other. She wanted a small, intimate wedding with close family and friends, and that was what she received.

  McKenzie’s parents and Toby’s made their way to their assigned spots, with their grandkids in tow. His parents stood on the right and hers on the left, with a row of pink roses going down between them. The music started playing and Caleb popped up in position, digging into his pocket for the platinum rings.

  Shawn and his wife Angela sashayed down the path in a playful manner. Shawn rubbed his wife’s protruding stomach. “Finally, a girl!” he yelled, making everyone laugh.

  “My first granddaughter!” Mrs. Strong grinned from ear to ear.

  Her grandsons stared at their parents dancing down to meet Toby. “A girl?”

  “Yuck,” Junior said, and then laughed.

  Toby’s mind wandered off to the day Shawn had summoned him outside. McKenzie’s brother had been throwing digs at him all day. Toby was getting tired of the dirty looks he received from Shawn. Mr. Strong was the opposite. He’d embraced Toby like he was already part of the family.

  ***

  Shawn pulled him aside from the others. “We need to talk.”

  “About?”

  “My sister and your intentions toward her.” Shawn walked away to the back door, and opened it, waiting for him to follow.

  Shawn was lucky that they were celebrating Thanksgiving in his home. Out of respect, he complied. Otherwise, he would’ve told him to go fuck off. The man was no joke when it came to the safety of his sister after her marriage to Wayne, and Toby didn’t blame him. However, he didn’t like being bullied.

  “How did you meet my sister?” Shawn sat down in the wooden chair outside in the backyard, glaring at him. “Were you preying on her weakness?”

  Toby wasn’t one to hold his tongue. If McKenzie wanted her family to know how and when they met, she would’ve told them by now. “Why don’t you ask your sister?”

  “I’m asking you,” he spat.

  Toby smirked, staring back at Shawn trying to bully him. “I’m not answering any of your f—” he took a breath, “—questions. I’m tired of you looking down on me. I make your sister happy. That’s all I care about.”

  “You think because you went off and became an officer, that was going to make your relationship all right with me? She deserves the best, and I’m not sure you are.” Shawn leaned forward.

  “Where was all this concern when your sister was married to that bastard?” Toby asked, a little ticked.

  “I had the same talk with him.” Shawn took a gulp of his drink. “He was calm and collected, unlike you. He promised he would treat my sister as a queen, but he still managed to pull the wool over our eyes.” His hand closed into a fist. “Never again will another motherfucker lay hands on my baby sister.”

  Toby cracked his neck, clenching his jaw. “What the fuck does that mean?” Toby’s eyes narrowed at his soon to be brother-in-law. “Now you’re going to punish me for what that motherfucker did?” He stood. “I love your sister and no matter what shit you throw my way, that fact won’t change. McKenzie is everything to me.” Toby thought about his beloved aunt. “I lost my aunt to domestic violence; I would never hurt your sister physically. I can’t promise that down the line, we won’t have issues like every other couple, but you don’t ever have to worry about her having a bruise on my account.” His mind drifted to the hickies he placed on her collarbone the night before; was that considered a bruise? “She chose me.” He glowered over at Shawn. “No, I don’t fucking care if you disagree with our relationship!”

  “Shawn!” McKenzie glared at her brother, overhearing the last part. “Toby, is everything okay?”

  “Yes.” Shawn stood from his chair with a smile. “Your fiancé and I have an understanding, that’s all.” He patted Toby on his shoulder. “I like this white boy, reminds me of my best friend. He’s a keeper.” Shawn walked back in the house, and then poked his head out. “Hey, Toby, thank you for everything you’ve done for my baby sister.” Shawn winked.

  “What did he say?” McKenzie asked.

  Her brother had been testing him. “We have an understanding.” Toby cupped her face. “That you will always come first.”

  ***

  Even his cousin Noah made it to his wedding. He was the odd person out of all of them. He had reddish-auburn hair with hazel eyes. He strolled down the pathway, holding his adoptive daughter Hope in his arms. “Sorry I’m late. Hope needed changing,” he said, standing next to his parents. Toby was about to ask for his wife when Wanda ran up next to her husband, out of breath. She waved her hand in the air.

  James and Jeyna were next to slowly walk down the trail of roses, arm in arm to where he stood nervously. They both looked great. James matched the outfit Toby had on and the women in the wedding party wore short, white dresses.

  James gave him a bear hug. “I’m so fucking proud of you.”

  James took his place next to him and Caleb, and Jeyna moved over to the right, waiting for the rest of the wedding party.

  Eric and Shanell started parading down the path. Eric’s arm wasn’t where it should be. His hand wrapped around her waist, apparently resting on her ass, and Shanell beamed as he whispered something in her ear. Toby didn’t miss the way McKenzie’s friend Jeyna watched the couple coming up the makeshift aisle. Eric kissed Shanell’s hand, and then she walked over, taking her place next to Jeyna.

  Eric strolled next to the groom with a grin on his face. He hadn’t taken his eyes off McKenzie’s cousin. Toby whispered in his ear. “You might want to wipe that lipstick off; the color doesn’t suit you.” He chuckled as his cousin turned a bright hue of red and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Recognition dawned on Toby’s face as he watched the bridesmaids, wondering who his cousin had kissed. Both women wore the same shade.

  Toby’s head snapped toward the hotel as soon as t
he instrumental to Why I Love You echoed through the small speakers placed nearby. McKenzie was now in view. Toby’s eyes teared at the sight of his soon-to-be wife as she sang to the music. McKenzie was breathtaking as she slowly began to saunter down the stairs. Her smooth, brown skin was radiant under the sunlight and with every step she took, her strapless pink dress flowed with the breeze, stopping mid-thigh, showing off her toned calves. Her pink and white pedicured toes played a game of peek-a-boo as she strolled on the white sand. Toby’s entire body tensed up, the closer the woman of his dreams came to him. Tears rolled down her flawless face.

  “I love you,” she mouthed.

  Toby wiped her tears with his fingers and then took her hands in his. He squeezed her fingers. “I was made to love you, beautiful. Everything you went through led me to you… I love you more than words can express.”

  “Mommy, you pretty,” Caleb said, excited, gazing at his mom.

  “Thank you, peanut.” She twirled around, and then kissed her little boy’s cheek. “I love you.”

  “I love you,” Caleb hugged her waist tightly, “and you, Tee!” He chuckled.

  Toby gazed at his own family. Caleb was every bit his son as he was McKenzie and Wayne’s. “I love you too, buddy.” He messed up his hair.

  McKenzie cupped his face and caressed his clean-shaven jaw. “I thank God every day for putting you in our path. You have shown me what it’s really like to be loved.” She pointed at his rib. “I’m part of you—”

  “Always,” Toby whispered against her lips. “He works in mysterious ways, doesn’t he?”

  “Hey, stop that!” Eric playfully grabbed Toby’s shoulder, pulling him back, making their family and friends laugh. “Now that shade looks horrible on you!” The corner of his mouth quirked up looking at Toby.

  With her manicured fingertips, McKenzie wiped the color gloss off his lips. The pastor made his way up to the soon-to-be newlyweds. Their wedding was different than most. Toby and McKenzie made unorthodox choices. They didn’t like the normal or traditional, always doing things their way, and the wedding wasn’t any different.

  Toby took McKenzie’s hands in his and kissed her knuckles. “Beautiful, I came upon these words and I added my twist, it describes exactly how I feel.” He choked on his emotions as he gazed at the love of his life.

  Toby lifted his hands. “These are the hands that belong to your best friend, and there are so full of love for you now and forever…” He smiled holding back the tears, and then he clutched her soft hands again. “They are holding yours on our wedding day, as we promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. Beautiful… These are the hands that will build our future as we work alongside together.” Toby caressed her palms. “These are the hands that will passionately make love to you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you up when fear or sadness fills your mind. I promise to replace all those sad memories with laughter and love. These are the hands that will always and I mean always wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly and lovingly hold our children.”

  His lips drew up as glanced down at Caleb. He couldn’t wait to see McKenzie glowing as she carried his child. Toby gazed into her sparkling brown eyes. “These are the hands that will help you hold our family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it, and your hands will be my rock through my weakness.” He lifted her fingers to his lips and tenderly kissed her knuckles. “And lastly my Love, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness and love with just a touch.”

  Tears rolled down Toby’s face. He wanted McKenzie to know that his hands would never lift to hurt her. His hands were made to love her.

  McKenzie’s lips curled up as she wiped his tears with her thumb. “My protector…” She cleared her throat. “God works in mysterious ways. He knew I needed someone to lean on, he knew that someone was you.” She closed her eyes as joyful tears ran down her cheeks. “I found love in the least expected place, in you. You made me believe in myself and gave me time to explore Mrs. Strong all over again.” McKenzie gazed back at his tear-filled eyes. “You gave me so much without ever asking for anything in return.” She pressed her lips to his fingers. “These hands were made to love me and mine were made to love yours.” She placed his hand in the crook of her neck and tilted her head to keep him there. “I’m enough.”

  “You’re everything I didn’t know I was searching for my entire life.” Toby gazed into her dark irises. “You’re my weakness,” he chuckled, “but you’re also my strength… I found love in you.”

  The pastor stepped in front of them. “The bride and groom have chosen to represent their love to each other in a special balloon release.”

  His niece, nephews, and McKenzie’s nephews made their way up to the makeshift altar, and he handed them two helium balloons, one pink and the other blue. Toby entwined his ribbon with hers as the pastor continued.

  “You have just joined your separate lives together into one. The first balloon represents you, groom, and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be. The other represents you, bride, and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be.

  “Just as your own lives, each balloon holds its own unique beauty, strength, and character. They can stand on their own and be whole, without the need of anything else. However, when the two are blended together, they create a new, stronger, extraordinarily more intricate and beautiful entity.

  “As the balloons are bound to each other with the vows and promises you have made here today, they will be released into the wind and they will be at the mercy of wherever the wind takes them.

  “Love is also like that wind, you can’t see it, but you know it’s there, it has ups and downs, and it moves you in different directions. As you leave this altar, also bound together by the vows and promises you have made here today, you are lovers bound together wherever the wind takes you.

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

  Toby and McKenzie released the balloons up in the air, and then turned to each other. He gently circled his hand around her neck, and his lips met hers for the first time as husband and wife. Their family and friends began clapping.

  “I give to you Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler,” the pastor announced.

  Toby and McKenzie faced their family and friends, each one of them touched them in one way or another. His eyes widened when he saw Albert and Monique standing next to his cousin, and his lips curled up into smile. Everyone he cared about had showed up to support him and his wife. He was blessed in more ways than he could imagine.

  “Each one of you is special to me and my wife, and that’s why we invited you to attend the celebration of our love. Everyone here has helped shape us into who we are today, both individually and as a couple. Thank you!”

  ***

  A year and a half later

  McKenzie walked barefoot alongside the crystal-clear water. The sand underneath her feet felt warm and cool at the same time. She couldn’t help but smile as she strolled hand in hand with her little boy. She thought of everything she’d been through, from the moment she’d met Wayne O’Sullivan to the moment she’d said “I do” to Toby Wheeler. McKenzie went from being at her lowest to now being the happiest she’d ever been. God answered her prayers in his time, and he showed her the way and the purpose to why she’d gone through trials and tribulations.