Chapter 101

Kevin walked through the double doors and everyone turned their attention to him, and then the twins who were amazed by all the people.

Once Kevin had made it to the front, everyone began talking again.

Kevin walked up to Father Carr and shook his hand.

"Thanks for being here," Kevin said.

"It's my pleasure," Father Carr said. "I'm glad that I could be here for one of the most important days in your guys' life, since I've watched the two of you grow up together."

"And we'd be honored if you would join us at another important moment in mine and Janel's life," Kevin said.

"And what would that be?" Father Carr asked.

"We hoped that you would baptize Brianna and Kristopher?" Kevin asked.

"Of course, I'd love to," Father Carr said as he bent down and looked at Kristopher and Brianna.

He kissed both of their foreheads and then stood up, smiling at Kevin. "Kristopher looks just like you when you were a baby."

"Yeah, everyone says that," Kevin said, smiling proudly.

Lobby

The girls and I were standing in the candle lit lobby, waiting for my wedding to begin. Then we saw Ann heading towards us.

She came up to me and hugged me. "How are you?"

"Anxious," I replied happily.

She smiled at me as she pulled away. "So is my son."

"So are we ready?" I asked, impatiently.

"Not quite yet," she replied. "But guess who I found."

"Who?" I asked curiously.

Ann stepped aside to reveal Madison dressed in her pretty little gown.

"Hey sweetheart," I said happily as I bent down and hugged her.

"Hi Auntie," she said excitedly.

"Are you ready to start scattering those flower petals down the aisle?" I asked.

"Yes," she said happily as her head bobbed up and down.

"All right, that's good," I said. "Just a few more minutes."

"Okay," she replied.

Then I turned to Ann. "How are my babies?"

"Perfect. They're dressed in their adorable little outfits and with Kevin," Ann said.

"With the booties and everything?" I questioned, as I smiled at the thought of how cute they would look.

"Yep, the little booties too," Ann said.

"Okay. Thanks Mama," I said as I hugged her.

"No problem. But now I have to go and take my seat so we can get this wedding started," she said.

She quickly kissed my cheek and whispered, "I love you my daughter."

"I love you too Mama," I said.

Then she told the rest of the girls goodbye and hurriedly went to go take her seat.

"Well this is it," Ashley said.

"Your last few moments of being Janel Evans," Stacey said.

"Thank God, I never want to be known by the last name Evans again," I said.

"Don't worry, you won't. Besides, you've always been a Richardson," Ashley said, smiling.

"Yeah, I guess I have," I said happily.

Then I hugged each one of the girls again. "Thanks for being here."

"You're welcome," they said.

Then the double doors to the lobby were opened, revealing a beautiful green canopy with flower arrangements decorating it, and a royal blue carpet leading up to the cabin.

The music started and Madison turned to look at me. "Does that mean I go now?"

"Yep, just like we practiced," I said, smiling at her.

"Okay," she said. Then she picked up her basket full of petals and began to joyfully walk down the aisle, scattering the petals and making sure that the aisle was completely covered.

Then I watched as Tina began walking. As each one of my bridesmaids left, my heart began beating faster. I was so anxious to get to Kevin, I didn't know if I'd be able to wait any longer. But then the music changed and I heard the rows of people stand up, waiting for me to walk down the aisle.

Before I stepped onto the royal blue carpet, I closed my eyes and sent a silent prayer up to my mom and Papa Jerald, hoping that they were watching us and that they were proud of us. And just to let them know that no matter what, we would always think of them because Kevin and I missed them with all of our hearts.

I opened my eyes, feeling a little more calm. Then I stepped onto the soft carpet, staring straight ahead, waiting to meet Kevin's eyes.

As I entered the cabin, I could feel everyone's eyes on me. But the only person that I could see was Kevin. Everything else around me seemed to disappear. At that moment it was only Kevin and I. As I stared into Kevin's eyes, I could see how happy he was…and I hoped that he could see the same in my eyes.

The walk towards Kevin seemed to last forever. All I could think about was how long I had waited for this. And how lucky I was to have known Kevin all my life…to know my soul mate all my life.

As soon as I touched Kevin's hand, I heard both Brianna and Kristopher coo. Both Kevin and I turned to them, smiling as we blew little kisses to them. It was something that we did with them whenever Kevin had to leave for recording. I knew that both of us wanted to go over there and pick them up, but we knew that we couldn't.

Kevin then leaned forward and lightly kissed me on the lips. "You look like an angel."

"Thank you," I whispered.

Then he took my hand into his as we faced Father Carr.

Everyone sat down and the ceremony began.

I listened as Father Carr talked. I loved the way that he captured the feeling of love, by explaining how Kevin and I had always been together, how we had always been one.

Then Father Carr asked, "I understand you two have your own vows, am I correct?"

I had been doing pretty good about not crying, but this right here would change it. There was no way I would be able to tell Kevin how much I loved him without shedding a few tears.

"Yes," we replied.

"Okay, turn and face each other," he said.

Kevin and I immediately turned to one another. Kevin then took both my hands into his.

"The rings," Father Carr said.

Then both Ashley and Brian stepped forward with the rings. I took Kevin's from Ashley and held it, while Kevin took mine from Brian, also holding onto it.

"Who would like to go first?" Father Carr asked, smiling at the two of us.

"I…I will," I stuttered.

"Okay, go ahead," Father Carr said.

I took a deep breath and slowly let it out, trying not to cry before I even started.

Then I locked eyes with Kevin, noticing that his eyes were also beginning to get misty.

"As for back as I can remember, you've always been there whenever I've gotten hurt or when I just needed someone. You always knew how to comfort me, whether it was making me smile, singing to me, or just holding me…you knew how to take care of me. And now here we are, 26 years later and you're still doing the same for me," I said, trying desperately not to cry, but it really wasn't working.

"It amazes me, that after all of our trials and tribulations we've had in life, you're still here with me…doing the same things for me…and loving me endlessly when I thought no one ever would," I said as tears rolled down my cheeks.

I watched as Kevin's eyes filled with tears. He then blinked, causing them to spill from his eyes while he still smiled lovingly at me.

"Kevin, as your wife, I vow to do the same for you. To be there anytime you need me, to support you through anything, and to comfort you. But most of all, I vow to love you endlessly…because you'll always have my heart. I love you," I choked out.

Then I took Kevin's left hand and placed the ring on him. After that he leaned forward and kissed me on the forehead. He then wiped away my tears with his thumb, before beginning his vows.

"Pumpkin, you know my response to that…always and forever. I know that I've told you that numerous times, but each time I say it, I mean it with all of my heart. Because I'll always love you, no matter what has happened in the past or what may come in the future. There has never been anyone else…just you," Kevin said as he stared at me with his beautiful green eyes.

"And when you left without telling me, I was devastated…devastated because I never got the chance to tell you how I felt…that I had always loved you. But thanks to God and a wonderful group of friends, I received a second chance. The chance to tell you how much you meant to me and how much you will always be a part of me," Kevin said as tears were falling from both of our eyes.

"And now I stand before you, vowing to always love you and be with you forever. There's nothing more that I want to do than be with you and love you for the rest of my life, along with our two beautiful children that you gave me. Always and forever," Kevin said.

My whole body was shaking as I tired to control my crying. Kevin then took my trembling hand and placed my beautiful ring on me.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," Father Carr said. "You may kiss the bride."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and he placed his hands on my hips, as we leaned in for one of the most passionate kisses. Then we just stood there as I rested my head on his chest and he held me.

"I love you Mrs. Richardson," he whispered into my ear.

A smile spread across my face as I heard those words. "I love you too Mr. Richardson."

Then we turned and faced everyone and they began cheering and clapping as we held hands, walking together down the aisle as husband and wife.

We walked out and then climbed into the limousine that would take us to the reception. We waved to everyone as we drove off.

Then Kevin pulled me onto his lap as we continued to kiss.

Afterwards, he just held me tightly in his strong embrace. "I never want to let you go."

"Never," I agree as I gently kissed his forehead, nose, chin, and then his beautiful lips.

After a while we arrived back at the cabins, where Ann was staying. We went up to her room to find out two babies sleeping, while Tiffany watched TV.

"Hey you two, congratulations," Tiffany said.

"Thanks," we replied in unison.

"Now go celebrate," she ordered. "Both Kristopher and Brianna are sleeping, and everything is fine."

"Thank you," I said.

"No problem," Tiffany said.

Then Kevin and I went over to their little cribs and kissed both of our small little bundles of joy. Once we had done that, we quietly left.

We stood outside the door to the reception and Kevin stopped me, by wrapping his arm around my waist.

"What?" I asked as I looked up at him.

"I have a surprise for you, but you have to close your eyes," Kevin said.

"A surprise?" I asked excitedly.

"Yep, and I'm going to put this scarf around your eyes," Kevin said.

"But I won't peek," I said.

Kevin laughed. "Pumpkin, I know you too well, and you'll peek."

I smiled innocently. "Me? Never."

He leaned forward and brushed his lips across mine. "Well, just to make sure, I'm going to put this little scarf on you."

"Oh, fine," I said, pretending to pout.

"And pouting is not going to work," Kevin said as he stood behind me, tying the blue scarf.

I giggled. "It was worth a shot."

Then Kevin interlocked his fingers with mine.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Lead the way Mr. Richardson," I said.

"Okay," he said. Then I heard the door open, but there was no other sound.

Kevin began walking while I held his hand with one of mine and the other hand on his arm.

"Kev," I whispered.

"Yeah," he responded.

"Are we at the right place?" I asked quietly.

Kevin chuckled. "Yes Pumpkin, this is the right place."

Then we slowly came to a stop. I felt his hands on my hips and then he quickly lifted me up and placed me on top of something.

"Okay, I'm going to remove this scarf, but keep your eyes closed," Kevin whispered in my ear.

I shook my head okay.

Then he moved away from me. A couple seconds later, everything went black, except for a light shining above me.

I had no idea what was going on, until I heard it…the beautiful sound of the piano. The beginning notes of the song that Kevin had written for me…Back To Your Heart.

I slowly opened my eyes to see everyone sitting in chairs in a circle, while Kevin and I were in the middle. Then I looked at Kevin who was sitting on the piano bench looking up at me as I sat on top of the piano.

Tears filled my eyes as my husband began to sing from his heart.

It's not that I can't live without you
It's just that I don't even want to try
Every night I dream about you
Ever sine the day we said goodbye
If I wasn't such a fool
Right now I'd be holding you
There's nothin' that I wouldn't do
Baby if I only knew

The words to say 
The road to take
To find a way back to your heart
What can I do
To get to you
And find a way back to your heart

I don't know how it got so crazy
But I'll do anything to set things right
'Cause your love is so amazing
Baby you're the best thing in my life
Let me prove my love is real
And make you feel the way I feel
I promise I would give the world
If only you would tell me girl

The words to say 
The road to take
To find a way back to your heart
What can I do
To get to you
And find a way back to your heart

Give me one more chance, to give my love to you
'Cause no one on this earth loves you like I do, tell me
The words to say 
The road to take
To find a way back to your heart
What can I do
To get to you
And find a way back to your heart

I turn back time
To make you mine
And find a way back to your heart
I beg and plead
Fall to my knees
To find a way back to your heart

These arms of mine
Are open wide
From now until the end of time
You are my world
What can I do
This heart of mine belongs to you…