More (34 page)

“Good morning, sweetie. Coffee?”

“No, I think I need to wake up a little bit more first. I feel like a zombie.”

“Maybe some fresh air would do you some good. Why don’t you go outside and take a walk?”

“Good idea, Mom.” Kate slipped on a pair of shoes that were by the door and trudged out into the garden.

She took a deep breath and could smell the sweet aromas of all the flowers that surrounded her, and she felt instantly calmer. Wanting to be alone with her thoughts, she set off down the familiar path towards the creek.

As she strolled along, she looked towards the creek and couldn’t believe her eyes.
I must be daydreaming
, she thought.
This can’t possibly be real
. But with every step towards the patch of land that used to be empty, built up only in her mind, she started to realize that this was no dream.

Kate approached the beautiful white gazebo and ran her fingers through the delicate purple wisteria blossoms. She stepped into the middle of the gazebo and spun around to take it all in. There were rose bushes surrounding the whole structure. Roses of every color, it seemed. She sat down inside the gazebo in total shock.

She noticed a small white envelope sitting next to her that had gone unnoticed as it blended in with the bright white paint of the gazebo. She took the envelope and opened it, pulling out a single sheet of paper.

Dear Kate,

The first time I met you, I was struck by how genuine and vulnerable you were with me. I’ve been so used to building up my defenses, but somehow you caught me off guard and I was immediately taken in by the amazing person you seemed to be. When you were home to take care of your mom, I was so stupid to try to kiss you. I just couldn’t help myself. I never ever open up to people about my life, and you were just so compassionate and supportive, and talking about Denise made me feel so lonely.

I apologize for what I did then, but I make no apologies for what I’ve done now. I built you this gazebo, Kate. I remember every word that you said the day we first met, and I hope this is just how you pictured it. I built this for you because you deserve it. You are the most magnificent woman I have ever met, and you deserve to have the magnificent setting that you dreamed of.

I don’t expect anything from you in return for this. But you told me that I need to stop punishing myself, and I’m trying to take steps in that direction, so Kate – please consider me. I want to take care of you, to walk through life with you, and to love you more fiercely than you have ever been loved. I think the deepest desire of every person is to be truly known. I want to know all of you. Every part. And I want you to know all of me. I’ll always appreciate everything that you are, and look forward to everything we can become together. I’ll never stop doing everything that I can to make you happy.

Please let me love you. Jacob

Kate let her hands fall into her lap, still clutching the letter. Tears were forming in her eyes as she reeled from the words she had just read. This couldn’t really be happening. She was convinced that there was no man in the world who could fulfill the emptiness inside of her, but those words…Jacob’s words…those were words she had longed to hear all her life. Someone who needed her. Someone who wanted to know her and love her.

Kate heard footsteps and looked up to see Jacob walking down the path towards the gazebo. He was carrying a single white rose and had nothing but hope and love in his eyes. He approached her slowly, tentatively.

“Do you really mean all of this?” she asked, holding up the letter.

“Every word.”

“Jacob, I…I’m so…”

He dropped the rose and pulled her close. His lips were almost touching hers, and he looked her straight into her eyes. “Kate, please trust me. I want you. I need you. Don’t be afraid.”

“But…Jacob, we…we barely know each other, and…”

“I know you, Kate. I know your heart. I know you are good and compassionate and so incredibly full of life. You’re everything I ever wanted.” He reached one hand up and touched her cheek. “No…you’re more.”

Tears were rolling down her face. She had never heard such sincere words before. As she breathed deeply and smelled the sweet scents of the roses and wisteria surrounding her in this amazing place Jacob had built just for her, she felt herself releasing all of her doubts and fears. It was at that moment that she fell in love with Jacob Patterson.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for all of this. For what you’ve built, for what you said…”

He leaned in slightly and gave her a tender kiss. I never imagined I would be so lucky, he thought to himself. I am going to hold on to her and never let her go.

~~~~~

Olivia backed away from the kitchen window from where she had watched the entire scene unfold. “She found him,” she said to herself, with a smile that only a mother could have.

“My darling, I have never seen a more beautiful woman in my life,” said Olivia as she fluffed Kate’s veil. Kate stood in her childhood bedroom in front of a full length mirror. Her curls were pinned up loosely on her head. Her strapless lace gown adorned with subtle crystals flowed gently down to the floor. She clutched a bouquet of white roses, freshly picked from her mother’s garden. She looked, in a word, radiant. “Are you ready?”

Kate turned from the mirror and faced her mother. “I am,” she said softly.

The small gathering of guests was waiting in their seats in front of the gazebo where the wedding was to take place. Kate never wanted a big wedding. All she wanted was to be surrounded by people whom she loved. With no bridesmaids or groomsmen, Kate took a deep breath and began to walk towards the gazebo where Jacob stood. “Wow,” he whispered as he saw his bride approaching.

The guests stood up as Kate walked slowly down the aisle. She passed Brooke and Darren; Amy, Rick, and the children (with a third on the way); Meredith; and her two parents – Olivia, and her soon-to-be father Jerry. She saw Jacob wipe a tear from his eye as she approached him. He grabbed her hand and kissed her softly on the cheek. “Glad you could make it,” he whispered.

“Well I happened to be in the neighborhood in a wedding dress,” she replied, squeezing his hand.

It had been a year since that day in the gazebo, and Kate and Jacob had never been more sure about anything in their lives. The year flew by as they continued to get to know one another and they fell deeper in love with each other with each passing day. Within six months they were engaged.

Promises were made, tears were shed, and two single people became one in the garden that day. As Kate and Jacob walked back down the aisle as man and wife, Jacob pulled her over beside a willow tree to share a special moment with his bride. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her passionately. Then, pressing his cheek against hers, he whispered, “Let me pray for us.”

Still wrapped in a tight embrace, Kate nodded and felt the warm breath of her husband in her ear as he spoke. “Lord, I have never felt more blessed or more loved in my life than I do at this very moment. Thank you for allowing Kate and I to find each other. I pray that our marriage would honor you, and that we will continue to challenge each other to draw closer to you every day. I will never leave this woman. I will love and protect and cherish her every day of my life. We love you, Lord.”

“Amen,” whispered Kate. With a sweet smile and a gleam in her eyes, she squeezed her husband even tighter and said, “Now kiss me some more.”