Part 14
Kevin tossed and turned most of the night but almost overslept. He quickly pulled on his jeans, Tyler's favorite flannel shirt that she had given him for his birthday, and his boots. Quietly, he made his way down the steps and out to the stables. Tyler's horse, 'Lightning', stood at the stall door giving a soft whiney. Kevin smiled and went to him allowing the horse to nuzzle him.
"Hey, boy! Yeah, I know you miss her too. Wanna go for a ride?" The horse whinnied again, more insistently. "Okay, Okay!! I'll take you and let you run…just like Tyler used to do."
Kevin quickly saddled the horse and then led him out of the barn. The sun was starting to lighten the sky and he knew he needed to get a move on in order to get there before the sun came up. Mounting, Kevin headed 'Lightning' towards the quickest path to the chapel. It was like the horse sensed the urgency to get to the chapel and took off at a fast trot.
Reaching the chapel just as the sun started to rise above the horizon, Kevin dismounted, dropped the reins, and headed inside to the first pew at the altar. Kevin took a seat, closed his eyes, and whispered, "Tyler, I love you with my whole heart and soul."
Kevin felt her soft touch, her fingers tracing his eyebrows, brushing his hair back, her lips on his. He was scared to open his eyes for fear of losing the feelings.
"I'm here, 'Boo', open your eyes," she whispered against his skin.
Kevin opened his eyes to see her before him. "Tyler! I miss you so much," he cried softly, tears falling effortlessly.
"I know you do, Kevin. I feel it in my heart."
"Why? Why did you have to leave us? You have always been a fighter, just like Scott said in his essay. Why couldn't you have fought for us?
"Then who would have taken care of our little girl?" she asked as a tiny infant cooed behind her. She stepped aside to reveal a bassinet that held the infant. "Isn't she beautiful, 'Boo'? She looks like you."
"Oh, Tyler!" he reached out to caress the infant's fuzzy hair. "She's perfect! Is she…." he hesitated.
"She's completely healed…just like me," and Tyler picked up the infant and placed her in his arms.
Gazing into the infant's eye, Kevin fell in love with her. "Her eyes…they're…"
"Green, like yours. Her name is Katie…like Katie Scarlett in 'Gone With the Wind'."
Kevin chuckled, "Your favorite book." He continued gazing at her and she smiled up into his face, perfectly content to be in his arms. His tears began again, "How do I go on, without you, Tyler?"
"Oh, you will always have me, Kevin….right here," and she touched his heart. "And here," she said, touching his head and placing a soft kiss on his forehead.
"Will I always be able to see you? Like this?"
"Every morning, before sunrise, you will find me here at the altar."
"But what about when I go out on tour?"
"As long as you have faith in our love, Kevin, I will be with you always."
"But in your letter, you said you wanted me to find love again. How do I hold on to you and find love again?"
""Oh, Kevin! No one can ever replace our love."
Tyler took the infant placing her back in the bassinet. She turned back to Kevin, she took his hands, "Dance with me, 'Boo'."
Music began to play, songs that they had danced to many times, and he took her in his arms as they danced, just like they always had. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of her body against his but that feeling disappeared all too fast with the sun completely in the sky. Kevin opened his eyes and Tyler wasn't there any longer.
Looking at the altar, his mind wandered to the day they had wed, the way she had looked into his heart as she said her vows to him.
Denise came to the door. "Okay, you two. It’s time."
Howie gave Tyler a kiss and then she took his arm. As the music started, Howie and Tyler stepped into the door and all eyes turned to them.
Tyler scanned the chapel to see all the family that was there and then her eyes met Kevin’s. He smiled as Tyler and Howie made their way down the aisle.
Brian whispered, "She’s beautiful."
Kevin just nodded his head in agreement without taking his eyes off Tyler.
When the two reached the front, Tim began the ceremony but Tyler and Kevin were on auto-pilot. Neither one heard what Tim was saying but were focused completely on each other.
"Kevin," whispered Tim to get him out of his trance. "Kevin, wilt thou have Tyler to be thy wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others keep thee only unto her so long as ye both shall live?"
Without hesitation or taking his eyes off Tyler, Kevin said, "Yes, I will."
"And Tyler, wilt thou have Kevin to be thy wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others keep thee only unto him so long as ye both shall live?"
"Yes, I will."
"Who presents Tyler to be married to Kevin?"
"I do," said Howie proudly as he looked into Tyler’s eyes.
A tear rolled down Tyler’s cheek as she whispered, "Thank you."
Howie took Tyler’s hand and placed it in Kevin’s then wrapped his hands around theirs. "A match made in heaven. I love you both."
Kevin said, "Thanks, ‘D’."
With that, Howie moved off to the side and AJ turned on the music. As Howie sang ‘I Do’, Kevin and Tyler looked into each other’s eyes singing quietly with Howie. Tears were rolling down Tyler’s cheeks now and Kevin reached into his pocket for his handkerchief so Tyler could wipe the tears. She held on to it as Howie finished the song.
When the song was done, the door to the chapel opened causing Kevin and Tyler to look back. The looks on their faces made everyone else look back too and Kevin looked to Howie.
Joey had walked in and taken a seat at the back of the chapel.
Tyler whispered, "Kevin, please."
Tim continued, "Is there anyone here who has just cause that these two should not be joined in holy matrimony? Speak now or forever hold your peace."
Tyler held her breath and looked into Kevin’s eyes. They both said a silent prayer but Joey remained silent.
The next part was the vows and Kevin sang. As the music started, Kevin’s voice broke and a tear began to roll down his cheeks too. Tyler smiled and wiped the tears as he sang to her.
After the song, Kevin said his vows, "I, Kevin Scott, take you, Tyler Ann, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; as a lover and a friend, I will love you like I’ll never love again, with everything I am, from the bottom of my heart, I will love you ‘til death us do part and beyond."
Then AJ played the song for Tyler and she managed to sing it without any trouble. Then it was her turn to say her vows. "I, Tyler Ann, take you, Kevin Scott, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; as a lover and a friend, I will love you like I’ll never love again, with everything I am, from the bottom of my heart, I will love you ‘til death us do part and beyond."
Tim proceeded to explain the meaning of the wedding bands and took them from Sonja and Brian. He handed the first ring to Kevin.
Kevin said, "In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring, I thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
Tim handed Tyler the other ring and she said, "In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring, I thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."
After the exchange of the rings, Tyler and Kevin sang the duet and then Tim finished the ceremony.
"Kevin, you may kiss your bride."
"This is the part I’ve been waiting for," said Kevin as he grinned and took Tyler in his arms kissing her.
The kiss was long and tender and the two felt like they were alone in the chapel. It was Brian who brought them back to Earth, "Hey, Kevin, you’re only supposed to kiss her, not check her tonsils."
Laughter spread through the chapel as the two pulled apart. Tyler’s face was red from embarrassment and Kevin could only grin sheepishly.
The couple turned to their family and Tim said, "I’m pleased to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Scott Richardson."
The music began and as they started out, Kevin and Tyler stopped at Paula and Ann. Kevin pulled two roses out of Tyler’s bouquet and they gave them to their mothers, giving them a kiss.
Outside the chapel, Kevin took Tyler in his arms lifting her off the ground as he kissed her. Spinning her around, Kevin said, "Tyler Dorough Richardson, I love you!"
Tyler laughed as she put her hands in his hair, "I love you too, Kevin Scott Richardson."
The photographer had been snapping pictures of the entire service and captured this moment as well. Behind the couple was the setting sun making for a very romantic picture.
Kevin looked at his watch to realize how late it was. The boys would already be on the bus headed to school and Taylor would be just getting up. No sense rushing but he might as well head back.
Stepping out of the chapel, Kevin looked around for 'Lightning' and spotted him racing through the meadow, just like when Tyler would ride him. He stood enjoying watching the horse knowing that Tyler was with him, urging him to go faster. Kevin's memories went to the day he'd bought the horse for her. She had fallen in love with the horse the second she'd seen him but the owner had discouraged Kevin from buying him, explaining that no one had been able to ride the horse. In the next second, Tyler had mounted the horse bareback and no bridle and was riding him around the corral with ease. Kevin had smiled seeing her and the owner had sold him for half the asking price.
After several minutes, the horse returned to Tyler's grave and acted as if he were nuzzling…Tyler. Kevin smiled and walked over to him. The horse whinnied, tossing his head at Kevin.
"I know, boy! Did you enjoy your run with her?" asked Kevin as he pulled out a sugar cube for him. The horse ate it quickly and Kevin rubbed his neck.
Out of nowhere, the breeze blew and Kevin heard her, "I love you, 'Boo'."
Mounting 'Lightning', Kevin sang, "It seems like yesterday when I said, "I Do", And after all this time my heart still burns for you, If you don't know by now that you're my only one, Take a look inside me and watch my heartstrings come undone…..Tyler, you will always be my safest place to hide."
