Chapter 14

Author’s Note

The love of two men for the same woman, one a father, the other a husband is tenderly and poignantly expressed in the two songs in this chapter: Etta James’ At Last, and T. Carter’s Daddy’s Little Angel. To understand these two men better, their hearts, and to get a feeling for what this story conveys I recommend listening to these two songs. Links are at the bottom. Just a suggestion...

After the photo session on the grounds of the Naval Academy, they drove to the Naval Academy Club for the reception. In the limo on the short drive to the reception, Sean kissed her nose and asked Megs, “Well, Mrs. Gibson, how’s it feel, to be a married woman?”

She started sniffling and crying. “I love you so much, Sean! I still can’t believe that such a handsome, wonderful man like you would love and marry a chubby, short, geeky Japanese girl that no one wanted! I have every single letter you’ve mailed all these past months. Dad bought me a special case to store them in. I’ll treasure them all my life!”

Shaking his head, he said, “Holy shit! You are not chubby! Look at you! You’re wearing a Vera Wang gown and look breathtaking. My God, I cried so hard when I saw you, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to say my vows you’re so damn beautiful! You are short, but I love short girls. You are my wife! You’re perfect! I even love your tiny feet and those tiny, stubby toes.”

He started tickling her and added, “And I gotcha! I gotcha for life and you ain’t getting away!”

Megs was able to extract herself and punched his arm saying, “No, I’ve got you. You’re mine and if I see you so much as look at another woman, I’ll ... I’ll ... I don’t know what I’d do but whatever I do, you won’t like it one bit! I know, I’ll make you a eunuch!”

“Oh no! Not that! Not the eunuch punishment!”

“And another thing. Don’t be making fun of my stubby toes!”

“Yes, Doctor, anything you say, Doctor.”

“Kiss me, you dufus flyboy!”

He leaned her against the limo door and laid one on her.

They didn’t untangle from each other until the limo driver opened the door. Megs blushed sixteen shades of pink as she straightened herself and returned to the prim and proper Japanese girl she was.

Once inside, they waited in a side room as the wedding party assembled and readied to enter the hall. First, the bridesmaids and their escort ushers were announced one at a time. Then, Suki, the Maid of Honor and Josh, the Best Man were announced. Next, Megumi’s parents, Lt. Commander and Mrs. James T. Johnson, were announced, then, Mr. and Mrs. William Gibson. Finally, Sean’s commanding officer, Captain and Mrs. Steven Fleming.

There was next a recorded fanfare played, and the honor guard entered and again formed the archway of Swords. Then the announcement. “And now, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time for our guests of honor, Staff Sergeant and Mrs. Sean Gibson!”

Sean and Megs stepped inside the hall and were stopped by the first set of lowered Swords. They kissed and were stopped again. They repeated the scene earlier enacted on the steps of the Chapel.

The entire banquet room was decorated in Air Force blue and gold. The tablecloths, and chair coverings.

Some people we’re dancing, but when Sean and Megumi arrived, they finished the song and the M/C announced, “And now, Mr. and Mrs. Sean Gibson will have their first dance together.”

Sean really was a good dancer and loved to dance, especially swing and 50’s dances. When the wedding planner asked for a signature song, Sean picked two songs and said, “I want to dance these two songs with my wife. First, Etta James’ version of At Last. The second is Linda Ronstadt and Arron Neville’s Don’t Know Much at the end of the reception right before we leave.

The M/C added,”Sean has picked out the song that expressed his heart as he dances with the love of his life. We present to you, Sean and Megumi Gibson!”

Megumi frantically whispered, “Sean, I don’t know how to dance!”

He smiled and replied, “Just follow me, Sweetheart, just follow me.”

When Etta began to sing, Sean bent down and pressed his cheek to Megs and whispered in her ear, “Listen to Etta James speak what my heart is feeling.”

Sean very gracefully led his wife round the dance floor. And with the last line, when she sang “For you are mine at last,” he leaned her backwards in the classic pose and kissed her.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

The band broke and dinner was served. The appetizer was shrimp scampi. The first course of the sit-down served meal was a spinach salad with egg. Then came the French onion soup. The main course was stuffed flounder in hollandaise sauce, with broccoli, lemon rice, and candied carrots. The dessert was a very light chocolate mousse with whipped cream.

When the meal was finished, the M/C said, “Now, ladies and gentlemen, we never know what happens next. It could either be toasts or roasts. Let’s hear first from the best man, Sean’s younger brother, Joshua Gibson.”

Josh stood and shyly took the microphone. He said as looked at his brother and sister-in-law. “When I was young, Sean never liked me and used to beat me up all the time ... but the Air Force changed him. He started acting like a man — Like my dad. Suddenly, the past was forgotten, and we became friends. Good friends. I don’t know much about life because I’m almost twenty, but he and Megumi have taught me a lot about life and love this past year and a half. I feel so happy for them and feel privileged to be my big brother’s best man. When I see them together, you can see the way they look at each other, they are lost in one another. Megumi’s selfless love has brought me a love of my own to cherish: her cousin Suki. In a few years, they can return the favor when Suki and I commit our lives to each other. Megumi truly is the sister I’ve always wanted, and now, she is really my sister in marriage. Good luck, God bless and live well, love a lot and thank God for Him blessing both of you with each other.”

After the applause settled down, the M/C said, “Next, Bill Gibson, Sean’s dad is ready to give a toast.”

Bill cleared his throat and said, “I thought this wedding was one of the most moving I have ever attended and the minister’s words we need to heed. The One who deserves all the glory today is the Lord Jesus Christ. You will be amazed after I tell you a few things about coincidence. They say there is no such thing as coincidence. They are just God’s little miracles. Is it a coincidence that Megumi was moved to pack Christmas boxes for servicemen? Is it a coincidence that Sean was a world away dreaming of finding a tiny little Japanese girl to love? And was it a coincidence that while he’s thinking of that tiny little Japanese girl, that one in his home state writes him a letter? The Bible says, “all things work for good for those who love God.” Megumi didn’t pick Sean’s name; it was simply handed to her. Again, Scripture says, ’the lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is of God.’ Was it a coincidence that Megumi secretly wanted a boyfriend who would accept her as she is? When we see the hand of God moving to bring two people together who had exactly what the other needs, it is unfathomable in the wisdom and providence of God. Sean ... Megumi ... show your glory to God by being kind to one another. When you argue, always remember that when you have the choice to be right or to be kind, always be kind. May the Lord bless and keep you, make His face shine upon you, and give both of you peace.