[ WP ] A single mother marries a man who she does not love so that her children will have a good father .

“ Dear God, I know I don ’ t do this usually, if ever, but I have to get this off my chest. Justify it I suppose. Raymond is a great man, and my prayer to you, while probably misguided is that you ’ ll help me to change my heart towards him. He loves Emmy & Jacoby so much; he even treats me with such patience and respect that I find myself angry inside for not truly loving him. It seems so very unfair to him, but I think that business arrangements happen quit often in marriages. I ’ m pretty sure that I can make this work, at least for the next 15 years or so, until Jacoby finishes school. Lord, help me to open my heart to be a ‘ loving ’ wife to a husband that I do not love. Help me to stick it out, for the sake of my children. They deserve to have Raymond as their father, regardless. I hope I ’ m truly doing the right thing. Amen ” 
 
 Lauren places the veil across her tanned face. She slides her feet in to her blue wedges, loaned to her by her best friend Twila. She takes one last glance into the full length mirror, a deep sigh and she walks out of her bedroom, down the steps to the backyard, where her guests and future husband await her. 
 
 She sees Raymond smiling proudly at the makeshift altar, his light blue eyes, reflecting off the falling sun. She manages a slight smile back, quickly regretting it, as she feels like a fraud. The music begins and she starts down the aisle, tears misting in her eyes. She spots Emmy and Jacoby, and she remembers her purpose, and her commitment to them. 
 She ’ d do anything for her children, even if it means marrying a lowlife like Raymond. 
 
 Clearly absent from the ceremony are her parents the Duke and Duchess of Clarington. Having had to renounce her title to even go forward with the marriage was the price she was willing to pay, in order to secure a good father for the children. She reminded herself of this constantly. 

