Lisa's P.O. V.
"You look so pretty, mommy," Calliope flashed me those beautiful white teeth of hers.
She was my flower girl, and would be walking in front of me as I made my way to my dream, to my Viking. Her sweet ruffled dress danced around her beautifully as she swayed before me. It was a light blush pink that looked so beautiful on her. I really think it's her favorite color.
"Thank you, but I think you look prettier."
Mom, Liv, and Calliope were all in the room with me getting ready. We had our hair and makeup done, all that was left to do was put the dress on. I never imagined I would be here, marrying a man like Davis, marrying Davis really. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get a man like him. One that loves so unconditionally, so protectively, so intensely. Yet here I stand ready to marry him, so ready, I may run down the aisle.
**Song suggestion: Fall into me by Forest Blakk**
The dress slid on my body like a glove, hugging my hips in its silky material. I stared at myself in the full-length mirror, wondering when my luck had started to turn for the better. There was no way my life could be going this well for so long now. I guess with Dad gone, life really could be good.
"I'm ready," I told them all.
My heart was thundering like crazy against my chest with nerves. I knew the moment I laid eyes on my Viking I would feel better, but for some reason my stomach was swirling with fear. Everyone will be watching me as I enter and walk towards my future, and as beautiful as that is, it's also a bit nerve wracking.
"My Knight, she's ready." Liv poked her head out of the door, calling on Lucas.
He entered the room with his black tux and salmon bowtie. He looked less tired than before as he stared down at his wife first. His hands brushed Liv's baby bump that seems to be growing larger and larger every week. He bent down and kissed his wife sweetly, showing how much love he still holds for her. His eyes landed on me next and he paused for a moment.
"You look great, Lisa." He smirked at me, a slight pink in his eyes like he could cry. "Don't go getting emotional on me. I'm the one who's supposed to cry, not you."
He chuckled, before wiping at his eyes slyly. "I don't know what you' re talking about."
We all took our spots, standing behind the glass doors, leading out to the ceremony. The sun was bright and beautiful today, with some sparse clouds floating about. The grass looked so green, and when the door's opened the scent of flowers caught my nose. Mom stepped out first, then Liv, followed my sweet girl who was grinning ear to ear as she threw flowers.
"Let's get you married, but in no way does this make you Liv's step-mom or my mother-in-law." He held his bent out for me to take, and I placed my hand in the crook of his elbow, squeezing tight.
"Gross, don't say that."
We both stepped out into the warm rays of the sun, laughing. Lucas had calmed me with his comment, but the moment my eyes landed on my Viking, it was like the rest of the world faded. Davis wore a salmon pink shirt, no blazer, because good luck containing those muscles. He had a pair of crisp white slacks and white dress shoes. His hair was tied at the top, but left loose on the bottom, so it flowed in the wind as I walked towards him. I would forever remember this moment, this image of him will live rent free in my mind for all my life. I began to walk faster towards him, almost pulling Lucas with me.
"I'll race you there," Lucas whispered in my ear, picking up the pace so that he was dragging me now.
I smirked playfully, loving the way my brother plays around. It was unconventional, but we both practically sprinted down the aisle, laughing. When we met Davis at the end of the aisle under the arch, which was beautifully decorated with hanging white and pink flowers, Lucas gave him my hand.
"She's yours now. Take good care of her," Lucas told him, giving me a wink and a kiss on the cheek, before he went to sit.
The moment was more than I could handle, allowing my eyes to water and blur my vision for a moment before I blinked and let the tears fall. Davis' large thumb wiped them away with a kiss
on my forehead. He led me to the priest who conducted our ceremony beautifully. "The bride and groom will now share the vows they have written to one another."
"My dearest Viking, I can't believe we're finally here. It feels like just yesterday we were meeting for the first time, and now we're about to spend the rest of our lives together. You saved me from a dark and abusive relationship, and you taught me how to be strong again. You showed me I am capable of anything I set my mind to, and you always believe in me, even when I don't
believe in myself." My voice shook with emotions, and cracked at times as I fought against the tears.
"You are my best friend, my lover, and my soulmate. I love you more than words can say, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. I promise to always be there for you, to love you unconditionally, and to always put you first. You are my everything, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us. I love you always and forever, my viking."
"My warrior, my love, my life. I never thought I would find love again after my first wife passed away. But then you came into my life, and you brought me back from the darkness. You showed me that there is still joy in the world, and that love is possible even after loss." I think this was the first time I was seeing Davis cry. A single tear dare defied him as it slowly slid down his cheek, caught somewhere in his facial hair.
"You are the strongest person I know, having faced so much in your life, but you have never given up. Let's not forget you are a fighter, always have been, even before I came into your life. I am so proud that you can see that now, too. But you are also the most gentle and loving person I know. You have brought so much happiness into my life, and I am so grateful to have you as my wife. I love you more than words can say. I love the way you make me feel, and the way you make me laugh. I love the way you make me want to be a better man. I will love you forever and always, my warrior."
Our eyes shimmered, and our tears would sometimes slip as we looked into each other's eyes. The priest continued until I heard those beautiful words.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
And kiss me he did, a kiss so passionate, so full of love that I felt I would die unable to contain it. Calliope and Izzy both ran up to us and hugged us both tightly when our lips finally parted. Our girls. Izzy is now mine too, and although I'm less than a decade older than her, I will fight for her the same way I fight for Calliope. Whether either of us want to call me her step-mother, the fact is I am now.
I am married.
We walked like a family, with Davis and I leading the way towards the enclosed reception area inside. We snuck away to take pictures, including Izzy and Calliope. They are pictures I plan to adorn the walls of our home. Izzy looked great in her suit with Calliope in her pink frilly dress. They were polar opposites, but looked so good beside one another. We laughed and acted stupid as a family and it was all captured on camera. These were some of the happiest moments of my life.
"Let's give a warm welcome to the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Havard."
"Ready to dance with me?" Davis asked with a playful smirk. He said he was in charge of picking our song, and that it would be a surprise. I let him do it, because I was really curious what he would pick for us.
"As ready as ever."
He led me out to the dance floor, standing us right in the center. I waited for the music to start, half expecting him to have chosen a country song. It surprised me when I heard violins play instead.
"What song is this?" I asked him, amused as we began to dance slowly.
"If only my heart could speak by Cody Fry. I heard it on one of Liv's playlists and it spoke a little too well about the way I feel about you. It's hard to express how much in words, only my heart knows. Too bad it can't talk."
I giggled as we danced, letting him twirl me about. Everyone watched us share this moment, yet it felt like it was only Davis and I in this large room, alone with the music. When it suddenly stopped, I snapped back to reality. Davis danced with Izzy next, and I happily danced with Calliope. Others began to slowly join us as there were parent dances to be had. Davis' parents died long ago, leaving Izzy with only her mother's mother as a grandparent. There is no father and bride dance to be had here. No, it's the groom and daughter instead and I am just fine with that.
There's nothing more I could ask for than this moment here.