EMMA's POV :
"It's time to walk down the aisle, princess. Are you ready?" dad said with his hand stretched out to me.
"Walk down the aisle?" I gaped. "Wait, you don't mean?"
"He really surprised you on this one, huh?" dad chuckled.
Oh my God. Is this really happening?
"Last chance to run?" dad joked.
Shaking my head from side to side, I took his hand told him, "Not in a million years,"
Dad nodded his head and smiled, "Alright, let's go then. They're all waiting,"
They?
With my hand linked around my dad's arm, we walked down the pathway towards the beach. The sound of the waves crashing got louder and louder and I heard a faint strum of a guitar.
And on the horizon, I started to see something resembling a tent or an arch. Below that, stood Ian, in all his beautiful glory. He was wearing a white shirt, cream khaki pants, and the biggest smile on his face. As soon as I saw him, I couldn't contain my smile or my tears any longer. My knees had turned to jelly and if it wasn't for my dad holding my hand, I'd fall on the spot.
Behind Ian stood our officiant, Mr. Sergio Rossi. I gaped at him as he smiled and winked at me. And next to him were Ian's four groomsmen, all his best friends from childhood. And on the other side stood my bridesmaids, Tiff, Carrie, Sophie, and Hailey. They were all cheering and clapping in excitement when they saw me.
There were also several chairs laid out facing the arch on the beach. The people seated there stood up and turned their heads around when they heard me coming. When I saw all their faces, I gasped in shock because I caught sight of all my closest family and friends. Seated at the very front were Kristen, Teresa, and my mom. My grandparents were also present, so were Ian's uncle and aunt. Then there were Tyler and his date, Tristan, and some of my friends from work. And oh my God, Diana, my boss was there too.
But suddenly, something else stole my heart and full attention away from the guests. I saw my baby, Florence, dressed in a cute white dress, galloping down the aisle in that little cute laugh of hers as she threw white flower petals on the sand. Everyone laughed at the sight of her. She was just too precious. She ran all the way up to the altar and Ian picked her up and gave her a kiss.
I could not, for the love of me, stop my heart from melting.
As I was nearing the altar, Ian then gave Florence to Hailey. Dad and I stopped when we were in the first row of chairs. Stepping away from the altar, Ian came over to meet us. He had that gorgeous smile on him, his hair was neatly pushed back, and his eyes were filled with triumphant joy.
Dad pulled me into a hug and he kissed me cheek, whispering, "I love you, princess. I'm so proud of you,"
I didn't want to cry, but that really pulled on my heartstring. Pulling away from me, dad turned to Ian and they shook hands. But as Ian was about to pull away, dad grabbed him by the shoulder and they hugged. Ian was feeling emotional too as his eyes were glistening when he stretched his hand out to me.
"I can't believe you're doing this," I whispered to him.
"It's about damn time, though," he replied with a smirk.
Lacing his hand with mine, we clasped each other's hand tightly and made our way to the altar. Dad went to sit next to mom, and for the first time in my life, I saw him wipe a tear away from his face.
"Welcome, everyone. Please be seated," Sergio said to the guests as we stood right in front of him. He flashed Ian a proud grin and he looked at me with a warm smile on his face.
"First, I'd like to begin by welcoming everyone and thanking each and every one of you for being here on this happiest of days. It is no accident that each of you are here today, and each of you were invited to be here because you represent someone important in the individual and collective lives of Ian and Emma. I know I can speak for myself personally that I am grateful to be a part of this beautiful, and long overdue union,"
The crowd let out a laugh and I couldn't help but snort a little too.
Sergio cleared his throat and continued his speech, "As a third-party spectator to their love story, it was extremely clear that the two of them represent a perfect pairing because each of them complements the other so well. They balance one another, and while each of them are tremendous individuals on their own, together they are even better. And being better together, as a team, a unit, and partners in crime, is what has been many years in the making and ultimately leads us to being here today, witnessing their commitment to one another in front of those they love most,"
Looking around me, I really was surrounded by the people who loved me the most, and the people that I loved the most. It was such a magical moment, and a part of me was convinced that this must be a dream. But then I felt Ian's hand shaking a little, and then I knew this wasn't a dream. This was real life.
"I wish I could tell you a single story about Ian and Emma that summarizes their relationship and how they enrich each other's lives, and the lives of each of us, but the truth is there isn't one single event that is a good encapsulation of what they mean to me, to each other, and to all of us. But what I do know is that both of them care deeply and passionately for each other; they protect each other; they make each other laugh and think outside themselves; that time magically seems to both fly and slow down when they're together," Sergio continued speaking.
True. That is so, so true.
"So going forward, I believe that their life together as a team will be one of complete contentment; full of those moments that they wish would never end, and that they continue to make one another smile and laugh as they do to us. So without further ado..." Sergio addressed the guests before smiling proudly at the two of us. "Dearly beloved and honored guests, we are gathered together to join Ian William Hayes and Emma Roselyn Sinclair in the union of marriage,"
I felt like fainting when I heard him say those words. I was hit with a wave of emotions and my heart fell so full like it was about to explode. I had been waiting for this moment for years now. Since our failed wedding two years ago, a small part of me had actually given up on the idea of ever marrying him. I was content with our lives just as is, but knowing Ian, he would never want me to settle for second best. And so he did this... he did all of this!
Nodding his head to Ian, Sergio then said, "Let us now hear the vows that our bride and groom have each prepared,"
We prepared a vow?
I looked at Ian quizzically as he pulled out a piece of paper and a ring from his pocket, and he started reading. His hands were shaking and his voice was cracking a little as he spoke.
"...I'm not gonna say much because no matter what I say, these words won't be enough to explain just how much you mean to me and how much I love you and how I promise to love and cherish you forever," Ian looked up suddenly and his piercing brown eyes bored deeply into mine. "But I do wanna say, that the most remarkable moment in life is when you meet the person who makes you feel complete. The person who makes the world a beautiful and magical place. The person with whom you share a bond so special that it transcends normal relationships and becomes something so pure and so wonderful, that you can't imagine spending another day of your life without them. And I am so, so lucky, that I get to find that person in you, Emma Roselyn Sinclair..."
I couldn't hear the rest of his speech because I was breaking down in tears. I was sobbing uncontrollably as I watched Ian put a ring on my finger. It was a cry exuding with profound joy. And really, it didn't matter that I couldn't hear him, because from that look on his eyes, I could already see and understand he wanted to tell me.
When it was my time to give a speech, Tiff handed me a ring for Ian and I took it. I shuffled nervously, playing with the ring as I said, "I... I haven't really prepared anything. I didn't know we were doing this today. Thank you, Ian, for the heads up, by the way," I eyed him playfully and the crowd laughed. He was laughing too, smirking that deadly smirk.
Taking a deep breath, I decided to just say whatever that was on my mind, regardless of it being well composed or not, I just wanted to tell the truth.
"But in all seriousness, I love you, Ian Hayes. Always have and always will. Everything in my life is better with you and because of you. You taught me how to be brave, you taught me how to be patient, and you taught me how to love. You made me believe in myself, in ways I could never imagine. You aren't just my teacher in life, but you're also an awakener. I couldn't be who I am today without you, and for that, I am forever grateful,"
Ian couldn't hold his gaze up as I spoke and put that ring on his finger. With his head down facing the ground, he kept wiping his eyes because the tears wouldn't stop flowing. I didn't mean to get him emotional, but I was just speaking the truth. I owed everything to him. He was the guy that turned my life upside down, but also the one that built me back together. And I became stronger and better because of him.
"And now, Ian Hayes, do you take Emma to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto her forevermore?" Sergio asked Ian.
"I do," Ian said firmly.
"And Emma, do you take Ian to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him forevermore?"
"I do,"
With a bright smile on his face, Sergio turned to us both and said, "It is my great honor and delight to declare you husband and wife. May you go forth and live each day to the fullest," and he turned to Ian and said, "Ian, you may seal this declaration with a kiss,"
And so he did. He pulled me into his arms and sealed our fates together.
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IAN's POV :
I was the one who planned this whole wedding, so I thought that nothing was gonna take me by surprise, but I was wrong. When I saw Emma walking down the aisle, my heart literally stopped beating and I thought I was gonna drop dead on the spot.
She never fails to take my breath away. In the best way possible.
After Sergio had declared us married, we continued with the reception, hosting a small late lunch slash early dinner gathering for our guests. It was such a picturesque scene because the sun was hanging low, the breeze was soft and warm, and the ocean before us stood in its amazing glory. This beach was the reason why I rented the mansion in the first place. I wanted to get the most beautiful place deserving of the most beautiful girl to marry her in.
My wife, yes wife, and I were talking and entertaining the guests as the day wore on. Soon enough, the sun was setting, and the beautiful scene before us was amplified tenfold. With the soft guitar playing and the sound of waves crashing all around us, it would be a crime if I didn't go up to my wife and ask her for a dance.
So I did.
Emma was talking with her friends, gushing about little Florence, who had now passed out, tired. Florence had been up all day long. Early in the morning, her Grandma Kristen and Aunt Hailey drove her all the way from the city to this place. She didn't know what was happening, but she was excited to see her mommy and daddy.
"Enjoying yourself, Mrs. Hayes?" I whispered into her ear and snaked my arms around her from the back. Her friends took the hint and one by one they slipped away, leaving my wife and me alone
"Yes. It's the best wedding a girl could ever ask for," she smiled and leaned her face into my chest. "Thank you, Mr. Hayes,"
Damn. I love it when she does that.
Twirling her body around so she would be facing me, I held her by the waist and said, "I was coming over here to ask you to dance, but now I'm having other ideas,"
"Oh?" she gasped when she felt my body pressed up against her.
Leaning down, I kissed her below her ear and whispered, "Here's a wild idea, you wanna just get outta here?"
She let out a soft giggle and bit her bottom lip. Then she looked up at me with that glimmer in her eye and said, "With you, anywhere,"
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- - - - - To Be Continued - - - - -