Nick tried not to fidget, swallowing hard as he waited for the large doors at the other end of the aisle to open. It hadn't taken long to get things organized once they'd told Ben and the others they were renewing their vows; they'd even managed to book the same chapel, scheduling it for their anniversary. He looked out over the rows of pews, his mood rising even further when he saw all the faces smiling back at him, the friends and family whose happiness he wished for as much as his own. It was a cool, crisp autumn day, the early afternoon sunlight spilling in rainbow streaks through the stained glass windows, glinting off the polished brass and medals on his finely pressed dress blues. His left paw felt naked without his wedding band, but Judy had wanted it to feel as much like the original ceremony as possible, the rings having been given to their oldest son, chosen as the ring bearer.
"Will you calm down, already?" Fin whispered irritably, adjusting his own suit uncomfortably. He'd chosen the older tod as his best mammal, and despite the fennec's complaints, Nick knew just how happy he was to have the role. "You're acting like you never done this before!"
"I know, I know," he murmured back, trying not to be too obvious as he messed with his tie. It felt too tight, yet too loose at the same time. "But it sure feels like I haven't."
Fin rolled his eyes, murmuring something about 'sentimental bullshit' before shoving his paws in his pockets. Nick just chuckled, but tried to do a better job of keeping still as he looked at the crowd again.
He caught his mother's gaze, the graying vixen dabbing at her teary eyes with a handkerchief, just as she had seven years ago. It was still hard to believe it had been that long, that he'd already spent almost a decade being married to the love of his life. He cleared his throat, tugging lightly at his collar with a claw, his glance straying to the white stand next to him, one of their most important customs. It put the bride and groom at equal height, symbolizing the balance in their partnership, the names etched into the wood a reminder of those who had come before. It had been in his family for generations, though had needed an extra step added for his and Judy's ceremony. He was careful not to get the thin, silken rope tied around his wrist caught on anything as he brought his paw back to his side, the slow wave of his tail deceptively calm as the music started, drifting down from the recessed balcony above the altar, the tall doors at the other end of the aisle finally opening.
Gypsy and Jasmine came first, tossing small pawfuls of marigold petals from their baskets, so adorable in their pale yellow flower girl dresses, proudly made by their grandmother. Judy's bridesmaids were next, their arms linked with his grooms mammals, and he couldn't help his pride when he saw Isabel and Mary, remembering how he and Judy had helped the troubled teen get her life back on track. She'd also recently been engaged, and he had no doubt they'd have a wedding to attend in the near future. His heart stopped when the sets of mammals parted, taking their places on either side of the altar, and he saw the vision behind Terrance, Finnick and Julian.
Judy looked even more incredible than she had all those years ago, if that were possible. Her pale cream gown had also been made by his mother, and if ever there were a perfect example of the vixen's skill, this was it. A long, layered skirt with a delicate train, cinched in at her slim waist, the surplice neckline showing off just the right amount of her snowy fur. The fitted lace sleeves extended over the backs of her paws, held in place by narrow bands on her ring fingers. The lights overhead glinted off the beadwork, the neckline studded with the same crystals as her elegant silver tiara, designed by one of his cousins. Her veil trailed behind her, fluttering lightly around her beaming face. Her makeup was soft and demure, enhancing her natural beauty, the blush tinting her ears the perfect finishing touch. Her bouquet was a mix of white lilies and irises, symbols of good luck to both their species for centuries, passed to her maid of honor when she reached the altar.
He took her paw as she climbed the small platform beside him, the tears of joy in her eyes impossible to miss. He couldn't stop himself from tapping his nose against hers, brushing the barest kiss across her lips before they turned to the officiate, the same gray wolf who'd done their wedding. He smiled heartily, softly clearing his throat before beginning the ceremony.
"My friends, we have gathered here today, not to celebrate the joining of two mammals, but the life they have created together, and the love they continue to share, through both the good times, and the bad," he turned to Terry, smiling kindly when the little kit ducked behind his father's leg. "My boy, may we have the rings, please?"
Terry's dark pink nose twitched, soft chuckles dotting the pews when it took him a few seconds to come out. He held up the small orange pillow, his tail flicking when the wolf picked them up, giving the larger of the two to Judy.
"I promise to always be there for you," she started, slipping it easily onto Nick's finger, holding his paw between hers as she finished. "And to always, always love you, even if we should ever part."
That was a fairly new tradition, having only come around in the last century or so, but was already the most common way to begin a rabbit marriage ceremony. Nick picked up the other ring from the officiate, lightly kissing the back of his wife's delicate paw.
"I promise to always be there for you," he copied her actions, her gleaming eyes entrancing him. "And to always, always love you, even if we should ever part."
He briefly held his nose against hers again, taking in a breath filled with her scent, mixed with a delicate lavender perfume. The wolf nodded before opening a small, plain wood chest on the stand in front of him, taking out the first of the satin ribbons lying folded inside: a rich, earthy brown.
"Now, we shall begin the Joining of the Bands," he let the length of it unfurl. "If the couple would please hold their left paws together."
Nick felt tears welling in his own eyes as her ring pressed against his, one end of the ribbon now held between their palms.
"I, Judith Hopps, doth swear unto thee, Nicolas Wilde, that I shalt honor, respect and cherish thee until the end of mine days, and as far beyond as thou wilt allow me."
She folded it across his thumb at her name, pulling up diagonally and tucking it over the other side at his, before going behind his fingers, then slanting down the back of his paw. Under his wrist, then again across the back, the other end tucked securely between their palms. The other ribbon was a dark violet, the path it took in the Joining the mirror of hers.
"I, Nicolas Wilde, doth swear unto thee, Judith Hopps, that I shalt honor, respect and cherish thee until the end of mine days, and as far beyond as thou wilt allow me."
He barely resisted the urge to lean forward and kiss her, knowing it would be coming soon enough. The wolf closed the chest with a small click, signaling it was time for the next part of the ceremony.
"I love you, Nick," Judy said, not taking her eyes off him. "I never realized how alone I was until I met you, and you've always made me feel safe, protected and wanted, and I hope to always make you feel the same."
Nick was sure his face would freeze if he kept smiling, but he couldn't bring himself to care.
"I love you, Judy," he answered, brushing her cheek with the back of his free paw. "You made me believe again, in myself and our city, you trusted me, showed me just how much I was letting fear hold me back, and I'll never be able to thank you enough for that."
The wolf nodded again, being careful of the ribbons as he went for the white rope looped at the tod's wrist, taking the loose end and tying it delicately around Judy's.
"And so, with the tying of this line, these two lives, we again combine," he stepped back. "You may kiss the bride."
Judy sniffled, cupping her husband's cheek, accepting his kiss eagerly. She gasped against his lips when he swept her up, giggling into it when she heard the chorus of 'eeew!'s from their children. Applause erupted when they parted, the wolf coming forward to carefully free their paws, tucking the ribbons and rope back in the chest; it usually went to the bride's family, to be placed in the memory book they would've been tasked with making. Instead, it went to Nick's, since Judy still didn't feel ready to contact hers after everything they had done.
"I love you," he repeated softly, stealing one more kiss before setting her back on the platform. She sniffled, then threw her arms around his neck, lightly marking his cheek.
"I love you, Nick," she whispered tearfully, hiccuping a bit when he marked her in return. She kept a paw in his as she stepped to the floor, both of them nearly thrown off their feet when their brood swarmed them, resulting in more laughs from almost everyone in the room.
"You said you and Mommy were already married," Jasmine tugged on Nick's pocket. He picked her up, pecking her forehead.
"We were," he agreed as he set her down, kneeling to be more on level with her. "We just renewed our vows."
"What's that mean?" Julian asked, already lounging in Judy's arms. He was definitely a momma's boy. Nick smiled.
"It means we never want to forget the promise we made to each other," he gently straightened the bow tied around Jasmine's ear. "The promise that we'd always love and be there for each other, no matter what life throws at us."
"Did you have to kiss?" Finnick whined, making a face just at the thought. Nick tried not to laugh as his son's namesake snorted behind him, obviously trying not to crack up.
"It's part of the ceremony, son," he explained. "You'll have to do it too, when you get married."
Finni looked horrified.
"Ew, yuck, no way!" he swiped his mouth on his sleeve. "Girls are icky!"
"Not as icky as boys are," Jasmine argued, crossing her arms. "Boys eat snails and mud!"
"Nuh-uh!" Julian cut in, squirming to be let down. He was always quick to come to his brother's defense. "Girls eat makeup and glitter! That's why they're so cranky!"
"Okay, okay, that's enough you two," Judy stepped in, trying not to laugh herself. She smiled slyly. "If you keep this up, there won't be any cake left when we get to the reception hall."
All five kits perked up at the word 'cake', taking off before Nick could even get back to his feet. Knowing they'd be safe as they crowded around their grandmother and 'Big Uncle' Adonis, he and Judy took their time following, spending their first few minutes alone since the evening before.
"It really does feel like we just got married," he mused, grinning fondly down at her. She gently took her paw from his, taking his arm in both of hers.
"It was an amazing idea, Nick," she said. "I'm so glad you thought of it."
He chuckled.
"I'm sure you would've come up with it eventually," he slowed to a stop once the hallway was empty. "I just beat you to it."
She rolled her eyes, rising to her toes when he leaned in to kiss her, moaning when he once again swept her off her feet. He let the kiss linger, his tongue brushing against hers.
"We really should do this again some time," he whispered, getting lost in the sparkle of her eyes. "Maybe when we have grandkids?"
She was even more beautiful when she smiled that way, so full of hope and joy for the future, excited for all the turns their lives still had to take.
"That sounds perfect, Nick," she whispered back, holding her nose against his. "And I can't wait."
I actually took the Joining of the Bands from an old Tuscan marriage tradition, when the bride and groom's hands are bound together with one ribbon, instead of two different ones like I did. Tuscany is, or at least was, a region in Italy, where Florence and Rome are located.