"I will hurt you for this. I don't know how yet, but give me time. A day will come when you think yourself safe and happy, and suddenly your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, and you'll know the debt is paid."
-George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings.
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If someone had asked her a couple years ago how she envisioned herself now, standing in front of the mirror watching the girl in white staring straight back at her would not have even crossed her mind. So much had changed. She had changed. Her life had changed. Everything was so incredibly different now. Yet she couldn't be happier. She let her fingers melt over the dress she wore, the silk leaving her fingertips tingling. It was strapless, a collection of diamonds holding the fabric together under the bodice, leaving the rest to trail from there. It was beautiful. For the first time since the proposal, she finally understood the meaning behind all of these simple traditions for a wedding, they made you feel special. And that's exactly how she felt right now, special.
"Are you ready to go?" Jess asked, her voice soft, head popping around the door of the dressing room as she waited for an answer, and a sneak peak at the bride in question.
"Just about," The brunette responded, glancing over at her maid-of-honour. She was a vision. Auburn hair swirled and gathered at the back of her head, a light blue dress that caused the continuous sparkle in her eyes to stand out far more than usual, and a beaming smile that only Jess could pull off as brilliantly as she does.
She gave a nod, giving a last look at the bride before meeting her at the end of the aisle, "You look beautiful by the way," She added, grin growing slightly wider as she tried to contain her excitement. There were no words for how much Jess Parker loved weddings; they were by far her favourite event ever.
The door closed softly behind her as the maid-of-honour left, and the brunette was left once again standing alone in front of the mirror, only moments away from stepping out onto the gleaming white aisle and seeing her soon to be husband for the first time since she had woken today. Gently curling a loose strand of hair that dangled with her finger, she watched it dance as she let it go, and admired the brunette bun of hair, encrusted with tiny red roses, Abby's idea. Things really had changed from the day she met all of the people she now knew as close friends, and her fiancé. And nothing would be the same again.
Taking one last deep breath, the brunette let her legs fall back into motion as she walked across the dressing room, finally as prepared as she would ever be to walk down the aisle into her wedding. Her father stood by the large double doors that led out from the small building they were in, and a proud smile lay on his lips. Take him back a few years, and the question of whether he would ever know the daughter he gave up after birth wouldn't have a conclusive answer, and yet here he was, Nick Cutter, ready to give away the beautiful young woman his daughter had grown into, marrying a man he trusted with his life. She could hear the soft sound of the orchestra break into the next tune, even despite the echo of heart beats that swam through her system. And she knew that now, it was time to begin the next part of her life.
"Ready?" Nick whispered to her, as he took her arm in his and centred them in front of the doors.
"Ready," She repeated, though certain on her words, she couldn't help but feel the flip of her stomach as she waited anxiously for the seconds to tick by and the sunlight to flow in from the outside world.
And as the doors opened, that was exactly what it did. The sun was brighter than she remembered, sending a golden shimmer across the pair, and lighting up the way to her heart. The steps were rhythmic across the white boardwalk beneath them, and the music flew through her ears, relaxing every inch of her as she waited for the sunlight to ease, and to see the face of the man she was going to marry, the man she loved more than words could describe. Behind the altar, the sand stretched out across the beach, met with the ocean waves that added to the tranquillity of the scene. The roses came into sight first, making patterns in the altar and standing out against the white, and then their eyes met, blue against brown. A smile played on his lips, and a particular glint danced in his eye, and though still too far to touch, it felt as if they hadn't parted. Connor stood beside him as best man, wearing a grin that could only be described as holding a childish innocence; his inner-youth beaming through. On the other side waited Jess, standing beside the very spot where she would soon be positioned. Closest friends were near the front on one side of the aisle, Becker's immediate family held the other. Matt was sending out a charming smile, hand snaked around Emily's waist, a look on both their faces that led her to only believe they were remembering their own feelings from their wedding day. Abby was closest to the aisle, next to the seat her father would soon take, and Danny beside her, who sent a cheeky wink her way. Lester was in the row behind, standing by the aisle, looking very smart in his new suit, one that she could only imagine was Italian made; his favourite.
There was no force in this entire universe that could pull away the smile on her own lips, an undeniable and overwhelming happiness that filled her whole existence. Gently stopping as they stood in front of the aisle, Nick laid his left hand on the arm that was linked with his right; he planted a small kiss on her cheek and handed his daughter to Becker, placing her hand on his. As she took her place at the altar, the soldier could see easily the growing smile on her face relax her features, and the contentment he felt only further fuelled the matching smile he wore. He entwined their hands together, the simple touch of skin sending a rave of butterflies dancing through their stomachs.
"You're perfect," He whispered, as the crowd sat back down into their seats, waiting for the next part of the wedding to begin.
"Welcome everyone. This couple, Jayme and Becker have chosen you, those special and important to them, to witness and celebrate the beginning of their life together. Today, as we create this marriage, we also create a new bond and new sense of family; one that will undoubtedly include all who are present here today." The officiant began, "In ancient times, before the written word, before the cities and before society, we may surmise that once, for the first time, a man and a woman stood side by side and took strength from each other. From their fears, together, they found comfort, for their hunger, they shared food. For their pains, together, they found ease. And for their loneliness, together they found love and companionship. And as time passed, this love was nurtured, then grew and was renewed with the rising and setting of the sun each day. And now, in this new age, we joyfully join in witnessing such a renewal of the human spirit with the couple standing before us. They are here to pledge their love, respect and dedication to each other. And as they journey through the rest of their lives, we know they will nurture each other and renew their commitment and passion for each other with every new day, just as that couple in ancient times once did, standing side by side to take strength from each other after taking the first steps into the future. And now, I may ask for you to present your vows, groom first,"
Behind him, he could've sworn he heard a small giggle escape Connor, but that would have to be something he could question later, instead he focused back onto the woman in front of him and began his vow, "I'll be honest, I'm not very good at these sorts of things so hopefully I'll not end up embarrassing myself," Becker began, inducing a small echo of laughter from the guests, "Jayme, I think we both know how much I love you, how much I've loved you for so long, even before I dared admit it to anyone. I love your beauty, your intelligence, your courage, your strength, the small dimple you get when you smile, and the way you nearly blow up my kitchen every time you attempt cooking, I love you, plain and simple. So above all the promises we've made to each other, and all the promises we'll make today, I want to also promise that I'll never stop loving you, and that I'll always appreciate how you make me feel like the luckiest man in the world to have you in my life," As the last words left his mouth, he gave her hand a small squeeze. And as the tears threatened her eyes, she took a deep breath, laying in wait in the silence before beginning her own vow.
"When I was younger I didn't grow up with the ordinary traditional family, I didn't have the kind of life that most grow up with, but I also refused to accept when something good happened. I found it hard to get close to people, to depend on them; I felt that it was pointless, that it would just end in disappointment, and that the only person you could trust was yourself. And because of that, because of all the mistakes I made, I've spent most of my life running from my past, which meant I found it hard to move on, or to confide in anyone. But you showed me things that in all honesty terrified me; you showed me love, comfort, safety and happiness, and even now it still scares me from time to time, but that's only because I've never felt this way before. You've made me happier than I could ever imagine and more loved than I ever thought possible. You give my life meaning, and I promise you that I will try my absolute best to be a good wife. Becker, I love you,"
"Now if I may ask you to complete the vows with the eternal promise; do you, Captain Becker, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife and one true love, promising to share in all that life offers and suffers, to be there for her in times of need, to soothe her in times of pain, and to support her in all endeavours, big and small?" The officiant asked; turning his attention slightly to the groom as he spoke.
"I do," The soldier answered, his eyes not leaving Jayme's for a second.
"And do you, Jayme Cutter, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband and one true love, promising to share in all that life offers and suffers, to be there for him in times of need, to soothe him in times of pain, and to support him in all endeavours, big and small?"
"I do,"
"And now for the rings," The officiant stated; he glanced over at the best man, waiting for the rings to be handed over. Connor took a moment before he clicked on to what had been said, and then hurriedly passed the rings over to the couple, noticing a smile aimed at him from his own wife in the front row.
"I give you this ring, as I give to you all that I am, and accept from you, all that you are." Becker stated, gently placing the ring onto her finger after the words had left his mouth.
"I give you this ring, as I give to you all that I am, and accept from you, all that you are." Jayme repeated, smiling as she copied his actions.
"You have exchanged vows and rings, and consented to marry in the presence of your family and friends. And now, by the power vested in me, I have the greatest pleasure to declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,"
His heart was racing, and as she looked into his eyes she smiled. She loved the way the sunlight warmed the brown, melting the colour to amber, and he loved the way she held his hands that little bit tighter, showing how nervous the new experience was for her. And when he leaned in, the sweet scent of his presence filled her senses, and his breath on her lips sent her pulse rushing through her veins. She freed his hands, pulling hers up to the high of his shoulders as his curled around her waist, and the closeness sent her mind to near explosion. Time moved differently between them and the world, it felt as though hours had passed, they took in every small detail and action as if it were the last they would ever see. It was as though they would turn around and the guests would be gone and the moon would be high in the sky, and she would completely belong to him, and he to her. But the moments were only seconds. And after letting their bodies mould into one, and their love fill their souls, his soft lips pressed gently against hers and around them they could hear the applause of the guests. Danny's wolf whistling only caused the couple to smile into the kiss, and eventually they broke apart, both with incredibly happy expressions plastered across their faces, and the knowledge that they would never forget this exact moment.
"This is the greatest day of my life, Mrs Becker," The soldier whispered into her ear, letting one hand entwine with hers as they faced the crowd in front. She smiled at the words; pushing her happiness to the extremes as she stood close to the man she could now officially call her husband.
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A/N: It's been a while since I've written, so hopefully it turned out alright :)
I'd like to add that the collection of mini stories (The Journey Ahead) set between 'Unexpected, Unforgettable You' and 'Roses are Red' is still on-going, but since it isn't relevant to the official storyline nor do I have any inspiration for it at the moment, I decided it would just be best to start this. Hope you all like it!