The month had passed very quickly, and I can barely remember any of it. The only thing on my mind was that today I become Mrs. John Jacob Astor. In the past month I got to know John a little better, and he's really sweet but I just don't think I want to marry him. Once our engagement was announced it became quite the spectacle. So many people I've never ever heard of reached out trying to get an invitation. John and I both decided that we wanted something small and intimate. So we were gonna have it in the gardens at my Uncle's house. John's family arrived here about a week ago. They also seem very nice and they were very welcoming. Rose kept her promise was by my side every step of the way. If it wasn't for her I probably would have had a breakdown…..or killed her mother. Ruth as usual tried to make everything about her, like today of all days she's playing the loving mother of the bride. I couldn't deal with her today, right now I was trying to keep down my breakfast that Rose forced me to eat. I was in my gown and was pacing my room.
"Whoa calm down, you're gonna walk a hole in the floor." Rose said as she walked into the room
"I can't help it Rose I'm going crazy…. I don't know if I can do this."
"Nina!" She shouted grabbing my arms stopping me in mid-pace
"Breathe! You're gonna be fine, you're the bravest person I know. You can do this, John is a fine man you'll be okay."
"Okay you're right I can do this, I have to. Thank you Rose for everything." I said then I pulled her into a hug.
"Ah there are my girls." Uncle Albert said hobbling into the room with a smile on his face. In the past month his health has taken a turn for the worst but he was still hanging on.
"Oh Uncle Albert." I said as he pulled me in for a hug
"You look beautiful my dear." He said
"Thank you."
"Are you ready?" He asked
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Alright places ladies. Come on its show time." Our wedding planner David said walking into the room
My bridesmaids lined up in position, Rose was the last before me because she was my maid of honor. David handed me my bouquet, then I turned to my uncle who pulled my veil over my face then smiled.
"Your parents would be so proud of the amazing woman you have me become." He said
"Uncle Albert you're going to make me cry." I said dabbing my eyes, he pulled me into a tight hug. We pulled apart when David called us to walk down the aisle. We stood behind the closed patio doors until we heard the wedding march
"Please don't let me fall Uncle Albert." I said and he squeezed my arm the was wrapped around his
"Never." He said with a smile just then the doors opened. The first thing I saw when we stepped out was John standing at the alter beaming at me. His smile was so infectious I couldn't help but smile too, and before I knew it I was standing directly in front of him.
"Who gives this woman to this man?" The Priest said
"I do in memory of my brother and his wife Alvin and Elizabeth DeWitt Bukater."
"Who stands with this couple to express the good wishes of their families and friends?"
"We do!"
"You all now may be seated. Now join with me as we bow our heads to observe a moment of silence to honor the memory of those who are not with us today, but are here in spirit. (Pause briefly) Amen."
For the most part the rest of the wedding was a blur, but believe it or not having John there holding my hands was a great comfort to me maybe I do have some sort of romantic feelings for him
"John Jacob Astor do you reach out in love to receive Nina DeWitt Bukater and choose to share your life with her? Will you promise always to give to her your expression of your ever growing love, will you comfort her, be sensitive to her needs, express your feelings with her, listen to her, put your trust in her, and forsaking all others, be her intimate friend and honor her as your equal partner?"
"I do." John said instantly with a voice filled with confidence. As I looked into his eyes I saw dare I say it love? I knew for a fact that John felt more for me than I did for him. Hence why we're here but love? I wasn't too sure.
"Nina DeWitt Bukater do you reach out in love to receive John Jacob Astor and choose to share your life with him? Will you promise always to give to him your expression of your ever growing love, will you comfort him, be sensitive to his needs, express your feelings with him, listen to him, put your trust in him, and forsaking all others, be his intimate friend and honor him as your equal partner?"
"I-I do." I stammered
"John please repeat after me."
"In the name of God I John, choose you, Nina, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor and respect, to love and to cherish. I say these words because I love you, and choose to live the rest of my life with you. This is my solemn vow." John said smiling down at me
"Nina repeat after me please."
"In the name of God, I Nina choose you, John to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to honor and respect, to love and to cherish. I say these words because I love you, and choose to live the rest of my life with you. This is my solemn vow."
"Now bring forth the rings. John take this ring and place it on her finger then say the words."
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." John said while siding a diamond encrusted wedding band on along with my ten carat diamond engagement ring
"Nina please take this ring and place it on his finger then say the words."
"I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." I said while siding a simple platinum band on his finger
"Now that John and Nina have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I now pronounce you wife and husband, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder. John you may now kiss the Bride." The priest barely got the words out before John lifted my veil, cupped my cheeks, and pulled me in for a deep kiss.
"Ladies and Gentlemen: It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. & Mrs. John Jacob Astor." He announced as the crowd started cheering. We pulled apart and turned to the crowd then started walking down the aisle.
During the reception we got many congratulations, and presents by the time it was almost over I could tell who really meant it and who was there to get the latest bit of gossip. John and I sat at the front table watching the dancing. We had just cut the cake and things were starting to wind down. I was glad for that because I was beginning to feel tired. Before I could stop myself I let out a small yawn
"Excuse me." I said to John who was just smiling at me
"Its fine are you tired?"
"Just a little." I admitted
"Then let's go." He said standing holding out his hand for me I quickly took it. John announced that we were leaving. So we were met at the front by our guest waiting with the rice. Which they began to toss as John led us to the waiting car he held the door open for me, then got in behind me.
"Well this has certainly been an eventful day." I said smiling at John
"It has, I'm just glad it's finally over and now I can call you my wife." He said then kissed me.
When we pulled up to the Villa he had rented for us. I felt my heart drop to my stomach. I just now remembered what is to be expected of our wedding night. Once again the sick and nervous feeling was back and I felt like I could puke. The next thing I knew we were in our room, I turned to John and smiled lightly. He walked over and cupped my cheek
"I know you're afraid, but you want we can wait I have no problems with that." He said. His words warmed my heart, he was so kind and I felt lucky to have a husband as kind as him. As opposed to another who wouldn't care about how scared I was feeling tonight. I wanted to jump at his offer but it's my duty as his wife.
"No, no it's okay." I said softly then I helped him out of his jacket, I placed my hands on his chest as he pulled me in for a long kiss. I began to unbutton his shirt as I felt his arms wrap around me, one hand landed on my lower back and moved up higher and higher until it reached the buttons on my dress. I tensed when he undid the first button making him pull away from the kiss
"Are you okay love?" He asked and I nodded as I placed my lips on his once again. One by one a piece of clothing was removed until we were both naked. John laid me down on the bed then got on top of me
"You are so beautiful." He said stroking my cheek
"I-I don't know what to do." I whispered it was true before John I had never even kissed a man.
"Just try to relax." He said then entered me.
I woke up the next morning feeling very sore. John told the maid to run me a bath which I happily soaked in until the water was almost cold. After my bath I felt refreshed I was still a little sore but that was to be expected. Last night was better than I ever thought it would be John was so kind and gentle, thinking about him started to bring a smile on my face. I walked into the dining room to be greeted by servants and John who was reading the morning paper.
"Good morning." I said brightly to everyone. The servants smiled in returned
"Good morning my darling." John said sitting the paper to the side and giving me a kiss
"How are you feeling?" He asked
"Much better."
"I'm glad. Here I thought you might want to read these." He said handing my gossip section of the paper which made me frown
"What's wrong?"
"It's just I hate the gossip section it's the most pointless part of the paper. I like the news sections I would like to know what's going on in the world just as the next person. Now Mr. Astor I thought you knew me a bit better than that." I told him
"Well please forgive me Mrs. Astor, it won't happen again. Let me make it up to you by giving you my wedding present." He said with a smile as one a the valets left the room
"John no, you didn't have to."
"I know I wanted to."
"But I didn't get you anything."
"I got you and that's more than enough." He said as the valet walked back in to the room carrying a chest. He sat it on the table in front of me. I looked at John curiously
"Open it." He told me
I opened the chest and let out a small shriek making everyone in the room to laugh
"John I cannot believe you did this." I said looking in the chest which contained books from a few of my favorite authors like: Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen, and a few others.
"Are these first edition?" I asked him shocked as he nodded and stood next to me
"Yes it took a while but I pulled a few strings and found them."
"Oh John this is one of sweetest things anyone has ever done for me." I said hugging him then I leaned up to give him a kiss.
"There's more."
"More?"
"Yes tonight you and I are going to the Theater for the production of Antony and Cleopatra." He said and I was speechless
"I-I don't know what to say."
"Nothing I just want you to be happy."