June 3rd, 2017, almost two years ago, Elizabeth met Jack Wells, the man who was a reincarnation, or perhaps a modern day variation of Andrew Ryan's son, Jack Ryan. He looked so much like him, albeit younger, but still similar, with his handsome features, light brown hair, and green eyes. It wasn't important what he specifically was; she loved him for who he was, not who he was supposed to be. It was five months ago on Valentines Day that he asked her to marry him; today was her big day. She looked at herself in the mirror as the hairdresser and makeup artist gave her the finishing touches, her elegant ball gown wedding dress with lace sleeves created an extravagant look that only added more butterflies to her stomach over the thought of what Jack and his family and friends might think of her. But she would not let the jitters get the best of her, today was their day, it was her day, the day she would become Mrs. Elizabeth Wells DeWitt.
An hour later, Elizabeth was standing in the hallway of the church, finally cued to walk down the aisle. The doors opened, Jack's family on one side and his friends on another. There he was, Jack, he looked absolutely strapping in his tuxedo. Soon he would be her husband in a matter of minutes as she took the walk, the organ playing the wedding march as everyone around her smiled. It was perfect, absolutely perfect. The only thing she wished she could have had on her wedding day was to be walked down the aisle by Booker DeWitt, her friend, her father. He would have been so proud. Maybe in another life, he was walking Anna down an aisle for her husband. She held onto that thought as she pressed on. As she stood before Jack, she remembered another friend. Dr. Stephen Wright, the one who brought her back to life, her friend from the apocalyptic wasteland, and the first man she ever loved. Although he was gone, Elizabeth couldn't help but feel as if he was watching over her, in some shape or form; he and Booker would have been so happy for her.
After Jack lifted Elizabeth's veil, the priest began to read off their vows.
"Dearly beloved, we're gathered together on this beautiful afternoon to share with Elizabeth and Jack as they exchange vows of their everlasting love. True marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony's end. Today you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends. Remember to treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Take responsibility for making the other feel safe, and give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness, and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty, and fear assail your relationship, remember to focus on what is right between you, and not just the part that seems wrong. In this way, you can survive the times when clouds drift across the face of the sun in your lives, remembering that, just because you may lose sight of it for a moment, that does not mean the sun has gone away, forever. If each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together and compassion for the needs of the other, your life together will be marked by abundance and delight. Now, if any man can show any just cause of why they should not be lawfully joined together, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace"
Nobody spoke, the priest continued with their vows.
"Elizabeth, Jack, I require and charge you both, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be united in marriage lawfully that you do now confess it"
Neither Elizabeth nor Jack spoke up, neither had a reason to.
"At this time, I'll ask you, Elizabeth, and you, Jack, to face each other and take each other's hands"
Elizabeth and Jack turned to face one another as they held hands.
"Do you Elizabeth, take Jack as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
"I do"
"Do you Jack, take Elizabeth as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
"I do"
The priest quietly asked the best man, who was also Jack's best friend, to give Jack the ring as he said his part of the vows.
"I Jack, give you Elizabeth, this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you"
Jack placed the ring on Elizabeth's ring finger, right across from the thimble that covered her missing pinkie.
"May peace and unconditional love surround you and remain with you now and forevermore. Amen. You may seal your vows with a kiss"
Two whole years, building up to this moment where they would cement their love and be together. Elizabeth and Jack closed their eyes, leaning in close to one another. Their lips connected as they kissed. It was official, one of Elizabeth's biggest dreams had come true; she was finally married.
Everyone exited the church, rice thrown in every direction as Elizabeth and Jack made their way down the steps and into the back of a limousine, the next stop was the reception area to truly celebrate their momentous occasion. They had rented out the Prince George Ballroom in New York City, it was practically decorated on its own, but Elizabeth spared no expense when she had the wedding planners put some of her own personal touches representing subtle hints of her past for the ceremony. After everyone arrived and took their seats, Elizabeth and Jack made a grand entrance filled with dazzling lights and romantic ambiance and were met with a standing ovation. When the applause concluded, The Beach Boys God Only Knows began to play; as Elizabeth and Jack celebrated with their first dance. Shortly after the dance concluded and the guests were welcomed by the host of the evening, Elizabeth and Jack started making their rounds while dinner was served, saying hello to every family member and friend. It was a little overwhelming, but the amount of love Elizabeth was receiving was equal to the love she felt for Jack. It seemed like there could be no other surprises; Elizabeth was wrong.
As Elizabeth and Jack made their way to the back, someone caught her eye, there was a guest sitting all by himself at one of the tables. He was wearing a black dress t-shirt with black dress pants and decent dress shoes. At first, she wasn't sure, he looked a little different from when they last spoke, maybe it was someone else. After careful observation, she knew it was him. She must have missed him at the church, but it was actually him; Frank Williams was here, he was here at her wedding. Elizabeth had gone to great lengths to find Frank's new address. At first, she wasn't sure if she should send him an invitation. If she invited Frank, what if it hurt him to know she was getting married? If she didn't invite Frank, what if it hurt him to know he wasn't invited? Elizabeth contemplated for a long time before deciding to invite Frank, and now, she could see that she made the right choice.
Elizabeth turned her attention to Jack, she was even more excited than earlier.
"Jack, Jack! Oh my god! Frank's here! He came!"
"He's here? That's great!"
"I know we have more guests to speak to but; I'm sorry I can't wait!"
"Alright we'll go talk to him now"
Jack understood why Elizabeth was eager to talk to Frank.
"Thank you!"
Elizabeth lifted her dress slightly as she scurried over to the back, Jack was right behind her trying to keep up.
"I'll be with you all in a minute! Frank! Frank!"
Frank was busy on his phone when he heard his name. He looked over and saw Elizabeth racing towards him. He sat sheepishly, the complete opposite of Elizabeth's excited demeanor as she charged past sitting guests to get to him. As Frank put his phone away and raised a hand to say hello, Elizabeth wrapped her arms around him tightly, embracing him. Frank was caught off guard, but he timidly returned the hug. After holding Frank for what felt like forever, Elizabeth finally released him. She cupped his face in her hands, forcing him to make eye contact as she smiled warmly at him.
"Oh Frank, let me look at you, it's been so long"
"Yeah, it has"
Frank wasn't expecting this kind of attention.
"I'm so happy you're here, it's so good to see you, you look great"
Elizabeth caressed Frank's head while keeping her other hand on his shoulder, she couldn't control herself as she continued expressing how happy she was that he chose to come and be apart of her special day.
"Thanks. You, you look…absolutely beautiful"
Frank forced himself to smile for Elizabeth.
"Thank you! Oh, um, oh!"
Elizabeth released Frank and stood next to Jack.
"Frank this is Jack. He's, well, my husband"
"Hi Frank"
"Hey nice to meet you"
Jack stepped forward and shook Frank's hand, allowing Frank to get a better look at him. Frank could see what Elizabeth saw inside of Jack, as well as outside. Years ago Frank experienced premonitions, and in one of them, he saw brief glimpses of Jack Ryan, the son of Andrew Ryan, the man who would stop Frank Fontaine and free all of the enslaved children of Rapture. Jack Wells resembled Jack Ryan, and Frank knew that wasn't a coincidence. The universe really did work in funny ways, he tried not to think too hard about it.
Frank figured while they were here he would give them the present he got. Well, it was a congratulations card he picked up at his local pharmacy.
"Here I, uh, I know we're supposed to buy gifts but um, I didn't have enough time or money to get mine so I kinda, yeah, I'm sorry"
"No, it's fine! That's so sweet! Thank you!"
Frank watched Elizabeth and Jack swoon and awe over the contents of the card, he knew they weren't humoring him. At least he could feel better about that, as she put the card away in her purse.
"So what have you been doing for the last few years?"
Elizabeth was curious about what Frank had been doing since they last spoke.
"I uh, I decided to go back to California. Originally it was just to visit but, you know, I wound up staying for a while. Decided I wouldn't let my past with, um, you know who, prevent me from staying. I attended school there and got my bachelor's degree in graphic design; shortly after that I moved back here"
"That's wonderful, it really is"
Elizabeth remembered the incident between her and one of Frank's exes when they visited California, she was happy to know that he could put that behind him to pursue what he wanted.
"What about you? Did you go to Paris yet?"
"No, not yet. I'm almost finished with school and…"
Elizabeth was quiet, so Jack continued speaking for her.
"We discussed it, and we both agreed that we would wait until we started a family; we're looking into adoption right now"
"That's, that's good, glad to hear that"
Frank tried to push aside the fact that he and Elizabeth were supposed to go to Paris years ago, but he was still happy that she would eventually get to go.
"Listen, Frank, we have other guests to attend to but you don't have to sit here by yourself. You should go talk to people and mingle"
"That's okay I, I'm comfortable here"
Frank wasn't willing to go outside his comfort zone.
"No Frank come on. How about I introduce you to some of Jack's friends"
Frank could see what Elizabeth was trying to do, even on her day, and after so much time had passed, she was still concerned for him. But this was her day, this was not about him.
"Elizabeth listen, I'm fine, I am. You don't need to focus on me. This is your day, so go and enjoy it. I'll be fine, I promise, okay?"
Elizabeth thought it was sweet that Frank didn't want to be her priority, but that only made her want to help him more. She knew not to push it. He was here, this was a good sign. She needed to be flexible and give him what he wanted, even if it was nothing at all.
"Okay, just, if you need anything or want to talk, don't be afraid to come find me okay?"
"Okay"
Frank watched Elizabeth leave with Jack to tend to more guests. He had mixed emotions following his reconnection with her; this was probably going to be a long day.
Later that day, after everyone enjoyed food, wine, and cake, it was time for another tradition; the wedding garter and bouquet toss. Elizabeth was seated in the center of everyone, she felt incredibly bashful as Jack reached under her dress and began removing her garter belt from her leg. Her face was a shade of crimson red, and she couldn't stop smiling and fiddling with her hands, as laughter and teasing banter filled up the room. Eventually, Jack removed the belt and was met with more laughter and cheering. Despite being embarrassed, it was a sweet moment for Elizabeth.
Elizabeth waited until all the single ladies lined up, and with her back turned to them, she threw the bouquet. As most of the girls scrambled for it, one caught it flawlessly without any effort, a pretty, blue-eyed redhead, wearing a purple dress. She didn't seem eager to have it, even as the rest of the girls cheered for her.
The eligible bachelor's were up next, including Frank. Elizabeth could see him off in the distance in the back and could sense he was reluctant. But eventually, he got up and made his way to the center of the room like everyone else. Elizabeth knew a majority of the men, they were either family members or friends of Jack, she wished everyone could have a chance to experience this tradition with a lucky lady. But it was still a tradition, and only one man could be apart of it with one woman; she couldn't help but secretly root for Frank.
All the men lined up, Jack had his back to them and the garter belt ready. To everyone else it was a fun time, but for Elizabeth, there was tension surrounding her. Without any indication, Jack sent the belt launching up in the air. It was like time slowed down. She could see the belt heading in Frank's direction, he looked up, a realization on his face that he was in the perfect position to catch it. He was startled but ready, he was going to try. Frank's hands reached in the air, and a smile formed on Elizabeth's face. But just as quickly, her smile faded as one of Jack's friends pushed Frank out of the way to catch it. Everyone was cheering, happy, everyone except Elizabeth and Frank. She watched him stand there awkwardly, he was clearly embarrassed. He exited the group and made his way past everyone. Luckily he wasn't leaving, she could see him prop himself against a wall away from the crowd, a hand on his forehead as he closed his eyes and quietly expressed that he was upset.
Elizabeth watched on as the redhead took a seat with fake enthusiasm and a tepid smile. Jack's friend placed the garter belt on her leg as everyone celebrated the momentous occasion of the bachelor and bachelorette. Elizabeth should have been happy, but she felt a sense of disappointment.
This was supposed to be Elizabeth's day, Frank even said so, but she couldn't help but feel bad for him. True, even if he got the chance to put a garter belt on some girls leg, that doesn't mean he would whisk her away and they would be together. But she still wanted Frank to have this, so maybe he would understand that what happened three years ago didn't mean he was going to be alone forever. It was hard, breaking his heart, her heart broke that day too. But she found someone to pick up the pieces, Jack Wells, and now they were together. But no one had picked up the pieces for Frank, she knew that if someone had he wouldn't have gotten up to try and participate.
Years ago, Elizabeth was alone, and she thought she would die that way. But fate gave her a second chance, and she got everything she wanted. Frank on the other hand; she could tell that he felt like he couldn't get a single break, not three years ago, and certainly not today.
Authors Note: Wedding Vows have been taken from the public domain and are used under fair use.
