NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: It's finally the Big Day for Matt and Lita. I'm gonna skip thru much of the details and get right to the ceremony.
Chapter Nine – This Time, I'm In It For Love
30 Minutes Before the Wedding...
"Is my nose shiny?" Anna frowned at her reflection in her powder compact mirror.
Lita and her mom were in the bathroom getting dressed, and the bridesmaids and matron of honor were giving themselves a once-over to make sure everything was just-so. Earlier in the day, a hospital volunteer did Lita's hair and makeup, and the others did their own. A wheelchair sat in the room, ready for Lita to sit in for her trip to the prayer room.
"You look perfect," Gail tried to reassure the matron of honor.
"My lips aren't perfect! Where's my lipstick?"
"You can use mine," Trish offered, sliding a tube out of her purse.
"Thanks, but it's not peppermint flavored. I can't wear lip color that doesn't have peppermint flavor. I'm just weird like that."
Trish shrugged. "Just put peppermint Chapstick under it. No one will know the difference."
"But I'll know!" Anna whined, as Gail tried to keep a straight face.
Trish shook her head. "Arrgh! You're impossible!"
The bathroom door opened, and Christy stepped out. She was wearing an aqua and white dress that she'd packed during her mad rush to the hospital two days previous. Surprisingly, it worked well as a mother of the bride outfit.
The girls waited in breathless anticipation.
"Is she ready?" Trish asked.
Christy beamed and stepped back so that the girls could see Lita as she stepped out. "Well...my baby girl's finally ready to get married."
"I certainly am." Lita turned this way and that so her friends could see. "How do I look?"
The girls Oooohh-ed and Ahhhh-ed.
"Oh, wow! You look gorgeous!"
"It's perfect!"
"That robe is beautiful on you!"
"Thanks." A blush dusted Lita's cheeks. "Uhmmm...I just wanna say thanks to all of you for pulling this all together for me and Matt. You guys didn't have to go through all this trouble-"
Trish held up a finger to silence the bride-to-be. "This was no trouble for us at all, Lita. This is what friends do. I know you'd do the same for any of us." She drew closer and gestured for the other girls to join her. "Okay, everyone...group hug!" she announced, as she and the girls gathered around the bride-to-be.
When the girls broke their hug, Christy straightened up and announced, "I'm gonna head to my seat. I'll see you all out there," before making a graceful exit.
Anna peered into the bathroom and grinned. "There's my lipstick!" As she marched in to retrieve it, she saw her reflection and gasped. "Ack! My nose!"
Lita chuckled as Trish helped her into the wheelchair. "If you had your druthers, Anna, you'd still be working on your makeup as I walk down the aisle." She knew she would get a dirty look from her matron of honor, but she couldn't resist razzing her.
~~~TIME~~~
In a a conference room close to the prayer room, the groomsmen were razzing Tyson almost as much as the bridesmaids razzed the matron of honor.
"Why the hell am I wearing a monkey suit?" Tyson bitched, as he looked at himself in the mirror. "Thank God we don't have to wear ties."
Matt landed a playful punch on Tyson's arm "That's not a monkey suit! Monkey suits are tuxedos with vests and ties and all that fancy stuff. You can take that jacket off, and it'll be something you could wear to Applebees. Now, hold still, your boutonnière's all crooked."
"Lucky for you, Tyson," Jay chimed in, as he straightened the silk flower pinned to his own jacket, "You can take that jacket off after the ceremony. I know I'll take mine off. Hey, move over, I have to check if my shirt's straight."
"Not even a please?"
"No."
Tyson snorted and moved aside so that Jay could study his appearance. After arguing with himself over which color to get (dusky pink or seafoam green), Jay had thrown his hands up (not literally) and bought both. After seeing his wife's matron of honor dress, he was glad he'd picked the dusky pink (it would match better).
"I'm channeling Adam," he sighed. "Hey, guys, speaking of which..."
Matt glanced out the door. "Emily's getting Adam a ponytail elastic. He was panicking because there was a piece of hair that wouldn't stay put, and he just gave up and decided to tie everything back."
"That's Adam for you," Jay snickered. Sure Adam was vicious, tough and opportunistic in the ring, but get him out of the squared circle (or arena), and he was all diva.
Matt glanced at his watch. "It's about time for me to head out there. Wish me luck, Guys."
Matt's friends didn't engage in group hugs, but they each patted him on the back in affection.
"Matty," Jay smiled. "Take care of that classic car."
"Thanks. I will." Matt grinned and stepped out into the hallway.
"Classic car?" Tyson wondered, after Matt had left. "What was that about?"
"Long story," Jay shrugged. "I'll explain it later."
~~~TIME~~~
The venue was still abuzz with activity. Hospital volunteers were setting up a CD player to play the wedding music. Additional staff was setting up a video recorder to record the wedding, so that DVD copies could be made to give to the guests. A few more were performing microphone checks.
Meanwhile, the bakery delivered the cake and set it in the cafeteria (part of it had been cordoned off for the reception). A nice spread of food (lasagna, salad, bread, appetizers, etc) and soft drinks was laid out for the guests.
The guests—forty in all—were seated and engaged in conversation, all of them dressed for comfort, but nothing too shabby. Faces and heels sat together—during special occasions like this, on-screen rivalries were set aside.
Christy, Nidia and Victoria were engaged in some cordial chat when Gene Snitsky interrupted. The women turned to face him, and they all looked more than a little freaked out by his appearance. "Uh, never mind."
Christy recovered first. "It's okay. What I help you with?"
"Uhmmm...can I get a ride back to the hotel with any of you?"
"What?" Victoria looked like Gene had just sprouted horns.
"Well, I need a ride back to my hotel after the reception."
"How'd you get here?"
"Bischoff dropped me off. He wasn't invited."
Just then, the music started up, and Gene was forced to return to his seat. He would have to bum a ride off of someone else.
Matt and the pastor took their places at the front of the room. Matt looked sharp in his black khakis, seafoam green shirt, black sport coat, and black loafers. The officiant, a handsome middle aged pastor with silver hair and two piece suit with a green and pink tie, took his position at the altar in the front of the room.
Adam (with his hair tied neatly back) and Gail were first down the aisle, followed by Trish and Tyson. The bridesmaids looked lovely in their short dresses of ivory lace and coordinating sandals. Tie-dyed silk scarves of coral pink and seafoam green were wrapped around their waists and tied in the back in a big fluffy bow. Each of them carried small bouquets of cream and pink silk roses. The grooms were sharply dressed in their groomsmen outfits that coordinated nicely with the bridesmaids—right down to the boutonnières.
Then, the matron of honor and best man made their trip. Anna's dress was lace, dusky rose, knee length, and bought on sale at Zeller's. Her hair was pulled into a teased explosion of curls that flowed halfway down her back. Jay's shirt matched his wife's dress color almost perfectly, and the smile on his face was just as bright as the one on his wife's.
Finally, the familiar strains of the Bridal Chorus sounded, and the guests stood up to watch the bride make her entrance.
An orderly wheeled Lita halfway down the aisle in a wheelchair. He then stopped and helped Lita out of the chair, allowing her to walk the rest of the way to the altar. She looked stunning. She had an ivory silk nightgown on underneath her velvet dressing gown for modesty's sake, and she had a pair of satin slippers on her feet. A large bouquet of silk roses (cream and pink, like the bridesmaids) was nestled in her arms. Her fiery red hair had been set and styled by the hospital volunteer, and it spilled down her back in rich curls that were caught up by a large crystal and bronze barrette. Her makeup was flawless, almost like as if a camera was going to shoot her close up for a magazine cover.
She and Matt locked eyes. Matt's eyes were dark and intense, and his emotions gave his face a stoic quality. As she gazed into Matt's face, Lita let a slow smile spread across her lips. And then, Matt broke into the most beautiful and joyful smile Lita had ever seen. A lump rose in Lita's throat, and it was all she could do to keep from rushing down the aisle and into Matt's arms.
Fortunately, the rest of the way was rather short, and Lita made it to the altar just as the music ended. Matt held out his hand, and Lita took it eagerly. It was a simple gesture, but one that made both Matt and Lita feel like they were exactly where they belonged.
"Thank you," the pastor smiled out at the guests. "Please be seated."
A pause, as the guests settled themselves and the pastor opened up a prayer book. "We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments. To give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Matt and Lita in marriage. Today, our hearts are filled with great happiness as Matt and Lita come before you, pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their union. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding. Rid them of all pretense and jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide so that they together may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where your spirit is always present. Bless this marriage we pray, and walk beside Matt and Lita throughout all of their life together.
"Anyone who has known Matt and Lita for any length of time can easily see the depth of their devotion and love for each other. They are also aware of the struggles they've had to endure. The past few months were especially difficult, as their relationship was severely tested. But as 1 Corinthians 13:7 states, love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Matt and Lita endured unimaginable heartache, but their love for each other endured, and is now stronger than ever."
At this point, the pastor grinned, and his eyes twinkled. "I understand that a friend who could not join us today has put together a special video to celebrate Matt and Lita and the unique and enduring love they share."
One of the hospital volunteers queued up a DVD. It was a video showing clips of Matt and Lita in various moments, some candid, some out of the ring, and some within the ring, all set to "In My Life" from The Beatles. There were quite a few appreciative murmurings in the audience as they watched the video tribute. Whoever put this video together intended for this to be a gift to the happy couple.
As the video played, Anna leaned over to the groomsmen. "That was awesome!" she said, under her breath. "How'd you guys manage to get a video put together that quick?"
"Jericho couldn't be here," Jay answered. "But he put that together this morning and fired off a copy to me," Jay explained. "He was feeling kinda creative and he wanted to do something nice."
"Me likey. Me likey very much."
After the video ended, the pastor continued. "Matt and Lita, just as two very different threads woven in opposite directions can form a beautiful tapestry, so can your two lives together merge to form a very beautiful marriage. To make your marriage work will take love. But it will also take trust, to know in your hearts you want the best for each other. It will take dedication - to stay open to one another, to learn and to grow together even when this is not always easy to do. It will take faith, to always be willing to go forward to tomorrow, never really knowing what tomorrow will bring. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you now pledge to share together. Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace."
A full half-minute of silence passed, and nobody thought it necessary to interrupt the ceremony.
"I guess it's game on," Adam said, under his breath.
"Matt and Lita, I charge you both as you stand before God to remember that love and loyalty will serve as the foundation for a happy and enduring home. Honoring the vows you're about to make will give you a life of peace and joy. Do you come here freely and without reservation to enter into this marriage as partners, living together as one, enjoying all that life has to offer, promising to love, respect, and honor each other forever?"
Matt and Lita smiled at each other and then turned to the pastor. "We do," they both answered.
Jay stepped up to the microphone and removed a folded up sheet of paper from his pocket. "Two lives, two people," he read. "So very different, yet so similar. Together we stand as one, sharing our future as it comes. The past is that, past. Buds are yet to blossom; with care and trust, the best is yet to be revealed. Honesty and kindness, are the fruits of love. Lord bless this day and always to enrich us so our love will never end."
The best man stepped back, allowing the pastor to continue the ceremony. "Matt, do you take Lita to be your wedded wife? To be your friend and companion? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful in your love for her, as long as you both shall live?"
Matt smiled at his wife-to-be. "I do."
The pastor turned to the bride. "Lita, do you take Matt to be your wedded husband? To be your friend and companion? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, remain faithful in your love for him, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Lita couldn't stop the grin that tugged across her face.
"I understand that the two of you have written your own vows as well. So, at this time, Lita would like to share her personal vow with Matt.
Lita handed off her bouquet to Anna and removed a slip of paper from the pocket of her dressing gown. "Matt, I have loved you since the moment I met you, and I have wanted to marry you for so long, but it wasn't until this moment, standing right here and looking at you that I know just how right it is, that any doubt that I had, it was silly, and any - any fears or mistakes that I made, they were foolish, because standing here with you, that's where I belong.
"We have already been through a lot together, and I believe that God has been preparing us for this moment and for our future together. I promise to keep the good memories alive, and to let the bad ones die. I promise not to let the sun go down on our anger, and to treat each morning as a new day and a new reason to love you. I will not forsake you or these vows that we have made, but rather strive to show you my love for the rest of our lives.
"You make me feel safe and loved, like anything's possible, and with you, it is. I promise to always put my hand in yours so that we can face what's ahead together. You're my strength, no matter how dark some days may be. I know that I can survive anything wrapped in your arms, your love, our family. I promise to be your partner, your home, and your wife for the rest of our lives."
The pastor nodded. "Thank you, Lita. At this time, Matt would like to share his personal vow to Lita."
Matt removed a slip of paper from his pants pocket. He was about to read off of it, but thought better of it. Putting the paper back, he gently set his hands on Lita's shoulders. "Lita, I remember the day when I first laid eyes on you. I thought you were so vibrant, so fierce, and so beautiful. And I knew there was something truly special between us. I know that we've had our good days and our bad days. And we both know the struggles we've had to go through to get here. The past few months have been especially trying. I know that either one of us could have given up, and the other would understand. But neither of us gave up. We both fought for what we both wanted, and the fact that we're standing here now...it just speaks so much about how connected we really are to each other.
"I found a woman of strength, passion, and beauty. I look into your eyes, Lita, and I see my soul mate. I see tomorrow and the day after that and all the days to come. In fact, when I look into your eyes, I see a lifetime of tomorrows. I see passion and joy for each other, our life together, our family, our future, wherever we are, and whatever it brings.
"I promise to try and make you laugh, because you have the most beautiful laugh and the brightest smile I have ever known, but, most importantly, I promise to love you and devote myself to you and our family for the rest of my life."
"Thank you, Matt." The pastor paused. "I've also been informed that the wedding party has a special passage they'd like to read out loud. It's from Wilferd Arlan Peterson, and it's called, The Art of a Good Marriage."
The wedding party moved forward and each took a sheet of paper from the altar. On it was written the timeless essay, each page marked with the passages each one would read. The bridesmaids, groomsmen, matron of honor and best man formed a circle around Matt and Lita and began to read:
Anna: Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
Jay: A good marriage must be created.
Trish: In the art of marriage the little things are the big things...
Tyson: It is never being too old to hold hands.
Gail: It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
Adam: It is never going to sleep angry.
Anna: It is never taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years.
Jay: It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
Trish: It is standing together facing the world.
Tyson: It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
Gail: It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
Adam: It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
Anna: It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel.
Jay: It is not looking for perfection in each other.
Trish: It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor.
Tyson: It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
Gail: It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
Adam: It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
Anna: It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
Jay: It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
Trish: It is not only marrying the right partner,
Tyson: It is being the right partner.
All: It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.
The wedding party returned to their places, and the Pastor straightened his collar. "May I have the rings, please?" Jay removed the rings out of the pocket of his jacket and handed them to the pastor.
"The rings are symbols of the spiritual bond between two people," explained the pastor, as he gave Matt and Lita the rings. "They have no beginning and no end. They will endure forever. So may it be with the love between the two of you. May these rings mark the beginning of a long journey together, filled with wonder, surprises, laughter, tears, celebration, and joy.
"Matt, place the ring on Lita's finger and repeat after me. Lita, I give you this ring, and with it, all that I have, and all that I am."
Matt's smile was warm and genuine. "Lita, I give you this ring, and with it, all that I have, and all that I am."
The pastor turned to the bride. "Lita, place the ring on Matt's finger and repeat after me. Matt, I give you this ring, and with it, all that I have, and all that I am."
Lita could barely contain herself. "Matt, I give you this ring," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "And with it, all that I have, and all that I am."
"Matt and Lita," the pastor announced, once the exchange of rings was completed, "You have committed yourselves to each other through sacred vows, the exchange of rings, and you've honored each other with the gift of eternal love. Your lives are now one. Through this integrity and truth and the beloved company of friends and family, it is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife."
He paused. "Legend holds that the nuptial kiss unleashes great power in heaven and on earth. We shall now rock the universe." At the mention of "rock the universe," the guests busted up laughing.
Beaming, the pastor turned to Matt and said, "You may now kiss the bride."
Matt didn't have to be told twice. He wrapped his arms around his new wife and kissed her passionately. The guests burst into raucous applause, but neither Matt nor Lita noticed.
When they finished the pastor announced,"Mark 10:9 states, What God has joined together, let no one separate. So, may I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Hardy!"
The wedding guests stood up and applauded joyously as Matt and Lita smiled and headed down the aisle. The ceremony was over. One chapter of Matt and Lita's life was over...but another chapter was about to begin.
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I feel like I ran out of steam at the end of this chapter. Next is the reception, and that's gonna be fairly short. Then I think I'll skip ahead a few weeks. Hope you don't mind:)
The title for this chapter is This Time, I'm In It For Love, by Player.
REVIEWS = LOVE
