This is a long A/N but please read the whole thing!
I'm sorry that I didn't update yesterday. I went to one of my best friends' graduation party and ended up staying there a lot longer than I thought I would be. Anyways, Here's the wedding chapter. It's super long this time so I cut it into two parts, one is in Beca's POV and the other is in Jesse's ! The title for this chapter comes from the song Just a Kiss by Lady Antebellum which is one of my favorite songs. I neither own it or Pitch Perfect but they've both inspired this story.
Also, for the guest reviewer named Lizzy that reviewed and asked about Jesse's POV, I included it in this chapter like you asked. I hope you like it!
And to my other guest reviewer, since I can't respond to you via PM, I'm really glad that you're enjoying the story. And I am trying to keep my updates quick and I hope you continue to stick with me and this story.
Thanks to everyone who has been reading, reviewing and giving me their input about the stories, it fuels my writing. Sorry for such a long author's note! Without further adieu, here's the next chapter.
Beca's POV – Part 1
I am nervous. After today I will no longer be just plain, old Beca Mitchell. After today I will become Beca Swanson, Queen of Barden. After today I will start my rule at my husband's side, a thought that still sends shivers down my spine.
The thought of being married, after so many years of swearing that it would never happen to me, was terrifying. I was scared that this whole thing was going to blow up in my face and I'd lose Jesse.
Jesse and I have become really close friends, despite my original protests, and even though I don't love him I know that if I screw this up my head is going to be dished out on a silver platter.
I'm standing in a small room in the back of the Great Hall, waiting for my cue to walk down the aisle, preparing myself for what lies ahead of me.
I find comfort in the fact that they allowed some of my friends, from my part of the kingdom, to be members of my side of the bridal party. My friend Stacie is my maid of honor, followed by the rest of my friends who were bridesmaids. We had all made up our own club when we were younger, calling ourselves the Barden Bellas.
A few moments later, the wooden double doors open and I am ushered down the aisle by the King. A familiar song is playing but I still can't quite place a name to it. The hall is filled with hundreds of people, standing up to watch me make my journey down to the end of the aisle, to Jesse. There's so many people that I almost turn around and high-tail it out of there. Taking a deep breath with every step I take, I make my way to Jesse, focusing my eyes solely on him. He's smiling so brightly I actually think that his face might fall off or explode.
He really wants to marry me. I am actually about to be married to a prince. I find myself thinking while forcing myself to continue to move forward. I focus on the music, which has always been one thing that I've been able to rely on, and it clicks. This is the song from Jesse's favorite movie.
Don't You Forget About Me
As you walk on by will you call my name?
As you walk on by will you call my name?
I feel the butterflies return as I try to stop their assault. I realize that the closer I get to Jesse the more my nerves seem to fade away. By the time I'm at the front of the room, standing beside Jesse and holding his hand, I don't feel nervous anymore. I feel safe, which is a feeling that's totally new to me and only tends to exist around Jesse.
The minister clears his throat before beginning the service. Jesse gives my hand an encouraging squeeze, reminding me that he's not going anywhere.
"Is there anyone here that believes that these two should not be married?" he asks the congregation.
"I do!" someone shouts from the back of the room. I turn to face whoever it was and find myself face to face with someone I'd never thought I'd see again.
"Luke?" I say softly.
"Beca, you don't have to do this. You don't have to be forced into marrying this guy," Luke begins to say. "I want you to know that I love you and I know you love me. What you're doing is a mistake. They can't force you to marry him. We belong together, Becky, please don't let them take you from me. You belong to me just as much as I belong to you." He continues as he makes his way up to the front of the hall, stopping directly in front of me.
I am frozen in the moment. I don't know what to do, but judging by the looks that I am getting from the people watching I know what I have to do.
I pull my hand from Jesse's and move closer to Luke. Jesse's face is somber and Luke is beaming.
"Luke," I start. "I can't-I don't love you anymore. I'm not even sure if it ever was love. Right now, all I know is that Jesse loves me and I-I love him and we're going to get married right now and there isn't a thing you can do about it. I'm sorry."
The smile that had been on his face before disappeared so fast it was almost as if I'd slapped it right off. In the blink of an eye, two castle guards came and hauled Luke away. I turned back to face Jesse to see the start of a smirk spread across his lips before he takes my hand in his and the minister starts back up with the service.
When it comes time for our vows, my hands are shaking. Jesse gives my hand another comforting squeeze.
"Jesse, when I was growing up I dreamed of having a fairytale wedding," he chuckles at my statement. "After my parents separated, I began to lose hope in happy marriages. I decided that I never wanted to get married. When I found out that I had been selected to be married to you, I was angry because it went against anything and everything that I believed in. When I finally met you, face to face, you were so nice to me and slowly made me start to believe that everyone has their own version of a happy ending. I realized that you really cared about me and you made me feel safe," my voice cracks and I look away as tears begin to well up in my eyes. "You've changed me for the better. I'm glad that I get to spend the rest of my life married to my best friend"
My eyes meet Jesse's and he smiles down at me before he begins to recite his own vows.
"Beca, never in my life did I imagine myself falling for a girl like you. The first time I laid eyes on you, well, I guess it was more of my ears, but I heard you singing and somehow I fell in love with that voice. When I finally saw your face, I fell in love with you, all of you. I knew you were special, someone that I'd want to spend forever with. I wish that I had been able to ask you out, but being the prince, I was afraid that you'd only turn me down. I love you, Beca, and I'm so happy to be able to spend the rest of forever with you by my side." Now he had tears in his eyes but that beautiful smile was still spread across his face.
The minister turns to Jesse, asking him for the rings. The ring bearer holds them up for Jesse and he takes them. "Do you, Prince Jesse Swanson, take Beca Mitchell to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, to love her and cherish her, in sickness and in health, till death do you part."
"I do," he responds, smiling before sliding the ring onto my finger.
Now it was my turn. "Do you, Beca Mitchell, take Prince Jesse Swanson to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, to love him and cherish him, in sickness and in health, till death do you part."
I felt a lump in my throat. I swallowed it back before I answered. "I do," I say, taking the other ring and sliding it onto Jesse's finger, all while staring directly into his eyes, making no move to look away.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride."
Jesse's face leaned in towards mine, to seal off our marriage with a kiss. My breath caught in my throat as his arms slid around my waist. His lips crushed down on mine, my eyes drift shut and my arms flew up to drape on his shoulders, hands on the back of his neck. With no control over my own body, I pulled myself flush against Jesse. I opened my mouth and ran my tongue over his lips. He opened his mouth and tangled his tongue with mine. A heat began to rise through my body and I like the feeling of it, I like the feeling I get when I'm kissing Jesse.
We pulled away from each other, staring into each other's eyes as they opened. I felt a smile paint itself onto my lips and saw Jesse's face mirror mine.
It was done. Beca Mitchell was now Beca Swanson. Jesse kissed my cheek and grabbed my hand, interlocking our fingers before leading me back down the aisle, officially, as Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Swanson, the new King and Queen of Barden.
Jesse lead my out onto the balcony of the palace where the citizens of Barden were lining the streets. The crowd began to chant for us to kiss. He cups my face in his hands, bringing my face up to meet his in a gentle kiss. Everyone erupted into cheers and streams of confetti began to fall all over. I felt Jesse smile into the kiss, causing me to smile too.
I am surprised by the sudden feeling of happiness that overcame me. Still smiling, Jesse moves his face back and I open my eyes. We wave to the people standing outside before making our way back inside.
