Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Here we are - something we've been waiting for, for a long time. It's taken a while to get it right, and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get it right but I've tried my best. I hope I've done Lily and Jack justice.
And just so you know, Tosh's bridesmaid dress was inspired by the blue dress Kate Middleton wore when she announced her engagement to Prince William.
Chapter Thirteen
Lily woke up the next morning in something of a daze. She sat up and looked around, and then laughed as she reached out for her watch, beside her sleeping bag - it was 9am, and she'd be getting married in 4 hours.
She didn't think she'd ever been this excited - she knew Jack Harkness was the perfect person for her and she felt so strongly about him that she couldn't really put it into words. She was going to walk down the aisle towards him, promise to love him forever, and then be his wife.
There was nothing better that she could imagine than being his wife - just the word sounded amazing, never mind everything it stood for - she already knew their love was so strong, but making it official was the best thing she could think of - showing everyone she loved him, telling him exactly what he meant to her, and being able to be his wife - his.
Everything about marriage seemed so perfect for her.
" I'm getting married! " she exclaimed, the excitement building up inside and bursting out of her.
There was a groan from beside her, and Rose lifted her head from the pillow, her blonde hair messed up, and her eyes half closed. " Do you have to be so cheery? " she groaned, as others around them started to lift their heads up, " it's early, and I drunk too much last night. "
" Yeah," Martha said, sitting up and running a hand through her hair, " you drunk far more than the rest of us. "
Lily shrugged, her smile lighting up the whole room as she unzipped her sleeping bag and got to her feet, " What can I say? I'm a time lord - maybe I handle my drink better than the rest of you. Tell you what thought, last night was wicked. "
" I'm suprised you can remember it," Tosh said.
As everyone else started to get to their feet, Lily shrugged, " Course I can - well ... not all of it I suppose. "
" Ah-ha! " Gwen said, pointing a finger at her, " so you're not as immune to the booze as you'd have us believe. I'll give you one thing, you're hilarious when you're drunk ... some of the secrets you told us about you and Jack ... well ... "
Lily frowned, " I don't remember saying anything that bad ... "
Jackie laughed, " You certainly let slip enough little secrets about your sex life. "
The other girls all laughed and once everyone was stood up, Lily threw her arms out in glee and shouted, " I'm getting married today! " She was like a kid at Christmas as she jumped up and down and turned to Tosh, " I'm getting married. "
She threw herself at her friend and hugged Tosh, before reaching out to Rose and hugging her too, while she somehow even managed to pull Martha in too. " I'm - " she started again.
" Getting married! " the other three chorused, before all four of them burst out into laughter.
Lily managed to spend the next ten minutes hugging her friends and telling them all exactly how excited she was and how much she wanted to marry him. She hugged all of the women in the room, did some strange happy dance until eventually the others started to worry for her.
" C'mon," Sarah-Jane laughed, possibly the most sensible of the lot of them, as she put an arm around Lily's shoulders and steered her towards the door, " let's get to the kitchen, hmmm? You need a bit of something to eat and drink before you scream yourself hoarse. "
Lily agreed to Sarah-Jane's plan, although Sarah-Jane went back to the room to check on Luke, and while Jackie went to the room she knew Pete and their son Tony were in, Lily, Tosh, Gwen, Martha and Rose went to the kitchen.
Lily pushed open the door to the kitchen, laughing over her shoulder at her friends, and when she walked into the kitchen, found Ianto and her dad standing by the counter, each drinking a mug of coffee - Jack and Owen had spent the night in the inn, while Luke, Mickey and Pete were in some of their rooms.
" Dad! " Lily said, hurrying towards the pair of them, " I'm getting married! Today! "
" I know, darling," the Doctor said, smiling at his daughter's enthusiasm and opening his arms as she headed towards him. She ran straight into his arms like a little whirlwind and he laughed at her and closed his arms around her.
Lily clung to him and hugged him tightly, and the Doctor smiled and smoothed down her hair, kissing the top of her head. She was his only child, and she meant everything to him - he knew she'd be so happy with Jack and he could just tell from the way she glowed everytime he saw her with Jack and with Torchwood.
It may have taken him a while to accept the relationship, but he was now completely satisfied.
As Lily broke away from him, she turned to Ianto - Ianto remembered how hysterical his sister had been on her wedding day, and he knew exactly how crazy and excited that a bride could get. He'd cleverly put down his mug of coffee in anticipation of what she'd do.
She moved to hug him too, but it was an extremely enthusiatic hug, and she more threw herself at him than anything, her legs wrapped around him and she hugged him tightly. He laughed at her - this was more affection than he was used to from her, and it was quite amusing.
In the meantime, Rose moved over to the Doctor with a shy smile, and he shared her smile, taking her into his arms and hugging her warmly.
Lily didn't notice however, and she was too busy deafening Ianto. " I'm getting married Ianto! " she told him as he put her back down on her feet carefully, " I'm going to marry Jack! "
" I know," Ianto smiled, wincing a little as he properly returned her to his feet.
" Oh I'm sorry sweetie," she said, shaking her head, " I didn't hurt you, did I? "
" Course you didn't," Ianto laughed, looking around at all of the girls, " how was the hen party? "
The girls all exchanged the same look, and they knew what it meant - everything that happened all the secrets, and the dared kisses, were strictly between friends. " It was good," Lily replied, on behalf of everyone, " they really showed me a good time. " She frowned a little and looked from Ianto to the Doctor, " how did you lot get on? Tell me nothing stupid happened? Jack's alright, isn't he? "
The Doctor bit his lower lip and Ianto looked at her, " He was very drunk when we left - I'd to practically drag him to his room, but he was otherwise fine. Didn't do anything stupid. "
" No stripper? " Lily checked.
" There aren't strippers in the 17th century, Lils," the Doctor said, rolling his eyes at her, " certainly not in a pub, anyway. And Jack might be a flirt, but he wouldn't be that interested in a stripper. "
" Unless she was named Lily Smith," Martha said, causing the other girls to erupt into fits of giggles.
" Oi! " the Doctor said, pointing a warning finger at Martha, " I don't want to hear talk like that about my baby girl! " He turned to look at Lily, " what do you want for breakfast Lils? "
She drunk some coffee and ate only half a slice of toast - she really didn't feel like eating much. She was far too nervous for that, and she couldn't make herself eat. She didn't even know why she was nervous, but she was.
As soon as she'd eaten breakfast, she was whisked off by her friends for them all to get ready for the wedding.
Her friends all fussed over her, and Lily found herself sitting in her bedroom at a dressing table, in a dressing gown. Sarah Jane was already dressed for the wedding in a smart peach skirt suit, and only had her big peach hat left to put on. Martha and Rose were in the TARDIS' vast wardrobe, with Alice, and Tosh was helping Sarah Jane do Lily's make up, while Gwen pulled her dress on.
" I bet you never thought you'd get here," Tosh said.
" No," Lily said, her eyes closed as Sarah Jane applied her eyeshadow with great precision, " when I first met Jack, I thought he was amazing. He was a charmer, suave, total flirt, smooth talker - exactly the kind of guy your parents warn you to stay away from, and exactly the kind of guy you fall for anyway. And then he started to change, and I knew we were meant to be. Weird isn't it, when you just ... know. And ... well ... here we are. "
" I don't understand how you can be so bloody perfect together," Gwen said, shaking her head, " I mean, I love Rhys, but still ... we're hardly you and Jack. "
" Yeah but we've been through more than any human couple will ever go through," Lily pointed out lightly, " those things really bond you together, you know. "
She sighed happily and smiled to herself - life with Jack was perfect, and she knew it sounded like a stupid fairytale sometimes, but it was their own unique fairytale - they'd be happy forever and just knew it. They could come through anything.
" You lot must be sick of hearing about me," Lily said, shaking her head.
" It's your day," pointed out Tosh, shrugging.
" Yeah," Lily nodded, " but what about you and Owen? I mean, last night didn't you tell me that the pair of you kissed, the other day? That's big stuff. "
" It was just a kiss," Tosh mumbled, though she was blushing and was clearly thrilled about it.
" Yeah, but for Owen, that's a big thing," Lily pointed out, " he doesn't do affection - I mean, this is Owen. But he's changing too - not really, I mean, but it's like since you saved his life with the powerplant going into meltdown, he's realised you and him could both have died, and ... well, it's like he's realised that you've got to make the most of everything you've got, while you're still here. "
" I ... I don't know," Tosh shrugged, " although ... well, it would be so great to finally get with him. "
" Maybe today's the day," Gwen said, turning around so Tosh could zip up the back of her dress, " Jack and Lily got engaged at my wedding, so maybe you and Owen could ... "
" Oh come on," Tosh laughed, shaking her head, " can't we forget about it for now, and talk about Jack and Lily, or something? "
The whole time that her friends were helping her get ready, and Lily was preparing to look her best for the biggest day of her life, she couldn't believe it was going to happen today. She felt a strange nervous feeling building up inside her, which she didn't understand.
They were very nearly ready to go, and as Lily stepped into her dress, the other women in the room told her they were going to get going to the Globe - it was a ten minute walk from where the TARDIS was parked.
Lily, only half wearing her dress but not caring, hugged Rose, Martha, Sarah Jane and Jackie, who all left the room along with Gwen, going to walk to the Globe. Pete, little Tony and Luke all headed off too.
Alice and Stephen had headed off earlier with Ianto. Alice didn't feel comfortable around any of this and couldn't wait to get home. She was doing her bit for her dad, but wasn't interested in any of these people - she was only here because her dad had pushed it so much and she supposed it wouldn't hurt to come to the wedding. It was only one day.
All the women looked fantastic, all in smart skirt suits or pretty dresses, with big hats or feathery hairclips, and the men wore smart suits, even though hardly anyone was attending the wedding. It was only a small selection of about 20 people, even including the bride and groom themselves and Will and his two daughters. They hadn't felt like anyone else was needed.
Only Tosh and Lily remained behind in Lily's bedroom, while the Doctor was hanging around somewhere too.
Lily laid a hand flat over her stomach as Tosh zipped up her dress for her, and she closed her eyes, standing perfectly still.
" What the matter? " Tosh asked her, laying her hands on Lily's shoulders and turning her around to look at her, " not getting cold feet are we? "
" No! " Lily said quickly, before smiling softly, " course not. I'm just so bloody nervous. "
" Nervous? " Tosh laughed, finding it unbelieveable that someone like Lily could be nervous when she was always so confident, especially being nervous about marrying the handsome captain who was perfect for her, " what have you got to be nervous about? Jack loves you more than I'd ever have thought it possible to love a person. It's hardly like he's going to jilt you at the altar. "
" Don't joke about it! " Lily said, shaking her head, " it's bad luck! "
Tosh laughed, " Don't be daft," she said, squeezing Lily's arms gently, " Jack proposed to you - there's nothing to be nervous about. "
" It's not that I think he'll jilt me," Lily said, shaking her head, " I'm just worried that something will go wrong - it always does where I'm concerned. Aliens turn up, try and kill me, or take over the world, or ... well ... no, never mind. I'm going to marry Captain Jack Harkness. All that matters, isn't it? "
Tosh smiled, " That's the spirit. "
Lily laughed and pulled Tosh in for a careful hug, " You've been so great in all of this," she said.
Tosh was wearing her bridesmaids dress - it was a deep, royal blue dress which was knee length. It was made of a beautiful and luxurious material and had elbow length sleeves, and a plunging neckline, and was decorated with jewels across the shoulders. In her hair, she was wearing a clip with a royal blue flower attatched.
There was a polite knock at the door, and the Doctor's voice came floating through to them as he shouted, " Lils, are you ready yet? It's all very well and good getting dressed up, but you can hardly keep Jack waiting, can you? "
Lily called out, " Yeah, come in. "
The door opened slowly and the Doctor stepped into the room.
He was wearing his usual blue pinstriped suit with the red tie, and a long blue trench coat. He stopped still in the doorway when he saw her.
He knew his daughter was pretty, but he hadn't been prepared for the vision that beheld him when he walked into the room. She was absolutely stunning, standing in the middle of the room with her hands clasped behind her back as if she was awaiting his judgement, a shy smile on her face.
Lily's dress was the purest white and was simply gorgeous. It was floor length, and form fitting. It hugged her figure right the way down but was classy and elegant. It was strapless and enchanced her assets without reavealing too much. The material was luxurious and completely lovely, as it followed the curves and lines of her body and made her look amazing. On her chest was a royal blue flower corsage and it matched the colour of Tosh's dress.
She wore little silver heels, and her bright red lipstick and elegant make up was perfectly done up by Sarah Jane, who'd also done her hair for her. Her red hair had been expertly curled, with some of it pinned back to hold a gorgeous tiara and veil. The veil was long and reached halfway down her back, but did not cover her face, and the tiara was decorated with the sme royal blue flowers as her corsage.
" Oh Lils," he breathed, utterly taken aback.
Lily smiled, " Are you ready to give me away? "
The Doctor stared at her, " You look ... " he stepped into the room and stopped just in front of her, " you look so beautiful, Lils. "
Tosh made her excuses and left the room, to leave Lily and her dad together, while Tosh claimed that she was going to find the bouquet for Lily.
" Really, dad? " Lily asked as she looked up at him, " do you think so? "
" Absolutely," he said, " You look so beautiful, Lily. There ... there aren't enough words, darling. You look absolutely stunning. Jack's so lucky to have you, and he'd better know it. "
Lily smiled, tears pricking at her eyes as she looked at her dad, who she loved and who she kenw loved her so dearly. They'd always been so close, and they both looked at each other with the same look in thir eyes - it was happiness, but it was kind of sad too.
" You know this doesn't change anything, don't you? " Lily said, reaching out and laying her hand on his arm, " I'll still see you - I saw you often anyway, when you visited, so you'll still come and visit me. Just because I've got a ring, a certificate and a new surname doesn't change things between me and you. "
" Course not," the Doctor said, reaching out slowly and going to touch her hair away from her face before he realised it was too perfect to mess up, and settling for taking her hand in his and squeezing tightly, " you're my daughter, Lils. It doesn't change anything. "
" Thank you," Lily said, squeezing his hand back, " for accepting Jack, and always being there for me, and ... just being the best dad in the world. "
The Doctor nodded, tears in his eyes - this was possibly the first time he'd realised she was fully grown up. " I'm so proud of you, Lils. And I know your mum would be too. "
" W-would she? " Lily asked, as she look back at him, the same tears in her eyes though she blinked furiously, telling herself there was no way that she could cry now.
" Course she would," the Doctor said, " anyone would be proud to call you their daughter. I'm so happy with the way you've turned out - you've really done yourself and me proud, Lily. "
" Thank you," Lily whispered.
The Doctor smiled, " I know Jack makes you happy," he told her, " I've known that for a very long time, so I know you're going to be happy with him for ... well, forever, aren't you? "
Lily nodded, tears so close that she couldn't speak.
She swallowed hard and looked at her dad - he knew everything she wanted to say to him - the thank yous, her love for him, how she'd still always see him, and he just nodded.
After taking her moment to compose herself, Lily said, " Tosh told me you have to wear four things at a wedding - something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. My dress is new, this bracelet Gwen lent me is borrowed, and the flowers in the tiara are blue. But I - "
" You don't have anything old? " the Doctor guessed, a smile flickering across his face, " I've got something really special to give you. "
Lily watched as he pulled something out of his pocket, and he held it up in front of her, " It was your mum's. "
Lily was ready to cry right there as she looked at the shimmering gold necklace, an elegant chain, with a small but perfect loveheart on the end of it, and her dad walked around her to fasten it on for her.
" I've been saving it for you, for a long time," the Doctor told her as he slowly fastened it for her, " she wore it when she married me, so it always seemed right to save it for your wedding. " He brushed her hair back over her shoulders and put her veil back as he came to stand in front of her, " of course when you got together with Jack, I didn't think there'd be a wedding, but ... here we are. "
Lily sighed and moved forwards, wrapping her arms around him and hugging him. The Doctor smiled and hugged her back, only touching her gently - she looked far too perfect to mess up.
" I love you dad," Lily said as their hug ended and she reached up to kiss his cheek, trying not to get her favourite shade of pillar box red lipstick on his pale cheek.
" I love you too," the Doctor said, " and just for the record, I don't care if you're married - you're still my little girl, and you're still my baby. "
Lily smiled a little and the Doctor grinned at her, " Come on," he said, " are you ready? "
Lily took a little breath and then nodded, " Yeah," she said, before shaking her head and replacing her blank face with a glorious beam, " I can't wait. "
The Doctor offered out his arm to her and she smiled a slid her arm through his. They met Tosh in the control room, and she held out her bouquet to her.
" Oh it's lovely," Lily said, taking hold of the bunch of flowers in one arm, and smiling down at them - it was a bouqet of beautiful white and blue flowers.
The three of them walked to the Globe, which Lily was thankful was close due to the strappy heels she wore. A huge excitement but also nervousness built up inside Lily, the closer they got and the only thing that kept her walking on was the thought of Jack. The thought of Jack was enough to make anyone do anything, she thought.
It was Christmas day 1601, and it all felt so perfect.
" Gosh, it's cold," Lily laughed, looking up at the sky.
" And that makes you laugh? " the Doctor asked, raising his eyebrows.
" Sure," Lily said, " cold's good. Means it might snow. "
She was right, of course, and just as they got towards the Globe, small snowflakes started to fall from the sky. Lily looked up at the sky with a grin - getting married on Christmas day was Jack's idea, and Lily knew he was like a little kid. He'd wanted it to snow, and it was.
Once they got to the Globe, Lily stopped just outside. Through the doors of that magnificent theatre was her wedding.
She looked at her dad, and as Tosh, both of whom were smiling at her, and Tosh went ahead to tell whoever was at the door that they were coming. A moment later, Tosh came back to them.
" All ready," Tosh smiled.
" Good," Lily said, grinning, " then let's go. "
The three of them walked through a door, Tosh first and both Lily and the Doctor behind her, arm in arm. Once they were through one door, there was a wide archway which led into the big open room which usually held a stage and an audience, but today was dressed up for a completely different reason.
Some light orchestral music started up, and Tosh as maid of honour, started to walk down the aisle slowly. Lily and the Doctor stopped in the archway and waited until Tosh had reached the front of the room, before the wedding march started up, also played by the band.
Lily was beaming so much as she started to walk slowly - she faced the front of the room, eyes only for Jack, her radiant smile lighting up the room.
The wide open space had been set up with several chair at one side and at the other, with an aisle down the middle, lined with blue and white flower arrangements. The five-pice orchestra were at the back, with the guests and friends sat in the middle, all turning around to look at the beautiful bride, while Jack, Owen and the vicar stood at the front.
Lily could only look at Jack, and Jack was staring at her, speechless. She looked like an angel - he genuinley didn't think he'd ever seen her looking that good - and even that was an understatement. She looked absolutely stunning, and it was somehow hard to believe that she was all his. That any creature that lovely would want him and only him.
Jack found his breath taken away.
Everything about his almost-wife was perfect. The way her hair fell delicately and perfectly around her shoulders, the way the veil made her look like some kind of angel, the way the dress accentuated her curves, the way it clung to her body and moved around with her.
Lily found herself almost gliding down the aisle, feeling as if she could burst with happiness and she was completely estatic.
As she reached the front, where Jack was standing beside Owen, and Tosh slightly off to the other side, she flashed him a dazzling radiant grin, but spared a moment for her dad.
She kissed his cheek and he squeezed her hand before letting taking her hand and holding it out to Jack, putting her hand in Jack's. Jack took hold of Lily's hand, and shared a look with the Doctor - they both knew what it meant. The Doctor trusted Jack completely, to look after his baby.
The Doctor took a seat in the front row.
Lily turned away from Jack to give her bouquet to Tosh to keep hold of for her, and Tosh sat down in the front row at the other side. Lily turned back to Jack and he took hold of her other hand too as they faced each other.
Owen clapped a hand to Jack's shoulder with a rare genuine smile and winked at Lily before taking a seat beside the Doctor.
" You look ... Lily, you are stunning," Jack said, almost a whisper.
Lily looked Jack up and down. He was wearing a smart black suit, with a royal blue waistcoat, white shirt and blue tie, and a blue flower sticking out from his button hole. He looked so dashing in a suit, although Lily had a weakness for Jack in just about everything.
" And you look really gorgeous," she said, also little more than a whisper. Her eyes were already filled with tears and she didn't know why - she was supposed to be happy, there was no need to cry. She was just so overcome with happiness - she thought since her newest regeneration, she was more emotional, and more motherly.
The vicar smiled at the pair of them and started, " We are gathered here today to join Jack and Lily in holy matrimony: which is an honourable and solemn estate and therefore is not to be entered into lightly. Into this estate, these two peoples present come now to be joined. If anyone can show just cause why Jack and Lily may not lawfully be joined together, let them speak now and forever hold their peace. "
Lily looked around at the people gathered in their room, but of course no-one had anything to say, and she hadn't expected them to.
She looked back at Jack and he was grinning madly, just like she was - they were both on such a high and just grinning so much. After all they'd been through, neither could quite believe it was happening to them.
" I love you" Jack mouthed at Lily, as the vicar said, " A friend of the bride and groom will now read a sonnet which he was written especially for this occasion. "
" I love you" Lily mouthed back.
To Lily's suprise, Will got up from his seat and came to the front of the room with a scrap of paper. Lily grinned - she could hardly believe that William Shakespeare was going to read a sonnet at her wedding, of all people.
She held Jack's hands tightly while they watched Will.
Will stood up and read the sonnet, proclaiming it out and telling a story in the way only he could,
" Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when its alteration finds
Or bends with the remover to remove,
O no! It is an ever fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken!
It is the star to every wandering bark
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken,
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks,
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be the error and upon my proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved. "
As Will went to take his seat Lily smiled - the words were beautiful. She couldn't tear her eyes away from Jack's deep blue eyes, which she always felt could see into her soul. She kept looking at him and neither of them could stop smiling.
The vicar continued, " And now to the vows. " He turned to Jack first, though Jack didn't take his eyes from Lily's.
The vicar said, " Jack Harkness, do you take Lily Smith to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you love, honour and cherish her from this day forwards, forsaking all others? "
Jack was nodding and still smiling. The words meant so much and stood for exactly what he and Lily believed in. He'd always love her and he wanted to be able to say it - the vows were so perfect.
The vicar continued, " Do you take Lily to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour and cherish, for all of eternity? "
" I do," Jack nodded, " of course I do. "
Lily grinned, tears welling up in her eyes again, as the vicar turned to her. " And do you, Lily Smith, take Jack Harkness to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love honour and cherish him from this day forwards, forsaking all others? Do you take Jack to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour and cherish, for all of eternity? "
" I do," Lily said as a tear of pure happiness rolled down her cheek, " absolutely, I do. "
Jack squeezed her hands tightly and she grinned, rubbing her thumbs over the backs of his hands slowly and still not being able to stop smiling at her - he felt that if he didn't stop smiling soon, his face would break, but he didn't care. He could spend forever smiling at her quite easily.
" The couple have written their own vows," the vicar said, " which they will make to each other before exchanging rings. Who has the rings? "
Owen stood up and came forwards, with Lily's ring in his hand and handed it to Jack.
" Jack, please make your vows," the vicar said.
Jack nodded and was now holding the ring in one hand and holding Lily's left hand in his as he faced her.
He'd thought long and hard about what to say and decided to just make it honest.
" Lily," he said, " I spent a long time worrying about what to say to you at this very moment, but I settled for telling it from the heart, and here it it: being with you, has made me a much better man than I ever could have been otherwise, and for that I am so grateful -"
Tears were falling silently from Lily by now, and Sarah Jane's waterproof make up had done a very good job in holding up. She didn't care if she was crying - it was amazing to be marrying him.
Jack continued, rare tears welling up in his own eyes, " I solemnly vow to always make you as happy as you have made me, to love you for now and forever, to always keep you safe, and to be your protector, your best friend and your eternally devoted lover, always. "
He lifted up the ring with a heartfelt smile and lifted her hand up too, " I love you, and with this ring, I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment. "
Lily's heart was pounding ten times faster than usual as Jack slowly slid the ring onto the fourth finger of her left hand - it was a dazzling white gold band with small diamonds set all the way around. More tears were falling from her, and she mouthed "Thank you" at him, worried she wouldn't be able to actually get any vows out through her silent tears.
She looked down at her hand, and back up at Jack and saw that a tear had managed to get the better of him, and she lvoed him all the more for it.
As she took hold of the ring she'd lovingly bought Jack, she held his left hand in her hand.
She took a moment to compse herself and smiled, thinking about the commitment she was making to him - she was going to be his and his alone, forever. She grinned at him and her smile seemed to light up everything around them.
Lily started, " Jack, I want you to know how extremely lucky I feel for finding the one person who's perfect for me, and that that one person is you. Every day we're together, you do nothing but make me happy - "
A tear slid down her cheek and her voice cracked a little, but she continued, " So today, on our wedding day, I declare my love and devotion to you before our friends and the entire world. "
Jack was shedding a few tears now and he continued to grin that charming grin that made her fall so deeply for him.
She continued, " I vow to always stand by your side, and to give you the very best of myself. I am truly blessed to have found the truest of love with you, and I commit my life to yours. I pledge to love you for all of time and love you forever. "
She took a breath and lifted Jack's hand slowly, as she looked into his eyes, both of them grinning madly.
" With this ring, I thee wed," she said as she slipped the ring onto his finger securely, " wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment. "
There was a pause as they both looked at each other and neither of them said anything - the vows were both so open and honest, so loving and caring, and promising to devote and commit yourself to someone forever. It was all so perfect, Lily thought.
The vicar said, " A friend of the couple will now read a poem she has specially selected. "
Lily and Jack both turned to watch as Tosh took to her feet and same to stand in front of everyone. She was holding a bit of paper and she spared a smile for Lily and Jack before reading out loud.
" I belong in your arms
Finally I have found a place
Into which I fit perfectly, safely - "
Lily looked at Jack and he smiled. The poem seemed perfect for them.
Tosh continued, " And securely with no doubts, no fears, no sadness, no tears. "
Lily smiled - neither she nor Jack were shedding tears now, but they were both incredibly happy and it seemed odd that anyone could ever be this estatic.
" This space is filled with happiness and laughter
Yet it is spacious enough, to allow me
The freedom to move around
To live my life and be myself "
The happy couple shared another look, and Jack threw her a little wink.
" This wonderful place, which I never believed really existed,
I have found finally,
Inside your arms, Inside your heart, Inside your love. "
Tosh went to sit back down and Lily smiled at her as she passed, by way of thanks.
Jack squeezed Lily's hand, and she looked down at their joined hands - yes, it was exactly as it should be, she thought.
The vicar turned to everyone and held his arms out as he said, " May this couple be prepared to continue to give, be able to forgive, and experience more joy with each passing day and each passing year. Jack and Lily are now beginning their married life together, we hope that they may have a loving assistance from their family, the constant support of their friends, and have a long life with good health and everlasting love - "
Jack and Lily exchanged an amused look at the words "long life with good health." The man didn't know the half of it.
The vicar continued, " In so much as Jack and Lily have consented to live together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company, having given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and having declared the same by the giving and recieving of a ring, I now pronounce them husband and wife. "
Lily giggled and Jack beamed, tugging her a little closer to him.
To Jack, the vicar said, " You may now kiss your bride. "
" Good," Jack said, earning himself a few chuckles as he turned to Lily. He reached out and laid one hand on her cheek gently, his hand almost lost in her hair and the veil, and the other - the one bearing his new wedding ring - held her wedding ring hand too.
He seemed to be leaning in excruitiatingly slowly and he leaned in and captured her lips for his own. It was the barest of kisses - their lips ghosting against each others every so lightly, but sending a shiver right through the both of them. Jack went for it again and gave her a long kiss, during which those gathered to celebrate their wedding started to cheer at the top of their voices and clap.
The vicar said, " Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the happy and loving couple, Mr and Mrs Harkness! "
Author's Note: Hope I've done Jack and Lily justice here - I've been waiting for them to get married for ages but when it came down to it, it was really hard to get across. Let me know what you thought.