Michael's P.O.V.
Perfect. That is the only word I can think of to describe this day; the culmination of so much planning and hard work, and I must say, a deserved celebration. Sleeping Beauty's castle at the very heart of Disneyland in Anaheim, California is where the wedding ceremony was chosen to take place. There is no large space inside of the actual castle for large amounts of people to gather, since the inside floorplan only consists of narrow paths and winding stairwells, used as a walkthrough depicting the whole of the princess story. The actual ceremony then is behind the castle in the area between the carousel and the castle itself. There are thousands of fans gathered behind the roped off areas in front of the castle, and with the drawbridge drawn, it looks to them like the wedding is taking place on the inside.
What a fitting place to get married, what a genius idea those wedding planners of mine had. What a better place than this place that I have loved my entire life to get married in, and it's a perfect play on the King of Pop as they call me. Where else does a king of anything or anywhere get married but in a castle?
There are two big screens where the ceremony will be broadcast to the fans who were lucky enough to get tickets. Fans were given the chance to participate and be with me on a day which I know is just as special to them as it is to me, so all of my fans were invited to enter a raffle for the chance to be one of the two thousand people to attend.
The actual set up for the wedding, in my opinion is spectacular. There are over three hundred chairs for guests, like my family, which in and of itself is extensive, Christina's family, friends and collegues. The crowds start to cheer as the first guests, from the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minelli, Mariah Carey and Beyonce Knowles are seen on the big screen arriving and taking their seats. I feel as nervous as I do before any concert or show, time seems like it just won't move fast enough. Each minute that passes seem like days that drag on into infinity. I know every minute has been carefully planned, but jeez, can't these people hurry up?
The side of the ceremony set up next to the carousel is like an elegant white wall, hung with white silk drapery with large bouquets of red roses adorning each graceful swoop of the silk. The walk up to the altar is a white carpet covered in red rose petals. The guests are under a canopy that lets in the light but shields them from the hot October sun. The wedding altar itself is a large lone oak tree decorated simply with red and white trinkets. It's representative of my love for nature, and reminds me of my Giving Tree at Neverland. At the back everything are the large TV cameras that are broadcasting to the fans in the front of the castle. This whole thing amazes me. I wanted big and I got bigger. The wedding couldn't have been more extravagant; it's everything that I asked for and more.
Here I am, anxiously waiting in my provisional dressing room for the last guests to take their seats. I can't help but pace back and forth in the dressing room nervously, while Karen Faye, my hair and make up artist follows me around the room trying to put the finishing touches on my hair, which I decided to wear shoulder length and smooth.
"Hold still, would you?"
"I can't, I can't" I say restlessly.
After she manages somehow to get a few shakes into my hair and a couple pats of makeup on my face she announces, "you're all set, Michael."
My wedding planner, William Miller pops his head in. "It's time, Mr. Jackson. Will you come with me, please?"
I nod, sighing while I straighten out my white tuxedo jacket and red vest in the large full length mirror. "Here goes nothing," I mutter.
I follow John outside of the dressing room door to my spot right behind the cameras. "When you hear the music start, that's your cue to make your way down the aisle to your place on the right side of the altar."
"Got it," I assure him.
John runs off to the far side and a piano starts playing, and my collegue and proud to say my good friend Stevie Wonder's smooth and soulful voice starts singing his 1976 song Joy Inside My Tears. I love this song, it's perfect for the occasion, lovely without being too cheesy. The original song is beautiful, but the way Stevie is accompanying his voice with just his piano is amazing. I never would have thought the two instruments would compliment each other so perfectly.
I start my procession down the aisle alone, I don't have a best man nor did I want one. I feel so nervous I could vomit, but I try so hard to hold myself together, holding my head high, walking slowly to the beat of Stevie's voice.
I've always come to the conclusion that 'but' is the way
Of asking for permission to lay something heavy on ones head
So I have tried to not be the one who 'll fall into that line
But what I feel inside I think you should know
And baby that's you - you - you
Made life's history
Cause you've brought some joy inside my tears
And you have done what no one thought could be
You've brought some joy inside my tears
On the other side of the castle I can hear the roar of excitement of my fans, screaming my name rhythmically. Michael, Michael! I feel all eyes on me as I pass the rows of chairs that never seem to end, staring intently on the pristine white carpet in front of me, and before long I reach the front row to where my mother and father are seated. I catch the eyes of my mother who, teary-eyed, smiles at me, her happiness shining through her easily. I can't help but to smile back at her. Words cannot describe what it feels like to see her that way.
Before I know it I've reached the tree altar, and taking my place to the right of it, I look forward at the Reverend Jesse Jackson who will be marrying us. He smiles at me warmly. Who else to marry us? He's been supporting my family for many years now, and I couldn't think of anyone better than him.
As if on cue, behind me I hear gasps and the commotion of the guests' white wooden chairs. I look straight forward, being too nervous to look behind me, knowing since this is being filmed and I don't know if I'm going to show the footage later, or what I'm going to do with it really. Most likely the public will see it one day, in one shape or form, the media will describe in minute detail what happened, from whatever source they can possibly come up with anyway, and I really don't want to show too many emotions. Time and time again, I've seen wedding videos where, as the bride is coming down the aisle, the cameramen close up on the groom to get his reaction. I specifically instructed that this is not supposed to happen, but who am I kidding? Who isn't going to take notice of my reaction? However I feel this is something that is just way, way, way, too personal. But... this is what the plan calls for, so this is what shall be done.
Christina seems to be taking an eternity to get up the aisle. As I tap my foot nervously, my curiosity gets the better of me and I sneak a peak and turn around slightly to find all the guests standing up and looking behind them where I found Christina presenting herself to the ceremony.
She is breathtaking, her white strapless dress fit her beautifully, the red rubies sparkled on her torso, her long train following her. Her blonde hair was wrapped up in tight curls on her head, the long lace veil underneath it, diamond tiara on her head. She looks regal, elegant, and absolutely beautiful. I didn't realize I had been holding my breath, and I let it out in a big sigh. Her father, towering over her, accompanies his daughter down the aisle. He looks proud, but at the same time he looks sad. Stevie's voice accompany them down the aisle as well.
I've always felt that tomorrow is for those who are too much afraid
To go past yesterday and start living for today
I feel that lasting moments are coming far and few between
So I should tell you of the happiness that you bring
Baby, baby it's you - you - you
Made life's history
Oh baby, you've brought some joy inside my tears
Baby you have done what no one thought could be
You brought some joy inside my tears
You brought some joy inside my tears
You brought some joy inside my tears
Christina reached the end of the rows of chairs, and I went down to meet her. With a tear in his eye her father offered me her hand to take. "Take care of her."
"I will," I promise, taking her hand in mine, shifting my gaze down to Christina. She couldn't have looked more beautiful. "You are literally breathtaking, Christina."
She smiles and I can't help but smile back. To that smile that perplexed me for some strange reason since the first time I saw her, shaking her behind and her feather duster in the library some eight months ago, to which that memory made me smile big.
"Thank you," she replies sweetly. She looks nervous. God, if I'm nervous, I can just imagine what she feels like. I squeeze her hand knowingly and ceremoniously lead her up to the altar to where the Reverend is waiting for us patiently. When we get there, the music, almost if magically, stops. I can hear sniffling behind me.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
At those words from the Reverend Jesse Jackson, the crowd starts to roar on the other side of the castle, and there is not any of a less energetic response from the guests inside the ceremony. I, as nervous as I am, feel like I want to run away from everybody and climb that tree altar than kiss this girl in front of everyone. I feel my face grow hot as I shyly lean forward, wiping the bashful smile off my face only long enough to plant a quick peck on Christina's lips then quickly drawing back, laughing, embarrassed.
I grab her had tightly and we glide back along the white carpet, dotted with red roses, receiving congratulations and applause amongst the guests. After we finally pass the cameras, Christina touches my arm slightly.
"Oh. My. God," she declares. "I can't believe what just happened back there. That was the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to! I can't believe I'm still standing."
I chuckle. "Honestly, you have to be the most beautiful bride that I've ever seen." She looks radiant in her gown, with rubies and diamonds splashed on her torso, her hair carefully arranged with a wedding tiara perched on her head. I match her in my crisp white suit, red vest, a red rose attached to my jacket and a red arm band. "If you can't believe what happened back there, wait till you see what's happening next!"
I hurry her towards the other side of where the ceremony took place and inside of the castle. "Where are we going?"Christina asks eagerly.
"To introduce you properly for the first time to the world." I give a sigh and almost instantly the drawbridge lowers to the outside in front of us, revealing us finally to the eager fans waiting behind ropes. Shrill screams of excited fans fill the area as Christina and I, newly wed, wave to the crowd.
"Let's go say hi," I insist.
"Oh my God, no!"
"Come on, they're really nice, trust me," I assure as I pull her in close to the fans.
Christina's P.O.V.
"Now that was an experience." I say to my new husband in my trailer-slash-dressing room.
"Get used to it," he responded playfully, rolling his eyes.
"I don't know how you do it, to be honest. It really takes a lot out of you." I only experienced something similar only once in Indiana with Michael and I can only imagine what toll that takes on a person who goes through that every time they go out in public.
Michael sighs happily. "Come on, get changed, now we're going to have some fun."