The final chapter of Design For Life.
I can't believe I've managed to finish it. I really hope you've enjoyed it.
Here's the finale, Matt and Eve's wedding.
Hope you like this chapter.
The Hardy house and land had been turned into wedding central. Everywhere you looked there was balloons, banners and flowers. A makeshift altar had been set up outside, along with chairs and a length of purple carpet, which was the aisle. It had been a group effort to get the things set up on time. Mrs Kanellis and Eve had made all the food themselves the night before. Matt and his friend Shane had been in charge of getting the drinks and refreshments.
Maria was wearing her bridesmaids dress. It was still a perfect fit and looked better for the alterations she had made to it. Eve had been getting ready for the past hour. She had not let anyone see her dress before the wedding, so Maria was keen to see her in all her bridal finery. The redhead smiled as she looked out of the window and saw Matt and Jeff in their suits. Jeff looked so handsome.
"Ok, I'm ready." Eve called from the bedroom.
"Come on then!" Maria yelled.
The door opened and Eve appeared. She looked stunning in a full-skirted strapless dress. It was white with some gold embroidery and she wore gold heels. Her hair was pulled back in a clip, but left loose and down at the back. She wore a short white veil.
"Oh, you look amazing!" Maria applauded.
"Do you think so?" Eve smiled nervously.
"Absolutely." Maria nodded and handed Eve he bouquet.
The flowers were a mix of purples, lilacs and orange and gold colours. Eve liked bright colours. Even the dogs had got involved. Matt's dog Lucas and Maria's dog Star both wore ribbons on their collars. Shannon was currently in charge of making sure they didn't steal any food.
Adam and Amy turned up, as they said they would. They sat down as some Latin music was beginning to play. Eve had wanted something to honour her heritage. The guests turned to look as Eve made her way down the aisle, followed by Maria. Matt's face was full of pride. Eve matched his grin as she approached him at the makeshift altar. Maria took Eve's bouquet and went and sat next to Jeff. The minister smiled and began the ceremony.
"Thank you for joining us here today, to witness the marriage of Matthew and Eve." He smiled and motioned for the guests to be seated.
Ashley was sat with Evan and baby Eloise. She was so cute in her little dress and sunhat. She had begun to look more like Ashley, which seemed to be a blessing. Maria had not heard anything else since her visit to Phil in prison. He wasn't the same person that he was, and Maria wasn't sure he ever would be that person ever again. The baby girl in her mother's arms didn't deserve to be caught up in all of that.
"I must first ask, if anyone here knows why this couple cannot lawfully be wedded" the minister asked.
There was an uncomfortable silence as everyone looked around. Shannon made a motion of zipping his lips shut and the only noise that could be heard was the cooing of baby Eloise and the panting of the two dogs.
"Then let's continue. Do you Matthew take Eve to be your wife? Will you honour and comfort her and keep her in sickness and in health, until death parts you?" he asked.
"I do." Matt grinned and nodded.
"Do you Eve take Matthew to be your husband? Will you honour and comfort him and keep him in sickness and in health, until death parts you?" the minister asked her.
"I do." She smiled.
"Who has the rings?" the minister asked.
"I do." Said Matt's friend Shane.
He took out a small bag from his inside pocket and handed it to Matt. Matt emptied the rings out onto the minister's outstretched hand.
"Matthew, repeat after me. I give you this ring as a token of our union."
"I give you this ring as a token of our union." Matt repeated and slipped the ring onto Eve's slender finger. The minister turned to Eve.
"Eve, repeat after me. I give you this ring as a token of our union." He told her.
"I give you this ring as a token of our union." She repeated and smiled.
"In the speaking of vows and the giving and receiving of rings, you have witnessed that Matthew and Eve have confirmed their union here today." The minister spoke.
Maria smiled as she saw the matching grins on Matt and Eve's faces.
"I now pronounce that you are husband and wife." The minister smiled.
"Kiss her!" Shannon shouted.
"Yes, you may now kiss the bride." The minister chuckled.
Matt brushed Eve's hair from her face and leaned in for a kiss. Eve wrapped her arms around his neck as everyone clamoured to take photos. A few people cried, including Mrs Kanellis. She always cried at weddings.
The Latin music played again and the newlyweds walked back down the makeshift aisle. Maria followed with Jeff, who looked relieved that the wedding had gone without a hitch. The redhead smiled and took his hand in her own as they headed to get some photos taken.
The rest of the day went well. Shane had a really good speech as best man. Maria had laughed a lot and ate a lot of the beautiful food that her mother and Eve had made. Jeff had just disappeared so she was dancing with Shannon. She didn't hear her boyfriend approach and kneel on the ground beside her.
"Surprise." Shannon spun her around to face Jeff.
"What?" Maria was puzzled as she spotted her boyfriend.
"You don't know how difficult this has been." Jeff said.
"Huh?" the redhead frowned as she noticed everybody looking at them.
"I had to keep it secret until today." Jeff added.
"I'm not sure what you're talking about…" Maria saw Jeff pull out a small box.
"I know we haven't been together that long, and that we're still young. I just want you to be mine forever." He said, passing his girlfriend the blue box.
"Is this…?" she asked.
"Open it." He told her.
The redhead sighed as she opened the lid and revealed the silver amethyst ring. It looked slightly gothic and Maria thought it was beautiful. She looked back at Jeff, who was still kneeling beside her.
"It's not a diamond, but amethyst is your birthstone." He smiled.
"Jeff, are you asking me to…?" she couldn't even say it.
"Yes, I'm asking you to marry me. I want to get engaged." Jeff nodded and looked hopefully.
The past few weeks all made sense now. The secret chats with Evan and Matt. The clues were there but she'd never have guessed. All these thoughts were running around her head, when she realised that everybody was awaiting her answer.
"Jeff?" she asked.
"Yes Maria?" he asked her, his sincere green eyes looked into hers.
"The answer's yes." She nodded.
The whole wedding party cheered and erupted in excited chatter. Jeff stood up and walked a couple of steps towards Maria. She smiled and pulled him towards her, locking their lips together. Jeff smiled against her mouth as he picked her up and spun her around. When he set her down on the ground again, he whispered in her ear.
"After everything we've been through, I will always love you."
"I'm the happiest girl in the world." She whispered back to him.
They were content in each other's arms as they swayed to the music under a star filled sky. Sometimes you're not looking for something and it appears right in front of you. That's what happened to Maria, that day outside her class…
The End.
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I just want to say a big thank you to all of the readers and reviewers that made this story worth writing.
Maybe some of you will read my other stories too? x