Erik's POV

July 21,2012

One year. One year had past since I proposed to Natalie. She left me in September of 2011 to go to school. It didn't take long for me to follow, I procrastinated all summer about moving so when September first came I had to stay and I finally went and gave my 30 day notice.

When I moved I was just a few streets over from her. She kept her promise and came to me on the weekends when she could. She was very busy. During the times she came we planned the wedding and made love... Mostly made love. We started fighting alto and she broke it off a few times. It started with wedding detail but soon grew to other things. Around December she started coming for less and less periods of time until she didn't come at all. I knew if she left me I would not and could not survive. I started to lose hope that she would never come back, when she did.

She came in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve dressed in a really amazing sexy Santa clause outfit. I had already gone to bed when she did come. I had woken up hearing someone in the house and was about to get out of bed when she came into the bedroom and climbed in next to me

She broke it off a few times. Sometimes it was because of a fight, sometimes out of stress. But she always came back to me. At times I didn't think we were going to make it. I lost hope when she didn't come back for a few days after one fight. I still loved her, and I know even if she did leave me I would always love her. Always. And thats were we find me now... Heading down to the alter.

The doors at the end of the church started to open slowly, to slowly as the music started. I saw a glimpse of white then the doors were open fully. There she was my beautiful bride. All dressed in white. Her dress was a halter with a sweetheart neckline and with a traditional ball gown silhouettes and a princess waist line. She was my princess and soon she shall be my queen.

I took her hand and assisted her up the few steps of the alter. She turned to me and took my other hand. We stared into each others eyes and all was lost. I was only vaguely aware of what the priest was saying. I looked down at our joined hands and thats when I realized that this was really happening.

"Let me charge you both to remember, that your future happiness is to be found in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence, and affection. Erik, it is your duty to love Natalie, provide tender leadership, and protect her from danger. Natalie, it is your duty to treat Erik with respect, support him, and create a healthy, happy home. It is the duty of each of you to find the greatest joy in the company of the other; to remember that in both interest and affection, you are to be one and undivided."

I looked back up to Natalie's face. She was crying but she had the biggest smile that I have seen on her, and it wasn't one of those fake ones that she gives to most people. It was genuine. The priest paused for a minute then started talking again, but I could care less all I needed to hear is what Natalie is telling me right now with her eyes.

"Natalie and Erik, you have made a very serious and important decision in choosing to marry each other today. You are entering into a sacred covenant as life partners in God. The quality of your marriage will reflect what you put into nurturing this relationship. You have the opportunity to go forward from this day to create a faithful, kind, and tender relationship. We bless you this day. It is up to you to keep the blessings flowing each and every day of your lives together. We wish for you the wisdom, compassion, and constancy to create a peaceful sanctuary in which you can both grow in love.

Erik, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?" There was a pause and natalie squeezed my hand. I looked around the church, every one seemed to be waiting for a response. I looked back at natalie her smile faltered. "I Do."

"Natalie, do you understand and accept this responsibility, and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?"

"I Do" She barely let the priest finnish before she answered. I smirked. The priest turned to me and handed me Natalie's ring. "I love you Natalie as I love no other. All that I am I share with you. I take you to be my wife through health and sickness, through plenty and want, through joy and sorrow, now and forever." I slipped the ring on her finger and her smile grew even bigger.

Natalie lifted my left hand up to her and took the ring from the priest. "I, Natalie, take you Erik, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you, I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully, through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep."

I cupped her cheek and smiled and I rarely smile. I slide my hand down her arm and took her hand in mine. "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may..." I kissed her passionately. "... The bride." Natalie squeezed my hand and pulled away. We turned to face the our friends and Raoul. "It is now my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Destler" And we left the church and headed for the limo.