A/N: Thank you for the reviews! Can you guess what's happening in this chapter? ;)
DISCLAIMER: Yeah, you all know it's not mine.
Chapter Twenty-six: This I Promise
"Shit."
"What?"
"I'm getting married today."
Natalie laughed and sat down on the bed beside Nina, "And?"
"I won't be Nina Clare anymore. I will be Nina Good. How weird is that?"
"You know what is even weirder?"
Nina frowned, "What?"
"Nina Good sounds like it was meant to be."
Nina gave an incredibly girly giggle causing Natalie to burst out with laughter, "Oh shoosh!"
Natalie only laughed harder, literally bending forward as Nina chuckled herself. She gave a sigh and stood up as Trudie walked into the room.
"Time for make up and hair! Natalie… are you okay? You look quite flushed."
Natalie nodded with a smile, "Just a joke Nina told me."
Nina looked at Natalie in amusement as they followed Trudie to where the makeup artist was already working on Kylie.
Nina was made to sit so her hair could be curled to be pinned up in a side bun, which would have some loose tendrils.
"How is Brie?" asked Susie.
"She was really hung over yesterday," said Saraya with a laugh, "Bryan said it took him twenty minutes to get her to bed."
"I don't even remember going to bed," said Nina, "Jon said I passed out easily though."
"You were pretty smashed," grinned Susie with a chuckle from Kylie.
Nina grinned, silently wondering how Jon was going.
Jon stretched and climbed out of bed, grabbing the towel at the end of the bed to go and shower. He couldn't believe that the day he would make Nina his wife had arrived. The thought brought a smile to his face as he showered and dressed into tracksuit pants and a shirt. He exited the bathroom and made himself a coffee as a knock came at his hotel door. Jon went and opened it, letting Colby, Joe, Michael and Danny in, with Danny and Michael carrying in the covered up suits. Danny went and placed them on Jon's bed as Jon ordered a breakfast to be brought up to the room.
"So," asked Joe, "Nervous?"
Jon chuckled, "I just want Nina to be my wife already."
"I brought us a movie to watch," said Colby, holding up the DVD, "Want to watch it?"
"Yeah," shrugged Jon, "Did your team win last night, Danny?"
Nina looked at her reflection, brushing her hands over the tulle. On her right wrist was a bracelet borrowed from her mother with blue sapphires, decorating it. An old broach from her grandmother was pinned in the middle of the sash on her dress. Her earrings were new and simple, a sparkly silver and her necklace was one Jon had given her at Christmas with a heart locket. Inside it was a photo of her and him from when they first met.
Nina smiled at the memory.
December 20TH 2001
Fourteen year old Nina Clare ran across the road to the park, yelling at Danny to wait but he refused, saying he was meeting someone. Her brother annoyed her when he did this, always thinking he was better than her when it came to meeting new friends.
Nina jammed her hands into her pockets and walked along the salted pathway before crossing the snow covered grass, spotting Danny by the picnic table with a young guy she had never seen before. Nina jogged over, stopping beside them.
"Can we help you?" asked the stranger.
"I'm his sister," replied Nina with a gesture to Danny.
"Jon meet Nina, Nina meet Jon. Now can you buzz off?" snapped Danny.
Nina raised an eyebrow, "Don't be a jerk, Danny. You know I will beat you one on one."
Danny rolled his eyes, "My sister here thinks she is the next Lita or Trish Stratus."
Jon looked at Nina with interest, "You like wrestling?"
"Like wrestling?" replied Nina with wide eyes, "Dude, I love wrestling! I'm starting training in the New Year. Dad found a gym back home that train people my age."
Danny groaned, "Let me guess, Jon. You like to wrestle?"
Jon nodded with a grin.
"Great, the one bloke I meet that's my age and he has more in common with my sister. I'm going to go annoy Mike."
Danny walked off in a huff and Nina looked at Jon feeling a bit shy.
"I train when I can," said Jon with a shrug, "Depends on how much time I have."
"Awesome, so what style do you like?"
Jon leaned back on the bench, "Don't really know yet. I like taking risks."
Nina sat down beside Jon and grinned, "I want to be a high flyer… It would be so awesome to jump from the top rope and land the perfect cross body splash. Don't you think?"
The pair chatted away until the chill seeped through Nina's jacket.
"It's getting dark," said Nina noticing the park's lights flickering on, "I better get to my Aunt's."
"I'll walk you," said Jon, looking rather shy.
Nina smiled, "Thanks."
They walked through the park, breaking away from wrestling talk to talk about each other's life's and other hobbies. When Nina stopped outside her Aunt's house she looked at Jon silently.
"Well, this is where I leave you," said Nina, "Umm-"
"Can we hang out tomorrow?" asked Jon suddenly.
Nina's face broke out into a grin, "Yes! That would be brilliant! Could you show me where you train?"
"Yeah, sure."
Nina grinned and gave Jon a quick hug before racing inside, yelling goodbye over her shoulder.
Nina smiled at her innocence at not recognising her perfect match at a young age as she traced her finger's over her locket.
"Oh look at you!"
Nina turned from the mirror and smiled at her mother.
"Nina, you are so beautiful," said Trudie, taking hold of her daughter's hand.
"Don't make me cry Mum," laughed Nina, fighting back tears.
Trudie chuckled, "It's time to head to the ceremony."
Jon stood at the front of the ceremony location, with him and Nina opting to use the garden marquee as their ceremony location and the main marquee for their reception. They had chosen the Victoria Park for their wedding location as it gave a wonderful view of the Brisbane City and was secluded away from unwelcomed eyes and cameras.
Beside Jon stood Joe, Colby, Danny and Michael.
"Nervous yet?" asked Joe.
Jon sighed and looked at Joe as the guests talked amongst themselves, "Possibly a little bit."
Joe chuckled and patted Jon on the shoulders, "Once you see her man, all your fear will vanish and Nina will be all you see. Trust me."
Suddenly Bond's song Lullaby started playing and everyone turned to watch as Susie began to walk down the aisle, followed by Kylie then Saraya and Natalie. The song picked up momentum and everyone stood as Nina began to walk with her father at her side.
Joe had been right. As soon as he laid eyes on Nina in her white, gorgeous gown he forgot about his nerves and anyone else and focused solely on her. He smiled and Nina smiled back, her hand clutching onto her bouquet of red and white roses, tied with a red ribbon.
Nina reached the end of the aisle and the celebrant began the ceremony.
"Who gives this woman away on this day?" he asked.
"I do," said Frank.
Nina smiled at her father and kissed his cheek as Jon shook hands with Frank before taking a hold of Nina's hand.
"Hi," said Jon softly.
"Hi to you too," replied Nina as they stepped up onto the platform with the celebrant.
"We are here today to celebrate the love Nina and Jon share for each other and celebrate them coming together in marriage," spoke the celebrant, "Nina and Jon have faced many challenges together in their life. They lost each other, found each other again in a twist of fate and that allowed them the chance to explore an aspect of their relationship neither had explored. Together, they have found love. A love so strong and passionate nothing will pull them apart.
"Is there anyone who objects to the union of two souls becoming one?"
Silence met the question and Jon and Nina shared a smile.
"I just want to get that dress off of you," whispered Jon so only Nina could hear.
Nina bit her lower lip to stop herself from giggling.
"The rings please."
Joe stepped forward and handed Jon Nina's ring and Natalie handed Nina Jon's ring. They had opted for simple, white gold bands.
"Nina, your vows."
Nina handed Natalie her bouquet and then slipped Jon's ring on the tip of his ring finger as she looked at him and smiled softly, "Jon, I love you. You… you are my best friend, my soul mate… my lover, my everything. Today, I give myself to you in marriage. I swear to encourage you, inspire you and laugh with you… to support you through the struggles and times of sadness. I vow to love you through bad times and good times, through the easy times and hard times. I promise to cherish you and to always hold you in the highest regard. This I promise you today and all the days of our life."
Nina slipped the ring onto Jon's finger, swallowing the lump in her throat.
"Jon, your vows."
Jon placed the ring on the tip of Nina's ring finger and looked at her, his eyes swimming with emotions, "Nina Lucy, you have always… always been my best friend. Today, I pledge to honour, encourage and support you throughout our journey through life. When times become difficult, I promise to stand by you and lift you up when you feel down. I promise to always love you and always make you my main priority. With every single beat of my heart, I will love you. This is my promise I make to you, Nina. My Ni-Ni."
"It is with great pleasure that I now announce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Everyone cheered as Jon happily pulled Nina towards him and kissed her lovingly.
"My wife," murmured Jon as he pulled away with a smile.
"My husband."
"Alright!" came the voice of Jacob, the wedding's MC, "Let's introduce the wedding party!"
Everyone in the marquee cheered.
"First, making their way to the wedding party table, right here from Brisbane, I give you Kylie Clare and Michael Clare!"
Kylie and Michael skipped in, waving to the guests, causing chuckles to rise from everybody.
"And next we have Susie Gregory and Daniel Clare!"
Susie and Danny walked in with a serious strut, giving a nod to the guests. It soon became obvious that the arrival was using a wrestler's entrance theme.
"The next wedding party guests are the rival couple to today's main wedded couple. Please welcome Saraya Bevis and Colby Lopez!"
Saraya and Colby entered exactly as they did when on WWE and the guests booed them, much to a waiting Nina and Jon's amusement.
"Next we have all red everything – so believe that! Welcome Natalie Coyle and Joseph Anoa'i!"
Natalie and Joe's serious faces matched up, except for their walks.
"And finally… the couple of all couples. Please give it up for Nina and Jonathon Good!"
A mash up of Nina and Jon's theme played as they walked into the marquee with Nina raising her fist into the air with a grin as their friends and family cheered for them.
Once at the tables the reception kicked off with speeches. They were amusing of course but Nina got teary as her father spoke about how proud he was of her for chasing her dreams and finding love and happiness with Jon.
"And now, our newly wedded couple will have their first dance," announced Jacob.
Jon stood and helped Nina up and led her to the wooden dance floor. The guests were waiting for a soppy romantic song to play, so their reactions were priceless when Kelly Clarkson's Heartbeat song started.
This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it
Been so long I forgot how to turn it up up up up all night
Oh up up all night long
Nina laughed as Jon spun her out and pulled her back in moving in time of the song, smiling at her.
"Well what do you know," said Jon, "We got married."
"Crazy, right?" replied Nina before Jon twirled her out again and brought her back against him, "Two people on opposite sides of the planet managed to meet."
You, where the hell did you come from?
You were a different, different kind of fun
And I'm still used to feel it now
Now, I got pins and needles on my tongue
Anticipating what's to come
Like a finger on a loaded gun
"We really do need to thank Danny for that," said Jon with a chuckle.
"Imagine if his annoying sister didn't follow him to the park that day," said Nina, "Life would have turned out very differently."
"You think so?"
I can feel it rising
Temperature inside me
Haven't felt for a long time
This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it
Been so long I forgot how to turn it up up up up all night long
Oh up up all night long
This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it
Turned it on
But I know you can take it up up up up all night long
Oh up up all night long
"Don't you?" asked Nina curiously.
"I like to believe we were destined to meet."
"Oh really? Jon Good believes in destiny?"
Jon smiled and pressed a kiss to Nina's lips, "Babe, when it comes to where you are concerned, I believe anything is possible."
I, I wasn't even gonna go out
But I never would have had a doubt
If I'd have known where I'd be know
Your hands on my hips
And my kiss on your lips
And I could do this for a long time
Nina and Jon stopped dancing as she leaned up and kissed him deeply before both fell into slow steps, despite the songs beat calling for more energetic movements.
"One day, when the time is right," said Nina softly, "I long to start a family with you. A mini you and a mini me."
Jon smiled, "You see that too, huh?"
Nina nodded with a smile, "I never did with anyone else. But with you… I think I have always seen it."
This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it
Been so long I forgot how to turn it up up up up all night long
Oh up up all night long
This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it
Turned it on
But I know you can take it up up up up all night long
Oh up up all night long
Jon twirled Nina out and pulled her in, lifted her up and turned in a circle with Nina giggling at him as he lowered her back down.
They danced in silence, simply looking at each other, taking in how the other looked in that moment.
Jon, with his hair lightly curling in its normal manner, his eyes alight with joy from the day, his lips curled in a small smile.
Nina, her hair, curled, her face glowing with happiness and a soft smile on her lips.
Until tonight I only dreamed about you
I can't believe I'll ever breathe without you
Baby you make me feel alive and brand new
Bring it one more time, one more time
"Do you think everyone feels like this in love?" asked Nina suddenly.
Jon's eyebrows quirked at the question, "Going all philosophical on me now?"
Nina chuckled, "I'm being serious."
"You? Serious? Never!"
"Jon!" whined Nina with a laugh, "Come on!"
Jon chuckled, "Calm down Mrs Good."
Nina smiled at what he called, "Well? What do you think?"
This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it
Been so long I forgot how to turn it up up up up all night long
Oh up up all night long
This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it
Turned it on
But I know you can take it up up up up all night long
Oh up up all night long
"I think all love is different. No one can describe it the same really."
Nina nodded, "My love for you consumes me. It's like… something that just wants to burst out of me."
"That actually sounds scary."
Nina laughed, "A new horror movie, coming soon! Starring Nina's Love for Jon!"
Jon chuckled and shook his head, "My love for you makes me want to make sure you smile every day. My day isn't complete if I am not a reason for one of your smiles."
This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it
Been so long I forgot how to turn it up up up up all night long
Oh up up all night long
This is my heartbeat song and I'm gonna play it
Turned it on
But I know you can take it up up up up all night long
Oh up up all night long
"You make me smile every morning," said Nina quietly, "Because waking up next to you every day makes me happy."
Everyone sat down and enjoyed the meal served up for dinner. Nina smiled as she looked over at the guests.
"Excuse me," came Jon's voice from the microphone, "It is time for the father and daughter dance… and I selected a song that I dedicate to them both."
Nina stood up, looking at Jon in surprise. He gave her a smile as he took her hand and led her over to Frank.
The song started and Nina and Frank started dancing slowly.
I went to see her dad for a sit down man to man
Wasn't any secret, I'd be asking for her hand
I guess that's why he left me waiting in the living room by myself
With at least a dozen pictures of her sitting on a shelf, she was
Nina looked at her father and smiled softly, "You okay, Dad?"
Frank looked at his daughter, memories of her flashing through his mind. He remembered the first moment he saw her, so tiny and precious.
Playing Cinderella
She was riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Runnin' through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancin with her dad, lookin up at him
In her eyes I'm prince charming but to him I'm just some fellow
Riding in and stealing Cinderella
He could picture the first day she smiled at him. He was picking her up from the crib and had greeted her brightly. Her face had lit up and a smile broke out upon her face. To him, it would always be his favourite memory.
"I just can't seem to believe how quickly time has passed," replied Frank, looking at his grown up daughter.
I leaned in towards those pictures
To get a better look at one
When I heard a voice behind me say
"Now, ain't she somethin son?"
I said "Yeah, she's quite a woman"
And he just stared at me
And I realized that in his eyes she would always be
Nina gave Frank a watery smile and rested her head on his chest. Frank held Nina tightly as they swayed slowly on the dance floor.
Nina could remember dancing like this with her father at his sister's wedding when she was six, except she was standing on his shoes and wearing a ridiculous flower girls gown.
Playing Cinderella
She was riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Runnin' through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancin with her dad, lookin up at him
In her eyes I'm prince charming but to him I'm just some fellow
Riding in and stealing Cinderella
"I want you to know something, Nina," said Frank.
Nina lifted her head up and looked at Frank with a curious expression, "What is it, Daddy?"
Frank smiled at the use of the name, something Nina hadn't uttered since she was eight and deemed it a baby name.
Oh, he slapped me on the shoulder
Then he called her in the room
When she threw her arms around him
That's when I could see it too
"Just know that I love you, sweetheart. You will always be my little girl and nothing will ever change that."
Nina smiled, her tears escaping as she hugged her father tightly, "I love you too, Daddy. Always and forever."
She was playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed looking for a pillow fight
Runnin' through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancin with her dad, lookin up at him
If he gives me a hard time
I can't blame the fellow
I'm the one who's stealing – Cinderella
When the song ended, Frank led Nina back to Jon, giving his son in law a hug. As Frank headed back to the table where Trudie was, Nina smiled at Jon before she hugged him.
"Thank you," whispered Nina.
"No need to thank me," replied Jon.
"I love you, Mr Good."
"And I love you, Mrs Good."
A/N: So obviously the songs are:
Heartbeat by Kelly Clarkson
Stealing Cinderella by Chuck Wicks
Reviews are much appreciated and I hope you enjoyed the wedding chapter!