Mirrors Chapter 26, an eastenders fanfic

With the bridal theme ringing in her ears, all her nerves came flooding back. All eyes will be pointed at her and no one else when she walks down the aisle. Abi looked down slightly as she started to take baby steps, clinging onto her father's arm tightly and with her bridesmaids and two flower girls following behind.

Abi looked up as soon as Max led her under the flowery circular frame, preparing to walk her down the aisle. Abi noticed the guests gazing at her in awe as they were risen from their seats to welcome her to the ceremony. She smiled nervously as her eyes wandered around the church; however, as soon as her eyes clasped onto Jay just as he turned around to get a perspective of his blushing bride, she suddenly felt at ease. Jay smiled at her, his green eyes sparkling towards her. Abi's nerves faded away. She wasn't nervous anymore, she suddenly felt relaxed. A small delicate smile dawned upon her lips. The only nerves that were functioning were the butterflies in her stomach, filling her with excitable nerves.

The bridal theme continued to play as Max led Abi down the aisle slowly with the bridal party following behind. The guests continued to admire the beauty of the bride, smiling pleasantly. Abi reached the end of the aisle as she stood beside Jay, her arm still hooked through her father's. Max was squeezing Abi's hand tightly, like he didn't want to let her go. The bridal party was standing 20 centimetres behind them. Abi clung to her flowers as she turned her head at a 45 degree angle to look at Jay. Jay and Abi smiled at one another. Jay felt a tear prickling within the pupil of his eye due to the view of his beautiful young bride. In his eyes, she looked absolutely thernominal!

"Please be seated," the Vicar ordered towards the guests. The guests sat down apart from the bridal party, Max, Abi, Jay and Dexter who remained in position.

"Dearly beloved," the Vicar began. "We are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Jay Scott Brown and Abigail Kathleen Branning. We are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this man and woman in holy matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in Paradise and into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined."

The Vicar finished his introduction by announcing their first hymn. After the first hymn concluded, the vicar started to speak again:

"Marriage is a public declaration of love and commitment that is seen through the eyes of God. It is a gift from God that should not be taken for granted. Marriage is the appropriate atmosphere to build upon family life and engage in sexual relations. Jay and Abigail have chosen this way of life. These two persons will be joined in holy matrimony which is commended to be honourable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. But first, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these person may not lawfully marry to declare it now."

The whole church remained silent, giving the Vicar the impression to continue. He turned to Jay and Abi.

"The vows you are about to take are to be made in the name of God, who is judge of all and who knows all the secrets of our hearts," the Vicar reminded them. "Therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now."

Jay and Abi looked at one another smiling and not saying a single word. They looked back at the Vicar when he began to talk again:

"Marriage is the union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind. It is intended for their mutual joy – and for the help and comfort given on another in prosperity and adversity. But more importantly – it is a means through which a stable and loving environment may be attained.

Through marriage, Jay and Abigail make a commitment together to face their disappointments – embrace their dreams – realize their hopes – and accept each other's failures. Jay and Abigail will promise one another to aspire to these ideals throughout their lives together – through mutual understanding – openness – and sensitivity to each other.

We are here today – before God – because marriage is one of his most sacred wishes – to witness the joining in marriage of Jay and Abigail. This occasion marks the celebration of love and commitment with which this man and this woman begin their life together. And now – through me – He joins you together in one of the holiest bonds." The vicar took a breath before continuing:

"Jay, do you take Abigail to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her and forsaking all others be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"

Jay and Abi glanced at each other. Abi had a blank expression, awaiting on Jay's answer, worrying that he would bottle out at the last minute but he didn't. "I will," Jay smiled at Abi, in which Abi returned before they turned back to the Vicar.

"Abigail, do you take Jay to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him and forsaking all others be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"

Abi looked at Jay to find him looking at her with a small smile.

"I will," she said, giggling a bit. Jay chuckled softly as they turned back to the Vicar.

The Vicar indicated to Max to hand over Abi's hand in marriage. Max gently placed it in the Vicar's hand. Abi turned and handed her bouquet to Lola. The bridesmaids and flower girls went and sat down in the front row on left hand side of the church. The Vicar brought Abi forward as he held her hand out. He looked over at Jay and indicated for him to come forward to stand beside Abi in which he happily obliged to. The Vicar handed Abi's left hand to Jay as Jay held his bride's hand in the palm of his hand. Jay and Abi beamed at one another. The Vicar introduced the second hymn in which everyone sang along too. During the hymn, Max went and sat beside Cora in the second row, gaining a reassuring rub on the shoulder from his mother in law. As well as being the pageboy, Oscar was also the ring bearer. Due to the Vicar's gentle instructions, Oscar moved to the front of the church holding a white satin cushion. After the hymn, the Vicar continued with his presentation.

"Jay and Abigail could you please join hands," the Vicar ordered. Jay and Abi obeyed his orders as they happily held hands, facing one another.

"Jay and Abigail have requested to say their own vows in the presence of God and before this congregation," the Vicar announced happily. He then looked at Jay, "Jay, we'll start with you."

Jay took a deep breath as his marriage vows to Abi commenced: "Abi, you're a goddess. In my eyes, you've always been a princess. In the presence of God, I am glad that he sent you to me. I'd move heaven and earth for you. You've made me a better person, you have turned my life around and I will forever thank you for that. You're my best friend, my world, my everything, my soul mate," Jay noticed a couple of tears running down Abi's cheeks and he chuckled softly. "You're the other half of me, like a mirror. You've always been there for me, loving me for who I am, in return I will grant you a lifetime of love and happiness. From this day forward, I will always be two steps behind you, whatever happens. I will love you, protect you, be faithful to you and look after you forever. I will commit myself to you till the day I die and even when the time does come which will be a long way off as yet," Jay let out a chuckle. "I'll always be looking down on you, keeping my promises and if you go before me, I will never replace you. I'll always be straight with you. You're the only one my heart calls for, my heart only beats for you. I love you endlessly."

Abi quickly wiped her tears away with her wrist. Jay smiled warmly as they joined hands again.

"Abigail, would you please make your vows," the Vicar interrupted them.

Abi took a deep breath, "Jay, it took people time to accept you but I accepted you from the day I first saw you. I've always found the good in you. When everyone rejected you, I was there by your side and I will continue to do that for the rest of our lives. I know there was this one time where I walked out on you but I deeply apologise for that. I was hurting, not because you lied, but because I loved you and that will never change. I will always be here for you, I'll never leave your side. I belong with you. You've always been there for me, you've accepted me for me. You're the only person I can be myself around, the only one that will always listen to me. I've never stopped loving you and I don't want to stop loving you. I never thought that fairytales could exist until I met you. You're my best friend, my true love, my soul mate, the other half of me- my mirror. And I'm more than willing to commit myself to you…forever."

Jay smiled warmly at Abi, with love embroiled in his eyes. Abi smiled shyly at him. She had just poured her heart out in front of the whole congregation.

"Best man, have you got the rings?" The Vicar inquired, looking towards Dexter.

Dexter moved forward and placed two silver rings on the satin pillow which Oscar was holding before going back to his seat and sitting down after standing up for what felt like forever.

"Heavenly Father, by your blessing, let this ring be to Jay and Abigail a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant which they may have made this day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." The Vicar prayed. Amens softly filled the church.

With the indication of the Vicar's eyes, Jay took a ring from the pillow and slide it down the tip of Abi's ring finger on her left hand, holding it in place.

"I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," Jay repeated before sliding the ring completely on Abi's finger, blending it with the engagement ring. The ring was noticeable and fitted perfectly, representing that Abi was forever his like she has been for the past four years.

Abi smiled at Jay before grabbing his ring from the satin pillow. Oscar sat back in his seat whilst Abi held the ring below the cuticles of the ring finger on Jay's left hand.

""I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," the Vicar spoke again.

Jay and Abi looked up at each other, smiling deeply. They knew that they have done the deed but the Vicar just had to confirm it. The Vicar began to speak again:

"In the presence of God and before this congregation, Jay and Abigail have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife. Those who God has joined together," the Vicar began and then placed a band, which was the same material as a scarf, "Let no one put us under." He then whipped the band away. The Vicar then looked at Jay with a smile, "You may kiss the bride."

Jay and Abi turned to face each other.

"I guess this is it then," Abi said quietly, grinning.

"Looks like it…Mrs Brown," Jay grinned.

Abi giggled as Jay lifted the veil away from her face and over her head with the use of both hands.

"Go on Jay," Dexter and the ushers said eagerly.

Jay and Abi grinned at the groom's party which was seated on the front row on the right hand side of the church.

"Come here," Jay whispered, his breath lingering on Abi's lips as his face edged towards her, resting his hand on her cheek as he grabbed her lips with his softly as they began to kiss each other passionately making the congregation cheer and applaud. Abi's arms swung round Jay's neck as the kiss deepened, allowing Jay's strong arms to seal round Abi's waist.

They slowly pulled away from each other, slightly breathless as they gazed into each other's eyes. Smiles appeared on their faces, their dimples showing. After four years of being in love, they were finally Mr and Mrs Brown together.

After kneeling for the Vicar and singing the final hymn, Jay and Abi along with Lola, Dexter, Max and Susannah went into a private room of the church to sign the register and posing for photographs whilst the congregation waited in the altar listening to instrumental music to modern songs that Jay and Abi had requested.

The congregation got their cameras ready when Jay and Abi walked down the aisle, hand in hand, Abi's bouquet held in Abi's spare hand.

The photographer came over to them, "Not like that," he tutted jokingly as he grabbed Jay and Abi's combined hands, hooking Abi's arm through Jay's and took a snap shot of them together and allowed them to continue their journey down the aisle and emerge from the church.

They posed for many photographs outside the church. There was pictures with just Jay and Abi; pictures with Jay, Abi, Susannah and Max; pictures with Jay, Abi, Dexter and Lola; Jay, Abi and Paris; Jay, Abi, Dexter, the bridesmaids, the ushers, Oscar and the flower girls; Jay, Abi, the bridesmaids and the flower girls.

The photographer was currently in the process of taking a photograph of Abi, Jay, Dexter and the ushers. The men were lifting Abi up. Jay was beside Abi, holding onto her waist and Dexter was on the other side of Abi and then the order from Dexter went: Peter, Fatboy, Joey, Billy and Phil, who was holding her feet. The photographer took a photo then reset his camera to take another.

"After three, I want you to chuck Abi in the air," the photographer instructed. Abi looked alarmed, which caused Jay to squeeze Abi's thigh in reassurance. The photographer counted to three and the men throwed Abi in the air and caught her within seconds. A few of the women giggled with Abi amongst themselves. Jay eased Abi down to the ground.

The photographer took a massive family photo with Jay and Abi holding each other in the middle and the whole of the guests bundled up together as the photographer took a massive photo.

After, the photographer took Jay and Abi to the church gardens were photos were being taken of them behind the beautiful scenery. When Jay and Abi returned, the little children gave Abi horseshoes which is known to symbolise luck. Then, confetti was thrown over the happy couple. Lola smirked as she looked down the remainings of her box of confetti. She went over to Jay and Abi and threw some over them and then poured a few pieces of confetti down Jay's shirt. Abi burst out laughing as Jay tried to squirm away from Lola, but Lola's grip was too tight.

"Lola!" Jay exclaimed, looking down his shirt. Lola took a step back and laughed along with Abi. Jay sighed in annoyance as he peered down his shirt. "I'm going to have to try and get that out now, it's gone right down my shirt."

Lola let out a giggle.

"Don't worry, if it gives you bother, I'll get it out," Abi grinned. Jay looked at Abi and placed a soft peck on her lips. "I might just hold you to that," Jay whispered amongst her lips before letting out a sigh, "I'm sorry how the wedding turned out."

Abi shook her head and kissed him on the lips, "It was perfect. We're married, that's all that matters."