*Ultimate Wedding*
*Part 2: Vows*
After 6 months of planning a wedding, the day is finally here. It is a beautiful summer day at the church where it has a big yard where a lot of guests could be and the reception. Everyone is dressed in suits and dresses for this special day. Everyone in the Freedom Fighters, the GUN Headquarters, and half of the mobians from Knothole are invited.
XX
In the groom's dressing room, Shadow is dressed in a black suit with a white shirt underneath, a red tie, and a red rose clipped on. He is brushing back his quills by looking at himself in the mirror, looking sharp. He puts on the cologne and straighten his jacket. A knock was heard outside the door.
"Come in." He said. Coming in was Sonic and Silver. They are dressed in suits, similar to Shadow's, but no roses. Silver has a white tie, and Sonic has a blue tie. Usually Shadow would have one best man, but he decided to have three. Espio was the first choice, then Sonic and Silver.
"Wow, Shad. Looking pretty sharp, man." Sonic said, giving the black hedgehog a thumbs up.
"Thanks." Shadow said, not looking at him. "How was everything out there?"
"Things are perfect. Everyone started to take their seats, but we got 15 minutes. You still got time." Silver told the groom. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing just fine. Thanks." Shadow replied.
"Nervous?" Sonic asked.
"A little. But, not shaking." Shadow said. "You'd be nervous if you're getting married someday, Sonic. I get a feeling that one day you will ask Sally to marry you." Sonic blushed a bit, making Shadow smirk. "Now if you'll excuse me..."
"Right. Well, we'll let you know when you need to be out there." Silver said. He and Sonic left the groom alone in the room. Shadow looked at his reflection again. He straightens his tie. He couldn't believe that he is getting married. To a girl who is back in his life. Shadow couldn't ask for any more.
XX
In the bride's dressing room, Maria stood in front of the mirror as the girls are helping her with the gown. The wedding dress is white, along with the colorful flowers around the gown, and a pink rose on the front. In her hair on the right side, there is a red rose along with the little flowers. She is wearing a pearl necklace with earrings that match. Maria wore long white gloves, and a veil was put on lastly.
"Oh, you look so beautiful!" Amy spoke as she looks at the mirror along with the blushing bride. "The flowers are a nice touch!"
"Thanks to you." Maria said.
"Shadow will be in awe when he sees you walking up to the altar." Rouge said with a smile. "But when you throw a bouquet in the air, make sure you aim it to me."
"Rouge! You can't just hog it while the ladies are trying to catch it!" Amy said. She is wearing a red dress with short white gloves and a red rose in her hair. Rouge is wearing a light pink dress with glitter. She is wearing diamond earrings, and her eyeshadow is pink instead of blue.
"Is there a reason why the girls wanted to catch Ms. Maria's bouquet?" Cream asked, holding the bride's bouquet of white and red roses along with the flowers. She is wearing a pink and white dress and wearing a flower crown since she is a flower girl.
"If one of the girls catches it, she will be the next one to get married." Amy explained.
"Oh, okay!" Cream said with a smile. "That will be fun to see!"
"Enough about us, we have to focus on the bride here. So, how are you feeling, sweetie?" Rouge asked, fixing Maria's hair.
"Nervous...but...happy." Maria said, trying to hold back her tears. "It felt like a dream."
"This will be the day you and Shadow will always remember." A voice spoke from the doorway. The girls turned to see a black and red female close the door behind her.
"Scarlett!" Maria gasped happily. She walked up to her future sister-in-law. "Good to see you! And...wow...you look great. This is the first time I see you wear a dress." She said. Scarlett is wearing a red dress with glitter.
"At least it's comfortable. Anything to look...nice for occasions like this." Scarlett said. "I'm still getting used to Earth's 'traditions'. Like after I become part of GUN, and...a new member of Team Dark."
"Scarlett, you may be a alien of the Black Arms, but...you and Shadow are related to each other. After you helped Shadow kick Black Death's butt, we know that you have a good side in your heart." Rouge said with a grin.
"Yes. It is a...strange feeling in my heart, but...it feels nice." Scarlett said.
"I'm glad that I met you. It's nice that you are here and we will be family." Maria said, taking Scarlett's hand. Scarlett smiled a bit.
After that Maria is set, she looked at herself in the mirror. She thought she was looking at a another person. But this is her. All dressed up and ready to be married to the Ultimate Life Form. Cream gave Maria the bouquet.
"You look so pretty Ms. Maria." Cream said. "You look like a princess." Maria giggled a bit.
"A princess? You think so?"
"I know so! And Mr. Shadow is your prince charming! And you two will live happily ever after." The young rabbit said. The girls laughed. The door opened and Hope peeked in, wearing a light blue dress and her hair is in curls.
"You got 5 minutes, Maria. Everyone started to take their seats." She said.
"Thank you, Hope." Maria said. Hope shuts the door.
"Well, I must be out there and wait for Shadow to be up at the altar with the...best men. If that is what they are called?" Scarlett said.
"Okay. We'll see you there." Amy said. She turned back to Maria with a smile. "It's almost time! Oh, this is going to be so romantic! I could imagine my wedding..." She sighs as she thought about what her wedding would be like. And her future groom waiting at the altar. Someone handsome, and brave...and blue.
"Yes, well...let me do some final touchups for your face, hon." Rouge said as she is fixing Maria's face by adding some more mascara.
In the Sanctuary, the seats started to fill up with many people. Shadow stood at the altar along with a priest. Espio, Sonic, and Silver stood behind Shadow as they quietly look at everyone in the whole room. Vanilla is sitting in a front row with Vector who talks quietly with her as Charmy sat next to him, leaving the empty space for Cream after she threw flowers. On the other side of the front row, there is Scarlett sitting next to Abraham and Hope. Omega stood by the row, quietly scanning the place. Rest of the rows are filled with the ones from GUN, Freedom Fighters, and some from Knothole.
Tails stood below the altar, holding a red pillow with the rings. He is a ring bearer. Shadow trusted the young fox with the job than Charmy. The music started to play, making everyone silent. The song is the instrumental version of Turning Page. Which is requested by Maria who believes it's a nice tune to walk down the aisle.
Cream entered and throw flowers around with a cute smile. The flowers are pink and white. Everyone watched silently as the young rabbit reached the altar. Vanilla silently clapped as her daughter came over to sit next to her and Vector and Charmy.
Coming in are the bridesmaids. There is Amy, Rouge, and Blaze. Silver's heart leaped when he watched the purple cat in a slim purple dress walk down the aisle along with Rouge and Amy. Knuckles gulped when he notice Rouge winking at him as she walk pass him. As they are on the other side of the altar, everyone turned to wait for the bride to arrive.
Maria stood behind the doors, taking a deep breath. This is it. No going back. She opened her eyes and slowly walk down the aisle. Everyone rose from their seats respectively. Shadow looked up to see his bride slowly approaching. His mouth dropped a bit. Maria's eyes and face are under the veil, making her look mysterious and beautiful.
'She is so...beautiful.' Shadow thought as he smiled at her. Maria felt light-headed as she is getting close to the altar. Everyone smiled at her appearance, she could hear Abraham sniff a bit. Vanilla got out her tissues to dab her eyes. She is already crying.
"Oh, it's so romantic." She whispered to Vector. The crocodile grinned a bit. As Maria reached the altar, Shadow took her hand and help her reach up the last steps. The music stopped. The priest smiled at the two.
"Dearly beloved..." He began. The ceremony goes on as everyone listens and watch the bride and groom together. Abraham held back his tears as he stares at his old friend at the altar. He had to admit that Shadow and Maria make a perfect couple since they had feelings for one another. If Gerald were alive to see this, he'd be proud. The priest was ready to wed the couple and Tails is about to get ready to give the rings to them. "Shadow the Hedgehog, do you take Maria Robotnik to be your lawfully wedded wife, through sickness and health? Will you love her and comfort her as long as you both shall live?" He asked the black hedgehog. Shadow took the ring and place it on Maria's finger.
"I do." Shadow said with a loving smile. The priest faces the bride.
"Maria Robotnik, do you take Shadow the Hedgehog to be your lawfully wedded husband, through sickness and health? Will you love him and comfort him as lone as you both shall live?" He asked. Maria took the gold ring from the pillow and place it on Shadow's finger.
"I...I do." She said, trying not to crack her voice. Tails went over to stand by Sonic as the vows are about to end.
"By the power invested by me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The priest said. "You may now kiss the bride." Shadow lifts the veil and leans over to Maria's face. They embrace each other with a powerful, loving, passionate kiss. Everyone applauded as they rose from their seats. Charmy rose up in the air, cheering. Vanilla is drying her eyes as she held her daughter close.
"Congrats!" Hope cheered as she claps for the couple.
"That was beautiful." Scarlett spoke. Shadow and Maria broke the kiss and gaze at each other's eyes.
"Alright, everyone! Time to party at the reception!" Sonic announced. The room was soon to be cleared out, Shadow and Maria remain at the altar. Shadow nuzzles Maria's nose, making her giggle.
"Well, we should join the others, Shadow." Maria said.
"Yes, we must." Shadow said. He started to lift Maria in bridal style. "Allow me to escort you, my love." Maria smiled and wrap her arms around his neck. Shadow carried her out, planting kisses on her forehead.