Just a note: I wanted to write an actual ceremony and not just rush through it because I think the characters of Sean and Emma deserve to have a special ceremony. I looked up wedding scripts online to get an idea of things to say but I (obviously) wrote their vows myself. I hope this does them justice.
Sean woke up early on Boxing Day. He was so excited about the wedding he couldn't sleep later than 7 a.m. Sean quickly realized what a mistake it was to wake up that early because the wedding wasn't until 4 p.m. He made himself coffee and breakfast and looked around at his empty apartment.
"This is ridiculous. I'm seeing her later on today."
He turned on the TV and sat down at the coffee table with his breakfast and coffee. After a couple of moments, he got up, walked over to the Christmas tree, and grabbed his new journal and pen. Sean was going to write out everything he was feeling that morning.
Emma woke up around 8. She looked around the guest room of her parents' house and thought, "I'm getting married today."
She got out of bed and heard voices coming from the kitchen. She walked down, and Archie and Christine were sitting at the table.
"You guys are up early."
"Force of habit." Christine smiled, "So are you excited?"
"Very and also nervous. I can't believe I have to wait until 4 to marry him. This is going to be torture."
"He probably feels the same way."
"I feel bad. At least I have you guys to keep me company. Poor Sean is alone with a cat."
Sean ended up writing for close to an hour. He wrote so much that his hand cramped by the end of it. He filled up nearly ten pages of the journal.
Right as he was finishing up, his phone buzzed. It was a text from Emma.
"Good morning, husband to be. I hope you're okay with just Henry. I'm counting the minutes until we're married."
Sean smiled and typed back, "Good morning, beautiful. Henry's been pretty good company so far, and I'm also counting the minutes until we're married. I love you."
He finished his journaling and put the book on the table next to the couch. His phone buzzed again. "I love you too. Tick tock tick tock."
He laughed at the reference.
By noon Sean was climbing the walls. He needed to go out.
He sent a text, "Hey man, I need to get the hell out of this apartment."
"Say no more. I'll pick you up in 10."
"Awesome. Thank you."
Sean waited outside his building and smiled when the car showed up.
He opened the door and said, "Man, you have no idea how crazy I was getting in that apartment."
Jay smiled, "I get it. So what time is the ceremony again?"
"Dude, you're my best man, you should know this."
"I'm kidding."
Sean got in and said, "Where are we going?"
"Let's just get something to eat and hang out. I'll make sure you're back here by 2:30 so you can get ready, and we'll head over to Degrassi."
"Thanks."
When they walked into the restaurant, Sean texted Emma. "I was climbing the walls, so Jay took me out to lunch. Please don't leave your parents' house. I don't want to see you before the ceremony accidentally."
Emma's phone buzzed, she read Sean's message and laughed. "Mom, Sean just texted me. He's out to lunch with Jay and told me not to leave the house. He's afraid we'll run into each other."
Christine asked, "Is he at the Dot?"
"No. But he's still worried."
"Tell him I won't let you leave until it's time to get to Degrassi."
Emma texted him back.
Sean's phone buzzed. "She says her mom won't let her out of the house until it's time to head to Degrassi."
"Good, now chill, man."
Sean asked, "Were you the picture of calm on your wedding day?"
"Of course, because I was sure I wanted to marry her."
Sean smiled, "I'm definitely sure about this. I've wanted to do this since we were kids."
After lunch, Jay went to his hotel suite to pick up his suit and took Sean back to his apartment.
"I figure we'll get ready together in case your hands are shaking so much you can't fix your shit."
Sean laughed, "Thanks, but I think I'll be able to dress myself."
When they walked into the apartment, Jay whistled, "Man, what a place. Good for you, Cameron."
"Thanks."
Jay walked over to the wall next to the TV and looked at the framed picture, "This is a great shot of you two."
"Your wife took it."
"Did she?"
"Yep. I got it blown up and made into a black and white print. It was one of Emma's Christmas presents."
"And I'm sure she loved it."
"Yes, she did." Sean walked over to the master bedroom, "I'm getting dressed now. You can use that bedroom over there."
"Gee, thanks."
Sean walked to the closet and took out his dress uniform. He looked it up and down and inspected every part of it. It was bittersweet looking at that uniform. Being in the Army changed Sean's life for the better in some respects; it's what's allowed him to have his shop, but being a soldier also made his life a lot worse. He hoped that wearing it for such a special occasion would put his experience in a positive light again.
After Sean finished getting dressed, he stepped in front of the mirror and fixed himself.
"May I come in?" Jay was standing at the door.
"Yeah."
"Cameron, you handsome devil."
Sean laughed, "You clean up pretty well yourself." He checked himself and made sure everything looked right. "So, I'm all good?"
Jay looked him over and nodded, "Yep. Perfect."
"Good." Sean opened his bedside table and took out a box. He opened it to make sure the cargo was inside. It was. He closed the drawer, turned to Jay, and said, "Be careful with these."
"Scout's honor."
"You were a scout?"
"Yes," Jay took the rings from Sean, "For a few weeks in third grade."
Sean laughed.
"Let's go and get you married, Seany."
Emma looked at herself in the mirror and made sure everything looked perfect. Manny walked into the room and smiled.
"Do I look okay?"
"You look beautiful, Emma."
"Good."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Emma walked over to her mom's dresser and put on the earrings Sean bought her.
"Are you sure?"
Emma looked at Manny, "Sean said he's fine with this being my second wedding, but I'm not."
"Em, that is ancient history. Everyone has moved on. And Spinner had no problem getting remarried."
"Spinner is a guy."
"Emma," Manny walked over and placed her hand on her best friend's hand, "Sean doesn't have a problem with it so you shouldn't have a problem with it. Get those thoughts out of your head. Think of Sean and think about how much you love him."
"You're right. You're totally right." Emma picked up her bracelet and necklace and asked, "Can you help me with these?"
"Of course." Manny closed the clasp on Emma's bracelet and walked around her to put on the necklace. "So these are your something new, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay." Manny walked over to her purse and took out an antique comb, "This was my grandmother's, and I think it fits as something old and something borrowed."
After Manny handed it to her, Emma inspected the comb, "Manny, this is gorgeous."
"I figured it could hold your veil in your hair."
"Thank you so much."
Christine knocked on the door and smiled. "Oh, Emma, you look beautiful."
"Thanks, mom."
"So Manny showed me the something old and something borrowed a few days ago, so it was my task to find you something blue." She held up a garter.
"Mom…"
Christine smiled, "What? It's tradition, right?"
"True." She took it from her mom and looked at it, "This is a gorgeous shade of blue."
"Isn't it great? I believe they call it peacock blue. Do you need help getting it on?"
"No, I'm fine." Emma slipped it up her leg. "Almost ready. Just have to put on the veil."
"I can help you with that." Christine walked behind Emma, and Manny handed her the comb and the veil. "Just give me a minute, and we'll make it look beautiful."
"Okay." As Emma waited for her mom to finish, she looked at the clock. "It's almost time to go."
When Sean got to Degrassi, he peeked inside the gym and said, "Wow."
Jay joined him and agreed, "This old place looks pretty good."
"I can't believe they were able to do this. I think Emma's going to love it."
"Hey boys," Archie sauntered up to Jay and Sean, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay."
"You look very dashing in that uniform, Sean."
Sean laughed, "Thanks, sir. So you think Emma will like it?"
"She'll love it." He looked at the clock. "Okay, time for you to go wait for your bride's arrival. We don't want any accidental viewings."
Sean nodded.
"Come with me."
Emma looked at the main doors to Degrassi and took a deep breath.
"Em, are you okay?"
She nodded.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Today felt like the longest day ever." She turned to Manny, "I can't believe this is finally happening."
Manny smiled. "Okay, let's get you to the girls' change room."
Emma nodded.
Sean was pacing in the boys' change room when he heard Emma and Manny's voices. "Oh, good, she did show up."
Jay laughed.
"Man, I don't want to screw up my vows."
"You won't. You have wanted to say these vows for decades now, Seany. You'll know exactly what to say when you look at her."
Sean nodded. "Um, I'm going to do something my therapist taught me to do when I'm stressed out."
"Okay."
"So, don't say anything and let me do it."
"No problem."
Sean started his breathing exercises, and Jay watched him. After a few moments, Sean was relaxed and ready to go.
"Feeling better now?"
"Yes, let's do this."
Emma and Manny were in the girls' change room doing last-second touch-ups.
"Now that I'm here, I'm not as nervous."
"Good! Because you have nothing to worry about. You're about to marry the love of your life, Emma."
Emma smiled and nodded, "Yes, I am."
There was a knock at the door, "Can I come in?"
"Yes, dad."
Archie walked into the room and smiled, "You look gorgeous, Em."
"Thanks."
He asked, "So are you as excited as the groom is?"
"Yes, I am." She added, "So he's excited?"
"Yes, he is. And by the looks of it, a bit nervous."
Emma laughed, "Poor Sean."
Sean and Jay made their way to the stage. The minister was already there, and the boys introduced themselves.
A nice-sized crowd had gathered for the wedding. The wedding planner had chairs set up in front of the stage, and the tables for the reception were behind them. After the ceremony, the area in front of the stage will become the dance floor. They decorated the room in black, white, gold, and silver. White fabric hung down like a tent over the gym floor, and it covered the parts of the walls.
Sean looked at Jay, "Is it time?"
Jay looked back towards the girls' change room, and the door opened, "Yep, she's on her way out now."
"Do I turn around now?"
"You can if you want to, or you can make it like a royal wedding and wait until she's next to you."
"I want to see her." Sean turned around, and just as he did, Emma was making her way out of the girls' change room.
Emma walked out into the gym, and as soon as she made eye contact with Sean, her heart skipped a beat, and the butterflies started fluttering in her stomach.
Jay leaned over to Sean and whispered, "She looks beautiful, man."
Sean nodded and didn't take his eyes off Emma as she made her way toward the stage. He didn't see anyone else or hear anything. Sean just focused on Emma until his eyes filled with tears, and she became blurry. He let the tears fall and smiled at her when she made it up to the stage.
Emma's dress was a white, lace sheath dress that had a boatneck collar and a low back. She had a silver belt around her waist and wore white lace flats so she wouldn't be taller than Sean.
She looked at Sean the whole way up to the stage. When she made it and was standing in front of him, she giggled.
He whispered, "You look stunning."
She whispered back, "You look so handsome." She handed her bouquet to Manny, and the minister started his sermon.
"Good afternoon, everyone! From this place, where our Bride and Groom first met as students and where their love began and blossomed, we take ourselves out of the usual routine of daily living to witness a unique moment in the lives of Sean and Emma. Today they join their lives in the union of marriage."
The minister continued, "I have to say, I was a little surprised by the location of this wedding because it's a bit unusual, but when I learned more about Sean and Emma's lives, I realized this was the only place they could ever get married." Sean and Emma smiled at each other, "To all their guests, they are happy to share this moment with you. They have known most of you for many years. You watched them grow up, you went to school with them, or you worked with them. Because you are the ones who have supported them and known them so well, it is only fitting that you are the ones to share this once-in-a-lifetime moment with them."
Sean squeezed Emma's hands and winked at her.
The minister continued: "Sean and Emma are pleased to have Emma's parents, Archie and Christine parents in the front row, close to them for the ceremony. Emma thanks her mother for providing her with every opportunity possible and being the best mother anyone could ask for."
Christine smiled at Emma.
"A wedding day is often a day when couples miss family members no longer with them. For Sean and Emma, there are family members whose memories they hold dear. Sean's parents are departed, but I'm sure they're looking down and smiling on their son. And Sean and Emma would also like to take the time to mention their friend JT Yorke who they know would be here hamming it up during the reception."
Liberty and Toby shared a smile.
"And so it is that Sean and Emma present themselves to be married today, surrounded by the people they love the most. As Sean and Emma prepared for the ceremony part of this wedding celebration, they reflected on what it is that they love about each other. And this was the easiest part of planning this wedding! Emma's mother, Christine, told me lots of stories about Sean and Emma. And I have to say; it's so nice to be officiating the wedding of two people who have loved each other practically their whole lives. Two people who have found their way back to each other after such a long time apart."
The minister continued, "So we come now to the words Sean and Emma want to hear the most today, the words that take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married. A marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and it is entered into with the desire and hope that it will last for life."
He looked at Sean and Emma and said, "Before you declare your vows to one another, I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today."
They both nodded.
"Sean, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Emma in marriage? If so, answer 'I do.'"
Sean smiled at Emma and said, "I do."
"Emma, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Sean in marriage? If so, answer 'I do.'"
Emma smiled at Sean and said, "I do."
"Sean and Emma, having heard that you intend to be married to each other, I now ask you to declare your marriage vows." He laughed, "This is where I would tell you to face each other and hold hands, but you're already doing that."
The wedding guests laughed.
The minister looked at Sean and nodded.
Sean blushed, "Okay, guess, I'm going first."
Everyone laughed again.
"Emma," He looked at her, "I've loved you practically since the day I met you. You were always so sure of yourself and what you believed in. You never wavered, and you always stood up for what you thought was right. I can remember the day I fell in love with you as clearly as if it happened yesterday. We were in Ms. Kwan's class and well, let's just say you became a woman that day,"
The guests laughed, and Emma blushed.
"But you didn't back down when JT and Toby were teasing you, and you announced to the class what had happened and why you had to wear those gym shorts that were about five sizes too big for you. I watched in awe as you stood up for yourself and then gave your book report as if nothing had happened. I knew that day that we'd be together. We've both gone through a lot since then, and we missed out on a lot of time, but I never forgot about you, I've always loved you, and I always wished and hoped that we could be together again someday. That's what kept me alive when I was overseas."
Emma rubbed his fingers with her thumbs, and Sean's eyes teared up.
"The thought of getting you back and being with you again. It kept me from giving up. I carried our picture with me everywhere I went. I'd take it out when there was a lull, and I'd stare at it. I'd think about our times together, but I also imagined more times together." He paused then said, "The morning you walked into the coffee shop was one of the best days of my life because I knew right then and there that we were going to be married and that we were going to spend the rest of our lives making up for that lost time." He took a deep breath and shook some of the tears out of his eyes, "Emma, I adore you, I love being with you, and I love being in love with you. I love cooking for you, and I love just sitting and watching TV with you. You make me happy, and you made me want to live again."
Emma choked back a sob, and Sean continued. "I want to be the best husband I can for you. I want to grow old with you, and I want to take care of you every day for the rest of our lives."
The minister smiled and said to Emma, "Your turn."
The wedding guests laughed again, and Emma had to compose herself.
She looked at Sean, took a deep breath, and said, "Sean, that morning when I saw you sitting in the coffee shop, staring off into space, I couldn't believe my eyes. I had hoped and prayed that I'd see you again, but it didn't happen for so long, and after a while, I was afraid it never would. But then it did, and I was thrilled. I tried to act cool when I walked up to you, but inside I felt like I was 12 again. I knew from the moment I saw you that we'd be together and that I wasn't going to let you go, ever." Sean wiped a tear from her face, "I'm pretty sure I fell in love with you the first day you showed up in our Media Immersion class. Dad asked you to tell the class about yourself, and you said, 'No.'
Everyone laughed.
"You were so confident that day. I was in awe of you. You were the rebel to my good girl, and we just clicked. You stood up for me, and you supported me when I was trying to save the environment even though it wasn't your thing. And you had a soft side that you didn't let a lot of people know about at first. And yes, we've had some brutal breakups, but we also had some fun makeups, and I was always sure that you cared about me no matter what was going on in our lives."
Sean smiled at her.
"And you are right. We have lost a lot of time, but I promise you that we will make up for it. I love being with you and being in love with you. I sit at work, counting the minutes until I can see you again and just be with you. I love falling asleep in your arms and waking up to your love notes in the morning when you leave early for work." Sean blushed, "Should I not have said that?"
Everyone laughed.
Sean joked, "It's fine."
"Oh, good." Emma smiled and continued, "You are the most thoughtful and kind person I know. You take care of me when I'm not feeling well. You even learned vegetarian recipes so you can cook for me even though you're still not a vegetarian." Sean smiled, "I love everything about you, Sean, and you've gone through so much to get to this place in your life. I am so proud of the man that you've become. I cannot wait to be your wife and to have your children and grow old with you. And I cannot wait to take care of you every day for the rest of our lives."
The minister said, "Having this love in your hearts, you have chosen to seal your vows by exchanging rings."
Sean looked at Jay, and Jay reached into his pocket to grab the rings. He handed them to the minister who continued.
"From the earliest times, the circle has been a sign of completeness. The rings that you have chosen to wear have neither beginning nor end, much like your love for one another. They are a symbol of the words that you speak today. May these rings be from this day forward, your most treasured adornment, and may the love they symbolize, be your most precious possession. As you wear these rings, may they be constant reminders of these glad promises you are making today."
The minister handed Emma's ring to Sean and said, "Sean, take this ring, place it on Emma's finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you."
Sean placed the ring on Emma's finger and said, "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you."
The minister handed Sean's ring to Emma and said, "Emma, take this ring, place it on Sean's finger and repeat after me. I give you this ring as a symbol
of my love and faithfulness to you."
Emma smiled, placed the ring on Sean's finger, and said, "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you."
"Sean and Emma, from this moment forward, you will never be alone. You will carry with you the love of another person, giving you completeness and renewed lightness. May your life together be immersed in love and excitement. May you strive to enrich each other in every possible way. And may you work to bring the peace you find to this world."
He continued, "Everyone has advice for newlyweds. Sean and Emma, I offer these good wishes to you on this special day. May your life together be blessed with prosperity and good health. May you always share open and honest communication. May you respect each other's talents and gifts and give full support to each other's professional and personal pursuits. May you cherish the home and family you will create together. May all the years to come be filled with moments to celebrate and renew your love. May your love be a life-long source of excitement, contentment, affection, respect, and devotion for one another."
Sean and Emma smiled because they knew what was coming next.
"And so now by the power vested in me, it is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife. You may seal this declaration with a kiss."
Sean and Emma took a step toward each other, and they kissed.
"I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Sean Cameron!"
Everyone stood and clapped as Sean and Emma kept on kissing. When they finally pulled away, Sean looked at Emma and said, "We did it."
"We sure did."
"I love you."
"I love you too."