Chapter 52
Jimmy
'Breathe,' Drake reminded me, as we were about to head outside. I know I was breathing shakily, but I could hardly control it. 'Drake, I,' I started, but he narrows his eyes. 'Don't make me punch you.' I rolled my eyes, 'it's not like I don't want to marry her, I'm just nervous, being King and all,' I started, but he shook his head. 'Just focus on Emma. Her entrance. Trust me, you will hardly see anything else.' I frowned, 'how would you know?' A blush rose to his cheeks, and he was about to say something, when Maxwell knocked on the door. 'Guys, it's time. The girls are ready and waiting!' My heart skipped a beat and I took a deep breath. Drake smiled big. 'Go time, buddy.'
I looked at him, and smiled slightly. 'I can't think of anyone else I'd rather share my wedding day with.' He smiled big. 'Same, brother.' We hugged quickly, and walked outside. The wedding ceremony itself would be small. Only our closest relatives and loved ones. The party however, would be grand. I knew I had nothing to complain about when it came to loved ones… but both my parents wouldn't be here today. I'd told Regina I didn't want my father to come, and my real mother was dead. My godfather Godfrey was in prison… but thankfully I still had Regina and Leo, whom I loved, both. They were smiling at me from the first row, together with Emma's parents. Drake's mom Bianca, her sister Leona and Bertrand were waving at Drake, and he blushed slightly. Mark and Bree were sitting next to Bianca, and they looked proud as well.
We walked down the aisle, and I looked at Tim, who stepped up as the officiant. 'The setting looks great, doesn't it?' I whispered to Drake. 'Hell, it's more romantic than I could've ever held possible,' he sighed, 'my cynical side is laughing at the rest of me right now.' I chuckled and shook my head. 'Just wait for Iris to enter, and you'll have forgotten about that side entirely.' A smile crept on his face. 'Definitely.' I looked around, and saw lanterns hanging between all the rows of grapes. The sun was setting, and it was time.
My legs were trembling as I took my place beside Tim. Because Tim was the officiant, Maxwell took his place as Drake's best man, and Leo walked up to take his place as mine. I smiled at my brother, who pulled me into a hug. 'Congrats, little brother,' he whispered. I smiled big.
And then it was time.
Music came through, and I saw Hana and Marie riding up in the distance, followed by Savannah and Lauren. They led their horses down the path, and stepped off as soon as they'd reached us. They led their horses to the side, and spurred them to gallop back. Everyone clapped… but then I saw them.
Emma and Iris, riding up to us in their white dresses. My hands started shaking, and I couldn't break the eye contact I already had with Emma… she looked stunning.
Her dress flowed in the wind, and the veil moved through the wind as if she moved in slow motion. Her smile was… a lump appeared in my throat, her smile was like a little piece of heaven. The lump was throbbing by the time she dismounted her horse with the help of her father. She kissed her father's cheek, and smiled big. 'It's time,' he said, and offered her his arm. She took it, and looked at me again. I smiled at her, feeling my eyes sting. The moment her father placed her hand in mine, a tear escaped my eye. 'Jimmy,' she whispered, and squeezed my hand. Her eyes started watering too, and Tim gasped slightly, trying to lighten the mood. 'Guys, not yet, you still have your vows!'
I shook my head and stuck my hands in the air. 'I'll never get through that with dry eyes, so.' Emma giggled and sniffed. 'Emma…' I said, and looked her up and down. 'You look so…' My voice broke. 'You are beautiful. So beautiful.' She broke down too, and we put our foreheads together. I cupped her cheeks, and we whispered a few words to each other. 'Need I remind you that you're not married yet?' Leo asked, tapping my shoulder. I felt a blush rise to my cheeks, yet grinned at Emma. 'Worth it.' She bit her lip, and smiled big.
'Dearly beloved,' Tim started, but I could hardly listen to his story. Something about finding love. I wanted to listen, sure, but I couldn't bear to pay attention to anything besides how gorgeous my soon-to-be wife looked. I wanted to kiss her, and take her into my arms… I wanted her to be my wife. Now.
And then it was time for the vows.
Emma
'We'll start off with Iris, then Jimmy, then Drake, then Emma. Okay?' Tim said. I nodded, and looked at Iris. Drake looked at her, lovingly, and whispered something about how immensely beautiful she looked and how much he loved her. She blushed, and took his hands in hers, smiling at him.
'Drake, this is exactly why I love you. I'm supposed to tell you how much I love you, but you've already said it, before I could even get to it. You never fail to show me how much you care about me… and I hope, by saying I do, that you know how much I care for you too. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. We haven't known each other for a very long time, which is why I feel like I should tell you a few things, before you say I do.' She paused, and grinned slightly. He looked surprised at first, but then he shook his head, his eyes amused.
'Drake. I feel like I should warn you about my love for broccoli,' she started, causing Tim to let out a laugh, which made our guests roar with laughter too. 'Don't laugh, it's real,' she frowned, 'and genuine. It's been there since the beginning of time.' Bree chuckled and nodded agreeingly. I grinned at Tim. 'My love for broccoli knows no boundaries, and if you marry me, I'll want to eat it. Often.' She pointed at me. 'Emma stopped me from having it as my bridal bouquet, actually.' I nodded at Drake, who was trying to contain his laughter. 'You're welcome.'
'Broccoli is not the only thing I have to warn you about. There's still the Jonas Brothers… but you know about them,' Iris said, and smiled slightly, 'I have a strange adoration for the number four, Pilou will always come first, and you have to know and accept that I'll never follow a recipe. Ever.' Drake couldn't hold his laughter anymore and shook his head, causing Iris to laugh as well. 'I will always sing when I'm in the car, I eat grapes in a really weird way, I'll always laugh at my own jokes, because… well frantically I think I'm hilarious,' she joked, poking Drake's side, 'and I'll probably always drive too fast. In your car.' He pretended to glare, but his laughter broke through again. 'I'll always have too many shampoo bottles in the shower, I'll go to the store and come home with many other things, besides the thing I'd actually go for. I'll always call myself mommy when I talk to Pilou, I'll definitely eat too much cake and ruin our wedding night, and finally… I'll always be your Valentine, even though I'm about to be your Walker.'
Everyone started clapping, and exulted as Drake cupped her cheeks and kissed her, while laughing. He shook his head, 'you nailed it, Valentine.' She cheered happily. Tim smiled big. 'Jimmy?' He asked.
Jimmy's eyes caught mine, and a blush rose to his cheeks. 'I apologise in advance for the upcoming tears,' he said softly, and smiled lovingly. I bit my lip and nodded at him, squeezing his hands. My heart was racing, his eyes were so genuine, and I could feel a lump in my throat already.
'Emma, my dearest,' he started, and squeezed my hands softly. 'My queen.' He took a deep breath, as his voice was raspy already. 'I can't believe we finally made it to the wedding. A part of me has been so scared the past few weeks, whether we'd even have a wedding to begin with… but here we are, and it's everything I've ever dreamt of.' He smiled, sending sparks down my spine. 'Even in the short period of time that we've known each other, we've known happiness. Terror, craziness… but throughout everything that's happened, I felt loved, which made me able to endure it all. I knew what I was fighting for… and what I'll always be fighting for.' A tear broke through and fell on his cheek, causing me to break too. I sniffed, and squeezed his hands somewhat tighter while gazing into his eyes. I was hardly aware of my surroundings… I only saw Jimmy. The love of my life.
'When I was younger, I envisioned my life with a family. In my fantasy, I wasn't a King, Leo was…' he turned around, looking at his brother and raised his eyebrows jokingly, 'but sure I had to swoop in and save the Kingdom from him.' Leo raised his thumb, causing everyone to laugh. I giggled, and Jimmy looked at me again, his thumb rubbing circles over the back of my hand. 'I have an entire Kingdom… but what's a King without a Queen? I had to get married, and I thought that it would be the hardest thing I'd ever have to do. Let me tell you one thing. The moment I saw you at Piloude… I knew for sure that marrying was the last thing on my mind. There you were, the most beautiful and amazing girl I'd ever met… and I'd never be able to take you out, or to get to know you. When you entered the competition… Emma, I…' his voice broke, and he swallowed hard, trying to get the words out. 'I finally realised what true happiness felt like.'
I frowned deeply to contain my tears, but it didn't work. Together, we broke down and smiled through our tears. 'Turns out that getting married is about the easiest thing I'll ever do.' He shot Drake a knowing glare, 'sure I was a never wreck before it commenced, but can you blame me after last time?' Drake stuck his hands in the air, and wrapped them around Iris again, soon after. Jimmy and I smiled. 'Emma, my dearest… we're here today, and I couldn't be happier. Thank you for giving me everything I've ever wanted… and more,' he said softly, and cupped my cheek. I swallowed hard, and shook my head. 'I love you, Jimmy,' I whispered, as the tears started rolling down my cheeks. I could hardly hear our guests exult as Jimmy's eyes were pierced into mine. 'I love you,' he whispered back, and kissed me. The kiss was sweet and tender, but I could feel all the passion we felt for each other shine through.
Tim coughed. 'That's super sweet, but I'm going to hand out penalties here.' 'To the King, really?' Iris joked. Tim grinned, 'was worth a shot.' Jimmy and I chuckled. He wrapped his arms around me, and we turned towards Drake. 'Oh hell,' he sighed, and smiled at Iris, 'I'm not that good with words.' She smiled lovingly. 'Give it all you've got.'
Drake
Fucking hell. I'd told her not to make me cry… but when she rode up to me on that horse, looking gorgeous as hell… I felt a bigger lump in my throat than I'd ever felt before. We married a few days ago, so this shouldn't be anything new to me… but I knew I could marry her twenty times and still feel overwhelmed by how much I loved her. The way her hair was down in curls, with flowers embroidered through it… the way her wedding dress fit her, the way it hugged her body and made her look like an angel… I… fuck I choked up.
I took her hands in mine when it was time to recite my vows, and squeezed them. Her loving look caused a lump to build in my throat, which I tried to swallow. 'From the moment you walked into this competition, Valentine, you've been in my head, and I'm unable to get you out.'
We'd already gotten married before… Get a grip, Walker. I let a strand of her hair glide through my fingers as I regained my composure. I coughed softly, to steady my voice.
'At first I tried so hard to fight you off… being distant and telling you I wasn't interested was difficult, and I didn't even succeed. You saw right through me, and made me feel like I mattered. You've been doing that ever since.' I paused to, yet again, get a grip. 'There's only a few things I could say to make you feel special, Valentine,' I started, 'I feel like I've said it all… I love you, I need you, I need you safe… but there's a few things I've never said before, and I think that those things need to be said now.' I paused and gazed into her green eyes, which were lit by the gentle light of the sun, setting above the hills surrounding Bellatio.
She raised her eyebrows slightly, curious where I'd be taking this story. 'First of all, and I will only say this once,' I started, and frowned. 'I like Pilou.' She gasped, and put her hand on her heart. Our guests started laughing, and I shook my head. 'Enjoy my honesty while it lasts,' I joked, and she giggled. 'You know I've only been around nobles while being a commoner myself… but if I had to Duke it up for someone, it would be you and you alone,' I told her, and she bit her lip while smiling and shaking her head. 'I like singing in the car, and if it makes you happy, hell, I'd even turn on the fucking Jonas Brothers,' I said, and looked at Mark. 'Truly sorry, but happy wife equals happy life, right?' Mark chuckled and raised his thumb, causing the other guests to laugh.
'Valentine, if you say I do today, I'll cook you the broccoli myself, I promise. I'll go to the store and get the thing you forgot,' I paused and grinned, 'after making fun of you of course.' She giggled, yet her eyes were glistening and she pressed her lips together to keep them from quivering. 'I'll build a shelf for all the shampoo bottles, you get the gist. I'll love you for who you are, even though you really dissect your grapes, and it's terribly weird.' She let out a laugh, and a few tears landed on her cheeks. I wiped them away, softly letting my thumbs brush her cheeks. 'You're mine, and I'm yours.' I pulled her closer, and kissed her passionately.
Our guests exulted again, and Tim sighed. 'Jeez, you can't kiss until I've pronounced you husband and wife, why don't you all get that?' I grinned at him, and shook my head. 'Please let me officiate your wedding.' 'No, let me,' Jimmy grumbled jokingly. Tim chuckled. 'Emma, your turn.' I smiled at Iris, and she shook her head, her eyes still watery. 'Damn it, Drake. You nailed it too,' she said softly. I smiled, and wrapped my arms around her. I kissed the side of her head, and glared at Tim while he glared at me. We chuckled, and grew silent when Emma coughed to steady her voice. She grabbed Jimmy's hands, and smiled up at him. I'd never seen Jimmy look this lovingly in my entire life, and it gave me goosebumps. All I'd ever wanted for my best friend.
'Jimmy… so much has been said already. Your vows were amazing, and I feel the exact same way about having arrived at our wedding. Finally. I can be cheesy and tell you how much I love you and why, but you already know all of that. I'm going to tell you a story of what our future is going to be like.'
She took a deep breath, and smiled while her lips were quivering. 'I see us, sitting by the fire, reading books. Exchanging them and reading parts before handing them back. I see us, travelling countries together, gaining allies together, standing strong against foes together. I see us take romantic outings together, every chance we get, because being King and Queen isn't an easy task, and we need to make time for our marriage.' She smiled slightly, and pointed at us. 'I see us celebrate Christmas with them, singing carols under the Christmas tree… and Drake wearing a Christmas hat, just to make Iris happy, but instead it makes you and me extremely happy, because we get to laugh seeing Sir Grumps-a-lot in a Christmas hat.' My mouth fell open, 'hey, I'm very lenient at Christmas!' Jimmy chuckled and nodded, 'that's true, now he's actually happy, I can see him smile.' Emma giggled and took a deep breath.
'I see us discussing pointless things, like the cake,' she grinned at Iris and Maxwell, 'and I see us laughing at silly things. Us being crazy together, watching movies together… and raising a child together.' She looked up at him, and I could see her eyes lit up with hope. 'Seeing Iris and Drake so happy, makes me excited to see what the future has in store for us… and honestly, I can't wait to have my own little family with you. Creating our own traditions, taking long strolls through the woods of Piloude… I can hardly wait for all of that to commence.' Jimmy smiled at her, and nodded. 'Me too, Emma. Me too.'
She smiled at him. 'Just because I want to be a little cheesy in the end, I'll tell you this.' She tilted her head slightly. 'The moment I saw you… I was so jealous of every Lady competing. I knew that if you'd give me a chance, I'd have no trouble loving you for the rest of my life… and I promise you that I'll do just that.'
Jimmy was frowning, and he swallowed hard, trying to fight the lump in his throat. 'I'll give you more than a chance,' he whispered, and pulled her close. 'Stop!' Tim called dramatically, before they could kiss. The guests laughed again, and Tim quickly bowed towards Jimmy and Emma. 'Emma, repeat after me. I, Emma Sophie Woodbury…' and so Emma repeated all the words Tim asked her to recite and ended by saying amen. She and Jimmy had to repeat, due to Jimmy's status as King, and Iris and I could just say I do.
'I have to say this according to the internet church,' Tim said, after Jimmy had repeated his words as well, 'so bear with me.' He coughed and frowned.
'I now pronounce you husband and wife.' Jimmy and Emma raised their eyebrows at him. 'You can kiss the bride!' Tim gasped, motioning them to kiss, finally. They laughed, and Jimmy spun Emma around, bent her back, and kissed her. Everyone exulted loudly, and Iris and Maxwell were jumping up and down next to me. I laughed and clapped even harder.
Tim looked at Iris and me now. 'Drake Walker, do you take Iris Naomi Valentine,' he started, but I didn't wait, just like last time. 'Yes, I do.' Maxwell handed me the ring, and I shoved it around Iris' finger. Tim chuckled, 'no, take it back and wait for me to finish.' I stared at him, causing Iris to burst into laughter. 'I'm serious,' Tim warned, and raised his eyebrows at me. 'You're enjoying your power too much,' I grumbled, and took the ring off Iris' finger.' She bit her lip, and tried to contain her laughter now.
'Drake Walker, do you take Iris Naomi Valentine to be your lawfully wedded wife?' Tim asked, then nodded at me. 'I do,' I said, and smiled at Iris as I put the ring around her finger. She blushed slightly and smiled happily. 'Iris Naomi Valentine, do you take Drake Walker to be your lawfully wedded husband?' Tim asked. 'Yes, I do!' She said lovingly. Savannah handed her the ring, and she put it around my finger. Tim smiled. 'I now pronounce you husband and wife. You can kiss her, Drake!'
I grinned as I tangled my hand in Iris' hair, and pulled her close.
'Come here, Mrs Walker,' I whispered against her lips. 'Make it a good one,' she whispered back. I smiled big and kissed her, more passionate than I ever had before.
