VIII
I do swear that I'll always be there
I'd give anything and everything and I will always care
Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow
For better for worse, I will love you
With every beat of my heart
From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on
From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love I'd give my last breath
From this moment on
I give my hand to you with all my heart
I can't wait to live my life with you
I can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on
You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment
I will love you as long as I live
From this moment on
From This Moment On, Shania Twain, featuring Bryan White
Mid-June, 2012
As their wedding day approached, Blair and Jo hadn't had to go crazy figuring out final guests lists, or who would be at the reception. This was to be a family affair, and, as Natalie had done before them, the wedding itself would be held in the Chapel on the campus of Eastland Academy.
Since this wouldn't be a religious ceremony, the wedding itself wouldn't last very long. As for who would officiate the ceremony, Judge Diane Ramsey had obtained the necessary credentials to officiate the wedding, much to the excitement of her daughter Dorothy.
On the alter, Natalie and Boots would stand next to Jo, while Dorothy and Bailey would stand net to Blair. DC would be the Ring-Bearer, while Gloria would be the flower girl. Jo knew one thing was bothering Blair, but her fiance hadn't mentioned it. She had an idea what it was, but finally got the nerve up to ask her soon-to-be wife what was on her mind.
The kids had gone to bed one evening, Jo tucking them in. When she exited their bedrooms, she saw Blair looking out the large bay window that adorned part of their living room. Jo smiled softly, walking up behind Blair, putting her hands around the blonde's waist. Blair leaned back into the love of her life.
"Penny for your thoughts, Warner?"
Blair chuckled. "I can't believe we're almost there, Joey. We'll be getting married at the place we first met, surrounded by all of those closest to us...it still hasn't hit me."
Jo kissed the back of her head. "I know whatcha mean, Princess", Jo echoed. "It's like a fairy tale, isn't it? I just can't wait for it. It's drivin' me crazy, ya know?"
"I know what you mean, babe", Blair said with a chuckle. "I can't wait either."
"Sooo if we both can't wait", Jo finally asked, "what's bothering you, love?"
Blair turned toward Jo. "You can always tell when something's bothering me, can't you?" She kissed Jo's lips softly. "We know each other so well."
"C'mon, blondie", Jo chided her gently, "get it off your chest."
Blair sighed. "I was just thinking that...well, it's been ten years, and I so wish..." Blair stopped as her eyes started to fill with tears.
Jo got it immediately. "You wish your father were here to give you away, right?"
Blair simply nodded and began sobbing, Jo taking her protectively into her arms. "It's okay, Princess", she assured her lover. "Let it out, baby. I wish he were here, too. He was always good to me-good to us."
"I don't let on much", Blair admitted, "or I try not to, but I miss him every day, Joey. I wish he were here to see us get married."
"I know, darlin'. I do, too, but I guarantee you he's looking down at us, smilin', and saying, 'it's about damn time'."
Blair laughed through her tears. "You have such a penchant for cheering me up at my lowest moments, Polniaczek", she said gratefully. "But I always wanted my father to give me away at a wedding."
The way the ceremony was set up, Blair would simply be waiting for Jo at the alter, with Charlie escorting Jo into the venue. While thinking of that, Jo suddenly smiled.
"Blondie", she said, cupping Blair's face, "I think I just had a brilliant idea."
June 23, 2012
Jo and Blair had separate "dressing rooms" in nearby buildings, Rose helping Jo, and Monica helping Blair. The two women had picked out their dresses together: they were matching silk dresses, Jo's was a shining black with a white sash around her waist, while Blair's was white, with a black sash around hers. Both were strapless, with the dresses both chapel length, giving them elegant looks.
They had their hair done up in almost identical up-do's, another choice they had made, with matching flowers adorning the back of their heads. It would make for a breathtaking scene. They had had a blast shopping together for the perfect outfits, Blair commenting that it was the first, and probably the last time Jo would enjoy shopping for clothes.
The bridesmaids were dressed in deep red silk dresses, their hair similarly adorned like the two brides. Blair and Jo had hired professional hairdressers to do everyone's hairs, including for Bailey, Rose, Monica, and even Gloria, who as an almost six-year old now had the time of her life receiving so much attention.
"Okay, Jo", Rose said nervously, "turn around for me, and let me take a look."
Jo rolled her eyes but did as her mother asked. "I ain't walking down a runway, Ma, you know that?"
"No", Rose countered, "you're doing something far more important-getting married." She fiddled with the dress a little, as well as the bouquet adorning Jo's hairs. "I think that's perfect, honey. I know you two have seen each other in the dresses, but not with all the accompaniments. Blair might faint seeing you."
Jo nervously giggled. "Unless I faint first", she responded. "Ma...I'm so happy today. I can't believe that after all this time, my dream of marryin' Blair is finally coming true."
"I know my dear", Rose said, trying to keep her composure. "You two have had such a long, painful, but in many ways, rewarding journey to get here. I'm so proud and happy for you."
"I love you, Ma", Jo said, gently hugging her mother, not wanting to mess up either of their outfits or hair.
"I may have not always shown it, Joanna, but I've always loved you."
"Oh, is Pa ready to go?"
Rose nodded. "He is. You don't know how excited he is to be doing all of this."
Jo smiled. "I knew he'd get a kick out of it when Blair and I talked to him about it."
Monica was fidgeting with Blair in much the same manner, maybe even more nervous than Rose. But there was no doubt in her mind that her daughter looked absolutely stunning.
"I must admit, my dear, that you and Jo did a wonderful job picking out the dresses, the hair styles-the whole nine yards. Everyone is going to look so gorgeous up there."
"Jo gets the credit for the hairstyles, that was her idea. We kind of compromised on the dresses, but I love how they compliment each other. I think we'll look pretty stylish if I do say so myself."
Monica chuckled. "That's the Warner way", she said with a bright smile. She became somber for a moment. "I do wish your father had lived to see this day, Blair."
Blair went to her mother. "So do I, Mother", she said softly, kissing Monica on the cheek. "But he's here with us, I'm certain of it. And he's proud of both of us, for how far we've come."
"I think he'd like how we figured out fulfilling his part in the ceremony. That was an excellent idea."
"I do, too", Blair said with even a bigger smile.
"You know Blair", Monica said softly, "over so many years, I gave you and Jo grief over your relationship, even long before you and Jo were a couple. Some of the things I said and did", she said regretfully. She held up her hand as Blair started to protest. "Let me finish, dear. After we almost lost you, I realized what a truly strong, courageous, caring woman Jo is. It took almost losing you to see it. What I'm trying to say, Blair, is I'm so very proud of you today, and I can't imagine you being married to anyone else."
Blair kept her composure, neither wanting to have to redo their makeup. "Thank you, Mother, that means everything to me. I love you so much." They hugged sweetly.
"I love you, too, my dear." She looked at her daughter, touching her cheek. "Now I think it's time you were escorted to the Chapel."
Everyone that Jo and Blair had invited were there. Some part of the ceremony, some the invited guests: Natalie and Dorothy, the other half of the Four Musketeers, were in the wedding party. Edna and Mark Browning, now married a few months; Richard Sennet and Dwight Freeman, Jo and Blair's "Guardian Angels", as Rose called them, were there, Richard with his wife Betsy, and Dwight with his now-fiance Alison Fournier; Evie Green was seated with Natalie's husband Curt; Rose and Charlie; Diane Ramsey would officiate the ceremony; Dennis Levine and Clarence Garner from Warner International; And Margaret Jones, CEO of the Warner-Polniaczek Foundation. And of course, Boots and Georgia, Boots in the ceremony, with Georgia the official photographer for the wedding and reception.
Those were the only ones Jo and Blair had wanted at their ceremony. No throngs of CEO's and corporate types. No media covering what Blair had always thought would be her "celebrity wedding". None of that was important now. All that mattered was that they were with family, and with each other.
The ceremony began with the mother's being seated on opposite sides of the aisle, Rose and Monica hugging before being seated. Then the bridesmaid's walked down the short aisle one at a time: Natalie first, then Tootie, followed by Bailey and Boots. Next came DC, the handsome and now quite tall young man who was going on ten. Then to everyone's delight, Gloria Rose Warner came down the aisle, a beaming smile on her face, throwing flowers from her basket, pictures being taken constantly. The little girl was eating it up.
Just outside the Chapel, Blair closed her eyes, calming herself, knowing that she was approaching the finest moment in her life. She had no nerves as she opened her eyes.
"Ready to go", the man next to her said, looking down at Blair.
"I am", Blair said. She turned briefly to him. "I want to thank you, dad, for agreeing to escort both of us in. You don't know how much it means to both of us."
"Your father, David, should be here today, honey. I'm just holdin' his place. And I'm proud to so. I love you, Blair."
"I love you too, dad. Shall we?"
Charlie held out his arm.
A few minutes later, Charlie was back outside where his own daughter was waiting. Seeing her looking more beautiful than she ever had, tears came to his eyes.
"Jo, you look just stunning, honey. I've always felt you're beautiful, but today, you look just radiant."
Jo's lips quivered, but she held back any tears from falling. "I feel more beautiful today than I ever had, Pa. I'm marrying the only person I've ever been in love with. That's special. And thanks for doing that for Blair."
"As I told her, I was just holdin' David's spot. He's smiling down on us today."
"I know he is, Pa. And right now, I'm not even nervous."
Charlie chuckled. "You might be when you see how stunning your bride looks."
Jo smiled. "And I want to see that right now, so let's get moving, Pa. I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart", he said, tenderly kissing her cheek. "I love you, too."
There was no organist for the ceremony, it wouldn't be that long, but they had set up a hi-fidelity sound system to play the per-ceremony music. When Charlie had escorted Blair down the aisle, "Ode to Joy" had played, Charlie kissing Blair as she arrived at the alter.
Now the room hushed. Dwight was running the music system from his seat. He saw movement just outside his sight line at the back entrance, and he clicked the mouse to start the main theme.
When the classic and traditional strains to "The Wedding March", the small gathering rose as one, and turned toward the door, as Charlie and Jo stepped through, both with radiant smiles on their faces. Jo's eyes sought out and immediately found the only eyes she wanted to see-those of Blair. Her heart literally skipped a beat. Blair looked like a true Princess in her white dress, with the flowers in her hair. Jo had never seen anything more beautiful in her life.
On the alter, Blair's breath hitched, almost breaking out into tears as the love of her life locked eyes with her. In her black dress, Jo was spectacularly beautiful, her green eyes blazing with love and passion-love and passion for her. The thought brought Blair again to the edge of tears.
Everything else in the Universe faded away for both women. Time seemed to stop for them, the only thing mattering is looking deep through the eyes into the soul of the other. They both thought about their journey to get to this moment: their first meeting; ending up in jail that first night; the many fights and the disdain they held for each other at first, that slowly, methodically led to mutual respect, then lifelong friendship, then everlasting love; their five-year separation that had nearly cost Jo her life, and had sent Blair into a deep depression; finding each other again; the auto accident that had almost cost Blair her life.
Through it all, they had remained steadfast in their devotion to each other, first as friends, later as partners, neither wavering in the face of countless crisis. Now, as they looked into each others' eyes, they could truly see forever, and forever meant that their love would endure far beyond their mortal life on this Earth.
The ceremony was short, with Judge Ramsey saying a few words in greeting. Rose Polniaczek read from the Old Testament, then Dorothy had read a passage from the New Testament. It wasn't a religious ceremony, but both felt it was important for them to thank God for the blessing they were sharing this day.
They hadn't written vows, although both had gone over in their head what they'd say to each other. Blair went first.
"My dear, sweet Joey. My barbarian", she added, as everyone laughed in the congregation, Jo blushing as Blair grasped her hands. "So many years ago, we met on this very campus, and I had no idea what to even make of you." Again everyone including Jo laughed. "You were this brash, tough-talking, no-nonsense girl that I had never seen the likes of. Yet after a few...interesting years, you and I became best of friends, doing almost everything together as we grew up. It wasn't until you were out of my life for five lonely years that I realized that you were more than just my friend-you were my other half, the other half that completed who I was. My best friend, my lover, my soul, my very reason for existing. I have never looked back since that epiphany.
"And so, Joanna Marie, I take you today as my wife, to finally fulfill a promise to you that we made when we committed to each other. I will be by your side every day I draw breath, and I will love you for eternity. I love you, Joey."
Blair slipped the ring on Jo's finger. Then Jo looked intensely at her partner.
"Blair Patricia, believe me, I didn't know what to make of you that first day we met", she quipped, the room exploding in laughter, Blair laughing the loudest. "In fact, I still don't." The laughter became louder, Blair almost doubling over. "But I found out that isn't a bad thing. I always call you Princess and blondie, and at first it was meant as a joke, now it's a sign of endearment and how much I love you. I knew years ago that you're the only person I wanted to love and to be with, the only one I wanted to share my life. Those five years I was on my own, the only thing that kept me going was the thought of you, and that maybe I'd get a second chance to see you again. You saved me, Blair, and I can never repay you, but this is the closest I can come to doing so.
"And so Blair Patricia Warner, I gladly take you as my bride, this ring a symbol of our eternal love for each other. Whatever is ahead of us, we will face it together, knowing our life together is stronger than anything the Universe can throw at us. I will love you til the end of all things."
With that, Jo put the ring on Blair, both of them looking up, eyes shining at each other, the beginning of tears forming in both.
"By the power invested in me by the State of New York", Diane Ramsey said, a wonderful smile on her own face, as she looked between the two women. "I pronounce your married. You may kiss your bride."
Jo and Blair had barely heard the words when their lips came together in the sweetest kiss either could remember, the tears now running down their face in pure joy.
"I love you, Joey!"
"Right back atcha, Princess!"
Blair laughed loudly, and kissed her wife again, as their friends and family cheered and clapped.
When it died down, Diane Ramsey spoke once more. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am so proud and excited to be the first to introduce to you Blair and Joanna Warner!"
Again the chapel erupted, as Blair and Jo kissed again, this time more tenderly.
"My Princess", Jo said with a loving smile.
"My barbarian", Blair answered with as much feeling as she had ever felt for anything.
Again, blocking the world around them out, they kissed deeply again.