Chapter I
''John? Where are you, mate?!'' Robert Crawley walked into his best friend's bedroom, adjusting his bowtie for what was likely the sixth time in the last 15 minutes.
''I'm in here!'' John Bates's cheerful voice could be heard from the other side of the bathroom door.
''Well, hurry up - the limo is here,'' Robert said, and checked his reflection in the large wall mirror. ''We need to be there before the bride, or everyone will think you've changed your mind.''
''Never,'' John chuckled, appearing in the bedroom at that moment. ''So? What do you think?'' he asked shyly. ''Will I do?'' He was wearing his firefighter uniform, which only made him look even more handsome than he usually did. Broad shoulders, dark hair, hazel eyes, a gorgeous smile, and a body to die for were only a few of John's many attributes that made women's knees buckle when he walked past them. Yes, he was handsome - even dreamy, some might say - but John Bates never thought of himself that way at all.
''Oh, yeah! Perfect!'' Robert exclaimed. ''She is one lucky woman!''
''I think we all know that I'm the lucky one,'' John smiled, and walked to the bedside cabinet to get his wristwatch.
Robert's eyes followed him across the room. After a pause, he asked, ''Have you heard from her?''
''No,'' John said quietly, and shook his head. ''I wrote and phoned, but...she knows where to find us, doesn't she?''
''Doesn't it bother...''
''Robert, please...just leave it.'' John looked up, and the steel in his eyes was enough to make Robert drop the subject.
''All right...but no matter what, I just want you to know that I'm glad this is finally happening for you.''
''Thank you, Robert,'' John said, his voice cracking slightly. He was so grateful that he had the Crawley family in his life, especially Robert and his wife Cora. They were his best friends, and he could not imagine his life without them.
''Yes, well...'' Robert coughed self-consciously, then stepped in front of him with a huge smile on his face. ''Ready, Johnny boy?'' He rested his hands on John's shoulders. ''Ready to spend the rest of your days with this special lady of yours? You lucky bastard.''
''I'm ready!'' John laughed.
''Let's go, then! We can't leave the bride waiting at the altar!'' Robert sang, walking out of the room.
''We surely can't.'' John smiled to himself and checked his inner breast pocket for the gold band before following Robert outside and into the limo, which immediately pulled away and headed to the church.
xXx
''...I was lost before you walked into my life. You have taught me so many things in the past few years, John. How to love, forgive, and accept myself for who I really am. You believed in me...in us...when no one else did.'' A tear slipped down her cheek as she recited her vows. ''And, for that alone, I'll love you forever.''
John had thought that the vows he'd written were meaningful, but nothing could come near the words she had just spoken. They were perfect...she was perfect...and it made his heart lurch to think that he had almost lost her.
The vicar smiled when she was done, turning again to John. ''Now, the groom…please repeat after me. I, John Patrick Bates...''
''I, John Patrick Bates...'' John beamed like a little boy. There were no words that could possibly express how happy and in love he was in this moment.
''...take thee...''
''...take thee...''
He gazed directly into her clear blue eyes, wanting to let her know that he was completely committed, in both bad and good times.
''...Vera Jane Kennedy...''
''...Vera Jane Kennedy...''
...
my wonderful partner in crime ANNAMBATES! THANK YOU***
hello reader! :D