December 4, 2004 - The Wedding Part 2
...
The Scoobies didn't have too much to do, everything was still set up from earlier, the food was still covered and the cake safely stored in the refrigerator.
The earthquake only knocked over a few plants, some folding chairs and a few glasses.
Xander and Oz made sure the tent was secure.
Giles and Faith made sure everything was set up for the reception.
Once the physical work was done, everyone rushed to get cleaned up and redressed.
...
Angel awoke when he heard Connor call his name.
"Dad? You awake?"
Angel groaned and sat up, "Yeah, what's up?" He asked rubbing sleep from his eyes.
Connor looked at him a moment, "Well unless you are planning to get married in sweatpants…"
Angel turned and glanced at the clock, 4:14pm.
"Oh, right, uhh…need to get dressed. Thanks Con."
Angel bolted out of bed and opened his closet to get the garment bag, containing his tux, hanging on the hook.
He then rushed into the bathroom to dress while Connor shock his head laughing, he got his dad's shoes and began to shine them.
...
Angel stepped out the bathroom and glance in the mirror. His hair was a mess, bedhead.
'That's what I get for taking a nap with wet hair...'
He didn't really care that much, but Buffy would have an aneurism if he showed up for pictures like this.
Connor stepped up beside him, "Nice dad, going for the fresh from the honeymoon look?"
Angel sent him a glare, "Don't make me ground you."
The young man laughed at the idea and grabbed some hair gel from the bathroom and made his father sit so he could work it in.
"Gel? Really? I don't know if that's such a great idea." Angel said, concerned about how it would look.
"Trust me" his boy insisted.
"If Buffy goes into Slay mode, I'm using you as a shield." Angel joked.
...
A few minutes later Angel and Connor descended the stairs, heading out to the tent to socialize and get ready for the ceremony.
As soon as he entered the tent, Angel's heart began to race. 'Just a few more minutes, and I'll be marrying Buffy.'
He frowned. 'Oh god, I hope I don't faint. Oh shit, even worse…what the hell were my lines? Crap, I'm so going to screw this up.'
He looked around nervously; Oz sent him a reassuring thumbs up.
...
Angel felt a sudden slap against his back that forcing a good deal of the breath from his lungs.
"Hey Angel! Relax, you look like your about to pass out." Faith said as she faced him.
'Could be because you slapped the breath out of me.' He thought annoyed. "No, I'm good. Just a little nervous I guess." he lied.
She nodded, "Well if you do decide to collapse, don't do it on me. Last thing I need is B thinking I'm stealing her man…again. Chick has some serious jealousy issues sometimes, ya know?"
"Ahh, yeah. Sometimes." He answered back uncomfortably, but also knowing Buffy did have a tendency to give the 'evil eye' to any beautiful woman that spoke to him.
Granted it wasn't unheard of for him to get jealous of handsome men in Buffy's life either.
Angel glanced over across the room and found a familiar green face.
"Excuse me." He said to her and quickly made his way over to his friend.
"Lorne, glad you made it!" Angel said as he held out his hand to shake.
"Angel-cakes!" The green skinned demon cheered as he bypassed the offered hand and grabbed Angel in a bear hug.
"Of course I made it, like I would miss your wedding! How is the 'frosting to your cake' anyways? Heard you two have a little cinnamon bun in the oven."
Angel sighed, "For the last time Lorne, please don't refer to me, or my family, as pastries."
Lorne just smiled, "Of course, I need to start watching my calories intake anyway." He said pulling on the tight lip of his pants. "Oh, by-the-way, we'll be talking later about the DJ choice, Angel-eyes." Lorne warned then walked off to take a seat.
...
Everyone began to take their places, the ceremony was going to begin at 4:45pm, so it would end right as the sun was setting and the most brilliant colors would be blazing in the sky.
The clock ticked to 4:45pm and the DJ pressed play on the wedding music.
Angel took his place at the front of the gazebo and tried to calm his erratic heartbeat.
'I've never been more nervous in my life! And I've had a long life...and a lot to be nervous about.'
The wedding party slowly began to file down the isle, Willow and Oz walked arm and arm between the few chairs of guests.
Willow's dazzling shamrock green dress flowed along as she walked.
Buffy chose her bridesmaids to have full skirt, off the shoulder dresses with a draped neckline.
'This dress is so amazing, so much better than that horrid thing Anya had made me wear.' She thought as she glanced over at Xander, suddenly sad she thought what she did, since Anya was no long among the living.
A second later Willow broke from Oz and stood on the opposite side as Oz took his place a few steps behind Angel. The groom gave them both a quick smile and a nod before he looked up to watch Dawn and Connor make their way to the front.
Dawn looked equally fabulous in her dress, almost identical to Willows, but with an added matching sash around the waist to signify 'maid of honor'.
As she past him, Dawn laid a quick kiss on Angel's cheek before she took her place next to Willow.
Connor patted Angel arm as he stood next to him, "Hey dad, remember you need to breathe."
Angel nodded and took a deep breath. "Yeah, thanks."
Angel's attention shifted to the back of the tent as the wedding march music began, those in the audience stood and got ready for the bride.
...
Buffy was shaking, 'Oh, god, I'm so nervous.' "
What if I trip?" she said panicked to Giles.
'Why did I think high heels and pregnant were mixable?'
He turned to her, "Relax Buffy, you won't. Just look at Angel and I'm sure everything else will just fade away."
She grimaced, "Yeah, thus major trippage."
'Oh, I am so going to screw this up.'
"I'll be standing right here." Her watcher said while linking her arm with his, "Guiding you as always."
She turned her gaze up to him and smiled, drawing strength from him.
"Just because I'm giving you away in marriage, doesn't mean I'll be giving you away in my heart."
She leaned against him for a moment, breathing in and out as he taught her years ago to focus herself. After a moment she tightened her grip on his arms and walked forwards, "I'm ready, let go make me a wife."
...
A gasp went thought the wedding party and guests as Buffy emerged from the doorway and into the improve isle.
No one had ever seen her look more beautiful; her dress almost glowed in the fading sunlight, her make-up was natural, highlighting her featured perfectly, and her honey blond hair was pulled up high on her head, tendrils of curls framed her face, which was lit with a smile that could make the sun look dull by comparison.
Angel felt his knees weaken.
He took a deep, much needed, breath to chase away the white haze that threatened to consume his consciousness.
'Wow, she looks like a…a Goddess. I'm marrying a Sun Goddess.'
He forced himself to stand straight; he wasn't going to let him passing out at the sheer sight of her ruin their second attempt to marry today.
...
She smiled as she entered the room, her eyes drawn to his like a moth to a flame. The nervousness she felt just moments before faded away.
Giles had been right, all she saw was Angel standing at the gazebo alter, his gaze glued to hers.
As she walked towards him she noticed him visibly pale. She worried he was going to faint, but he seemed to pull himself together after a moment.
...
Giles stopped right at the first row of seats, noticing both of them too focused on one other to remember how this was supposed to go, he gently took Angel's hand in his left and Buffy's hand in his right.
They both broke eyes contact to look at him, a little embarrassed they were zoning out already.
The Watcher took Buffy's hand from his own and put it into Angel's right, officially handing her off to her soon-to-be-husband.
"As you know, Buffy means the world to me; I take it you will take good care of her, yes?" Giles asked Angel, worded closer to a command than a question.
Angel squeezed Buffy's hand, "I will." He said to the watcher.
A second later Giles shook Angel's free hand, lifted Buffy's veil back and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and then took his seat in the audience.
...
Angel and Buffy walked the few steps to the alter, she smiled at her friends as she passed, handing Dawn her bouquet as she went.
Together, hand in hand, the couple stood in front of the priest and the ceremony began.
...
The minister stepped forward and addressed the witnesses.
"Friends, Angel and Buffy have invited us here today to share in the celebration of their marriage. We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists. Love is the eternal force of life. Love is the force that allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage. This marriage is but one expression of the many varieties of love."
He turned to the couple standing in front of him.
"Angel and Buffy, in the days ahead of you, there will be times of difficulty and conflict. When you find yourselves in these situations, I ask you to reflect on this marriage advice:
Let your love be stronger than your anger.
Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than to break.
Look for the best in your beloved rather than the worst.
Confide in your partner and ask for help when you need it.
Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.
Give your spouse the same courtesies and kindnesses you bestow on your friends.
Say "I love you" every day."
The misister looked to all present, "The couple has asked me to read, from Sonnets from the Portuguese, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Number 43.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old grief's, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death."
...
He put down the book and turned to the audience.
"Now, let us get to the part we are all waiting for." He said with a smile and began the vows.
...
"Buffy, please face Angel, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, they are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you.
These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.
These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family
These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wracks your mind.
These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you."
A tear ran down her cheek, so completely moved by the words. In response to it, Angel gently wiped it away, reinforcing the truth of the vows.
...
"Angel, please hold Buffy's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you've both had a long hard day.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized."
...
The Minister turned to Angel, "Now Angel, you have words you wish to express to Buffy?"
Angel nodded and looked into her eyes, all the nervousness she saw earlier was gone, and all she could see in his eyes was love and joy.
"Buffy, When we first met, the thought of us together was crazy and impossible. I tried to hide my feelings and did successfully, yet painfully. But still we became closer over time and my feelings only strengthened. Then one ordinary day turned extraordinary when you confessed you had feelings for me. I told you how I felt and then you kissed me. I knew it was wrong but it felt so... right, like we were meant to be together.
You made me feel like everything was going to be alright. I couldn't believe that someone as beautiful and wonderful as you would love something like me back. Sometimes I still can't.
Yeah, it wasn't 'Happily ever after' when it first happened, but it laid the foundation for us to build upon. It's been 7 years since that amazing day and I feel for you exactly the same as I did then, I love you just as much, if not more. Before you, my life was empty, meaningless. I was lost and alone, I had no sense of purpose or being, no comprehension of family, love, friendship or honor. I thought it would be like that forever. But after we got together I was happier than I have ever been, you gave my life meaning, a purpose, a destiny.
Where there has been cold, you have brought warmth, where my life was VERY dark, you have brought light. You filled the empty spot in my heart. I can't imagine living without you again, and I won't. I'll gladly spend the rest of my life with you.
That's why I could never love anyone but you, you've always see me for who I am. You've seen me at my best, you've seen me at my worst and you never once looked away.
Today I am the luckiest man alive. I love you more than I can ever tell you or show you, and will love you forever and always."
...
Tears were running down her face long before he finished talking, but every word was burned into her memory. 'God, I want to kiss him so badly right now'
When he finished the minister turned to Buffy. "Now Buffy, you have words you wish to express to Angel?"
Buffy nodded and looked into his eyes, all the nervousness he saw earlier was gone, and all he could see in her eyes was love and joy.
"Angel, I will always remember the day we first met, the day I kicked some cryptic wise guy in the head for following me. The very same day I lost my heart to you. Even though I had no idea who you were, what you were, I think I loved you. I saw your smile, and I just knew I wanted more. Then after I found out about you, I knew it was impossible, we could never make it work. We tried not to love one another, but it didn't help, we were already hooked. Our love was never an easy love, it cost us both more that we can ever say, but it has also given us more than we can ever express. So what can I say to you that I haven't already said? What can I give you that I haven't already given? Is there anything of me that isn't yours already? My body, my mind, my heart, even my soul, everything that is me belonged to you long before this. And it shall be yours long after this. I will go wherever you will go. Hand in hand and heart in heart. Whatever may lay ahead, good or bad, we will face it together. Because together we are strong, together there is nothing we can't accomplish.
All I ever wanted was you. Because of you, I laugh, I smile, I dare to dream again. Because of you, I see hope for the future. I had never thought about the future before you, I never wanted to, but now when I look into the future, all I see is our family. The family I'll make with you.
That's why I could never love anyone but you, you've always see me for who I am. You've seen me at my best, you've seen me at my worst and you never once looked away.
Today I am the luckiest woman alive. I love you more than I can ever tell you or show you, and will love you forever and always."
...
Tears shown unshed in Angel's eyes. He was never happier than this moment.
'Correction, when I am finally kissing Buffy after this much too long of a day, I will never be happier, than when I am finally kissing my wife.'
The minister nodded, "Alright guys, hang on for just a few more minutes."
They both smiled and laughed a little, even the minister could tell they were about to jump one another.
"Angel, do you take Buffy to be your wedded wife? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health? And forsaking all others, be faithful only to her so long as you both shall live?"
"I do." He answered.
"Buffy, do you take Angel to be your wedded husband? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health? And forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?"
"I do." She answered.
"Angel, remove the ring from Buffy's right hand and place it on her left." The Minister prompted which Angel did eagerly.
"With these hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my love." He said and slipped the silver Claddagh ring on her left ring finger, heart facing in. "I begin my life with you today knowing that we have developed a trust and commitment that is strong enough to last through good times and bad. With this ring, I offer you my hand, my heart, and my soul as I know they will be safe with you."
A moment later Buffy repeated the steps for Angel, sliding the ring onto his left hand.
They held their hands together, looking at the rings, loving that this was finally happening for them.
The Minister smiled and addressed the couple, "Today is a day you will always remember. You started off the day just two people in love and end it as husband and wife. It's a brand new beginning, the start of a journey, with moments to cherish and treasure. And although there will be times you both disagree, these will surely be outweighed by pleasure."
"Buffy and Angel, as a collection of words, this ceremony would count for little, were it not for the love and commitment you have pledged to one another. Your vows may have been spoken in minutes, but your promises to each other will last a lifetime. Having witnessed your vows for marriage with all who are assembled here today, and by the authority vested in me by the state of Ohio, I announce with great joy that you are husband and wife."
"You may now kiss…" The minister shook his head and smiled "…your bride."
Angel had beaten him to it.
Together they shared their first kiss as a married couple. It was sweet and chaste in front of their friends and family, but still held the full breadth of their feelings and love for one another.
...
Willow and Dawn had tears flowing down their cheeks; even Xander had to quickly wipe his eyes, mumbling something about dust being in them.
Connor let tears fall for his 'parents'.
Oz remained characteristically expressionless, but he sent Willow a small smirk along with a quick raise of his eyebrows.
Giles wiped his eyes and turned to Faith sitting beside him, "What?" she asked dry eyed. "Don't want my mascara to run."
Lorne was balling on a poor neighbor of Buffy and Angel's.
The minister addressed the group, "It gives me great pleasure to present to you, for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Summers."
They finally ended the kiss, laughing, and both needing desperately to breathe. They held hands and turned to the 'crowd', cheering and clapping for the newly weds.
Together they walked down the isle, where they would meet the photographer and take pictures as the gang rearranged the tent for the dinner and after party.
...
To be Continued in The Reception