A/N:This chapter is based aroundthe song, "Love Me Tender" bye Elvis
To read the original version with song lyrics go to: bitter-solemnity. com /fics /Moments.php (just get rid of the spaces).
Stephanie woke up, and immediately a grin graced her face. Today was the biggest day of her life. She was getting married to Chris Jericho, and she couldn't be happier. She had waited seven months for this day, ever since he proposed to her on the beach in California. She saw it was a beautiful day, and anticipated what was to come.
Jericho got out of bed, and thought about Stephanie who had stayed at her parent's house the night before. She was trying to keep the tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other before the wedding. He had to chuckle at her superstitious nature. Any way he thought about it, he knew that today was going to be a great day, he was marrying Stephanie after all.
Jericho stood nervously at the front of the altar, waiting for Stephanie to walk down the aisle. He had dreamed about this moment for so long, and now it was coming true. He never thought he'd find happiness, for the longest time he had had no luck with women, never finding that one he clicked with. Now he had Stephanie and all seemed right in his world.
Stephanie was standing behind the huge mahogany doors, waiting for her cue to walk out. Her bridesmaids were almost to the altar, and her turn would be next. She couldn't stop grinning, and turned towards her father as he began to speak to her.
"You ready Princess?" he asked looking down at her.
"As ready as I'll ever be Daddy," she told him, a grin still firmly planted on her face.
"I'm so proud of you."
"Why?"
"You've turned into such a beautiful woman, and I love you."
"Daddy, what's with the mushy stuff?" Stephanie said raising an eyebrow. It wasn't like Vince to get so emotional.
"Well, I'm losing my only daughter."
"Daddy, I've been married before."
"I know, but I never got to really give you away, I don't think that wedding with Test counts."
"Well, thank you Daddy, now let's get this show on the road," Stephanie said as the doors opened signaling her arrival.
Jericho saw Stephanie and his breath caught in his throat. She looked so spectacular he couldn't even believe that she was going to be his. She was wearing a gorgeous off-the-shoulder white gown, with a tight bodice, which gave way to the skirt, which fell to the ground followed by a short train. Her hair was pulled up and a tiara sat prettily in her chestnut locks. She didn't have veil on, but one look at her and Jericho didn't think she needed it. He felt Kurt, his best man, pat him on the shoulder.
"You're a lucky guy," Kurt whispered.
"I know," Jericho answered, his eyes fixed on Stephanie.
Stephanie reached the altar and Vince let go of her, and she went to stand next to Jericho. He smiled at her, and she smiled back. They both had been waiting for this day for so long, even longer than they both realized.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Christopher Irvine and Stephanie McMahon in holy matrimony. Marriage is a holy union entered in by two people, and it is not to be taken lightly. So now if anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace," Everyone remained silent, so the minister continued, "Both Stephanie and Christopher have elected to write their own vows which they will now say to each other," the minister said.
"I remember the first day I met you. Daddy had been gushing about a new acquisition he had made, and how he was going to stick it to WCW. He called me into his office and there you were. I wasn't impressed," the guests laughed, "I'd seen enough wrestlers not to get excited over a new one. Over the course of the last four and a half years, you've proved me absolutely wrong. I should have paid attention to you, because in you I've found the love of my life. I've found a person who accepts me for who I am, faults and all, and we all know I have my faults," Chris smiled at her, "Before we ever started seeing each other, you were a great friend Chris, you helped me through so much. And I love you for it. I love you for so many reasons, most importantly because of how you make me feel. You make me feel special Chris, you make me feel like I'm wanted. And I want to spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way I do. I owe you so much Chris, and I love you with all my heart, and there's no one I would rather spend the rest of my life with, I love you."
"There was a time, not too long ago when I thought I would never find that special person for me, where I thought that I just wasn't the kind of person destined to find love. Then you walked into my life, and suddenly I knew that you were what I had been waiting for. You are my everything Stephanie, you're my heart, you're the reason I smile, you're the reason that I get up in the morning. The first time I kissed you I felt more at peace than I ever had before. I felt like I had found that piece that I had been missing, and I hadn't even known that it was gone. I love you Stephanie, and those words don't even begin to scratch the surface of what I feel about you. I want to make you happy for the rest of your days, and that's what I fully intend to do. I love you."
"The rings please," the minister asked Kurt. Kurt handed the minister the rings that Jericho and Stephanie had picked out.
"Christopher take this ring," Jericho complied, "And repeat after me: I Christopher Irvine."
"I, Christopher Irvine..."
"Take you Stephanie McMahon, to be my lawful wedded wife. And with this ring, I thee wed," the minister finished.
"Take you Stephanie McMahon to be my lawful wedded wife. And with this ring, I thee wed," he repeated, slipping the ring on Stephanie's finger. As he did so he sent her smile which she enthusiastically returned.
"Now Stephanie, take this ring and repeat after me: "I Stephanie McMahon."
"I, Stephanie McMahon."
"Take you Christopher Irvine to be my lawful wedded husband. And with this ring, I thee wed."
"Take you Christopher Irvine to be my lawful wedded husband. And with this ring, I thee wed," she said, slipping Jericho's ring on.
"Then by the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Jericho hauled Stephanie to him, and pressed his lips to hers. Stephanie framed his face in her hands as she kissed him. They both grinned as they pulled away, and were greeted by the thunderous applause of their guests.
"May I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Irvine," the minister announced. The applause became louder as Jericho and Stephanie walked out of the chapel hand in hand.
The reception was in full swing, and everyone was having a great time. Everyone in the Federation had been invited, even HHH, since he and Stephanie had put their past behind them. Everyone was eating and chatting, when Kurt clinked his knife against his glass announcing his speech.
"Everyone quiet down, quiet down," Kurt started, "Now as the best man I have to come up here and make a speech about my very best friends, Chris and Stephanie. What can I say about these two, they're absolutely perfect for one another. And it only took them forever to figure it out," everyone laughed, while Jericho and Stephanie rolled their eyes, "On screen they both play jackasses, and off-screen they're two of the nicest people around, so they really were meant for each other in every sense of the word. I wish them all the best, and many, many years of happiness. To Chris and Stephanie," he finished raising his glass for a toast.
"To Chris and Stephanie!" everyone echoed, and toasted to the happy couple.
"Now I think that it's time for their first dance together," Kurt said. Jericho got out of his seat, and grabbed Stephanie's hand bringing her to the dance floor. The first few chords of "Love Me Tender" came on, and Jericho took Stephanie in his arms.
Stephanie rested her head on Jericho's shoulder as they swayed to the music. He was gently humming the tune in her ear, and she felt a feeling of serenity wash over her. She loved being in his arms. Her mind conjured up images of their future together and how fantastic it was going to be. She had finally found the happiness that had eluded her for so long. She was finally home.
Jericho pulled Stephanie closer to him, feeling her tighten her arms around him. This moment, with her in his arms was so perfect. He couldn't wait to have many more moments with her as their lives progressed. He had never felt so right in his entire life.
As the song ended they broke apart, and Jericho kissed Stephanie as all their guest clapped. They both smiled at each other as they broke apart, happiness shining in their eyes.
Jericho and Stephanie were getting ready to leave, the only thing Stephanie had to do was throw her bouquet and they would be off for two weeks in Europe. Stephanie climbed half way up a flight of stairs and turned around. She threw the bouquet and turned back around to see who had caught it. She laughed when she realized who it was.
Jericho took her by the hand, and together they made their way out the door, ready to start their lives together. They said good-bye to everyone, Stephanie saying good-bye to her parents, and they were off in the limo before they knew it.
Kurt stood there dumb-founded as Shane McMahon walked up to him. He gave him a pat on the back.
"You'll look great in a dress," Shane said chuckling, as he looked at Kurt who held Stephanie's bouquet in his hand.