"She'll be here soon, man," said Jamal clapping him on the back. It was weird how things had changed between he and Jamal, at first they hadn't even been able to stay in the same room together but now they had forged a common bond through Gabby, and Jamal was going to be Ricky's Best man. Emelio and the rest of his family was visiting Gabby in the mountains because she was pregnant, Ricky couldn't believe that it had happened so fast, Joe certainly didn't waste any time. Joe was a very lucky man. He wished that he and Casey could have that, years together, no time limits, no worrying about tomorrow. "They're here," said Jamal interrupting Ricky's thoughts.
Casey stepped out of the car and looked at the church, it was small but beautiful and she could feel something...magical about it. Ricky loved her and there was nothing greater than that. In her final days on earth she had learned that love was the greatest gift and the only thing that really mattered. She knew marrying Ricky was right but there was something missing...her family. She'd never known them while she was alive and after she had died she'd discovered the truth, about her mother, how she'd given her up, her twin sister, Marissa. When she first found out about them in Heaven it had infuriated her, she had a perfect sister, would have had a perfect family, she wouldn't have died if she had been with them. A part of her had hated her sister for taking her place, but it was different now. She wanted her family, she wanted them to meet Ricky, she wanted them to love her...but it was to late. So she had written them a letter, it had taken her fifteen minutes, not nearly long enough to write everything that was in her heart. Ricky could give it to them after she had left. Marissa was such a pretty name, she had always believed that Casey had died at birth and Marissa had so much guilt that she had lived with her whole life. Casey had to let Marissa know the truth, that nothing was her fault. She had to let her mother know that she had found happiness and that she didn't blame her. She wanted to tell her father that he had tried his best to find her and even though he hadn't it was okay.
But today she was getting married and she was going to die....and she wasn't scared.
"Casey--," Karen said, "Ricky's waiting."
Casey smiled. "I'm ready.
She looked around as the music began to play. White candles were lit and it set off a glow over everything, Ricky looked so handsome, he was looking at her as she took her first step down the aisle, if only she could see that look in his eyes forever.
The music played softly in the background, it was only a tape, not a real violinist, but the wedding march sounded so beautiful and so real, she found it hard to believe that he could do all of this for her, that he could love her that much. She was almost at the altar, how beautiful his smile was.
Ricky watched as Casey came towards him, he remembered how much she had gotten under his skin those first few weeks after they'd met. She'd been so annoying...and fiesty...and amazingly sexy. She looked breath-taking as she looked at him with more feeling than he ever thought could come from another human being. She was wearing a simple white dress, and her long beautiful hair was in curls down her back, she had small white flowers pinned through out her hair and she seemed to glow like and angel...she was an angel. Finally she was standing beside him and he took her hand, he was ready to say his vows, he loved her.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today in the sight of God to celebrate and witness the love of Ricky and Casey. Through trials and separations, and through God's glory you have your way to one another. Love is not always an easy thing to find and even harder to hold on to. I can see that you two love each other very much," Father Antonio smiled at them. "I understand that you would like to recite your own vows."
Ricky looked at Casey and smiled. "When I first met you I felt like I couldn't trust anyone. It seemed like everything was against me and the last thing I expected was to fall in love, but there you were, showing up when I least wanted you to. I thank God for bringing you into my life because I can't imagine not loving you and I don't know where I would be if I had never met you, if I'd never felt what I feel every time I look at you, I love you more than anything and I promise that no matter what happens I'll always love you and I won't forget one moment of loving you."
Casey took a deep breath."I used to be mad at the world and everyone in it, but you opened me up to something I had never felt before, you loved me when I thought no one could. I wish that I could stand here forever just looking into your eyes and telling you how much I love you, but I can't. I know that this day will end, but it will stay with me forever, you will stay with me forever, no matter where I am I could never forget how much I love you and how much I've dreamed of this moment. There are no guarantees about life, except that eventually it ends, but love never ends, it lives on even when we aren't on this earth any more.I hope you remember that even when I'm not with you that we had this amazing moment that neither of us could ever forget and it will link us together for eternity."
"By the power invested in me by God, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the Bride."