A/N: Remember dear readers, this is my version of The Gift - Caleb's
terrorizing Abby but he's no where near Alison and I don't care what
happened on the show - this is where they're getting married. SO
THERE!!!!! LOL!! TIIC can do whatever they want - I won't let them take
the barn away. I really, really, really hope this chapter doesn't
disappoint - I wrote it ages ago but needed to have the story fit in. It
was so hard to do - I wanted to make it like the original barn wedding -
but different - if you know what I mean. Of course, I would LOVE to know
what you think so - c'mon. Tell me! Until the honeymoon - (yes, of course
they still get one!) :-) xox - G
Chapter Twenty-four
Lucy had outdone herself.
This little barn is where they had had their happiest moments. He knew this place better than any other in this town. But today, he barely recognized it. It had been virtually transformed.
Wild pink roses hung from every rafter, lanterns set the barn aglow. The floor had been swept clean, save for a satin runner that served as an aisle. A few chairs were set on either side. Jamal, Jack, Casey, Ian, Lucy, Abby, Elizabeth, Amanda, Serena and Christina were the only guests here today. Add the minister to make it "official" and they had everything they needed.
Rafe looked around again, remembering their first wedding here, and the fact that this is where they'd made a child together. There was nowhere else they could possibly get married. Just as there was no place else that they could take their honeymoon.
His hand went to his jacket pocket, double-checking that both the ring and the tickets were there. He greeted their guests and gave Lucy a big hug to say thanks. Once alone, he began to pace a bit.
"What's with the pacing? You're not even married yet and you're acting just like her." Abby said with a smile.
"You're one to talk, you're a pacer too." He took her hand and spun her around, the silk skirt to her strapless pink gown flaring as he did. "Wow. Abs - look at you. You look gorgeous!"
She laughed as she said, "Likely story. How you doing? Are you nervous?"
"No. Yes. A little." He finally admitted. He didn't want anything to go wrong today.
"Don't be. It's going to be fine." Abby said.
Rafe smiled. Having her in the family could come in handy. "No surprises? No tricks?"
"Not a one. I see it clearly." Though she was truly happy for both of them, her heart began to ache. She looked down at the hand that Rafe still held and gave his a quick squeeze. Her eyes became sad. She still wore the ring Cameron had placed there. Today, Alison and Rafe's engagement would finally be over. She was sure hers never would be.
When she looked up one of the tears she'd been holding back escaped without warning. Rafe took his hand and wiped it away.
"Abby." He said softly, knowing exactly what she was thinking.
She sniffled a bit, "I'm fine. Today's a happy day. No tears allowed unless they're happy ones."
"Abby."
"Rafe - don't. I'm fine. I better go. It's almost time." She took a deep breath and pulled away.
"Hey Abby?" Rafe called after her.
"Yeah." She said softly.
"Don't give up. Dreams have a way of coming true - you know. Just look at Alison and me."
She nodded and smiled and walked away.
************
"I really wanted to wear that dress - but it just wouldn't fit." Alison sighed. She was barely showing, but her waist had thickened enough to make wearing the one she had worn last December impossible.
"You look stunning." Elizabeth said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Really?"
Elizabeth nodded. Stunning was not quite the word. Alison glowed, like she was lit from within, a cloud of light visibly floated around her. She had never seen anyone so happy in her life. Her gown was simple but absolutely lovely. The flowing fabric was a shade of the most delicate blush pink; so faint it was almost undetectable. It tied around her neck with pale pink satin ribbons that flowed down the length of her bare back. Roses in a much deeper shade of pink were wound in her hair and filled the bouquet in her hands.
Alison had a thought at that moment. She was suddenly almost positive it was true. The baby must be a girl. Look at all the pink around this place. It seemed to her sort of a sign. She placed a hand on her stomach and began to grin. She wore a bracelet on her wrist; it was the same one Rafe had given her all those months ago. She knew now that the woman in the photo was just Rafe's mother and that he had wanted her to be here in some small way. While last time the thought devastated her, today, it just made her smile.
"Alison. Are you ready?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." She replied with a sigh. "I've always been."
**********
The gentle sounds of a harp filled the air. Rafe watched Abby walk down the aisle, her face so serious, with her heavy eyeglasses. She smiled as she took her place opposite him. Rafe turned to look at Lucy, smiling at something she said, when he heard the music change, announcing that Alison was next.
He turned back and looked toward the end of the aisle. He instantly forgot how to breathe.
He'd said she was beautiful before. He knew there was no other woman who could compare. But the sight of her, pausing for a split second before she walked slowly towards him, robbed him of his breath and made his knees weak.
He didn't realize he whispered her name.
As she reached him she held out her hand. He took it and linked her fingers with his. He began to breathe again. She wasn't going anywhere. They had decided it wouldn't be a formal ceremony. The minister said a few words of welcome and then it was their turn.
Rafe looked over at Alison and smiled as he asked, "Me first?
Alison nodded, tears filling her eyes.
Rafe took a deep breath and began to speak.
"I've had to live most of my life alone. I never had a real family. One day, I literally bumped into you and I think it was then that I wished you'd someday be mine - but I was sure it wasn't possible. I wasn't sure what it felt like to be in love but I knew, without a doubt, that I didn't want another day to go by without seeing you. Until I met you, Alison, I had no idea what it meant to love someone the way you've taught me to. I had no idea what it really felt like to have someone love me. You've taught me everything I know about love. Now everything I am, everything I do; is because of my love for you."
Alison looked up at him. She smiled and whispered, "I love you."
She leaned in and kissed him before he continued, causing her to smile wider when he whispered, "Alison, I'm not supposed to kiss you yet."
"I know. I couldn't wait." She whispered back.
He took another deep breath and continued, tears shining in his eyes. He took both her hands in his and held them tightly,
"The fact that you somehow decided to love me makes me the luckiest man in the world. You truly make me happier than I ever knew I could be. And so now - finally."
Rafe looked down at Alison, sure he never loved her more than at that moment as he finished. "I, Rafe Kovich, take you Alison Barrington, to be my wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor and to cherish every single minute of every day of my life. Alison. I promise you that I will carry our love with me forever - and that we will be joined together as one, for now and into eternity."
Her heart was so full of love for him it overflowed. He could see it clearly in her eyes. Alison took a deep breath herself and blinked back tears. She just needed to say her vows and they'd be halfway there.
She looked up at him and smiled.
"When I was a little girl, I used to imagine what my life would be like when I finally fell in love. When I thought of the man I would marry I imagined he would be brave and thoughtful and kind. I imagined he would be someone who always strived to do what was right, who would fight for those he loved. I wished with all my heart, that he would come and make all my dreams come true."
Tears started to flow down her cheeks as he lifted a hand to try and wipe them away. She really didn't care about her tears at all. She wanted everyone in the world to know just how much she loved him.
"Then, I met you. Rafe, you are all those things I imagined, and so much more. I treasured every minute we had together because I didn't think that we would ever have enough time. Despite everything - it seems that now, we have all the time in the world."
Tears spilled from Alison's eyes as she promised, "After today, I know for sure that every night, when I fall asleep - my sleep will be dreamless. I'll never have to dream again. Every single dream I've ever had in all my life has now come true because of you."
She took another deep breath and held his hands in hers. He steadied her as she swayed a bit; overwhelmed with the excitement of it all.
"I, Alison Barrington, take you, Rafe Kovich, to be my husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor and to cherish every moment of every day of my life. Rafe, I promise to carry your love with me forever. My heart and soul now belongs to you - for now - and into eternity."
Rafe couldn't believe it, They had gotten through it and they were almost there. The minister asked them both questions and each one in turn said, "I do." As he looked down at Alison he truly couldn't believe that she was his. She loved him. She wanted to spend every day of the rest of her life with him. How did he ever get so lucky?
Alison looked up at Rafe as he slipped a ring on her finger, remembering when he had made a ring of stones the last time they were here. As she took his hand in hers and gave him his ring there was no doubt in her mind that this was their destiny. There was no one else in the world for her than him. She was truly the luckiest girl on the face of the earth.
Blocking out the rest of the world they faintly heard someone give them permission to kiss. They didn't follow instructions well - because Alison was already wrapped in Rafe's arms and her lips had already found his. They finally, officially were husband and wife.
Chapter Twenty-four
Lucy had outdone herself.
This little barn is where they had had their happiest moments. He knew this place better than any other in this town. But today, he barely recognized it. It had been virtually transformed.
Wild pink roses hung from every rafter, lanterns set the barn aglow. The floor had been swept clean, save for a satin runner that served as an aisle. A few chairs were set on either side. Jamal, Jack, Casey, Ian, Lucy, Abby, Elizabeth, Amanda, Serena and Christina were the only guests here today. Add the minister to make it "official" and they had everything they needed.
Rafe looked around again, remembering their first wedding here, and the fact that this is where they'd made a child together. There was nowhere else they could possibly get married. Just as there was no place else that they could take their honeymoon.
His hand went to his jacket pocket, double-checking that both the ring and the tickets were there. He greeted their guests and gave Lucy a big hug to say thanks. Once alone, he began to pace a bit.
"What's with the pacing? You're not even married yet and you're acting just like her." Abby said with a smile.
"You're one to talk, you're a pacer too." He took her hand and spun her around, the silk skirt to her strapless pink gown flaring as he did. "Wow. Abs - look at you. You look gorgeous!"
She laughed as she said, "Likely story. How you doing? Are you nervous?"
"No. Yes. A little." He finally admitted. He didn't want anything to go wrong today.
"Don't be. It's going to be fine." Abby said.
Rafe smiled. Having her in the family could come in handy. "No surprises? No tricks?"
"Not a one. I see it clearly." Though she was truly happy for both of them, her heart began to ache. She looked down at the hand that Rafe still held and gave his a quick squeeze. Her eyes became sad. She still wore the ring Cameron had placed there. Today, Alison and Rafe's engagement would finally be over. She was sure hers never would be.
When she looked up one of the tears she'd been holding back escaped without warning. Rafe took his hand and wiped it away.
"Abby." He said softly, knowing exactly what she was thinking.
She sniffled a bit, "I'm fine. Today's a happy day. No tears allowed unless they're happy ones."
"Abby."
"Rafe - don't. I'm fine. I better go. It's almost time." She took a deep breath and pulled away.
"Hey Abby?" Rafe called after her.
"Yeah." She said softly.
"Don't give up. Dreams have a way of coming true - you know. Just look at Alison and me."
She nodded and smiled and walked away.
************
"I really wanted to wear that dress - but it just wouldn't fit." Alison sighed. She was barely showing, but her waist had thickened enough to make wearing the one she had worn last December impossible.
"You look stunning." Elizabeth said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Really?"
Elizabeth nodded. Stunning was not quite the word. Alison glowed, like she was lit from within, a cloud of light visibly floated around her. She had never seen anyone so happy in her life. Her gown was simple but absolutely lovely. The flowing fabric was a shade of the most delicate blush pink; so faint it was almost undetectable. It tied around her neck with pale pink satin ribbons that flowed down the length of her bare back. Roses in a much deeper shade of pink were wound in her hair and filled the bouquet in her hands.
Alison had a thought at that moment. She was suddenly almost positive it was true. The baby must be a girl. Look at all the pink around this place. It seemed to her sort of a sign. She placed a hand on her stomach and began to grin. She wore a bracelet on her wrist; it was the same one Rafe had given her all those months ago. She knew now that the woman in the photo was just Rafe's mother and that he had wanted her to be here in some small way. While last time the thought devastated her, today, it just made her smile.
"Alison. Are you ready?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes." She replied with a sigh. "I've always been."
**********
The gentle sounds of a harp filled the air. Rafe watched Abby walk down the aisle, her face so serious, with her heavy eyeglasses. She smiled as she took her place opposite him. Rafe turned to look at Lucy, smiling at something she said, when he heard the music change, announcing that Alison was next.
He turned back and looked toward the end of the aisle. He instantly forgot how to breathe.
He'd said she was beautiful before. He knew there was no other woman who could compare. But the sight of her, pausing for a split second before she walked slowly towards him, robbed him of his breath and made his knees weak.
He didn't realize he whispered her name.
As she reached him she held out her hand. He took it and linked her fingers with his. He began to breathe again. She wasn't going anywhere. They had decided it wouldn't be a formal ceremony. The minister said a few words of welcome and then it was their turn.
Rafe looked over at Alison and smiled as he asked, "Me first?
Alison nodded, tears filling her eyes.
Rafe took a deep breath and began to speak.
"I've had to live most of my life alone. I never had a real family. One day, I literally bumped into you and I think it was then that I wished you'd someday be mine - but I was sure it wasn't possible. I wasn't sure what it felt like to be in love but I knew, without a doubt, that I didn't want another day to go by without seeing you. Until I met you, Alison, I had no idea what it meant to love someone the way you've taught me to. I had no idea what it really felt like to have someone love me. You've taught me everything I know about love. Now everything I am, everything I do; is because of my love for you."
Alison looked up at him. She smiled and whispered, "I love you."
She leaned in and kissed him before he continued, causing her to smile wider when he whispered, "Alison, I'm not supposed to kiss you yet."
"I know. I couldn't wait." She whispered back.
He took another deep breath and continued, tears shining in his eyes. He took both her hands in his and held them tightly,
"The fact that you somehow decided to love me makes me the luckiest man in the world. You truly make me happier than I ever knew I could be. And so now - finally."
Rafe looked down at Alison, sure he never loved her more than at that moment as he finished. "I, Rafe Kovich, take you Alison Barrington, to be my wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor and to cherish every single minute of every day of my life. Alison. I promise you that I will carry our love with me forever - and that we will be joined together as one, for now and into eternity."
Her heart was so full of love for him it overflowed. He could see it clearly in her eyes. Alison took a deep breath herself and blinked back tears. She just needed to say her vows and they'd be halfway there.
She looked up at him and smiled.
"When I was a little girl, I used to imagine what my life would be like when I finally fell in love. When I thought of the man I would marry I imagined he would be brave and thoughtful and kind. I imagined he would be someone who always strived to do what was right, who would fight for those he loved. I wished with all my heart, that he would come and make all my dreams come true."
Tears started to flow down her cheeks as he lifted a hand to try and wipe them away. She really didn't care about her tears at all. She wanted everyone in the world to know just how much she loved him.
"Then, I met you. Rafe, you are all those things I imagined, and so much more. I treasured every minute we had together because I didn't think that we would ever have enough time. Despite everything - it seems that now, we have all the time in the world."
Tears spilled from Alison's eyes as she promised, "After today, I know for sure that every night, when I fall asleep - my sleep will be dreamless. I'll never have to dream again. Every single dream I've ever had in all my life has now come true because of you."
She took another deep breath and held his hands in hers. He steadied her as she swayed a bit; overwhelmed with the excitement of it all.
"I, Alison Barrington, take you, Rafe Kovich, to be my husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honor and to cherish every moment of every day of my life. Rafe, I promise to carry your love with me forever. My heart and soul now belongs to you - for now - and into eternity."
Rafe couldn't believe it, They had gotten through it and they were almost there. The minister asked them both questions and each one in turn said, "I do." As he looked down at Alison he truly couldn't believe that she was his. She loved him. She wanted to spend every day of the rest of her life with him. How did he ever get so lucky?
Alison looked up at Rafe as he slipped a ring on her finger, remembering when he had made a ring of stones the last time they were here. As she took his hand in hers and gave him his ring there was no doubt in her mind that this was their destiny. There was no one else in the world for her than him. She was truly the luckiest girl on the face of the earth.
Blocking out the rest of the world they faintly heard someone give them permission to kiss. They didn't follow instructions well - because Alison was already wrapped in Rafe's arms and her lips had already found his. They finally, officially were husband and wife.