A/N - Their day has finally arrived.
Railman - Yes sir, the night before the wedding went well for all participants. Even Toby wound up having a good time after the slow start to the night. Walter wants to make this a day that Paige never forgets. He plans on going all out. Just you wait and see.
Marti - Every time I went over chapter 21, I loved it more and more. And now we get to the main event. I hope I can do it a little justice.
LouBe - I had honestly never heard about the last line in the wedding tradition. The karaoke bar was fun, maybe fun enough for an encore performance. A Waige duet would have been mandatory at the tv wedding reception. Toby was still showing the effects the next morning for sure.
Pearliegirl - I'm glad you enjoyed the last few chapters. I loved chapter 21 too. Since you got out the tissues, you might hold on to them for a little. This is my first attempt at writing a wedding.
Part 22 Saturday July 4,2018 It's A Nice Day For A Waige Wedding
Walter never got to sleep after last night. Not that he expected to be able to. He had a lot on his mind. He went over and changed his vows eighteen times. He replayed the reaction he got from Paige when he surprised her last night forty one times. He smiled every single time. He thought about Sylvester's words about the adoption twenty two times as well. As fun as yesterday was, he knew today would be the best day of his life. And he wanted it to be perfect, just like the woman he was marrying. And the son he was adopting. Five hours, twelve minutes and fifty two seconds to go.
Walter decided to take a shower and then a stroll on the beach. He ran into Sylvester as he was sitting on a blanket in the sand looking out at the ocean.
"Hey Sly." Walter said as he approached him.
"Hey Walter, how are you doing?" Sylvester asked him.
"Good, I couldn't sleep though. Lot of stuff on my mind."
"I know. I Couldn't sleep much either. Megan would be so excited for you; for Paige and Ralph too. She loved them so much Walter. We used to talk about the three of you all the time, and she always hoped you guys would get married one day. She would be really proud of you."
"Thanks, Sly. I miss Megan all the time too. She used to make fun of me and tell me how dumb I was for not seeing how much I loved Paige. I just wish she could be here with us today."
"Me too. I like talking to Florence and spending time with her, but it's not the same as when I spent time with Megan. She always knew just what to say. Everything just always seemed so natural with her."
"I wish she could tell me what to say for my vows. I keep going over them and changing them every time. I've made eighteen changes this morning already. And I still have four hours, twenty one minutes and seven seconds to go." Walter said with a smile.
"Trust your heart. Megan said it all the time. Trust your heart Walter, Paige loves you, you can't say anything in your vows that is going to change that, just tell her how you feel about her and how she makes you feel. Everyone at the wedding is family, well unless some people from last night show up, but they probably won't. Just trust your heart." Sly told him.
"Thanks buddy, that helps." Walter told him. "Would you like to join me and Ralph for breakfast?"
"Sure, I would like that. And I want to tell you again that I'm sorry for shoving you and walking out on you a couple of months ago. I should never have done that."
"I am the one who needs to apologize again Sly, I had no right to say what I did to you, you only reacted to what I said."
"I still crossed the line when I shoved you Walter, and I am sorry." Sly told him again.
"Thank you, and I am sorry too."
"Thanks Walter."
They walked back to the resort sharing a few moments together talking about nothing too important. Sly said he would knock on the door and get Ralph, he didn't want to take the chance of Walter seeing Paige, and even though Walter thought the tradition was ridiculous, he agreed. Everything needed to be perfect. He was going to make it perfect for her.
Sly got Ralph and the three of them headed down to the café to eat some breakfast around 8:00. The rest of the team were still nursing different degrees of hangovers.
"You guys put on some show last night in there." Walter told them as they started to eat. "I'm really glad we got to do that. Paige seemed to like it."
"It was pretty cool, maybe when I grow up instead of working for Scorpion, maybe I should be a deejay or something." Ralph told them getting a laugh from them both. "And I would say mom loved it, she tackled you on stage dad, I mean Walter."
"The world will need you for your brain more than for your deejaying skills Ralph." Sly said to him. "And Ralph was right, I think Paige thought it was very special. I even think Cabe and Toby had fun after all the bellyaching they did."
As they were finishing up breakfast, Toby and Happy first and then Cabe and Allie slowly made their way in a zig zag way towards the café.
"Morning guys." Sly told them in a normal chipper voice.
"Turn down the damn microphone Sly, what the hell, you're gonna burst our damn eardrums." Toby told him holding on to his head. "What is his damn problem with the volume. Does the damn sun need to be so annoyingly bright. Did I ever tell you how much I hate the damn morning."
"Hey Toby, hey Happy." Ralph said.
"Hey squirt. You excited about today?" Happy said with one eye open and one closed as she tried to focus on where the sound of Ralph was coming from.
"Yeah, I am. Hey Toby, where's your hat?" Ralph asked him.
"Damnit, I knew, oww my liver, I knew I shouldn't have done that last crowd surf, some damn blue hair took it from me. I should have stolen her cane and hit her with it. You guys have any aspirin? Or an extra pair of sunglasses? Or some extra aspirin?" Toby asked trying to keep his head from exploding.
"Hey Cabe, Allie." Sly said as they appeared shortly after Happy and Toby.
"Son, you're gonna have to keep it down, my damn head hasn't felt like this in a long time."
"And when Cabe says a long time, it could be a really long time." Ralph said making the whole table laugh, some of it causing extreme pain.
"If I could tell which one of the three of you Ralph's said that, I might have to put my damn boot up your…" Cabe started to say before Allie stopped him.
The banter went on for another thirty minutes. Walter sent a plate of breakfast to Paige's room so she would have something to eat as well. He added a handwritten note and gave it to the waiter to bring to her with the food.
The resort had an attendant for Paige to help her with her hair and makeup for the big day. And when the knock on the door was food and not the attendant Paige was grateful for a little something to eat before she started getting ready.
Paige gladly took the food from the waiter, and he handed her the note after she thanked him.
Good morning my love.
I love you more than words can say.
Forever can't start soon enough.
I Will Always Love You, Walter
Paige instantly felt a feeling of warmth and love pass over her. And a beautiful smile appeared on her face.
"He's a lucky man." The waiter told her before leaving.
"I'm the lucky one." She said as she continued to smile as she closed the door. Perfect.
Today was her wedding day. The day she got to marry her soul mate. Her best friend. The most incredible person she ever met. The absolute love of her life. The man who was going to become the father to her son. The man who turned her life into the amazing life it now was. It was all happening today. In three hours, twenty six minutes and eight seconds. Paige was keeping track herself. She was just as excited as Walter.
By 10:45 Happy and Allie were both with Paige. They had shaken off most of the effects of their hangovers. Paige to her credit only had two drinks, she wanted to be fully functioning for her special day. The attendant had finished Paige's hair and makeup and by 11:30 she was ready to go. The three girls sat around chatting about yesterday and how incredible it was to see Walter show up on stage. Walter O'Brien up on a stage to sing. Happy played the video for her so she could see how she reacted. They watched it several times. Laughing and smiling every time. It was perfect. He was perfect. Today was going to be perfect, Walter was going to make sure of it. He had promised her that.
Walter had all the guys with him after they all met in Cabe's room at 11:00. They were to make their way down to the beach at 11:45.
"You ready for this Walt?" Toby asked him being sincere.
"Terrified of messing something up, but yes completely ready. I love her so much Toby, and I can't wait to marry her." Walter told him. "No matter what else I ever do in my life, today will be the greatest and most important thing I ever do."
"I'd be worried if you weren't terrified, that's a good thing. Some words of advice, real advice, just relax, breathe, and have fun. I mangled my vows with Happy and everything was still perfect. I'm sure Paige only cares that you and Ralph are here for her, anything else that happens good or bad doesn't matter. Be yourself, that's who she loves." Toby told him. "And you're right like usual, today is going to be your greatest achievement and the best thing that ever happens to you."
"Thank you, Toby. I think I will take that advice." Walter told him.
Cabe left a few minutes before the guys all left the room. He had to get over to the ladies' room to be ready to walk Paige down the aisle.
As the guys started making their way to the beach for the ceremony, they saw hundreds of people already sitting in the chairs that were set up for the wedding. The crowd from the karaoke bar came out in force. Full force. Three hundred plus. Standing room only. Walter's nerves went up a few levels seeing all the non-family members there. Today needed to be perfect. Just relax. Breathe.
"Walt, hey buddy, just block them out. You will never see any of them again in your life, pretend they aren't here. Relax, have fun, breathe. Remember this is Paige's big day. If there is anyone alive you can do this for, we all know it's her. Do it for Paige." Toby told him again calming him down a little.
496 seconds to go. Walter, Toby, Sly and Ralph all were now in position standing next to the minister. The string quartet was playing selected pieces as they anxiously awaited the bride to make her appearance. 217 seconds. Walter felt a small hand grab a hold of his. Ralph had positioned himself right next to him and smiled at him.
"You are going to make mom really happy today. She loves you so much." Ralph told him. Completely calming Walter down. "I do too."
"Thanks pal, that is exactly what I needed to hear. After the wedding, me and your mom have something we need to talk to you about, okay?" Walter told him as he ruffled his hair just a little bit not wanting to mess it up, while smiling at him. Ralph nodded just as the music changed and the wedding was set to begin. Just breathe. Today was going to be perfect. 3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second...
Walter was mesmerized. Everyday Paige was beautiful. Dressed up Paige was stunningly beautiful. But wedding dress Paige was something that the definition of beautiful didn't come close to describing. Every inch of her glistened and sparkled. He couldn't look away from her. At that moment he was certain no person had ever looked more stunning or beautiful in the history of the world.
Paige was nervous as she exited her room and saw Cabe ready to walk her down the aisle. Her day finally here. Cabe told her she looked absolutely perfect. When she made it to the beach and saw several hundred people there to celebrate the special day her nervousness started to increase worried how Walter would react to all of them being there. She saw Walter and Ralph holding hands and suddenly all of the nervousness she felt was gone instantly. Her eyes met Walter's and the look he had for her let her know exactly what she had hoped for. Those eyes of his had always told her so much about how he truly felt about her, and now, in this moment they had more passion in them than she had ever seen before. Just breathe. He was perfect. 3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second...
Paige didn't even remember walking down the aisle, she would have sworn she floated there on some invention that Walter designed just for her; to get her to him faster. Cabe finished walking her to the front of the altar, and right next to Walter who still looked like he hadn't even blinked since he first saw her in her dress. Cabe gave her a kiss on the cheek and shook Walter's hand before the two of them grabbed hold of each other and looked content to just gaze into each other's eyes for the rest of eternity.
"Damn that's so hot." Happy said a little louder than she wanted seeing the way the two of them were completely in their own world and how Walter was so entranced by Paige. Getting a grin from Paige knowing just what she meant. Just breathe.
The minister started the ceremony, and everything was going perfect. It was time for them to say their vows to each other. Walter was going to go first, and he did not want to disappoint. Not today. The first thing he did was to grasp Ralph's hand a little tighter and he held on to it; bringing him calmness, and strength and an added sense of the love he had for him. Now all he had to do was remember how to form words and not make a complete fool of himself.
"P-P-Paige…" Walter got out after a few deep breaths, nervous AF.
"It's okay, just take your time." Paige whispered to him as he took another deep breath. Just breathe.
"Paige – From the actual moment I first saw you, I knew you were different from any woman I had ever seen before. My sister told me I would meet someone who would change the way I felt and thought about things. That I would find someone to love. I told her she was crazy because love didn't exist. She would laugh at me and tell me someday I would be proven wrong. She told me to listen to and follow my heart and I didn't know what she meant at the time. I was reminded again today, by my brother, of those same words; to trust my heart. So here goes.
When I first met you, I felt things I had never experienced before. I never enjoyed touch from other people and even engaging in conversation with people was very hard for me. With you conversation has always been so easy and pleasant. Your touch has always been so soothing when I needed it to be and so exhilarating as well.
I can admit the first time I saw you I noticed how beautiful you were but what first attracted me to you was the compassion and kindness I saw that you had for your son; for Ralph. You are still the most stunning and beautiful person I have ever seen; no one comes close to the perfection I see in you. But that pales in comparison to the inner beauty you possess. Your heart and your generosity and your willingness to forgive is unparalleled.
When I look in your eyes, they are so enthralling. Full of wonder and beauty. They transform me to a place I never knew existed. They shine brighter than every star in the sky. I can get so absorbed by them I lose all track of time and purpose. And I don't ever want to leave. My mind can just be free and I can um…."
"Oh wow- Walter." Paige said, her legs a little wobbly as she had tears running down her cheeks as she was overcome by the look he had in his eyes for her at that moment. Damn he was perfect.
"I can just um never um..., I love you Paige" Walter said with a smile as he realized again where he was.
"I love you too." Paige got out with a blushed face.
"Your um your heart is so pure and full of love. Not only for those people who are lucky enough to know you, but to everyone you meet. You are so giving and kind, and you have taught all of us to try to be that way as well. You are also the best mother any of us have ever seen. The love and compassion you have always had for your son is unrivaled and has shown all of us the way parents should be.
Your lips are so um soft and yet so powerful. And when they smile the whole room lights up because of them. I dreamt so many times of what it would be like to experience kissing them. And the first time we kissed in the garage, it literally sent shockwaves through my body. I had never felt anything so powerful in my life. It um scared me to death. I denied I felt anything because for the first time in my life I couldn't explain what was happening to me. I tried to not let myself believe the feelings you were making me have. They went against everything I believed and thought to be fact. Over time though, I couldn't deny them anymore. Being around you every day, little by little, made me question everything more and more. It wasn't just science and math, and formulas and equations. I realized my life was not complete without one thing... love. And the only person that could give it to me was going to be you, Paige.
You changed me. Love changed me. When I finally realized how foolish I had been and how much time I had wasted, and I finally was able to tell you about my real feelings for you, and then we shared our first real kiss at our friend's wedding, I understood what my sister meant. All of it.
Love is the greatest and most powerful thing I have ever felt, and I only feel that for you; with you. And as I stand before you today, I know I will never love anyone else, it will only be you. I promise to live my life with the passion that you have shown me and the love I have for you will only grow day after day.
You are at the center of every thought I have and you fulfill every desire I will ever need. You are like the sun in my universe and all I want to do is stay firmly set around you. Without you I couldn't survive any more. I will never lose sight of the amazing and beautiful and intelligent person you are. I will fight by your side in any way you ever need me to. And I will cherish every second of my life that I get to spend with you.
I love you more than you will ever know, and I will try my hardest to prove that to you every single day. Thank you so much for showing me love, teaching me how to feel love and allowing me to be in love with you. For changing my life from one of solitude and loneliness into the reality of what it is today. My heart aches to be with you and only you. Today, tomorrow, and always and forever. I will always love you."
Walter had held on to Ralph's hand the entire time. Paige had tears running down her cheeks the whole time listening to the incredible words Walter was saying to her, for her, about her. And it wasn't only her that was emotional. There wasn't a dry eye anywhere on the beach. Even Happy freakin' Quinn and Cabe Gallo fell victim to it.
The minister handed Paige a few tissues and let her wipe away some of the tears off her face. And after a few moments Paige felt like she was composed enough to say her vows.
"Damnit. I knew I should have gone first. How am I supposed to follow that." Paige said wiping away the last of the tears and getting a laugh from everyone there.
"I don't even know what to say, I mean I know what I want to say, I can't remember any of it right now."
At that point Walter let go of Ralph's hand and leaned over and told him to go to be with his mom.
That simple gesture again let Paige know how her soon to be, like the second she was done with her vows, husband would always know exactly what she needed. He was perfect. As Ralph grasped hold of Paige's hand she smiled and gave him a wink.
"Walter Patrick O'Brien. For someone who knows the definition of kind and generous, I don't know how you could possibly think I am anywhere near as kind or generous as you are. You, Walter are more kind and way more generous not only to me, but to all of us than anyone else. You not only took my words away just now, but you have been taking my breath away for years. Maybe not the first time I saw you, but by the end of that first day you most certainly did. Seeing the way you instantly bonded with my son, who was everything in the world to me, gave me a hope I had not thought possible. And to watch you and your, and now our, friends take him under your wing and guide and teach him is something I could not repay to you in a million lifetimes. And then slowly you continued to show me the amazing human being you are. I started to fall deeper and deeper in love with you along the way. Our timing was always off at first, but I wouldn't change any of it because of where we have wound up now. I couldn't imagine sharing my life with anyone but you.
Walter, you are the smartest man that I know, that any of us know. And you have always used your wisdom and knowledge to do all that you can to make this a better place for everyone. Not only for your friends and family, but for people you have never met. And it's not only your intelligence, but it's also your kindness too. You have the biggest heart I have ever seen. I am so very proud of you, and the fact that I will be able to call you my husband for the rest of my life.
You continue to amaze me each and every day by showing me how much you truly care for and love me and my son. You have touched my heart in ways that you will never know.
I stand here today in total awe of you Walter. For what you have done for me, and for my son, and what you mean to both of us. I can't imagine living another day without you as my husband. And I can't wait to spend the rest of eternity with you by my side. I love you with all my heart and all my soul. I will always love you too."
Again there wasn't a dry eye to be found. The love they both showed for each other was evident.
The minister turned to them and said, "by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Sir you may now kiss your bride."
Paige jumped the gun a little bit and jumped into Walter's arms starting the kiss much to the delight of the people who came to watch the wedding. They even started another Queen Dineen chant for a while until Paige and Walter ended their kiss and she yelled out to them, "It's not Dineen anymore, it's O'Brien."
"I love you so much Paige." Walter told her as they were now officially married.
"I love you too Walter." Paige told him right back with another searing kiss.
"Knock it off you two, let some of us in on this." Toby told them as they all wanted to celebrate with them.
A/N - OK, who had the better vows? Leave a quick review and let me know. Don't worry, Wedding Day is not over yet!