At exactly 4 o-clock that afternoon Landon found himself standing in front of a massive congregation for the second time that day. He was surprised to find that he was not nervous, only excited. It was really happening; he and Jamie were really getting married.
After the initial shock wore off, because there had been only a few people let in on what Landon had planned, everyone had rushed up to the front of the church to congratulate the two of them. In the crowd they had become separated and Landon caught a glimpse of Jamie being ushered out the side door by his mother, Belinda and Tracie.
He had not seen her since and his stomach gave a little flip when he realized that in only a few moments the door at the back of the church would open up and Jamie would be walking towards him on her fathers arm. In a very short time she would become his wife.
He glanced over at Eric, his best man, who was standing beside him. He grinned and thumped Landon on the back. "I still wish you had told me about this ahead of time, man. I could have thrown you a killer bachelor party."
Landon grinned back but didn't say anything. Instead his eyes sought out his parents, again sitting side by side. Both smiled widely at him. His mother motioned for him and Eric to move closer together so she could take a photo. Landon wondered vaguely how much film she had brought with her. It seemed to him that she had already shot several rolls.
Tracie came rushing up the aisle from the back of the church, catching Landon's attention. She gave him the thumbs up sign as she sat down next to Dean in the row behind his parents. The Reverend Michael's took his place on Landon's right leaning over slightly to whisper, "It's time."
Swallowing hard Landon straightened up, staring straight ahead, scared to miss even a second of what he considered to be the most important moment of his life.
A hush fell across the church as the doors opened and the orchestra (from the school, Landon had told the music teacher of his plans and in turn she had promised to keep it quiet, telling the students that they were practicing for her cousin's wedding) began to play. Out first came Missy Coffer, Jamie's neighbour from across the street whom she had been babysitting since she was a baby, with her basket of rose petals. After Missy followed her older sister Ella with her own basket of petals, escorting Landon's half brother Daniel who was the ring bearer. He clutched the pillow tightly until he caught sight of his mother and waved vigorously, sending the 'rings' (which were only dime store fakes) flying. Ella took him by the hand then and dragged him to the front causing the whole congregation to giggle.
Next down the aisle was Belinda in her light pink prom dress. Landon had asked her the night before to help Jamie get ready, at the time sure that Jamie would ask her to be her bridesmaid. He smiled at her, realizing for the first time how much he cared about her, thankful that they could finally be friends.
As Belinda took her place the organ struck up the wedding march and the doors at the back were flung open. Landon felt his hands go take and his breath catch at his first sight of Jamie.
Dressed entirely in white she looked so pure and innocent. Everything that she really was. The reverend had found his wife's wedding dress up in the attic and snuck it out of the house to the cleaners and then over to Landon's mother, Julia, for alterations.
Jamie's chestnut hair fell in waves around her face, framed by a veil and in her hands she carried white and pink roses, picked and arranged with care by Mrs. Baker from her garden. There was a glow radiating from her that made Landon's heart skip a beat. He knew that no matter what happened, no matter how many years from now he could close his eyes and he would remember this moment just as it was now.
Jamie and her father reached Landon, he could feel her elbow brushing his and he wanted so badly to hold her. Reverend Michael's asked "Who gives this woman to this man."
There was a small pause and Landon saw that Jamie's father was fighting for control. "I do" he said finally and kissed Jamie on the cheek before taking his place in the front pew on the bride's side.
Landon had asked him originally to perform the ceremony but now he understood why he had declined. It was an emotional day for him and he only wanted to be there as Jamie's father. Instead he had asked his good friend Reverend Michael's who had married himself and his wife many years before in the this same church in Hazleton.
Holding hands, they stared into each other's eyes, shyly at first. Neither one of them could believe this was really happening. Then Jamie's face broke into a huge grin and Landon could not hold his back. Reverend Michael's began with the familiar line, "Dearly Beloved..."
It was a beautiful day. The sun seemed to shine forever and after it did finally go down the sky was lit up with thousands of shining stars. It was as if nature was celebrating with them.
Landon stood contemplating this by himself at the edge of the Sullivan's porch. The party was still going strong in the back yard and so he did not hear Jamie creep up behind him.
He jerked, startled as she slipped her arms around his waist, then relaxed immediately realizing that it was Jamie. He turned to take her into his arms. "Hi." He whispered looking down into her upturned face.
It was the first time they had been alone all day and he was feeling a bit uncertain. "Hi." She whispered back and he realized that she must have been feeling the same as him. He pulled her closer then, resting his chin on the top of her head, breathing in her familiar scent.
They were silent for several minutes, just holding each other. Finally she pulled away and led him over to the porch swing. Sitting down, she rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank you for today, Landon. It has been absolutely perfect."
Running the tips of his fingers up and down her arm she felt him nod. "That's all I wanted, for this to be the most perfect day imaginable." He paused staring blindly off into the night. He did not want to tell her that if what they all feared happened come Tuesday that he wanted to have this day to remember always, he wanted to be able to give her this.
"I love you, Jamie," he said softly.
"I love you, Landon," she whispered back. Straightening up beside him she turned and looked him right in the eye. "What happens tonight?"
He almost swallowed his tongue. "Wh...what?" he stuttered staring at her.
She laughed. "We're married now, Landon. You know very well what I mean."
She was talking about sex. His mind went blank as he continued to stare at her. He had not even thought about it, well not really anyway. She was sick for god's sake! He thought that at the very most they could sleep in the same bed, if she was comfortable with that, but nothing else.
Jamie watched him with an amused expression on her face. He had turned as white as a ghost and looked as if he was trying to decide between throwing up or passing out. She knew exactly what he was thinking and she was not going to let him get away with it. She might be inexperienced, and she knew that Landon was not even though they had never discussed it, but she was married now and bad heart or no she was not going into that hospital Tuesday without being Landon's wife in every sense of the meaning.
"Jamie," he finally said very seriously, "I don't want you to feel you have to... I don't expect anything, we don't have to do anything, I mean," he babbled, his face going from stark white to beet red, "Damn it, Jamie, stop laughing! This isn't funny and we don't have to do anything! We can just be together without..."
"Without what?" she asked innocently, enjoying Landon's discomfort.
"You know what!" he exploded jumping up to pace the porch, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. He finally stopped and took a deep breath in an attempt to calm down. "We have the rest of our lives for that, Jamie." He tried to say it convincingly.
She shook her head, holding her hand out for him to come and sit next to her again. "We both know that we might not have forever, Landon. You said in church today that you do not want to live with regrets." She smiled at him then, raising her eyebrows, "don't you think you would regret us not..." it was her turn to blush "not, well, being together?"
He knew she was right but he had so many concerns, mostly about her health. As always she seemed to be able to read his mind. "You can't hurt me, Landon."
She snuggled into his side now, his arm coming around her waist again. He was still tense and scared out of his mind now. He had not really allowed himself to think that far ahead into his and Jamie's relationship.
"Look in the inside pocket of your jacket." She whispered in his ear. He did as she asked and was surprised to find an envelope with simply "Jamie and Landon" written on it.
"Open it" she instructed and remained silent as he did. It was a wedding card from Eric, Belinda, Tracie, Dean and Clay. There was a slip of paper with a brief note saying that they had reserved and paid for a room for them at a bed and breakfast a few miles out of town.
Taking another deep, calming breath Landon looked up at Jamie. "You're sure?"
"I have never been so sure of anything in my life."
A/N This is just to assure everyone that the next chapter is not going to be all nasty. I just thought it was important to address the sex issue - they are married now after all and I did wonder after reading the book and watching the movie if they...'you know', hee- hee! So this is probably as pg as it is going to get. I just wanted to be clear about that! As always I look forward to your comments so keep them coming! MG
p.s. Try Honesty (Brittany (sp?)) Thank you for your very encouraging review. I have just been writing this in my spare time for fun and to be totally honest after your first review I was very nervous about going on, what if it was total crap? So I am glad you are enjoying it.
And to both the ShaneMandy's, every review from the both of you has totally made my day! Thanks for the support!
Okay, now I am done with my Oscar worthy speech I will just stop! Thanks again!