Chapter 17

The day had finally come, John and Kate were to be married. All the guests were getting settled, John, Brady, Roman and Philip were all standing at the alter. "So dad, you ready for this?" asked Brady. Smiling John nodded his head, "I've waited this long to realize how much I love Kate, I'm ready for anything", said John just as the music began to play.

your there by my side
in everyway
I know that you would not forsake me
I give you my life
would not thin twice
your love is all I need believe me

Seeing his daughter walk down the aisle, made John realize that this could be her wedding in a few years. Marlena followed Belle down the aisle and looked more beautiful than ever, but nothing compared to when he saw Kate come through the doors. 'God she's beautiful' John whispered to himself, as he watched Kate walk down the aisle.

I may not say it quite as much as I should
when I say I love you darling that means for good
so open up yours arms and let me in

and I will love you 'til forever
until death do us part we'll be together
so take my hand and hold on tight
and we'll get there
this I swear

FLASHBACK
"What makes you happy John?" whispered Kate as their faces got closer. John slid his hand to the back of her neck, this thumb stroking her skin gently. Kate pulled away slightly studying his emotions. "You do", he said as he leaned down and kissed her softly.

I'm wondering how I ever got by
without you in my life to guide me
wherever I go the one thing that's true
is everything I do I do for you

I may not say it half as much as I should
when I say I love you darling that means for good
so open up your heart and let me in

FLASHBACK
"So...your pregnant?" asked John. A smile came across Kate's face, "John I'm sorry that I didn't tell you before" "Katie girl..it's okay...I'm happy". said John with tears in his eyes.

and I will love you 'til forever
until death do us part we'll be together
so take my hand and hold on tight
and we'll get there
this I swear

so whenever you get weary
just reach out for me
I'll never let you go down my love

FLASHBACK
"John I love you so much." cried Kate. John kissed the top of her head. "I love you too Katie girl, and when I get out of here, we can start our lives together."

and I will love you 'til forever
until death do us part we'll be together
so take my hand and hold on tight
and we'll get there

As Kate made her way to John, he held out his hand for her. Taking her hand in his, he pulled her up to him. "You look beautiful, I love you", said John as he squeezed her hand. "I love you too John."

and I will love you 'til forever
until death do us part we'll be together
so take my hand and hold on tight
and we'll get there
and we'll get there
this I swear

As the song ended, the priest began. "We are gathered here today, to join this man and this woman in marriage. Both have written their own vows, John if you'll begin."
Pulling out a small piece of paper from his pocket, John began.

"I love you. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard,when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life."

"Kate it's your turn", said the priest.

"I promise to be a patient, always honest and compassionate. I will be your best friend, your sweetheart, your soul mate throughout life, always putting your needs above mine. I promise to live a life that will honor the vows we have spoken and make you glad to have married me this day. I love you John Black."

As Kate finished, she wiped the small tears that had formed in her eyes. "Do you John take this woman to be your beloved wife, until death do you part?" "I do" said John as he took the ring that Brady had handed to him and placed it on Kate's finger. "With this ring, I give my heart and soul to you Katherine Roberts." Smiling Kate turned to Bille and received John's ring. "Do you Kate, take this man to be your beloved husband, till death do you part?" "I do" said Kate as she placed the ring on John's finger. "With this ring, I give you my heart and soul."
"Now before I can pronounce you man and wife, John would like to read a poem that he wrote for Kate." said the priest.

"I promise to give you the best of myself
and to ask of you no more than you can give.

I promise to respect you as your own person
and to realize that your interests, desires and needs
are no less important than my own.

I promise to share with you my time and my attention
and to bring joy, strength and imagination to our relationship

I promise to keep myself open to you,
to let you see through the window of my world
into my innermost fears and feelings, secrets and dreams.

I promise to grow along with you,
to be willing to face changes in order to keep
our relationship alive and exciting.

I promise to love you in good times and bad,
with all I have to give and all I feel inside
in the only way I know how,
completely and forever."

"I love you John" mouthed Kate as she took John's hand in hers. "I now can pronounce you man and wife, ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to give you Mr. and Mrs. John Black." yelled the priest as cheering and clapping began. "You may now kiss the bride". With hearing that John pulled Kate into a long passionate kiss. Pulling away both John and Kate looked at their friends and family, "Okay, enough of this, let's party." yelled John as he and Kate headed into the crowd.