Wedding Day

Thankfully, even though Fall River had 14 inches of snow fall on Christmas Day, someone pulled some strings, Elizabeth assumed Lucas, and the snowplows made sure the road to the Country Club Event Center was clear.

"You look stunning, Beth," Grace told her daughter, watching her turn and look at the back of her dress in the mirror. The Country Club had a large room for the bride and her entourage to get ready.

The back of her dress was her favorite part, Elizabeth thought. But she also loved the long lace sleeves which added an elegance and romance to it. It was form fitting down to her hips and then the dress continued with a gentle flow to the floor.

"Thanks, Mom."

Elizabeth's chestnut curls were softly pulled back in a low bun with loose waves framing her face and a sparkly white clip on each of the sides.

She felt ready for the day, ready for the wonderful future she was going to share with Aria and Lucas.

"Are you ready, dear?" William said from outside the door.

"Yes, Dad. I'm ready."

Faith walked up, Aria's hand in hers. "Its time, Aria."

She bounced up and down, a huge smile on her face. "I'm so excited! I've never been a flower girl!"

Aria's navy dress matched Faith's. Both were navy. Aria's was satin on top with a satin sash and navy tulle skirt with sparkles, matching her sparkly personality perfectly.

Elizabeth's happy nerves made tears well up but she pushed them back. She was not going to cry.

"No crying," Faith whispered, hugging her good friend. "You're going to be a wife and a mom in about thirty minutes."

"I can't wait."

…..

Lucas stood at the flower arch made of pink roses and lit candles scattered and yet strategically placed around the bottom, waiting. He was nervous. Not that she wouldn't show up, just the whole thing. Getting married again was scary but wonderful. Standing in front of people, the same.

"You got this, Lucas," Carson said, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Thanks."

As the music of Canon in D started, his eyes immediately searched for his love. First though, came his beautiful daughter scattering pink roses on the ground from her white basket. She was smiling so hard and she had tears streaming down her face.

When she walked up, he knelt down to see what was happening. "Honey? What is it?"

"I'm just so happy, Daddy."

"Me too, baby."

He dried her tears, fought his own and nodded to Helen to come retrieve her.

He took a deep breath and let his eyes look toward the back. There she was. The most elegant, supremely perfect-for-him woman. And somehow, she picked him. How was that possible?

His eyes held the tears in until she caught his eye and then down they fell. Oh, he loved every single thing about her. Why was it taking so long to get up the aisle?

Once her eyes found his, Elizabeth's heart felt like it would burst with the love she felt for this man. Everyone faded away but the two of them. She felt Lucas take her hand from her father and his warmth flowed through her.

"Beth, you are stunning," Lucas whispered.

His now blushing bride whispered back, "Hello, handsome."

Pastor Joseph, a long-time friend of the Thatcher family, whispered to them both, "Are you two ready to begin?" causing the bride and groom to chuckle and nod their heads yes.

Joseph began, "We are gathered together on this day to witness and celebrate the marriage of Lucas Elizabeth. Marriage is a commitment in life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. Your relationship will take more than love. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. Dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow. And faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both.

Today signifies the creation of a new home and a new family for you both. May you be fulfilled by each other's love and friendship. May you be overjoyed by the promises you are about to make and the life together you will create."

Joseph motioned to Aria to join them. "Lucas, Elizabeth and Aria would you please join hands to form your family circle? I am going to ask all of you 3 questions. I would like all of you to answer each of them with, 'I Promise!'"

Aria's loud, "I Promise!" brought laughter from everyone.

Joseph replied, "Great job, Aria! Now let's do this with your Daddy and Mommy, ok?"

"OK!"

"Do you promise to love, respect, and protect each other from this day forward?"

"I Promise!"

"Do you promise to always try to be the best person you can be?"

"I Promise!"

"Do you promise to accept the responsibility of being a family, and encourage, and support each other in your new life together?"

"I Promise!"

"Lucas and Elizabeth, you may now share the vows you have each written."

The overwhelming love Lucas felt at this moment stole his breath. Elizabeth took a step closer to Lucas and firmly grasped both of his hands and Lucas's racing heart settled. Taking a deep breath he began his vows.

"Elizabeth, because of you, I laugh, I smile, and I dare to dream again. With all of my heart, I look forward to spending the rest of my life with my best friend, caring for you, encouraging you, and loving you unconditionally. I will dream with you, celebrate with you, and walk beside you through whatever our life together may bring. You are my heart, my love, and my life, today and always."

Needing to be closer Lucas took a step forward and leaned down until their foreheads and noses touched. With a slight nose nuzzle and a brief kiss on the tip of the bride's nose, they both shared beautiful loving smiles with each other.

Reaching upward Elizabeth placed her hand on his cheek and caressing his dimple with her thumb she began her vows. "Lucas, God has given all three of us a second chance at happiness. I come today to give you and Aria my promise of love, to give you my heart and my hope for our future together. I promise to encourage and inspire you, laugh with you, and comfort you. I will cherish and protect your heart always. I promise to be faithful and supportive and to make our family's love and happiness my priority."

Lucas, holding Elizabeth's hands, brought them to his lips and lovingly placed a kiss on each.

Taking the couple's wedding rings from Carson, Joseph said, "From the earliest times, the circle has been a sign of completeness. May these rings be your most treasured adornment, and may the love they symbolize, be your most precious possession."

Lucas took Elizabeth's ring and placed it on her finger and said, "I give you this ring as a sign of my love. With all that I have, I am honored to call you my wife from this moment until forever."

Placing his band on his finger, Elizabeth shared her words, "I give you this ring, that is almost as beautiful as your smile, as a sign of my love. Let's embark on this new journey together and live life by each other's side."

"Lucas and Elizabeth from this moment forward you will never be alone. You will carry with you the love of another person, giving you completeness and renewed lightness. Having pledged their love to honor and cherish one another in the presence of their family and friends, it is my honor to now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride."

The moment their lips touched they lost themselves in that spark that was always present between them and fell into a passionate first kiss as husband and wife. It wasn't until they heard the laughter and applause from their friends and family, that they were able to pull themselves from each other.

With heartfelt happiness, Pastor Joseph announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to be the first to introduce you to: Mr. and Mrs. Bouchard."

Aria rushed forward and put her arms around both of them.

"Thank you for being our flower girl, bugs," Elizabeth told her as Lucas picked her up. "You look beautiful."

"So do you, Mommy."

Lucas put her down and all three of them walked down the aisle together toward their new life.

…..

"Thank you for walking me down the aisle, Dad," Elizabeth told William as they slowly swayed to The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra.

"I wouldn't have missed it, Bethie. I'm happy you found love again."

"Me too. Have you found it, Dad? With Suzy?"

"She's very important to me. I wasn't going to talk to you about this until after your trip but I'd like to know what you think about her."

She didn't know how she felt. A little strange. It just felt weird that it wasn't her mom with her dad.

"Honey, I would love to know how you feel, but why don't we table this until after your trip?"

"I…I really just want to get this out. Otherwise I will have it on my mind the whole week. I always thought you and mom had the perfect marriage."

"Beth…"

"I know now that no marriage is perfect. Jack and I had our issues too. But divorce, Dad? Its not an option for me. I can't imagine falling out of love with someone and breaking my vow to them."

"I loved your Mom, Beth. I still do and I always will. But sometimes you grow apart and unless both people are willing to put in the work to fix what's broken, divorce happens."

They quietly swayed a bit longer and Elizabeth watched the other fathers and daughters on the floor, including Lucas and Aria. She was standing on his feet as they danced, looking up and smiling at him. What if she and Lucas grew apart? Elizabeth was grown and she was struggling with this situation. What would it do to Aria?

"Does Suzy make you happy, Dad?"

"Of course she does, Beth. Very happy."

"Alright, then I think I'm happy that you found her."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Dad. I'm sure."

After the father/daughter dance, Lucas walked over and led her to the middle of the floor for their first dance together. Elvis Presley started singing Can't Help Falling In Love and she clung to her husband and sunk into his arms.

"Luke?"

"Yes, my love."

"Promise me we'll always fight to keep our relationship just like it is right now."

He looked slightly confused but he nodded and slowly kissed her lips. "Of course."

"Aria needs us to be strong, to always love each other and not to give up."

"Honey? What's going on?"

"Dad asked how I felt about Suzy."

"How do you feel?"

"I realized that I'm an adult. I'm grown up and if I struggle with my parent's divorce at my age, I can't imagine how hard it would be on Aria."

"We won't get divorced, Beth. That's not an option for me."

"Me either."

"My vows to you are for forever."

"Mine too."

Grace sat at the tables watching her daughter dance with her new husband. It reminded her so much of her own wedding to William. She looked at him with just as much adoration and love and yet…look at them now. Divorced and dating other people. Grace looked at John, her date and boyfriend, if at her age she could call him that. He was a kind man. She liked him a lot but…she couldn't see their relationship going past what they had now. She wasn't in love and couldn't imagine being in love with anyone other than William.

"Grace?" John said, putting his hand on her hand.

"Yes."

"You're very quiet tonight."

"Where do you see us going, John?"

"What do you mean?"

"Together. Are you…do you see a future with me?"

"You really want to talk about this here, Grace?"

"I don't know."

"For the last few weeks, its felt like you haven't been very happy. I didn't want to stir anything up, hoping you would talk to me without me prompting."

"I really like you, John. You are very kind and thoughtful and in so many ways, I can't see my life without you in it."

"But…."

"But, I don't see marriage in our future. I'm so sorry if that hurts you but I needed you to know that."

"You still love William," he stated.

"I always will, I fear."

"That's natural, I mean, maybe you just need more time. We get along, Grace. You are my best friend. Why not just see where life goes? Who says we need to get married?"

"You're my best friend too, John, but…I think maybe we should take a break."

"Alright if you think that's the best thing." He wasn't going to put up a fight if she wasn't either.

"I do. I'm sorry, John."

"Don't be."

…..

Pictures took forever despite the group of guests and wedding party members being small. Elizabeth wanted a wide variety of shots both candid and posed.

Now, she stood with both of her parents, holding her bouquet. As they smiled, she could feel the tension between them.

"Where's, John?" William asked.

"He went home," Grace said.

"What? Why did he leave you?" Elizabeth asked.

"We are taking a break." William looked at his ex-wife, trying to determine if she was upset about the situation or not.

"I'm sorry, Mom."

"It was inevitable, dear. Nothing to be sorry about."

"So you gave up on him?" William asked.

"No, Will. I didn't love him, not that it's any of your business."

"This isn't the place, Grace."

Grace looked at Elizabeth and nodded. "I'm sorry, Beth."

"So am I. I never should have said that."

They finished the pictures and about thirty minutes later, things were winding down. They had food and cake and danced a bit more.

"Our flight is in two hours, Beth," Luke said. "We should probably change and get going."

She nodded, feeling her face heat up.

"You're so gorgeous when you blush." He kissed her temple, pulling her close with his hands on her hips.

"Thank you."

"Are you ready?"

"More than anything."

He led her to the bridal party room, ready to follow her inside. "I am going to change. I'll meet you here in about ten minutes."

He kept their fingers intertwined, gently pushing her back against the wall. His free hand touched her jaw, as his eyes traced every inch of her face before fixating on her lips.

"Ten minutes," she whispered, kissing the corner of his lips.

"I could help."

He looked so hopeful, she had to force herself not to giggle or give in.

"Patience, love." She stretched up and gave him a tender kiss, just enough to satisfy his immediate want.

Sure. Patience. What was a few more hours?