Josh's POV
Would you believe me if I told you I was nervous? Because I am. I married this woman ten months ago and now renewing our vows in front of our family and friends has got me even more nervous than I was first time around.
Not only are we renewing our vows but also our children are being baptised today. Noah and Talia have lit up our lives in a way I never thought was possible. Since their birth six weeks ago I have become a different man. I just love rushing home from work to be with them. Noah is so like me. His mannerisms are so like mine it's scary. Donna says I haven't to coerce him just yet.
And my little princess is just like my queen. Talia is her mother over again. She has inherited some of my mannerisms as well, but the peacefulness and grace of her mother.
I haven't seen them today and I am missing them like crazy. But Donna said she wanted to do this right. Okay we've been married for ten months and have two gorgeous children, but she wanted the night before the ceremony to be spent separately.
Sam has come from LA to be my best man; he looks great, even better with Mallory on his arm. They announced they were together when they got the invite to the wedding. See, Donna and I weren't the only ones hiding a relationship.
Last night Sam, Toby, Charlie, Leo and I went out for drinks. The President secretly wanted to be with us and I wish he was with us as well but it would have been a security nightmare. We reminisced, drank, talked, drank, laughed and drank some more. Donna did call to remind me of my sensitive system so I stopped drinking before the rest of them. I wonder how my angel is feeling this morning?
Donna's POV
It's the morning of my wedding. I know I was married ten months ago but today is the day I dreamed of when I was a little girl. The day I stand in front of all my friends and profess my love for the man I want to spend the rest of my life with. It may sound cheesy but it's true.
Mrs Bartlett offered my children and I a room in the residence for the night before. I secretly think she and the President just wanted the excuse to spend time with their honorary grandchildren.
We slept in the Lincoln bedroom last night and it felt strange not being in bed beside Josh, but I was the one to instigate the rules. I turn to where the twins are still slumbering in the gorgeous hand carved crib that all three daughters of the current president have slept. They are so cute, with little look of their father about them. They both have inherited his cocky grin, though I tell him its just gas.
A knock on the door pulls me from the daydream I have found myself in. "Come in." I say in a stage whisper. I really don't want the children awake. They were awake during the night and need sleep just now.
Mrs Bartlett pops her head around the door. "How are things in here?"
"Quiet."
She smiles looking to where the twins sleep. "Were they up during the night?" I nod in response. "Jed and I didn't hear them, you should have come for help."
"It's all right Mrs Bartlett, I am used to doing it." I state as Noah begins to stir. I quickly lift him before he wakes his sister. Settling back into the comfy chair, I slip my robe open to feed my son.
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Abbey?" She scolds me in a friendly way.
"I'm sorry, I guess it takes a bit of getting used to." I say as Noah latches on and sucks heartily.
"I just came in to find out if you need any help?" She asks, lifting Talia as she begins to stir.
"Not at the moment. Once these two have been fed then I may need a little help." I tell her. I don't know how I am going to get the two of them into christening robes and myself dressed without any help. I barely manage to dress us for a normal day never mind something special.
"Well, just give me a yell, and I'll help. I am sure Zoey will want to help as well." She tells me before laying Talia back into the crib.
"Thank you Abbey, this means so much to me." I tell her before she departs the room.
CJ's POV
I am standing here in the Rose Garden waiting for my best friend to walk down the white aisle that has been laid over the path. I glance over to see Toby making faces at young Noah who is lying contented in the Presidents arms. It's weird to see the normally gruff man going all goo-goo eyes at a baby. Talia is lying in Abbey's arms. In a way I feel sorry for Donna. Her son has on his fathers christening robe and her daughter, though she looks adorable had to have new dress bought for her. Donna's parents have never agreed to what Donna has done with her life, especially when it came to marriage and children.
Josh and Donna decided that their children deserved the best in life and it should start with their godparents. Each child has four godparents. Yes that's right four. Noah Josiah has The President, Toby, Sam and myself. While the little Princess known as Talia Rose has Abbey, Zoey, Charlie and Leo. Now you couldn't ask for better godparents than that could you?
Josh's POV
I am standing here at the bottom of a beautiful aisle awaiting my darling wife. As I scan the crowd I see my children who I have already seen and kissed. They are lying in their honary grandparent's arms. They look so alike today, it's scary. I see my mother nervously bouncing her leg and glancing at her watch. She looks just as nervous as I feel. She loves Donna like she was her own and was so excited when we told her about today. I only hope I can hold back the tears to make her proud of me again.
It maybe mid October but hearing the first strands of O Holy Night I know Donna is about to appear at the top of the aisle. She called me this morning to let me know that even though she only gave birth six weeks ago, she fits into her wedding dress. I can't wait to see her in it again.
Then she appears like the angel she is. A vision in white walking ever closer to me. Her hair sits the same way it did last December, this time she carries a bouquet of white roses hand picked by The President from the Rose Garden itself.
As she reaches me I can see the tears already evident in her eyes. This means just as much to her as it does to me. I reach for her hand which she takes before we turn to the celebrant. He begins the service before asking us to renew our vows.
"Donna, I have updated my vows from December, I hope you don't mind as I hope they are for the better. In December I told you that you gave meaning to my life and still that is true. I never before believed that life could mean so much. Life with you just gets better and better with every day. You really are the constant in my life, you and our two children. Donna I promise my heart, soul and mind to you again only this time it is with deeper love." I finish my vows before I start to cry. I look to my wife who has a tear trailing down her cheek. I wipe it away before kissing her cheek.
"Hey no kissing yet!" The President calls out.
"She's already my wife." I call back. "I can kiss her whenever I want." This gains a laugh from the crowd.
Donna's POV
I am glad that Josh has managed to lighten the mood. His vows got to me again. That man is such a softy that he doesn't even realise it. Okay it's my turn now. Lets see if I can get it right.
"Joshua, Life has certainly changed since December and I have to say it is definitely for the better. I never dreamed of a day like this, but you have given it to me. You mean the world to me, in fact more than the world. You mean so much to me that I cannot put it into words. In fact I can, you are my everything. I hope you will still me mine now and forever." Tears are coursing down my face now. I don't care that there is anyone else watching us. It's only him and I again.
The celebrant is speaking but I don't hear the words, all I can see is Josh and that's all that matters.
Abbey's POV
I can't believe how sweet they both are, their parents are too. Talia has lay in my arms and not made a whimper while her parents re-promised their vows to one another, but now it is her turn. Well her and her brother. Jed looks so proud to have a baby in his arms. We stand so the celebrant can take the christening service.
"Well this has to be a first for me. A christening with the First family as Godparents. I only hope that it is a good omen for the children." The celebrant says before beginning the ceremony.
We hand the children to their parents for them to be blessed before handing them back. Noah cried as the water was poured onto his forehead, but Talia didn't even bat an eyelid. She is such a contented baby, just like her mother.
CJ's POV
The party is in full swing though I can see the Lyman family standing off to one side. They just look so happy. "Well then Mr and Mrs Lyman are you as happy as you look?"
Donna beams. "CJ I couldn't be any happier than I am right now." She tells me before leaning into her husband and kissing him.
"Well, I was just wondering if I could have a dance with my godson. I think it's time her was instigated into the world of dancing Aunt CJ style." I smile as Josh hands his son over.
The music has slowed as I walk onto the floor with Noah in my arms. I glance around to see the President with his wife in his arms, Sam and Mallory, Zoey and Charlie and Leo with Jordan all dancing away. Toby appears beside me with Talia in his arms. "It didn't seem fair that her brother got to dance and she didn't. Plus it meant their parents could enjoy a dance together as well."
I turn to where Josh and Donna are wrapped in one another's arms without a care in the world. Noah snuggles into my shoulder as Talia does the same to Toby. "Can we join this dance into a foursome?" I ask. Toby understands and wraps his free arm around my shoulder allowing me to lean in so we can dance all together. If only this was real life and they were my children. Hey a girl can dream can't she?
Josh's POV
Well it is the end of one of the best days in my life. I turn to see my angel retrieving our children from their godparents so we can head home. I think the children have had enough excitement for one day. What a day. All I can say is Life is good. I never thought it would be this way but look at me now, three angels in my life and surrounded by friends that I love and respect. Life can't get better than this. Can it?
A.N – I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to get this up. My muse left me for a while during the summer and only appeared back last weekend. This was the last chapter in the story, thank you to all who have stuck with me throughout. It meant a lot to receive your reviews. Who knows now the muse is back I may write something new soon. Thanks again Lu x.