Chapter 11 The Wedding

The car pulled up to the Miami Grand and Lucas escorted Elizabeth out of the car. The concierge took the bags up to their suite. "Congratulations sir!"

"Not yet, but soon. Thank you!" Lucas replied as he shut the door behind him.

"Lucas this suite is breathtaking!"

"Not as breathtaking as you my dear. Just think in a little bit we will be married and seeing each other for the first time in a completely different way."

"I can't wait." She teased.

"Well, in that case your dress is hanging in that bag. I hope you don't mind, I had it modeled after one in your closet."

She opened the bag and there was a beautiful spaghetti strap, coral, silk wedding gown. "Lucas it's beautiful. His tux was grey with a coral vest and tie to match. We should get lunch and then I will show you around. Joseph is going to be in the garden gazebo at sunset to do our ceremony. Joseph was my childhood pastor.

"Lucas did you grow up in Miami?"

"I did. My parents have a summer home here."

"Will they be joining us?"

"No, that would not be fair to your family Elizabeth. We will have them all out to San Francisco for our big ceremony which you can start planning as soon as we get back. Be sure to invite as many people as you like. There is no limit. I want everyone to know you belong to me." He said kissing her on the temple.

"How does Chinese food sound for lunch?" Elizabeth suggested.

"That sounds wonderful. I can do some noodles."

They sat down and talked over Chinese. Then Lucas showed her around. He even took her to his club, Bouchard's over Miami.

"Lucas how many clubs do you own?"

"Three. This one, the one in San Francisco, and one in San Diego." I would say the San Francisco one is the largest though. Now, they will be yours as well."

"Lucas, you don't have to do that."

"Of course,

I do. You are going to be my wife. What's mine is now yours."

"You are so generous. That is one of the reasons why I love you so much."

"We should probably get back and get dressed. I can't wait to see you in that wedding gown."

They got back and changed into their wedding attire. "You look beautiful Elizabeth. That color is gorgeous on you! Soon you will be my wife. I can't wait!"

"Look at you! You are the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on." She placed her hands on his lapels and kissed him sweetly.

"Shall we!"

"Lucas, what about shoes? "

"Elizabeth we are walking in the sand. We do not need shoes." They walked through the sand and up to the gazebo, through the gardens, where Joseph and his family were waiting. They stopped right in front of him.

"Lucas it has been a long time. I am so glad you asked me to perform your ceremony. This is my wife, Minnie and my children Cooper and Angela."

"It's wonderful to meet all of you. This is Elizabeth." They all shook hands.

"Well, we should begin." Joseph said as he proceeded to begin.

"Lucas take Elizabeth's hands. You two have chosen to commit yourselves to each other through bad times and good, for richer or poor, for better for worse, in sickness and in health. If you keep God first in your relationship your love will continue to grow stronger through the years. Remember that marriage takes work. It will never be perfect, but you must be willing to work together and communicate."

"Lucas do you take Elizabeth to be your lawfully wedded wife as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"Elizabeth, do you take Lucas to be your lawfully wedded husband as long as you both shall live?

"I do."

"Lucas you may now speak your vows."

"Elizabeth, I had spent so much time alone, I convinced myself that I was happy. It wasn't until I met you that I finally realized what true happiness could be. You are my life. I commit myself to you and only you today, tomorrow, and everyday for the rest of my life. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you with all my heart!" He kissed her hand.

"Elizabeth, would you like to speak?" Joseph asked.

"Yes. Lucas, darling I love how you constantly surprise me with your heart of gold and your spontaneity. Everything we do is better because I get to be with you. I promise to love you endlessly for the rest of my life. I love you with all my heart!"

"You have chosen to seal your vows with rings. These rings have no end, just like your marriage should have no end until death. Lucas, please place the ring on Elizabeth's finger and repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed."

He slid the ring on her finger. "With this ring I thee wed."

"Elizabeth, please place the ring on Lucas's finger and repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed."

She slid the ring on his finger. "With this ring I thee wed."

"By the power invested in me by the state of Florida I now pronounce you husband and wife. Lucas you may kiss your bride."

He cradled her face as he kissed her sweetly running the pads of his thumbs across her cheeks. "I love you!"

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Bouchard!" He shook their hands. "Best of luck to both of you!"

"Thank you, Joseph." Lucas responded.

Lucas took his new bride by the arm, and they walked through the sand. "Dance with me, Love."

He pulled her close and she laid her head on his chest as they danced on the beach underneath the beautiful sunset.

"Lucas this has been something out of a fairytale. You are nothing short of amazing. I don't think this wedding could have been more perfect."

"I love you, Elizabeth. You deserve to be treated like a fairy princess. Shall we return to our room where dinner is waiting for us."