Martin
Mr. Camden then asked "Who gives this woman away?" and he answered his own question, with tears in his eye. Ruth smiled at him and Kevin kissed her cheek before shaking my hand and I took Ruth's hand as we stood in front of her dad.
Mr. Camden began by saying "It is always a joy when your children grow up and meet someone who they believe will be their soul mate. Ruth and Martin stand before us and God, declaring their love for one another through marriage. "
I squeezed Ruth's hand lightly as she squeezed back.
Mr. Camden then continued "Martin and Ruth, in presenting yourselves here today to be joined in marriage, you perform an act of faith. This faith can grow and develop and last, but only if you both decide to make it so. A lasting and growing love is not guaranteed by any ritual. Faults will surface where now you find comfort, and admiration can be shattered by the routine of daily life. Dedication, love, and joy can grow only when you nourish them together. Stand fast in that hope and confidence, having faith in your shared destiny just as strongly as you have faith in yourselves and in one another today. Only with this spirit can you forge a union that will strengthen and endure all the days of your lives."
When he was finished he nodded to me and I turned to Ruth with tears in my eyes "I, Martin Brewer, take you, Ruth Camden, as my friend and love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know yet, in all the ways that life may find us."
I then took the ring that Mac handed me and said "Ruth, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God."
Ruthie then looked up at me and repeated "I, Ruth Camden, take you, Martin Brewer, as my friend and love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know yet, in all the ways that life may find us."
At this point she stopped as the tears began falling faster and I took the pad of my thumb and wiped them off her silky skin. She smiled slightly before continuing "Martin, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God."
Mr. Camden smiled at both of us and said "With this statement made of love and trust, which we have just heard, I now invite you to greet Martin and Ruth as husband and wife. May this day shine eternally in your lives, May it add brilliance to every achievement and cast a divine light over any misfortune, May you care for each other in all sadness, May you give cheer to each other. May you give vitality to each other in all undertakings, and May all that is virtuous, beautiful and honest, remain with you always. You may kiss your bride" but before he had finished saying that I had already taken the veil from Ruth's face and had pulled her in for a kiss.
"I now would like to present Mr. & Mrs. Martin Brewer" I heard Mr. Camden saying as Ruth opened her mouth allowing me to deepen our kiss.
"Dude!" Mac hissed at us as we pulled apart slightly "Save that for later. Everyone is waiting for you to walk down the aisle"
I reluctantly let Ruth go, not before kissing her once more and we walked down the aisle together holding hands. As we went into the limo that was waiting outside for us, I pulled her into her arms and kissed her once more.
"I can't believe we are married" she said as she pulled away from me slightly before hugging me.
"I know" I replied softly looking at her.
"Thanks for the song" Ruth said suddenly as I looked at her and smiled before replying "It was nothing. I just wanted you to know how I felt"
Once we arrived at the reception, everyone was already there. We walked in as the D.J announced "Please stand and greet Mr. & Mrs. Martin Brewer".
Once we had made the rounds, I stood up and said "Thank you for coming. I would like to make a toast to my beautiful bride"
Ruth blushed slightly as I looked at her and said "The day you agreed to marry me was one of the happiest days in my life, especially after losing Simon, Sandy and Thom. You have given me the hope and strength to move on and start a family with you and for that I will be eternally grateful."
I stopped a moment before wiping away my tears as Ruth rushed up to me and hugged me. I placed my arm around her waist as I said into the microphone "We all know I can't carry a tune but this song is my wedding present for you."
As the D.J played the song, I took Ruth's hand and led her onto the dance floor.
from the moment I saw you
from the moment I looked into your eyes
there was something about you I knew, I knew
that we were once in a lifetime
a treasure impossible to find
and now I know how lucky I am to have you
cause I've seen rainbows that
could take your breath away
the beauty of the setting sun
on any given day
and when it comes to shooting stars
I have seen a few
but I've never seen anything
as beautiful as you
I can't believe that I have you
I can't believe that you're here in my arms
I've been waiting a lifetime for you, for you
and I've dreamed about you
pictured in my mind what I would see
but I never imagined just how beautiful you'd be
Because I've seen rainbows that
could take your breath away
the beauty of the setting sun
on any given day
and when it comes to shooting stars
I have seen a few
but I've never seen anything
as beautiful as you
As we continued dancing Ruth looked up at me and said "I love you" before standing on her tiptoes and kissing me.
I kissed her back as I picked her up and began to familiarize myself with the contours of her mouth.
Just then we heard Mr. Camden say dryly "I know I told you once it was legal your hands could go anywhere but let's keep it clean for the children's sake"
I blushed slightly before replying "sorry dad". Mr. Camden beamed at me before saying "That's okay. May I cut in?"
"Certainly" I replied smoothly as I walked up to Mrs. Camden and said "Mom? Would you like to dance?"
When the song was over we all sat down and started eating. Just then Mac raised his glass as he asked for everyone to quiet down.
"You know, the trouble with being the best man at a wedding is that you never get to actually prove it." Mac began as everyone started laughing and then he turned serious "Martin has been one of my closest and best friends since high school and along with Martin's friendship, came Ruth Camden. The first time I asked him about her, he became defensive and said that she was a package deal. If I couldn't deal with hanging out with her, then we couldn't be friends. That was when I knew that Ruth was someone special and someone truly valuable" He stopped a moment before continuing "I didn't realize how special until six months ago when Martin called asking me to make sure Ruth would be okay when she was in New York. The time Ruth and I spent together only cemented the fact that she was one of a kind. I am proud to call her one of my best friends and I only hope to find a woman half as worthy as Ruth is. Congratulations guys" and with that raised his glass.
Ruth stood up to hug Mac and kissed him on the cheek, as I gave him a hug as well.
Lucy then stood up and said "I guess it's my turn" before looking at Ruth and myself "Martin, ever since you came into our lives we have all loved you like a brother. How fitting is it that it is now official? You and Ruth are soul mates and I wish you every happiness and joy that marriage brings you. Congratulations" and she raised her glass to us.
Finally Mr. Camden stood up and said "When Martin asked for my permission to marry Ruth, I was overjoyed. I remembered when you were both in high school and Bill had mentioned the fact that he always hoped you two would end up marrying one another. That was the first time I realized there may have been something there that I hadn't initially seen. Ruth isour last daughter,our baby girl" Everyone 'awed' as Ruth groaned and leaned her head on my shoulder.
"However" Mr. Camden continued "She always knows what is going on. If you have a question about one of the Camden kids,all you need to do is ask Ruth. Of course she sometimes will not tell you but she always knows. Ruth has always been the most mature child of all our children. Sorry Luce" he said as Lucy protested a bit and Kevin started laughing before stopping at the death glare Lucy shot him.
"I am grateful to know thatour baby girl has found an upstanding man who will protect her and love her, something that Martin has been doing since the day he walked into our yard. Before I finish just a few words of wisdom for the happy couple: Never go to bed on an argument – stay up and fight. Here's to the past for all that you've learned, here's to the present for all that you share and here's to the future, for all that you look forward to together. Ladies and Gentlemen, please raise your glasses to theRuth and Martin."
Once the wedding cake was cut, I saw Ruth go up to the microphone. "Martin? I have loved you from the moment I saw you. Everything we have been through has only strengthened our relationship. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you and to be the mother of your children. This is my wedding present to you" and she started to sing.
When I fall in love
It will be forever
Or I'll never fall in love
In a restless world
Like this is
Love is ended before it's begun
And too many
Moonlight kisses
Seem to cool in the warmth of the sun
When I give my heart
It will be completely
Or I'll never give my heart
And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too
Is when I fall in love with you
As she stepped down, I took her hand and kissed her softly on the lips.
"So?" she said softly as her brown eyes danced mischievously.
"So?" I repeated softly grinning.
"How rude would it be to leave now?"
"Not too rude. I think they are expecting us to go at any time" At that moment Annie came up to us and said "Feel free to leave anytime" before giving us hugs.
"Thanks Mom" Ruthie said happily as she took my hand and we started making our way to the door. As we were about to leave we heard Lucy's voice "You guys weren't leaving without saying goodbye were you?"
"Of course not Luce" Ruthie said sighing slightly as Lucy gave her and a hug and then turned to hug me.
"Have a great time on your honeymoon" she said softly as Kevin, Mr. Camden, and Mac walked over to hug as us well.
"We will" Ruthie promised them and then said "and don't call us for at least twenty four hours because we won't pick up"
"Why not?" I asked confused as Mac punched me lightly before saying "Dude do I have to explain everything to you?"
I blushed slightly as everyone laughed and Ruth grabbed my hand as we walked out the door.
In the car on the way to the airport, Ruth leaned over and lightly kissed my neck as I sighed in wonderment.
"Honey?" I asked her softly.
"Hmm" she replied intent on kissing a spot where I had gasped out loud.
"You really don't think we are going to be busy for the next twenty four hours do you?" I mean I didn't want to disappoint her, but I didn't want to promise something that I wouldn't be able to deliver.
She chuckled lowly, sending chills up and down my spine "Don't you worry big boy, with what I have planned, it will definitely take the next twenty-four hours" and with that she kissed me on the lips.
I smiled slightly before kissing her back. I could tell that being married to Ruth was going to be a rollercoaster of excitement and I couldn't wait.
Finis
It is finally finished! Lyrics by Jim Brickman and Wayne Brady, Celine Dion. I hope you enjoyed it and thanks for all your wonderful reviews and support. Now I can focus on Ruthie and Martin!