"Alright, bro, you're ready to go," Calin spoke as he finished fixing Ethan's tie.
"Thanks, man," Ethan replied, and Calin nodded.
When Alex had finished helping Liam with his tie, the teenage boy complained, "Do I really have to wear this flower?" as he motioned to the white lily pinned to his chest.
Alex, Ethan, and Calin all chuckled before the groom-to-be replied, "Well, aside from the fact that it's tradition, it is for your sister – I think you can manage." Liam nodded in response.
Ethan then spoke, "You know, I have to say that we all look good. And you know that women go crazy for a sharp-dressed man," as he motioned to their gray suits.
Alex and Calin shook their heads while Liam laughed.
"I didn't know you liked ZZ Top," Alex observed.
"Who?" Ethan asked confusedly, and the guys just shook their heads.
Calin then looked at his watch and said, "Alright, guys, we have to get to the beach."
"Dude, calm down. We won't be late," Alex told him.
"He hasn't been calm all morning," Ethan pointed out.
"I'm getting married – I think I'm entitled to be nervous," Calin responded. He then took a deep breath before he asked Liam, "Do you have the rings?"
"Yep," Liam responded with a smile as he patted his jacket pocket.
Calin smiled back before he looked at his watch again. Ethan then spoke, "Let's get going before the groom forgets his vows."
Calin rolled his eyes and replied, "That isn't funny."
"It actually is," his brother told him before he laughed.
Alex then intervened, "Alright, guys, we really should get going." The other three nodded before they headed out of the apartment.
When they all had sat in the car, Alex asked Calin, "You take care of everything with the landlord?"
"Yes, Dad," Calin responded sarcastically. Alex rolled his eyes before Calin continued, "My lease was up anyway, so it wasn't too difficult. I explained the situation, and he told me to just leave the key on the counter."
Alex nodded in response, as Calin drove out of the apartment complex.
Ethan then asked, "So, when will you surprise the very soon-to-be Mrs. James?"
"After the reception," Calin simply answered.
"You think she'll be surprised?" Ethan then asked.
"Considering that she thinks we're coming to the apartment, then, yeah, she'll be surprised," Calin answered with a smile.
"Well, I can see how much it means to you to make her happy, and that she wants the same for you. I know you two will be happy for many years to come," Alex sincerely told him.
Calin offered a genuine smile as he replied, "Thanks, Alex."
"I'm happy for you and Anna Elizabeth, too, dude," Ethan added. Calin smiled and nodded at his brother.
Ethan then joked, "Your best man is a little busy texting Grace."
Liam's head popped up, and he defended, "She isn't my girlfriend!"
"I didn't say that she was," Ethan pointed out.
The teenage boy only blushed slightly and scratched behind his ear in response, as they arrived at the beach.
The bridesmaids, as well as Anna Elizabeth and Emma had just arrived as well, and Jane rushed over to the guys.
She quickly covered Calin's eyes with her hands and exclaimed, "You can't see her yet!"
"Relax, Jane. I'm not going to see her until she walks down the aisle," Calin pointed out.
"You're absolutely certain?" Jane questioned.
"You're a stickler for tradition, aren't you, Ginger?" Ethan told her.
"My name is… oh, never mind. Just don't look at her, Calin," Jane responded before she uncovered Calin's eyes.
"Aye, aye, Captain!" Ethan mock saluted.
Jane rolled her eyes before Calin told her, "I promise I won't see her." Jane nodded satisfactorily before she walked away.
The guys couldn't help but shake their heads before Calin announced, "It's that time, guys. I'm gonna head up front."
The three of them then nodded before Alex told him, "And while you're waiting, I'd take a few deep breaths."
"Or a lot. We don't need you looking like an idiot," Ethan added.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Calin sarcastically remarked.
Liam then piped up, "Dude, it's Anna Elizabeth. You two always say those lovey-dovey things to each other."
"The kid has a point. I know it's your wedding vows, but you're telling her why you love her and want to spend the rest of your life with her – as I'm sure you have before," Alex told him.
Calin took a deep breath before he thanked them, "That's actually really helpful. Thanks, guys."
Alex and Liam both smiled and nodded. Ethan then glanced over at the bridesmaids, who were currently hiding Anna Elizabeth.
He then joked, "Alright, bro, you better get on up there before Jane comes back over here."
Calin grinned before he nodded. He then made his way up the aisle and stood next to the minister, with his back toward the rows of occupied white chairs.
Calin took another breath, and he then heard the minister, Reverend Joseph Smith, tell him, "If it helps, I'm sure that Anna Elizabeth is every bit as nervous as you are."
Calin then looked over at Reverend Smith and spoke, "I'm not sure that's possible, considering that I'm the nervous wreck in this relationship."
The older man couldn't help but chuckle before he assured the young man, "I have had the pleasure of marrying many couples over the years, including Anna Elizabeth's biological parents, as well as Emma and Killian. I know the nerves are overwhelming now, but once she is standing next to you, and you look into each other's eyes, the nerves will fade away."
Calin smiled at the minister's words before he spoke, "Thank you – I really needed to hear that."
"Of course," Reverend Smith replied before he clapped Calin on his shoulder. The Reverend then brought his attention to the waiting crowd.
Emma was sitting in the front and exchanged a nod with her husband. She then turned to the minister and did the same.
Reverend Smith nodded before he leaned over and whispered to Calin, "It's time." Calin nodded before "Marry Me" by Train filled his ears.
The wedding procession then began their way down the aisle. Colette and Matthew walked down, with her tossing blue orchid petals onto the sand and him proudly carrying the pillow with the rings. Next, Liam and Evie slowly and elegantly came forth. Emma couldn't help but lightly laugh at her son when she noticed that he was trying to make himself appear taller. The teenage boy secured the rings from Matthew before taking his place by Calin. Next were Alex and Jane, followed by Ethan and Gia, and finally, Alexandra.
When Leo and Kimberly, who had been brought by David and Mary Margaret, saw their parents, they both waved excitedly. Alex and Evie couldn't help but laugh as they waved back.
And at last, it was time for the bride. The music changed to the traditional "Here Comes the Bride," and Calin turned around.
Anna Elizabeth was with Killian, and they were standing behind a screen that had been set up to block the bride from Calin's view.
When Killian heard the music change, he spoke, "That's our cue, love."
Anna Elizabeth took a deep breath before she nodded.
Killian offered a small smile as he offered his arm to her. She smiled back at him as she took his arm. They then stepped out from behind the screen and onto the end of the aisle.
The wedding guests stood, and the groom finally laid eyes on his bride.
Calin swore that his heart skipped a beat, and he really did forget how to breathe. Anna Elizabeth was already beautiful, but today, she was drop-dead gorgeous. When her eyes locked with his, she smiled at him, and he knew that smile was one of the reasons he fell for her in the first place.
As she continued making her way toward him, her blue eyes lit up with happiness, he felt his own well up with tears. He couldn't believe that in a short while, the love of his life would be his wife, and he couldn't be happier.
Anna Elizabeth and Killian then arrived at the front. He slipped her arm from his, and Killian then placed a kiss on his daughter's forehead. He then whispered, "I love you so much, my darling."
Killian was then prepared to place Anna Elizabeth's hand in Calin's, but she then turned fully toward her father and wrapped him in a crushing hug.
She then told him, "I love you, too, Dad."
As they pulled away, Killian smiled at her before he kissed her forehead once more.
He then placed his daughter's hand in Calin's and nodded at the young man. Calin nodded back, and Killian then went and joined Emma.
Anna Elizabeth handed her bouquet to Evie before placing her attention on Calin. The young couple smiled at each other before they turned to face Reverend Smith.
The minister smiled at Anna Elizabeth and Calin before he looked at the crowd and began, "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Anna Elizabeth Jones and Calin James in marriage. They are sharing this day with their family, friends, and loved ones with the understanding that marriage is a contract not to be entered into lightly. The couple has written their own vows to show their commitment to each other."
The Reverend then turned his attention back to the happy couple and instructed, "You may join hands and begin."
Calin and Anna Elizabeth nodded before they faced each other. They joined both of their hands together before they exchanged a smile.
Anna Elizabeth then took a deep breath before she spoke, "I once believed that love had to be perfect, and that I had to be perfect in order to find it. It took having my heart broken and a lot of growth for me to realize that love isn't perfect, but love is beautiful. And the little things that make it so special. I never expected that I would meet the guy that I was meant to be with on the way to write a paper. But I did, and I have loved every moment that we have spent together, whether it's a romantic date or you helping wash my car. I love you with all of my heart, and I can't wait to start our lives together, experiencing all of the moments that life casts our way."
As she finished, the tears had begun to flow. Calin reached up and wiped them away, and he had to stop himself from kissing her right there.
He then bit his lip and took a deep breath before he spoke, "Anna Elizabeth, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. From the moment I saw you, your blonde curls, blue eyes, and smile captivated me. But your beauty is so much more than simply that. You have such a kind and compassionate heart, you have a sarcastic sense of humor that I absolutely adore, and you have this stubborn and independent spirit that frustrates and amazes me at the same time. You aren't perfect, but you are perfect to me, and there is no one I'd rather spend my life with than you. Both of us already know that life can be unfair, and it can be heartbreaking. You were there for me during one of the most difficult times of my life, and you never even hesitated. That's when I knew I wanted to make you my wife. I love you so much, Anna Elizabeth, and I will spend the rest of my life showing you how much you mean to me."
By the time Calin had finished, both he and Anna Elizabeth were wiping their eyes, along with several guests and members of the wedding party.
Reverend Smith then spoke, "After such beautiful words from the bride and groom, there is little to add. May I have the rings, please?"
Liam then fished the rings from his pocket and handed them to the minister. The older man then handed the silver bands to the bride and groom.
He then smiled and spoke, "Do you, Calin, take Anna Elizabeth to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, cherish, and honor her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?"
Calin smiled brightly at Anna Elizabeth as he answered, "I do." He then slipped the wedding band on her finger.
Reverend Smith then turned his attention to the bride and spoke, "And do you, Anna Elizabeth, take Calin to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, cherish, and honor him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and be faithful only to him, for as long as you both shall live?"
Anna Elizabeth beamed at Calin as she replied, "I do." She then placed the silver band on his left ring finger.
Reverend Smith then proudly announced, "Then it is with great pleasure that I pronounce you husband and wife. Calin, you may kiss your bride."
Anna Elizabeth and Calin exchanged another smile before he let go of her hands and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her close to him and planted a sweet kiss on her lips. Anna Elizabeth happily returned it as she wrapped both arms around his neck.
When they pulled apart, the cheers of all their loved ones were barely heard. They rested their foreheads against each other's and just relished in the moment.
They were brought back to reality by the voice of the minister, "I now give you Mr. and Mrs. Calin James!"
The couple smiled brightly as they made their way down the aisle hand-in-hand. This was only the beginning of one of the happiest days of their lives.
And there you go, my lovelies! A beautiful wedding if I say so myself . Next up is the reception, and there are quite a few feels in store!