"No," Nora said as she sat across from John amazed that he was even asking for her help in such a matter.
"No, I thought for sure you'd want to help me with this," John said really not understanding Nora's unwillingness to help.
"Really, you actually thought I'd want to help you plan a shotgun wedding for Evangeline, are you insane…never mind, don't answer you obviously are if you think I'd help you," Nora said with a hearty chuckle.
"Shotgun…whoa where did that come from?"
"Exactly John, where…where did your sudden urge to marry Evangeline come from?"
"Why is it such a shocker, we've been together for a long time now."
"Right, and it has nothing to do with the discussion you two had this morning after her mother called?" Nora asked and John looked at her in bewilderment.
"She told you about that?"
"We're best friends John, we tell each other everything," Nora said smiling at how uncomfortable John seemed to have gotten.
"Everything, huh?"
"Mmmm…hmmm."
"Then you're the perfect person to help me, Nora, I want it to be special for Evangeline."
"No, you want her to go into labor early, which is what could happen if you do this. It will upset her so much she could go into premature labor."
"Don't even joke like that."
"Who's joking, come on John you've got to know she'll think the only reason you want to marry her is because of the baby."
"That's not true."
"Maybe not, but that's exactly how she'll see it."
"Ok, then tell me what to do to convince her otherwise," John said and Nora frowned at him.
"You need me to tell you? Boy, are you in a whole heap of trouble."
"Look Nora, I'm here because I need your help not to be lectured. I love Evangeline, I want to marry her and spend the rest of my life with her. We're a family and I just want to make that fact 'official' for all of our friends and family and in the eyes of God. It's just that simple."
"Is that all true, John?" A voice spoke out behind them, and both John and Nora turned to see Evangeline standing there. "Because if all you just said is the truth, how you really feel then yes…yes I'll marry you, John."
"It's all true," John said, as he remained in his seat too afraid to move, fearing he'd scare her off somehow.
"Then I guess we have a wedding to plan," Evangeline threw to Nora, who sat stunned but smiling. At these words, John was on his feet and embracing Evangeline in his arm.
"Do you mean it?" John asked as he rested his forehead against hers, staring deeply into her eyes as he cupped her face in his hands.
"Only if you do," She replied with a smile, which John returned. John then slowly captured her mouth in a sensual kiss. He abruptly released her and began to rush out. "Hey, where are you going this calls for a celebration," Evangeline called after him.
"No time we're getting married, I gotta find a priest, and tell Mikey since he's my best man, and see if the church is available," John ranted off some list that was in his head as both Evangeline and Nora stared at him baffled.
"And you have to do that now?" Nora asked.
"Well, yeah if we're gonna get married today I think we need to get the ball rolling, and you two should go get the wedding dress, not that it matters you're beautiful in anything and even more so out of anything," John said to a wide-eyed speechless Evangeline, who he rushed back to and gave a quick peck on the cheek before pulling out his cell phone and heading out again. He turned back briefly to speak to her again. "Be ready by five, because if I can get the church and a Priest that's gonna be the time I set it for," With that John walked out leaving a shocked Evangeline behind.
"He's insane," Evangeline said as she turned back to Nora, who only nodded.
"And you're about to marry him, kind of makes you the 'crazier' one, doesn't it?" Nora said with a giggle as she sipped at her drink.
"So, what do you say we find a tent and just roll me up in it?" Evangeline said as she plopped down in the seat across from Nora, who stared at her with bewildered eyes.
"A tent for what?" Nora asked. Evangeline simply arched her brow at her friend and leaned back a bit and rubbed her swollen belly. "Oh stop you're not that big sweetie, really you're not. We'll go to our favorite boutique and find a nice white dress. Ohhh, like those princesses' dresses with the high waistband right up under your breast with the loose lacy material flowing freely. It will hide your belly."
"Ohhh, that sounds nice," Evangeline spoke excitedly as she reached over and grabbed a chunk of chicken from Nora's salad.
"Wait, married?" Michael asked as he followed John about his apartment, as John picked out things he felt he would need; socks, white shirt, wallet, tie, the rings he had picked up at up-scale jewelers on the way home. "Today?"
"Yes Mikey, I thought I told you all this over the phone."
"Yeah, ya did but wow. Don't you think this is sudden?"
"Is it sudden to ask the woman I've been dating for nearly two years and who's five months pregnant with my child to marry me? No," John said never pausing in his movements. "Look Mike if you have a problem with standing in as my best man, I could ask Bo."
"What are you kidding, of course, I'm ok with it, if you're 'both' sure this is what you want."
"Little brother, I've never been more sure about anything," John said causing Michael to smiled and give him a firm smack on the back.
"Alright, but if we're gonna do this we're gonna do it right, and with style," Michael stated as he pushed John towards the door. "We're getting you a tux."
"Would you come out already?" Nora called to the woman behind the changing room door.
"Ok, but don't you dare laugh," Evangeline called back.
"Sweetie we won't laugh like I have any room to anyway," Said the short robust redhead who they got to help them with the small last-minute arrangements.
"Oh Marcie you're a voluptuous and beautiful woman, me, I'm just big and big," Evangeline said as she pushed open the door and walked out. The two women standing on the outside both let out gasps. "Is it that bad?" Evangeline asked with a horrified look on her face.
"No sweetie, it's that perfect. You look so beautiful," Nora replied as she clutched a hand to her chest while her eyes began to water.
"Yep, I definitely believe we have found your wedding dress. You look breathtaking," Marcie agreed.
John stood at the altar with his brother at his side, tugging at the bow tie around his neck, more out of nervousness than the fact of it being too tight.
"If you're not sure about all this, now would be a good time to run," Michael whispered to him.
"I'm not going anywhere Mikey, I'm not running this time, I don't want to," John said with a smile, which broadened when he realized that all the words he spoke were true, that unlike the previous relationships since Caitlin, this was the first time he didn't want to run for the hills. He took a deep cleansing breath and then scanned the pews, which housed all of their friends, including Bo and Vicki, and several of cops from John's precinct as well as many of Evangeline's lawyer friends, and few of the other families in Llanview like the Vega's and Manning's. John was impressed with how much Nora, Michael, and Marcie had accomplished in such a short span of time, they even had a huge reception awaiting them at the palace, thanks mostly in part to Renee. He was however disappointed and also knew Evangeline would be disappointed that her mother and sister couldn't make it, well, John wasn't too disappointed that her mother couldn't make it, but he'd never tell Evangeline that fact. He knew he'd be on Lisa's shit list probably for the rest of his life, but he didn't care, not today, not so long as today he made Evangeline Mrs. John McBain, and they because a 'true' family.
Suddenly soft music filled the church and was soon followed by the wedding march. And then Evangeline stood in the doorway at the back of the church, and all eyes went to her. She stared directly at John, who stared back with his mouth agape, stunned by how she looked. He was often amazed by how just when he didn't think she could look any more beautiful than she already did, she somehow accomplished it. She began her walk down the aisle alone, keeping her eyes on John the entire time, and when she reached the base of the few steps leading up to the altar where the Priest stood, John walked down to greet her, grasping her hand, pausing briefly to lift it to his lips, before he led them back up the steps to stand before the Priest, Father O'Donnell.
Father O'Donnell began the ceremony, "Welcome to the marriage of John McBain and Evangeline Williamson. You have been asked to gather here to witness and share in the joy of this union. They have written their own vows," The father then nodded to John who took a deep breath and then gripped Evangeline's hands a bit more firmly as he stared intensely into her eyes.
"There was darkness for a long time and then there was light, and that light was you. Your love has given me wings, and our journey begins today. I pledge before this assembled company to be your husband from this day forward. Let us make of our two lives one life. I want you for today, tomorrow, and forever," By the time he had finished tears were streaming down both his and Evangeline's face.
"Now you may speak your vows, Evangeline," Father O'Donnell directed. Evangeline nodded and then bowed her head a moment to collect her thoughts, she then looked back up into John's steely blue eyes.
"I have dreamed my whole life of having someone as wonderful as you love me the way you do. I give myself to you as your wife, and I promise here to treasure for all of my days the love we celebrate today. Let us bring together our lives and find ourselves anew each day," Evangeline ended with a smile and overwhelming urge to kiss John, which was dispelled by Father O'Donnell voice.
"Evangeline, will you take John as your husband, in happiness and with patience and understanding, through conflict and tranquility?"
"I will," Evangeline answered and then slid the white platinum band upon John's ring finger.
"John, will you take Evangeline as your wife, in happiness and with patience and understanding, through conflict and tranquility?
"Oh hell yeah," John replied invoking a giggle from Evangeline and chuckles throughout the room. "Oh sorry Father," He apologized and received an understanding nod from Father O'Donnell. He then placed the diamond encrusted white platinum band upon Evangeline's ring finger.
"In the years which shall bring John and Evangeline into greater age and wisdom, we hope that their love shall be ever young; that they shall be able to always recover from moments of despair. In this hope, may they keep the vows made on this day, in freedom, teaching each other who they are, what they yet shall be, enabling them to know that, in the fullness of being, they are more than themselves and more than each other, that they are all of us, and that together we share joyously the fruits of life on this earth, our home. Inasmuch as John and Evangeline have declared their love to each other before family and friends, I now greet them with you as husband and wife. You may kiss."
Needing no further persuasion, John tugged his wife to him and slightly dipped her and captured her mouth in a deep kiss, which left her breathless and lightheaded when he was done.
"Cheers to Mr. and Mrs. John McBain!" Michael yelled out causing everyone to stand and cheer and applaud the couple.
Vows from: elegantvows
