Chapter 100
Tegan stood at the window looking out over the ocean. She closed her eyes and tried to control her emotions and her breathing. "You ready Teetee?" asked Sonia and put her hand on her eldest's shoulder. Tegan turned around and hugged her mom tightly. "I am! I love you mom" she said. "I love you too my dear daughter. Enjoy today" said Sonia and kissed Tegan on the forehead. Sara opened the door and Stephen entered with a massive smile. He looked handsome in a beige suit and a crisp white open collar shirt. "You look so beautiful pumpkin" he said hugging Tegan. "Thanks dad... you look so handsome old man" joked Tegan. "Let's go" he smiled.
The wedding venue was gorgeous and it was a perfect, cloudless day. The guests chatted excitedly amongst themselves where they were seated on the beach. The guests were mostly smart casual and wearing earth colours as per the instructions on the invitation. Alex was standing in front ready to officiate the marraige, he did an online certification in the last two weeks and was now legally allowed to marry his friends. He took the job very seriously.
Kate walked up to Tegan where she was patiently waiting on the grass bank above the beach and smiled. "Your bride is ready when you are" she said. "Yowzer... you look hot" she whispered in Sara's ear and pinched her bum before walking down with Sonia to take their seats in the front row. Sara blushed. Tegan looked at her dad and took both his hands in hers "I love you daddy" she said and smiled. "I love you so much Tegan" he said and hugged her. "Let's do this" she said and gave the signal for the group of musicians to start playing. The beautiful sounds of "Gabriel's oboe" by Ennio Morricone filled the air. She hooked her arm into her father's and nodded at Sara. Sara started walking down the beach towards the isle wearing stylish beige pants and a white shirt. Tegan and Stephen glanced at each other and followed Sara.
Tegan looked amazing. Her longer than normal hair blowing softly in the breeze, she was glowing. She looked healthy and happy. She was wearing a loose off-white shirt with sleeves ending just below her elbows, her tattoos contrasting beautifully against the light colour. She wore off-white pants and as a special rock and roll touch... white converse for shoes. Her emotions grew with every slow step she took. She looked at the guests as she walked down the isle. Her friends and family beamed, many were crying already. Tegan swallowed hard and squeezed her father's arm. He glanced down at her and smiled reassuringly. They reached Alex and Sara and turned around to see Erin walking down the isle, leading the way for Tegan's bride. Erin was wearing a gorgeous beige dress ending just above her knee. She beamed a smile at Tegan and Tegan smiled back and mouthed "thank you" to Erin. Tegan's mouth fell open slightly as she watched the love of her life being led down the isle her by one of her best and oldest friends in the world, Jeremy. Lindsey held Jeremy's hand and never took her eyes off Tegan. Tegan could no longer contain her emotions and tears were rolling down her cheeks. Stephen offered her his hanky and she stifled a laugh but took it eagerly. Lindsey looked more beautiful thank ever. She was wearing a stunning, loose, flowing off-white dress and her hair tumbled down her shoulders and glistened in the sun. Tegan put her hand in front of her mouth to hide her emotions but kept it there only for a few seconds before blowing Lindsey a kiss. Jeremy kissed Tegan on the cheek and hugged her when he reached her "My dear friend... I give you, your bride" he smiled. Stephen kissed and hugged Lindsey and whispered "Take good care of my little girl". Lindsey was emotional and nodded "I will... I promise". Tegan hugged her dad... "Thank you daddy" she smiled. She took both Lindsey's hands in hers and kissed her tenderly on the cheek. "You look so incredibly beautiful" she smiled. "You look amazing baby" said Lindsey. Tegan stared into Lindsey's eyes before putting her hand in her pocket and pulling out her inhaler. She turned her head away from the guests and inhaled a large puff. "Baby are you okay?" said Lindsey softly sounding panicked. "Yes, I'm great" smiled Tegan. Lindsey let out a sigh of relief. They both turned to Alex.
"Dear friends, we are gathered here today to witness and to celebrate the love of Tegan and Lindsey as they are joined in marraige" said Alex. He was incredibly articulate and well spoken in addition to being gorgeous. "Having come to love each other deeply and sincerely, they now wish to unite their lives. Today they dedicate themselves to the happiness and well-being of each other, and we their friends and family join with them in this celebration and dedication. Marriage is the promise of hope between two people who love each other sincerely and unconditionally, who honor each other as individuals, and who wish to unite their lives and share the future together. Today, you dedicate yourselves to each other, in a union of mutual caring and responsibility. Tegan and Lindsey, are you ready to enter into this marriage believing that your love and your faith in each other will endure all things?" asked Alex. Tegan and Lindsey both answered "I am" together. They looked at each other and smiled. Alex continued, "No other human ties are more tender and no other vows more important than those you are about to take. Both of you come to this day with deep realization that the contract of marriage is sacred as are all of its obligations and responsibilities. Marriage is a spiritual art form. In marriage, two unique people surrender to the Greatest Love and commit to the process of co-creating an environment that will elicit their highest potential as human beings. Through your marriage, Tegan and Lindsey, you will become more of who you truly are. From joys and sorrows shared, you will grow in love and loyalty. From any pain given and forgiven, you will grow in mutual understanding and compassion. Your life together will move toward the fulfillment of what we celebrate here today.
Tegan and Lindsey have chosen to share their vows with us today. Lindsey..." nodded Alex. Lindsey breathed deep and turned to Tegan. She took Tegan's free hand in hers, squeezed it and smiled as Tegan unconsciously bit her bottom lip.
"My beloved Tegan... my dear, sweet angel Tegan.
You are my inspiration and my soul's fire.
You are the magic of my days.
You help me laugh, you teach me love.
You provide a safe place for me, unlike I've ever known.
You free me to sing my own song.
You are more of an amazement to me, each day I rediscover you.
You are my best friend.
I am yours.
You are mine.
Of this we are certain.
I promise to be your lover, companion and friend,
Your partner in parenthood,
Your ally in conflict,
Your greatest fan and your toughest critic.
Your comrade in adventure,
Your student and your teacher,
Your consolation in disappointment,
Your comfort in pain,
Your accomplice in mischief.
This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things."
Tegan wiped her eyes with Lindsey's hand still in hers. She smiled and took a deep breath, then another. She blinked a couple of times to get the fuzzy, tear filled image of Lindsey back in focus.
"My lovely Lindsey,
In your eyes, I have found my home.
In your heart, I have found my love.
In your soul, I have found my mate.
With you, I am whole, full, alive.
You make me laugh. You let me cry.
You are my breath, my every heartbeat.
You are my lover and my teacher,
You are my model and my accomplice,
And you are my true counterpart.
I will love you, hold you and honor you,
I will respect you, encourage you and cherish you,
In health and sickness,
Through sorrow and success,
For all the days of my life.
I take you to be my partner for life
I promise above all else to live in truth with you
And to communicate fully and fearlessly
I give you my hand and my heart
As a sanctuary of warmth and peace
And pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor
As I join my life to yours."
Tegan's voice grew softer "You and me babe" she said softly. "Me and you" whispered Lindsey. Tears now rolled freely down Lindsey's cheeks and Tegan took her face in her hands and wiped the tears away with her thumbs as she stared into her eyes. In that moment nobody else existed. Nothing else mattered. Their heads moved closer together and just before their lips touched Alex cleared his throat and they moved apart again.
"Do you, Lindsey take Tegan to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold; from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness an in health, to love and cherish always?" asked Alex. Lindsey smiled, "I do"
"Do you, Tegan take Lindsey to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold; from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness an in health, to love and cherish always?" asked Alex. Tegan grinned, "I definitely do"
"You will now exchange rings as a symbol of love. As the rings have no end, so your love shall have no end. A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth, and of the universe. It is a symbol of wholeness, and perfection, and of peace. The rings you give and receive this day, are symbols of the union you enter together as wives." Sara and Erin handed Tegan and Lindsey the rings.
"Repeat after me" said Alex. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness." Tegan and Lindsey repeated the line. "As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you." again they repeated the line and smiled. "I shall wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day." The happy couple repeated the last line. Tegan gently slid the simple platinum ring onto Lindsey's finger. Lindsey didn't take her eyes off Tegan's and slipped the matching ring on hers.
"Is there anyone here present who knows any lawful reason why Tegan and Lindsey cannot be joined in marriage? If so, please speak now, or forever hold your peace." said Alex. The only sound was that of the waves breaking gently on the shore and a seagull squeaking above. "Well, the seagull is over-ruled" said Alex seriously and everybody laughed. "Tegan and Lindsey have consented together to join their lives in the bonds of matrimony, and have witnessed the same before this company of family and friends, and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other. I therefore, by the the powers invested in me by God and the state of Hawaii pronounce that they are now wife and wife. You may kiss the bride" smiled Alex.
Tegan pulled Lindsey into a passionate kiss that lasted at least a minute. The guests were all giving them a standing ovation and cheeering. Sara, Sonia and Erin were all bawling their eyes out! "I love you Mrs Quin" said Tegan. "And I love you Mrs Byrnes" said Lindsey. Tegan laughed and went in for another quick kiss. A school of dolphins were jumping through the waves as if to join the celebration.
The crowd quieted down as Alex continued. "I would like to conclude with an ancient blessing on behalf of your family and friends. I would like you to turn to them" said Alex. Tegan and Lindsey turned and saw the smiling faces of the people they loved most in this world. They were beaming and squeezed each other's hands.
"May every blessing and grace be yours; May your love grow stronger with each passing year. May the sun, bring you new energies by day; May the moon softly restore you by night. May the rain wash away any worries you may have and the breeze blow new strength into your being. And all the days of your life, may you walk gently through the world and know its beauty.
Now you will not feel the rain, for each of you will shelter the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will warm the other. Now you will feel no solitude, for each will accompany the other. Now you are two persons, but both will lead one life. Go now to enter into the days of your life, and may your days be good and long upon the earth."
Tegan turned her head and smiled at Alex "Thank you Alex" she mouthed. Alex winked. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the happy, married couple, Tegan and Lindsey" Lindsey kissed Tegan and held her hand up in the air. Their faces were filled with pure joy. Tegan put her other hand in a fist in the air "Whoo hooo! We did it!" she laughed and kissed Lindsey again.
A/N: They did it! Hope you enjoyed this special soppy chapter 100 as much as I enjoyed writing it. Review please! Come on - you owe me one after this ;)