Chapter 101
Tegan and Lindsey walked through their friends and were showered with rose petals. They greeted their friends and family enthusiastically before being whisked away for a photo session. "It feels weird being in front of the camera" said Lindsey laughing. "You're a natural baby... god you're so gorgeous" smiled Tegan. "We did it my angel" said Lindsey and kissed Tegan as they photographer was happily clicking away, delighted with her photogenic and natural subjects. "Have you noticed there are no helicopters, no paps on boats" said Sara. "To be honest, I haven't noticed anything except Lindsey" said Tegan kissing Lindsey's hand. "But yeah that's great" said Tegan. "Erin and Alex made sure they declared this a no-fly zone for the day and they've got the coast guard patrolling the waters for unwanted visitors" said Sara. "Sar... I kind of want to share this with our fans... But on our terms you know. I want them to know we got married today. I think we should Instagram the crap out of this" said Tegan. "What do you think baby... Is it okay if we put a pic or two up? It will stop the paps from wanting the scoop and I want to shout this off the rooftops" said Tegan. "Your fans have been amazing and I think they deserve this so yeah... let's do it. They're going to find out sometime anyway" said Lindsey. Tegan put her arms around Lindsey and smiled the biggest smile ever as Lindsey looked at her face. They both looked ecstatically happy. Sara took some shots with her iPhone and posted it to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and their website. "The happy, married couple - Tegan and Lindsey. Yes they did it!" read the caption. "There's going to be hundreds of girls crying themselves to sleep tonight knowing their heartthrob got married" laughed Erin. "Meh... they'll get over it" said Tegan and continued posing for the wedding photographer.
The wedding reception was every bit as beautiful as the ceremony. Fairy lights were hanging from trees and a large wooden dance floor was waiting to be opened in the middle. The sun was lazily setting over the ocean. Tegan and Lindsey were seated at the large main table with Tegan's parents, Sara, Kate, Alex, Erin, Jeremy and Ted. Sara and Erin shared the MC duties for the evening. They were fantastic, funny, articulate and they made everybody feel instantly at ease. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's that time of the evening - the time you either dread or love. The speeches. Now... you know that Tegan and I love to talk... " joked Sara. "Ok so before I start I think it may be worth a mention that there are going to be several toasts during the next few minutes so please could you all ensure your glasses are charged and going off what i have seen so far Table 2 may want sip not gulp today's a marathon not a sprint!" laughed Sara looking at the table where Paramore, P!nk and her husband, Ellen and Portia and Sara Bareilles were seated. Everybody laughed. "I've been given the honour of proposing a toast to the happy couple. I first met Lindsey a couple of months after Tegan met her. Tegan at that stage had a ... mild... okay maybe not mild more like severe obsession with this girl and I couldn't figure out what could be so special about this one. At that stage Lindsey didn't have a clue Tegan was into her... or perhaps she did, I don't know. But the first time I met you and I saw the way you looked at my sister I knew that you were special. Something changed in Tegan... Gosh she even wrote a whole album for you Lindsey... and even now, I know that nothing and nobody inspires her to create music like you do. I knew that this wasn't just a silly crush. I lived through your initial rocky relationship and I was rooting for you guys all the way, kind of in the same way you have to support your favourite hockey team through those first few matches in the season when they're so clueless... I mean they totally suck only to have them rally back through injury woes and setbacks and take the Stanley cup. It makes the win so much more special. You guys just won the big one! In the last few years I have learned so much from your love. You are an example to me and to so many others. Your love... it shines. It is beautiful beyond words. It's clear that you were made for each other. Tegan... I've known you my entire life. We're made of the same DNA. You're my soulmate but I'm so happy that you've found another soul mate... a love mate. I make your voice sing but you've found somebody that makes your soul sing... and that is an incredible gift. There's nobody in this world that I'd rather share Tegan with. Thank you Lindsey for making her so happy. Tee... you've hit the jackpot with this one. Lindsey looks stunning tonight. In fact, the whole bridal party looks gorgeous. Don't they all belong in a magazine? And well considering that we kinda share a face, Tegan's not looking bad either. I think I've probably said enough by now, so I want to thank you for helping my best friend celebrate her wedding day. Take good care of each other... You guys are going to have a wonderful life together. May the rest of your lives be filled with joy, wonder, dozens of kids and silly love songs. Thank you for making me believe in love. Please raise your glasses to the happy couple, Tegan and Lindsey" said Sara and winked at them. Tegan and Lindsey were both in tears. Tegan walked to Sara and hugged her tight for a long time. "Thank you Sara... that means so much to me... I love you brother" said Tegan.
After composing herself Lindsey walked up to the microphone. She smiled and looked at Tegan for comfort. She wasn't a natural public speaker but she wanted a chance to share her feelings. "Thank you everybody for traveling so far to share this beautiful day with us. Every single one of you here today are so incredibly special to us. Every one of you were hand picked to be here. You guys are our safety net. You support us through tick and thin. Tegan and I are so blessed to have you in our lives. Tegan will do the official thank you's... we all know she loves to talk" laughed Lindsey and winked at Tegan. "I just want to say that today... is by far the best day of my life. To my beautiful bride Tegan... I love you so much and I cannot wait to start this adventure of our life together. You are my everything and... I..." Lindsey started tearing up. She took a deep breath. "We've been through so much together... and we came through it stronger. I almost... lost you and that almost killed me but it confirmed to me... because I already knew it... but it was undeniable that I don't want to spend a minute without you in my life. Thank you for choosing me... I choose you... every day... I love you my angel" said Lindsey and raised her glass.
Tegan stood up and kissed her bride passionately. "That was beautiful my love... I am so in awe of you" said Tegan before walking up to the microphone. "Hi everyone... when I walked down the isle today and I saw all of your gorgeous faces looking at me I felt as if my heart was going to explode with love. I am so happy to share this amazing day with you all, our greatest supporters, the biggest fans of our love. Thank you to everybody for coming all this way to be with us. Thank you to everybody that shuffled their schedules around, moved important meetings, cancelled shows... that's an incredible commitment to our friendship and we truly appreciate it so much. To everybody who... mean and in the past meant so much in our lives... those who could not be here today, those who are gone but not forgotten... You have a special place in our hearts forever and I hope you guys are looking down on us and celebrating with us tonight... yes grandma...I'm sure Corey will dance with you. I want to thank everyone that made this day a reality. They didn't exactly have a lot of time to arrange all this... and they had to do it during their vacation. And wow, what a spectacular job they did! A very special, heartfelt thanks to Alex for doing such an amazing job with the ceremony today. If this acting thing doesn't work out you've definitely got a future officiating weddings mister. It was so beautiful, so special and sincere. Thank you for that. To Sara and Erin, not only our bridesmaids but our best friends and our MCs tonight. I think they could host the next Oscars. Sorry Ellen I don't want to see you out of a job but how funny are these two! They, together with the wonderful Kate, organised this entire day with so much love, attention to detail and so many special touches that we'll never forget. Thank you for making the best day of my life a reality. We love and appreciate you guys more than words can ever convey." Tegan was in tears and tried to compose herself. "Just a second guys" she said and turned around. She took her inhaler and breathed in two puffs to open her airways that were now constricting with emotion. Lindsey looked at her concerned and was about to get up to help her. Tegan turned to her and smiled "I'm okay" she mouthed. She took a deep breath before continuing. "To my parents... Over the years you have helped me more than I deserve. You have seen me through thick and thin. Mainly thick if I'm being honest, but you have always been there for me and I hope that I have done you proud. I really couldn't have asked for a better parents, I thank you for everything that you have done and for moulding me to be the person I am today. I love you dearly. Thank you, Stephen, Sonia and Bruce. And then... jeez just give me a moment" said Tegan and put her hand in front of her mouth. She breathed deep with her eyes closed. "My love... my beautiful bride... You look incredible tonight... you look incredible every day actually. You are my everything... You are the coolest, smartest, most gorgeous, caring, incredible person I've ever met... and I am the luckiest girl in the world. You make my heart sing. You're my lover and my best friend. Thank you for saying yes... Thank you for carrying me through... the most difficult time of my life... you literally carried me through the valley of death... you dragged me through it when you yourself were struggling to walk and you nurtured me back to my old self on the other side. I have no doubt that... that I wouldn't have made it through if I didn't have the promise of you waiting for me. You amaze me every day. I love you so much and I am so proud and delighted to finally call you my wife. I had to fight for you at the beginning of our relationship... but man... were you worth it. You were worth every sad song... and you're worth every single soppy love song... and I'm going to sing you one right now" smiled Tegan and took her guitar. "But first - a toast to Lindsey" said Tegan and raised her glass. She sat on a bar stool and started playing a slow, beautiful, very different acoustic version of her love song to Lindsey. "The first time I saw your face I knew, I was meant for you. The first time you said my name I knew I was meant for you. Love, they say it heals all wounds. Love, removes the hurt in you. Love, I know that this is true. Love, they say that it is blind. Love, they say it all the time. Love, I know that they are right. You don't need to wonder, If love will make us stronger, There's nothing love can't do, You don't need to worry. This love will make us worthy. There's nothing love can't do..." Tegan continued the song without taking her eyes off Lindsey for a second. Lindsey had her one hand over her heart and her other in front of her mouth. She blew Tegan a kiss and mouthed "I love you".
After the incredible dinner it was time to open the dance floor. Tegan and Lindsey spent hours debating the perfect opening song and as soon as the iPod shuffled randomly to this song they new they had it. "Okay people, it's time to really get this party started! I now invite the brides to open the dance floor" said Erin. The sweet slow sounds of The Wannadies' "You and Me Song" started playing. Tegan had her arms around Lindsey and kissed her as they slow danced to the first verse "Always when we fight, I tried to make you laugh 'Til every thing's forgotten, I know you hate that. Ba ba da da, ba ba ba baa Ba ba da da, ba ba ba baa. Always when we fight, Kiss you once or twice, And every thing's forgotten, I know you hate that, I love your Sunday song, The week's not yet begun, And everything is quiet..." The song changed tempo as Tegan broke her kiss and her hold on Lindsey. They both threw their arms in the air and started wildly dancing and head banging to upbeat chorus
"And it's always You and me, always and forever You and me, always and forever Ba ba ba ba baaa. It was always you and me, always" The guests laughed and cheered as their slow then fast routine continued. During the last fast "You and me" chorus the wedding party joined them in wildly celebrating their love on the dance floor.
A/N: You HAVE to go listen to the "You and Me Song" to understand. Party isn't finished yet but I need to go to bed. Check back soon. Lots of speeches. Hope that was okay with you. Thanks for the reviews and messages about the previous chapter. I appreciate it. Keep 'em coming please!