67. For eternity

It was still early when Alex woke up. Stevie was still in dreamland and lying on his arm, he smiled softly looking at her. Today was the big day, their wedding day. And although he could lie here with her for the rest of the day he wanted to do it the right way. He gentle placed a kiss on her temple, pulling his arm away in the hope it wouldn't wake her. She moved, searching his warmth when he stood next to the bed. She was so cute, he remarked in his mind. He wrote a small not; My sweetest delight and wife to be, I will be that tall, dark and handsome man waiting for you in front of the altar. I can't wait to take you as my wife. Love Alex.

Alex went immediately back to Killarney, first to have a chat with his best man. 'Oy, you start good Alex with spending the night before the wedding with your fiancée.' 'Yeah yeah', Alex mumbled, trying to be annoyed, but he was mostly glad to see Marcus being okay. 'Thanks mate for sending Regan over last night', Marcus said patting his brother on the shoulder. 'You have to thank Stevie for that. You're okay?' 'Yeah, as far as can be, but today we focus on you and Stevie. You're nervous?' 'A bit, but I first will take a shower and prepare.'

'Oh my God', Rose squealed. 'You look absolutely amazing!' Stevie smile was huge, looking at her daughter, who in her eyes was surely as beautiful as she was. 'The dress is just beautiful. It's like it was made just for you.' 'It's not hard with your mother's figure', Regan smiled, stroking her own dress as Jodi made the final attempt to let Stevie's hair be as perfect as possible. 'Well, I would say your ready as can be', Jodi concluded while she let Stevie turn a bit to watch her.

'Oh I'm so nervous', Stevie breathed in heavy while her hands were trembling. 'Mum, your beautiful, Alex will be blown away', Rose said calmly. 'But what if I forget my vow?' Stevie now made herself even more nervous. 'Okay', Regan took her friend's hands in hers. 'Listen Stevie, if that happens just speak from your heart. You will know what to say when you look in his eyes.' Stevie almost started to get teary. 'Awww Regan, thank you.' She hugged her friend. 'But I do have the tendency to get lost in his eyes', she quickly added while she still held Regan. 'Than you will just quickly look at me', the McLeod smirked.

The backyard of Drovers was perfectly set. All the guests had arrived and taken their seats and Alex was standing in the front, Marcus right next to him. 'Come on Steves', he mumbled. Marcus pushed him slightly and smirked. 'She will come, don't worry.' Alex glared aside him, feeling the excitement of the moment running through his veins. 'Thanks, bro', he teasingly let out, although his nerves suppressed his smirk.

Stevie, Regan and Rose were standing still out of side. 'Let me watch my girls for a moment', Stevie said glaring to Rose, stroking her face quickly, mumbling how beautiful she was. After that she touched Aislin's cheek, quietly in the arms of Auntie Regan, wearing a cute little dress perfectly suiting her mums. 'Come on, don't let the groom wait too long', Regan said.

Regan McLeod put one foot in front of the other, seeing all people glaring at her and little Ace. Alex' eyes were glued to his baby daughter, full of pride, a huge smile on his face. Regan looked at Marcus, a soft smile kept coming his way. When Stevie made her entrance Alex' mouth almost fell open. God, she looked beautiful. With a slight shy expression, but a sweet smile Rose guided her down the aisle.

'You may now say your vows. Alex', he could hear the minister say. Alex gazed back to Stevie; it was hard to take his eyes of her and to follow every word the minister said. He took a deep breath, licking his upper lip taking her hand in his. 'Dear Stevie ...' She could see the tension on his face when he started, but soon it seemed to come natural. '... words can't express how I feel today, how you make me feel. Somehow you always believed in me, gave me chances I probably didn't even deserve.'

He looked serious. 'I never felt this way and I can't believe you, the woman of my dreams, are standing here in front of me to take me as your husband. Whatever happens I know our love is stronger than anything. My love, the mother of my children, my best mate, my everything. I love you with my whole heart. You've stolen it to cherish it forever.' He raised his arm to touch his chest with the palm of his heart. 'Love you cowgirl', he softly whispered along with it.

Tears were falling down her cheeks, and although Alex felt the urge to brush them away her huge smile told him not to. 'Stevie', the minister asked. She blew out, for a moment waving her hand in front of her to calm down from Alex' touching words. It caused laughter among the guests. 'Alex, my dear Alex. I dreamt of this moment so many times and now it's real, it's better than any dream. And it was worth every moment of hurt, cause in the end it made us stronger and love you even more. You are everything I've ever wanted. You have my heart, my soul and my body; for eternity.' She swallowed before showing him her gorgeous smile, feeling a soft pinch in her hand.

'Alexander Marion Ryan will you take Stevie Jade Hall to be your lawful wife, will you love her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto her so long as you both shall live.'

'I would be honored', Alex almost chuckled.

'Stevie Jade Hall will you take Alexander Marion Ryan to be your lawful husband, will you love him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto him so long as you both shall live.

'Yes I do.'

'May we have the rings?' Regan showed them as Alex took Stevie's ring. He smiled tenderly at her as he took her hand to speak the ring vow. 'Stevie, this ring I give you, my personal gift and my personal promise, of love and trust, and pride that you are my wife.' He shifted the ring gently on her finger, looking up in her beautiful brown eyes right after. 'Alex, this ring I give you, my personal gift and my personal promise, of love and trust, and pride that you are my husband.' She struggled with the ring, which hardly fitted around Alex' big finger and was relieved it finally suited.

'I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. You may kiss the bride'. Alex smiled grew like never before. 'Where shall I begin', he smirked. 'Let me', Stevie grinned pulling his face close with her hands; opening her mouth to kiss him deeply. He eagerly joined what ended in a very passionate kiss. 'Oh gosh', Rose let out, holding her baby sister, 'did they already made a start with their wedding night? He he finally...', she added grinning as the couple finally let go.

The first dance started. 'You're beautiful Stevie', Alex whispered as he led her on the dance floor.

If I had to live my life without you near me
The days would all be empty
The nights would seem so long
With you I see forever oh so clearly
I might have been in love before
But it never felt this strong
Our dreams are young and we both know
They'll take us where we want to go
Hold me now, touch me now
I don't want to live without you

Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I'll never ask for more than your love

Nothing's gonna change my love for you
You ought to know by now how much I love you
The world may change my whole life through
But nothing's gonna change my love for you

If the road ahead is not so easy
Our love will lead the way for us
Like a guiding star
I'll be there for you if you should need me
You don't have to change a thing
I love you just the way you are
So come with me and share the view
I'll help you see forever too
Hold me now, touch me now
I don't want to live without you

Glenn Medeiros – Nothing's gonna change my love for you