Chapter 19: I Do

(day of wedding!)

Mark's POV

I paced back and forth across the room as sweat was starting to slowly come down my forehead. What if she changed her mind? What if she decides she doesn't want to get married to me? I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder which broke me from my thoughts.

Collins looked me in the eyes, "Mark, you have to calm down. It's going to be fine."

"Son, just stop twitching and straighten your tie." My dad said in an unassailable voice from the corner of the room.

I gulped. It was just like him to be commanding on an important day for me. I jumped in surprise as I heard the door opened. I turned my head, my heart beating a thousand miles per hour, to see David. "Come on man, its time."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breathe before heading into the sanctuary, focusing on every step.

I took my place but Roger had to put his hands on my shoulders to steady me, "Mark, you're going to be ok."

I straightened my glasses as the butterflies in my stomach kept fluttering, "You sure?"

"I'm sure." He said softly and the confidence in his voice calmed me slightly

Rachael's POV

I stood in front of the mirror, fretfully curling a couple of small pieces of my hair. I could see Maureen draw near through the mirror reflection. "Rach, you look great." She carefully took the curler from my hand and turned it off as she set it down.

We had woken up early to get ready for today. I used a thick curler giving my brown tresses some loose curls. My mum put on a light layer of glittery white eye shadow, some burgundy blush to match the roses and some simple brown eyeliner and mascara. Joanne came around me on the other side, "She's right, you look beautiful."

In the light of the dirty mirror we stood, them in their simple satin claret dresses and I in my wedding dress. The toe of my heels tapped on the ground as I rocked slightly, "I'm just so bloody nervous."

"There's no need to be worried darling." Mum said as she placed the fragile veil on my head. It had been her veil and her mothers, and I was so honored to wear it in succession and to follow the tradition. "You two are going to be so happy." I smiled back at my reflection. I had never been so nervous and happy in my whole life.

There was a sudden knock on the door and Cindy's head appeared through the crack in the door, "Its time."

Mum gave me a quick hug as tears sparkled in her eyes, "I love you." After giving my hand a squeeze she followed Cindy into the sanctuary.

My dad was standing in front of the doors looking apprehensive look. His face was careworn and his eyes twinkled sadly. When he saw me, all concern and tire had disappeared and were replaced with a warm smile, "Rachael….you look beautiful."

I blushed. I was glad to hear a kind voice unlike the father I was most accustomed to. "Thanks Dad."

Maureen and Joanne slowly walked in before me. I took his hand, my heart starting to calm and I was finally ready to go in.

He opened the door for me and I slipped my arm into his. The church looked absolutely perfect. It was lit perfectly, radiating a glow from heaven it seemed. Cindy, David (her husband), and Mark's parents were in the first row on one side. My mum sat on the other side of the rows. They all turned towards me as we walked slowly down the aisle. I carefully placed my foot in front of the other, trying hard not to cry out of joy. Maureen and Joanne smiled at me as did Collins and Roger and between them was Mark. His mouth agape as he looked at me, looking at me in desire, it was hidden behind a red face but I could tell he admired the way the dress fit. He was wearing a black clean cut tux and he looked so brilliant. I sent some glances back myself, making us both redder. He should wear that more often, I thought to myself.

We finally reached the end of the aisle as the music slowly started to decrescendo. I gulped and turned to my father who with shaky hands lifted the veil over my eyes. He gazed at me with his watery green eyes before slowly pressing his lips to my cheek then sat down next to mum in the pew. They both watched me with tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces.

I took Mark's hand and held it tight. Out eyes met and I was lost in them, excited for our life soon after this. It would be all that I'd ever asked for - he was all that I'd ever asked for. There were bound to be bad times, it was inevitable – but I had a feeling we could get ourselves through anything, as long as we stuck together. As the priest spoke, I was locked under Mark's long gaze; under it I had never felt more beautiful in my whole life. It was though the world was perfect for just one day, just for us.

Roger smirked at us and handed us both the rings for each other.

"Do you take Rachael Faye Adams as your lawful wedded wife?"

"I do" A beautiful simple diamond ring was slipped on finger and I couldn't help but let a tear fall down my face as I smiled at him.

"Do you take Mark Dean Cohen as your lawful wedded husband?"

"I do" I slipped the classic band on his finger, holding onto his hand even tighter as my nerves vanished. This was it.

He closed the bible and beamed "You may now kiss the bride."

Mark brought me close and kissed me softly. I wrapped my arms his neck and kissed him back deeply, not wanting to part from him.

I leaned in closer to him as I heard the bohos start clapping and he kissed me harder until we both pulled away to breathe. He pressed his forehead to mine with a smile then kissed me again.

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Mark sat down on our dingy couch back at the loft, but tattered or not we were married and that was all that mattered, not the money spent on the materials we sat on. This was home. I sat down on Mark's lap, holding his hand tightly. We still hadn't let go since we left the church. I looked down at our intertwined fingers and rested against him. My heart was full and I couldn't stop smiling.

"You look incredible." He whispered in my ear, his hands around my waist. "You too." He gave me a small kiss, nipping at me bottom lip. I would have deepened it but a voice pulled us apart as Collins sat down next to us. "Hey baby girl, you looked great up there."

"Thanks Collins."

Roger plopped down on the other side of us and ruffled Mark's hair, "See everything turned out ok? Congrats you two, really."

"Thanks Roger" I gave him a hug, in these last 6 months, our friendship had grown so much and it was good to have him as an older brother figure again.

Mo and Jo rushed over and sat down together at the foot of the couch. "I'm so happy for you guys!" Maureen gushed

We both blushed but before we could thank her our parents came over.

Marks' parents stood together on one side of the couch any mum and dad on the other. "It was a wonderful wedding." Mrs. Cohen said, although I could tell she was slightly bitter that it hadn't been a Jewish ceremony.

"It was" Mum agreed before turning to her, "I'm Nancy."

"Lisa, its nice to meet you."

I kept close to Mark, watching as our parents mingled and glad there wouldn't be a battle of the parents. They seemed to be getting along pretty well anyways.

I nestled against Mark's chest, my heart bursting with love, happiness and excitement. Most women would be anxious for wherever their honeymoon would take them. But Mark and I had decided to just stay here instead and I was more than content to stay home my new husband and love him as the snow fell.