Finally it was the day of the wedding, and things seemed to be going perfectly. Everybody was there, everything was in place, nobody was backing out; the wedding would truly be the happiest day of Lauren and Raylan's life.
Lauren sat in the back room, pinning back her hair as a excited Alec ran in circles around her. "Mommy and daddy are getting married!" The five year said, starting to jump up and down. A smile appeared of the womans face as she looked at her son through the mirror. "Yes we are, sweetie." She said, placing the last clip in her blonde hair. "We're going to be a real family now." They were a family from the beginning, but now it was going to be official. She would be his wife, she would share his name, it was everything she wanted.
The door suddenly opened to Lauren's room and a woman entered inside. It was another blonde; Lauren's twin. "Lauren, they're ready." Carrie stated, picking up Alec and placing him on her hip. Lauren simply nodded and picked up the flowers off the table. 'Perfect.' She thought to herself as she took one final look in the mirror. "Let's go." Lauren said nervously, walking out the room with Carrie behind her.
The appropriate people walked down the aisle, then music began to play, sending nervous chills down Lauren's spine. She linked arms with her younger brother then stepped out the wooden doors, making her way down. The smile she had on her face seemed as if it was plastered on. The amount of happiness she was feeling was obvious by her facial expression, she truly was excited to get married. As Lauren approached the pastor, Adam gave her away, letting Raylan take her hand. He helped her up the steps then the two stood face-to-face, smiling as they held onto each others hand.
"Dear friends, we have come together to share in the joy of Raylan and Lauren's love for each other. We witness the celebration of that love in the warmth's of God's presence. A wedding is a celebration of spiritual love, and a covenant to love each other, in the presence of God. I invited you to be at peace, and to listen with your hearts and your souls, to this most joyous ceremony. May God fill your spirit with love and truth. Let us pray. O God, we gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, O God, for the ways you have touched our lives with a variety of loving relationships. We give thanks for your love and your friendship. Renew within us an affectionate spirit. Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationship we cherish. We pray these things, believing in the name and in the uniting power of Jesus. Amen." The pastor began. To Lauren, it seemed as if he talked for ages. All she wanted was to be his wife. She wanted to wear the ring, and kiss her husband, and be called Mrs. Givens.
Lauren's thoughts suddenly got broken as the word 'vows' echoed throughout her head. Now came the part that she was the most nervous for. "Lauren, you're first." The pastor said, nodding his head. "I love you, Raylan. I know that you are the only one for me, my one true love. I am happy and I am grateful that you came into my life, that where others have spent their entire lives looking for the one, I have found you. And now that I have found you, I shall never let you go. I promise you, Raylan, that I shall hold you and cherish you and give you my heart, that I shall support you and care for you. Faithfully, I shall always stand steadfast at your side with your hand in mine, regardless of what life would bring to us. I take you now as my wife/husband, and I shall remain so for the rest of my life." Lauren said, looking at Raylan with her bright green eyes. A smile formed over Raylan's lips as he looked down at Lauren. "I love you." He whispered softly.
"Raylan, your turn." The pastor said, looking to Raylan. Raylan let a nervous sigh escape his lips as his eyes locked onto Lauren's. "Lauren, you once told me that you are afraid of growing old. You told me then that to grow old means to be alone, and it frightens you. But I want you to grow old, Lauren. I want you to grow old with me. I want to watch the wrinkles form on your face and every strand of your hair turn white, because to me you would be the most beautiful, even when you are all wrinkled and gray. You do not have to fear being alone, my beloved Lauren, because I shall be with you. Grow old with me. I promise to love you faithfully, to care for you and to cherish you, to provide you with support and everything that you need, to respect and honor you. All my days left to me, I vow to spend them all loving you." Raylan said softly, never taking his eyes off of the woman in front of him. The tears began building up in Lauren's eyes, but she tried to fight them off. She didn't want to cry in front of everyone, even though it was perfectly okay.
The pastor handed their rings to them and nodded his head. Lauren placed Raylan's ring on his hand, then Raylan placed Lauren's ring on her hand. The two both smile a smile of pure happiness as they looked at the pator, ready for him to end the ceremony. "You may now kiss the bride." The pastor said, stepping back. Raylan leaned forward and kissed Lauren gently on the lips. It was their first official kiss as husband and wife.
The two turned to the crowd and joined hands. "I love you." Lauren whispered. Raylan smiled and helped her down the steps, then they walked down the aisle, going out the door. "I love you too, Lauren." Raylan said, letting her get into the car. He got in beside her and the driver drove off, leaving the crowd behind.