She paced left and then right causing the floorboards to squeak beneath her feet. She didn't know why she was nervous. This was the best day of her life because today was her wedding day.
Emma had her wedding vows memorized, her hair and makeup were done, and she would be slipping on her wedding dress any minute now. She stopped and looked at her friend who stood just behind her. "Is everything ready?"
He nodded, "Yeah, Kat is outside with the staff making sure the heaters are all on. The minister is upstairs talking to Jeff and Graham. Cora is with Regina, and I think I saw your dad in the dining area preparing for the reception."
That morning, Maine was blasted with a huge snow storm. Kat helped them last minute to find heaters to bring in for their outdoor wedding that was now going to be held in the snow.
"Okay," Emma said, she licked her lips that were painted a shade pink.
"You look beautiful, Ems," He said sweetly to her. She looked up at him and stopped her nervous pacing.
"I, this, I just can't believe it's finally happening." She stuttered over her words as she spoke to him in slight disbelief.
He walked forward and put two firm hands on her shoulders and said, "Yes, it is. You're marrying the woman of your dreams. I've never been happier for you, and someday I hope to fall in love like you both did." He affectionately brushed a tendril of blonde hair behind her ear.
Emma felt like the air was knocked out of her. She knew her friend had changed since he had his heart broken earlier in the year, but this was a new side of him. He had grown soft. "You'll find her someday when you least expect it," Emma said with a sympathetic smile. "Thanks for everything August, you're like my brother, you know."
"I know. And you're like a baby sis to me. I'm glad we met in the bar that one day."
"Yeah, you hit on me." She deadpanned.
He cheekily smiled, "Sounds about right."
There was a quiet pause, and both of them took in the gravity of the moment. There were so many things she wanted to tell her friend, so many ways she wished she could thank him for all that he did. If it weren't for him being relentless about her getting out there, and making her profile on FindLove, she wouldn't be standing in this very room waiting to get married.
August broke the silence and said, "I should go get your mother so she can help you into that dress." He pointed to the white wedding gown hanging from the window.
"Yeah." Emma nodded, "It's time to get the show on the road. Still can't believe she pressured me into buying that thing." Emma looked over at the dress that, while it was beautiful, was more for her mother than her.
"I'll see you out there."
Emma watched her Best Man turn to leave. She turned back to her dress and walked over to it and touched the lace fabric. She looked at it's beauty and hummed in appreciation. While it wasn't her, getting to wear a wedding dress was still special to Emma.
"Honeybee, I just saw Regina, she's just gorgeous. You're going to just be awe-struck when y'all see each other." Her southern mother spoke with a certain pomp and circumstance.
Emma looked up at her mother and softly admitted, "Regina could wear a potato sack, and I'd be awe-struck." It was true, her soon-to-be wife was better than the word perfect.
"Go ahead and take your clothes off. I'll get the dress ready!" Her mother pulled her gown down from the window to prepare it.
She looked down at her flannel shirt and started to free the buttons and shifted it off her went her ratty cat covered pajama bottoms because somethings never change.
"Whoa, Emma!" Her mother looked at her.
"What?" Her eyes bulged out a little, "Something wrong?" She looked down at her body in slight panic.
"That bra and those panties barely cover you!" She said looking at the matching lace blue underwear set she had purchased on a whim a week ago as her something blue.
Emma rolled her eyes, "You made me think there was something wrong!" She was already nervous, the last thing she needed was for her mother to freak her out.
"No! Nothin's wrong. You look gorgeous. Turn around so I can get this dress over your head." Her mother instructed.
Emma turned, knowing her mother was about to get a good view of her assets. "Hold up your arms." She heard her mother ask and in a swift motion, her dress was slid onto her body.
"You have your wedding vows memorized?" Her mother made small talk as she started to button the back of her dress.
"I do."
"Please tell me you got more than that honey."
Emma pinched her face in confusion and then it dawned on her, "Oh! I mean, yes I'll be saying 'I do,' but I have what I'm going to say memorized. I just hope I don't forget it."
"Well, do you have them written down?" Her mother asked.
"Yeah, over on the side table over there." She pointed.
"I'll take 'em with me just in case you need 'em." Her mother turned her around. Her eyes welled up with big tears as she absorbed Emma in the dress she was wearing.
Emma turned swishing the dress to the side. "Do I look pretty mom?" She asked looking down at the white gown.
"Oh honey bee, my darling daughter, you look breathtaking. Come, give your mama a hug. I'm just so happy for you!" She started to cry.
Emma leaned forward and pulled her older mother into her arms, "Don't cry mom." She heard herself say as she hugged her tight.
"I'm just so happy, Emma. Seeing you like this, so happy, it's just a confirmation that your father and I did it all right."
Emma nodded, she knew it wasn't easy on them raising her and the things they may have dealt with were most likely challenging. Her mother kept her safe from all that to protect her, but that didn't mean Emma didn't often wonder what sort of things they kept from her.
"I love you," Emma whispered into her white hair.
"Oh, I love you too, sweetheart." Her mother pulled from her arms and smiled up at her. "I think it's that time. I'm going to go get your father." Her mother grabbed the written vows, for just in case.
When her mother left the room, Emma turned and reached for her cell phone. She opened Regina's contact information and called her from across the house.
It had ringed several times before she answered, "Please tell me your aren't getting cold feet on me." Regina dryly said.
Emma laughed at Regina's comment. When her laughter fizzled out, she admitted, "I could never. I just, feel a bit nervous, and you're the person who always calms me down."
Emma looked at her reflection in the mirror as she listened to Regina's voice soothe her worries, "I'm nervous too, but that's because I'm excited. I guess the important thing to know is that you're not alone and after today, you never will be anymore."
There was much truth in that statement and Emma sighed out to herself, "I love you."
"I love you too," Regina said back to her. "Kat's motioning for me to go outside now. I'll see you in a few minutes, okay?"
"I'll be there!" Emma looked up in time to see her father standing in the doorway. She dropped her phone down on the table and sighed.
"So this is it? I'm really doing this?"
He grinned and nodded his head, "This is it, kid." In his arms was the heavy red pea coat that was her something borrowed from Regina. The snow started to pick up about an hour ago, and four inches had already fallen on the ground in the last hour. Some would consider, an outdoor wedding in the dead of winter in Maine a risky choice, but Emma and Regina wanted to get married outside overlooking the snow covered mountains. After all, it was that exact landscape they stood before when they first shared their, I love you's.
She walked forward, and her father slipped the overcoat on her shoulders and escorted her through the resort home. August was standing by the front door with her bouquet in hand.
"You look stunning, Emma." His baby blue eyes widened when he looked at her in her wedding dress. "Regina's out there waiting for you." He paused and said, "She's gorgeous." He leaned in and placed a peck on her cheek before he walked out before Emma as he did the day before at rehearsal.
Emma could already feel herself start to choke up. She watched as her Best Man dressed in a thick winter coat made his way through a trail of red rose petals that sat fresh on top of the snow that would soon be lost.
There was once a time when the snow and wind bothered Emma. She could still remember the way it first felt piercing against her skin. Her teeth would often chatter together in retaliation to the coldness. While she was born a Floridian and lived the first twenty-seven years of her life there, her life was here now. Wherever Regina was, that was home. So she learned to adjust to the cold.
Her father nudged her forward to encourage her out into the snow towards her bride. Puffs of white, warm breath escaped from her chest and invaded the coldness of the air. The snow was whipping around them, catching her dress in the bone-chilling wind. Leave it to Emma and Regina to get married in the middle of a snowstorm on New Year's Eve.
Her heart was racing, and she gripped her roses closer to her chest to help control her excitement. She winced to see Regina, who was standing at the front next to Kat and her mother. The snow was coming down pretty hard, obstructing her view, but, nonetheless, she enjoyed the tranquil scenery.
As they approached closer, Regina came into view. Her black overcoat had a thin layer of snowflakes resting on her shoulders. Her lips were painted a shade of red and Emma couldn't take her eyes away from her beautiful bride.
Shakily she passed her roses to August, who stood off to the side and grabbed Regina's hands in her own. Warm tears started to slide down her face. The happiness she felt, well it was unmatchable at that moment.
"You're perfect." Emma cooed to Regina who smiled at her as if it was the first day she saw her all over again.
"We're gathered here today…" The minister started.
Emma could barely focus on anything she said. Her body was shaking, and she couldn't tell if it was the excitement or from the cold wind and snow. She felt Regina affectionately squeeze her hands and smile at her as if there was nothing more beautiful in this life.
"Emma, on this day I give to you my heart. I become your wife, and you become mine. I promise I will give you the best of me and accept you as you are." Regina vowed, with tears coursing freely down her face. "I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, and to always comfort you through the uncertainties of our present and future. I promise I'll love you, so long as there is, in me, strength to draw a breath. Even then, when I no longer can breathe, my soul will always belong to yours. And when I pass from this life into forever, I know that my forever will always be you." She brought her trembling hand up to wipe away the tears that dampened her fair face.
Emma nodded her head; her heart was bursting at the seams because there was no higher love than this. Tears of joy were tangling like a meandering river down her cheeks. She drew in a ragged, shaky breath and recited her vows through the whistling sounds of the wind and snow curling around them.
"Regina, you have seen sides of me that I couldn't bring myself to love. You gave me strength and power to be the woman that I am. You've always been my saving grace. You've made me see myself differently and feel worthy of your affection." Emma's chest was heaving as she took in shallow breaths, "I love you, and I know there is nothing truer in this world. I don't know where our journey will take us, but I promise to be there every step of the way, to bring joy and laughter into your life, to always listen, to be the best wife that I can be for you. My only regret in my life is not finding you sooner, so I could love you longer. I swear to you, to love you for eternity with all I have, all that I am, all that I will ever be. Wherever you go, I promise I'll be quick to follow. Forever, I'm yours, and in death may we never part."
The minister turned towards Kat and August and asked for the rings, which were then furnished upon request.
"The symbol of a wedding ring, being circular, is a symbol, a sign of unending love. Wear them with pride, as a symbol and sign, for all to see, of your love and passion." She told Emma and Regina.
The minister recited the Lord's Prayer. Emma couldn't take her eyes away from Regina's. Never will a moment in their life be as special as this one. This was what people lived for, to find a love like this.
The exchanging of the rings was the next part of their intimate ceremony.
"Emma, I pledge to you this, as a sign of my vow, and with all I am, and all I have, I honor you. In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit." Regina slid Emma's wedding band on her finger.
Emma squeezed her other hand tightly around Regina's wedding band and softly said, "Regina, I pledge to you this, as a sign of my vow, and with all I am, and all I have, I honor you. In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit." Emma's hands shook as she slid the ring she was only moments ago clutching close, on Regina's finger. Once it was in place, Emma's heart swelled with pride, because now it was official.
The minister carried her voice over the howling wind that was whipping past them, "Now that you have pledged yourselves to each other with solemn vows and with rings. I pronounce you wife and wife. In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Amen." She paused. "You may kiss!" She held her hands up in joy.
Emma was the first to pull Regina, her wife, into a searing kiss that warmed every crevice of her body. Their family and friends were all clapping, and mothers were crying. The sounds of winter filled the air and while it was freezing, all Emma could concentrate on was the radiant woman in her arms. Just like that, they shared their first kiss as a married couple, on a freezing, snowy New Year's Eve day, in Maine, in the midst of a blizzard.
Regina and Emma were both sitting next to one another at the long dinner table holding hands when Cora stood to say the first toast.
"My darling girls, if your father could see the two of you now, he'd be over the moon with joy. Henry told me before we ever met you Emma, that you were Regina's soulmate. After we had spent our holidays here last winter, I knew he was right. You quickly became a part of this family. He loved you both very much. Regina, you were the little girl he always wanted. I'm sorry he didn't live to see this day, but I know, he's looking down at us right now. He's still here and never prouder."
Cora raised her glass in the air, and the table of close friends and family toasted their glasses together.
Next up was Emma's parents. The two of them stood with tears of happiness flowing down their faces, "We always knew from the moment you were conceived that you were special Emma." Her father started.
"You somehow managed to flip yourself the wrong way before you were even born." Her mother added. "Raising you taught us so much, not just as parents, but as human beings. Your charisma and thirst for this world and all it has to offer was evident very early on. I've never met someone more sure of her feelings than you, Emma. I just know your love for Regina is stronger than anything known to man. Thank you for being our daughter. We know Regina will take care of you." Her mother wiped some tears from her face.
Her father cleared his throat, "We're just so happy our little princess-"
"Honeybee." Her mother interrupted her father to correct him.
He looked over at her and chuckled, "Our daughter, could find love with you, Regina. Welcome to our family." He raised his glass for a toast.
For such a small, intimate gathering of friends and family, you'd think that was the last toast, but they had two more to go. One from the Best Man and the other from the Maid of Honor.
August stood first and started off by saying, "Just real fast, I know we're all starving, uh, Emma, you're like my little sister and best friend. I could never be happier for you. Regina is one hell of a lucky woman."
Emma cut him off, "I think you mean I'm lucky to have her, but please continue." She laughed, and a few others laughed around the candlelit table.
He raised an eyebrow up and continued, "Uh, well, you've really inspired me to find someone to fall in love with. I guess that's it, besides I love you, of course." He raised his glass and then added, "Enough with all the toasts, bring on the food!"
Kat, who sat next to him cut her eyes and stood, "Not so fast." She looked at the man next to her, "Regina, we've known each other for over a decade now. We spent our youth in college as best friends and our relationship developed from there. You stood by me when my life was drowned with sorrow. I couldn't ask for someone more caring in my life, and I'm glad you can now give that same love and care to the person you're in love with. I'll never forget our friendship or the days we'd spend out on the vineyard. We were the best of friends, and I'll always hold those memories close." She paused. "I wish you both a wonderful life." She raised her glass and then August stood.
"I just want to add one last thing, Emma."
Emma looked over at Regina and said under her breath, "Why do I have a feeling they are about to recreate the toast scene from Bridesmaids?"
Regina shook her head in confusion, "What?"
Emma rolled her eyes because clearly her wife didn't see that movie so this was about to be new to her. Emma huffed out a laugh because it was sure to be amusing.
"You remember that one time back when you first met Regina when we went to that Hall & Oats concert?"
Emma nodded, completely amused as to where this was heading.
"I remembered watching you singing to the music and getting lost in the effervescent atmosphere. I was so glad to call you my best friend and not just that concert, but the other things we'd do together. I always enjoyed it. Whether it was sitting home in bed eating Doritos or going to a really bad movie, just being with you and laughing meant a lot to me. I know we haven't been friends for over a decade." He pointedly glared at Kat. "But, I know our friendship will last so long as we both live."
Kat, who was still standing added, "When I was in Paris a week ago for work, I attached a red padlock with your initials, dated for your wedding day to the Pont Des Arts. Of course, as tradition, I tossed the keys over the bridge into the Seine River. Maybe someday I'll have my own love lock, but for now, yours is there. So I guess that's it. We can now have dinner served." Kat sipped her drink and motioned for the staff to bring out their dishes.
Regina smiled and leaned against Emma, "Isn't that so sweet?"
Emma laughed, "When we get home from the honeymoon, you're so watching Bridesmaids, you're gonna die."
August shook his head, "Just one more thing from me, and then we can have dinner, I may not have gone to Paris to attach a love lock on some bridge for the two of you, but I did, if you remember, ship to you both, Weezy. That cat is like your child, and I know you both love him. I couldn't bare knowing Emma would have to live without him. So I'm glad I was able to do that for you both. With how you guys care for him, I know someday you'll make incredible mothers. Now let's have some filet mignon!"
"Just before that!" Kat held up her finger.
"Oh Kathryn, sit down and let's eat." Cora silenced her. "If I hear you or August add one more thing to toast to, I'll end up with a hangover from over drinking."
Everyone laughed, minus Kat. August had a smug expression on his face, and he winked at Kat to taunt her.
After dinner had concluded, Emma and Regina had their first dance as a married couple. Love songs filled the air, and together they danced across the floor, hand in hand.
"Are you having fun?" Regina asked Emma.
"Why is that even a question?" Emma smiled at her wife, "This is the best day of my life."
"Mine too." Emma pushed Regina out into a twirl. Her wedding dress was glued to her curves, and the plunging neckline left very little to the imagination. Emma couldn't wait for the evening to end so that she make love to her wife, for the first time as a married couple.
When Regina collided back into Emma's arms, she added, "I loved your vows."
"Yeah? What was the best part?" Emma asked as they flowed to the music in their wedding gowns in front of their friends and family. All eyes were on them as they danced the Queen of Dances.
Regina hummed and then said, "I liked, forever, I'm yours, and in death may we never part. I think you nailed it." Regina kissed Emma's lip in a tender kiss.
When they pulled back, Emma said, "It's true. I love you and in death may we never part." They continued to sashay together to the music.
Later that evening, they made their great escape to the ski slopes and got on the same ski lift they rode one year ago. Snow had subsided, and the hazy clouds that were hovering low to the ground earlier during the ceremony had long dissipated. Emma could swear; the blizzard happened just for them. It was nature's way of welcoming them as a married couple. So took that as a sign of good luck.
Their feet dangled over the edge of their lift as they were moved up the mountain to watch the New Year's fireworks. Still, they were dressed in their wedding dresses and covered with their thick pea coats cuddled up close.
Emma played with the ring on her finger and smiled down at it. Forever, she'd belong to Regina, the love of her life, her wife.
"I can't believe it's been a year." Emma said as she leaned her head against Regina's shoulder. So much had changed since then.
"It's funny how time can fly when we're having fun." Emma felt Regina kiss her forehead. She pulled Emma closer into her arms as she spoke, "But that's okay, you know if time flies because now we have each other. It's not like there is ever an end to this." She paused and then added, "To us." Regina motioned to them. "Just like we said. We're forever, and I plan to love you as long as forever allows."
At the mark of her words, time struck midnight and fireworks filled the night sky. It was officially a New Year.
Forty-eight hours later, Emma dropped her luggage down to the floor of their private resort villa in Bora Bora.
"I feel like I should be more awake right now." She told her wife. Her eyelids were drooping closed. Her wife cleared her throat, causing Emma to open her eyes. She was shocked to see that Regina had managed to throw off every article of clothing.
"Well, then, never mind. I think that was better than a cup of coffee." Emma immediately straightened her posture and walked over to where Regina was standing. "That was also really hot."
"Now that we're married, we have to keep some things fresh." Regina winked at Emma.
Smirking at this, Emma pulled off her clothes as fast as she could. "I think I like where this is heading." Emma said, looking at her wife. Once her clothes were discarded on the floor, she went to close the last bit of distance between them, when her wife took off running through the villa, out the doors, and into the crystal blue ocean water.
"Re….Regina!" She hollered. Here Emma was thinking she was about to have some mind-blowing, hardcore sex and her wife decided to take off running naked out of the villa to skinny dip.
"Come on, Emma! The water is warm!" Her wife yelled out to her.
Emma looked down at her body and wondered why they even bothered to purchase bikini's if they were just going to be naked. Thinking ahead, Emma grabbed some towels and confidently ran out of the villa and dropped the towels on the wooden deck and jumped in next to her wife.
The sun was directly above, burning down on them and when Emma's head bobbed up from the water, she whipped her blonde, wet hair back.
"It feels amazing!" She said as she swam closer to her wife who was now floating on her back.
"Can't believe just two days ago we were saying our wedding vows in a middle of a blizzard, and now here we are, in the middle of the Pacific ocean, in paradise." Emma said as she ran her arms under her wife's floating body.
"It's perfect." She sighed out in bliss.
Emma pulled Regina to a standing position and looked at her carefully, "So keepin' it fresh?" She leaned forward and kissed her wife and ran her hand down her exposed breast. "Do you think this counts?" She asked in between her kisses, "Because I think it does, what do you say?" She continued to let her hand wander lower down Regina's body.
Regina's body instinctively melted into Emma's touch, and she hummed in anticipation for more. Regina could barely keep herself upright as she opened herself up for Emma's wandering fingers.
She didn't think it'd happen like this. Honestly, Emma was half dead and was sure she'd pass out in their bed the moment she arrived. The flights were grueling and took them over a day in the air before the made it to Bora Bora. She could only sit on a plane for so long and was thankful that they didn't have to make that trip home for two weeks.
Thankful their villa was private, Emma held back nothing as she let her fingers dance against her wife's bundle of nerves causing her to tremble. It was a wonderful thing being able to have this kind of effect on another person.
Their breathing became quicker in succession, and Emma plunged her fingers inside of her wife. Feeling Regina's core tighten around her fingers never got old.
"Feels so good." Regina told her as they moved around in the water, kissing and loving one another. They did that for over an hour until Emma's shoulders burned red and the heat was too much.
Physically exhausted, both women were sprawled out on their bed in a half-awake state. The doors to their villa opened right up to the water, and it was serene. The white curtains occasionally would blow into the room with a gust of warm ocean breeze. It had been such a long time since Emma had been somewhere warm like this.
She turned over and looked at her wife who was slumbering peacefully right next to her. Emma softly ran her fingers down Regina's body, and she watched as her skin prickled.
"Mmm." Regina softly hummed as she flopped over and snuggled closer into Emma. "I'm so tired."
"I know. I'm kind of hungry now, though. I think I saw some strawberries and other fruits on the entry way table. Want to share it with me?" She asked, hopefully.
Regina's eyes, heavy with sleep, cracked open. She yawned and said, "Only if you feed them to me."
"That can be arranged." Emma slipped from the sheets. As she walked from room to room, she could feel her wife's eyes on her. It was one of the highest compliments knowing she was getting checked out. That caused her to smirk because she liked that Regina loved her body.
"They have some champagne for us too, want me to bring that?" Emma fiddled with the cabinets in their kitchen and found some glasses.
"Yeah, bring it all!" Her wife called out to her.
When Emma re-emerged into the room, Regina was still snuggled into the bed. Her body completely out in the open and, god, Emma could drool at the sight. She was too perfect for words.
Emma scooted in bed and placed the tray of fruits between her and Regina. She picked up a strawberry and slid it into her wife's mouth and watched her bite down on it. Juices oozed out, and it wasn't meant to be sexual, but goddamn did Emma feel ready for round two to happen. She already had picked out several places she wanted to have sex in the villa. Not just that, but she also pictured all the different positions that they could do, to help keep things fresh.
"Everything about this feels perfect." Emma told her wife as she picked up some grapes and tossed them in her mouth.
"I know, I just wish I could freeze time and live out our eternity here."
While that sounded like a perfect plan, Emma said, "But then we'd never get to become mothers. Let's do that first and then come back and live out eternity here." She said.
"Okay." Regina smiled. "I think I can do that. So long as this is our paradise."
Emma popped another strawberry in Regina's mouth and promised, "It will be."