For Those You Love
Chapter 3
A/N- The song used in this chapter is 'Forever In Your Eyes' by Zach DuBois. Please listen to it? It's fucking fantastic! Copy and paste the link to listen to the version I used here!
watch?v=KJbltr3s9fE
Two Months Later
"I'm telling you, Lee." Brad said, clapping his brother on the shoulder. "You're gonna regret this."
"Do me a favour?" Lee asked, sitting on the edge of his bead and staring at his tux (that was hanging on his bedroom door) in complete fear. So far, nothing was going right. The florist was nowhere to be seen, Brad was constantly trying to talk him out of his impending nuptials and his father insisted upon giving him 'the talk' in preparation for his wedding night. "Shut the fuck up."
"Anything you say, buddy." He replied, sitting down next to him and ruffling his hair, receiving a glare. Safe to say, his hand retracted and came to rest on his lap. After an awkward silence, he pressed on. "So, are you nervous?"
"Truthfully?" The older of the two asked, his hands visibly shaking. He shook his head and chuckled at his own stupidity. Seeing his brother nod, he continued. "I'm shitting myself."
"Ah, come on man!" He laughed, standing and hovering over his brother. "What's to be nervous about?! You're getting married to a woman who loves you more than life itself! You're about to spend the rest of your life with the woman you love!"
Lee looks up at the younger man, a small smile on his face.
"You've changed your tune." He observed. Ever since proposing, he had been trying to talk him out of it; telling him he'd regret it.
"Yeah, well, what best man doesn't at least try to talk the groom out of it?" He shrugged, resting their foreheads together. "You're my brother and you deserve happiness. Now, come on, get that tux on and get yourself married."
Lee stood and walked towards the bathroom, unhooking his suit and taking it with him. One last glance back and he closed the door.
Five Minutes Later
"Hey, Brad!" Lee shouted, walking out and growling at the material around his neck that simply refused to work with him. "Think you can help me out?" He gave it one last try before losing his temper and looking up.
His mother was standing in the doorway, looking shell shocked at her son. Tears welled up in her eyes as she shuffled towards him, her hands outstretched, ready to take the material from him. He smiled, letting his hands drop as she fixed the long, red silk tie.
"Y'know…" She whispered, not taking her eyes away from her hands. "It seems like just yesterday I was doing this for Sunday school. You still can't do it properly."
She smoothed the offending article and fixed his collar, all the while keeping her eyes downcast.
"My baby boy… getting married." She sighed, looking like she was about to cry. Lee brought his hand up to hold her wrist softly and rubbed his thumb slowly against her skin.
"I'm still here, mom." He assured softly, hating the sight of her crying. "I'm not going anywhere."
"I know, it's just…" She shook her head, evidently not wanting to say it and moving her hand. "Oh, never mind. I just hope for your sake that Carley can do ties."
He chuckled, grabbing his black suit jacket off the hanger and pulling it over himself. He turned to face the mirror, fully taking in his appearance. His jaw was covered in a small amount of stubble. He was wearing a white shirt, red cravat, cream coloured vest and a black jacket, over a pair of fitted black trousers. His short hair was in its usual unruly spikes, standing up in all directions.
"Alright, bud!" He heard, snapping his attention to the doorway, where Brad was standing, wearing his own tux. The only difference was the cravat; his was cream. "Everyone's here."
His mother gave him one last kiss on the cheek and shuffled out, leaving the two men alone.
"So, you got the ring?" Brad finally asked after what seemed like an eternity. Lee nodded mutely, tapping his pants pocket in an attempt to calm his nerves. "Great. Now then! Let's get you married!"
The older brother had a completely terrified look on his face all the way to the car.
Ten Minutes Later (At the Church)
"Alright, Carley should be here about now." Brad said, plopping down on the pew, next to his brother. A mischievous smirk played on his features. "Now, are you sure you don't need to tinkle?"
Lee chuckled and shook his head. The preacher (that Lee swore was older that God himself) entered from the back and stood at the altar.
"Please stand to welcome the bridal party." He said, his soft voice echoing all around the church. The two men at the front stood, along with the rest of their families at turned their heads to the entrance.
The first to come through were the flower girl and ring bearer, looking as cute as ever (seeing as they were both five years old), followed by their mother, who was Carley's maid of honor.
Then, the two bridesmaids floated in, wearing knee-length red dresses and carrying little bouquets of red roses. They took their places in the pews and the music picked up. Lee saw the preached gesture for him to stand with him and obeyed. The sounds of 'Pachelbel's Canon' echoed in their ears when he saw her, an angel in white at the back of the church. Her dress was the perfect fit of her, hugging her in all the right places. Her hair was pulled back into a bun at the bottom of her neck, with two strands hanging by the side of her face.
A grin was widening on her face and he mirrored it, his nerves ebbing away quickly. Before he knew it, he was shaking David's hand and taking Carley's in his own.
"You look beautiful…" He choked out, receiving a beaming smile in response. He didn't notice the preacher telling everyone to sit back down, or the numerous readings going on. All he paid attention to was the woman beside him.
"Lee and Carley have memorized their vows. Would you like to recite them before god and your families." The old man requested, flicking through his bible and staring at them expectantly.
Lee's heart stopped. Sure, he'd memorized them, but would he be able to recall them? So far, it had just been him and Brad; not a whole fucking church! He turned to take both of Carley's hands in his and took a deep breath, steadying himself.
"I, Lee, take you, Carley, to be my wife,
and these things I promise you:
I will be faithful to you and honest with you;
I will respect, trust, help and care for you;
I will share my life with you;
I will forgive you as we have been forgiven;
and I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world, and God;
through the best and the worst of what is to come as long as we live."
He stopped, looking to the preacher, who gave him a small thumbs up, making the families chuckle.
"Now, Carley, do the same."
"I, Carley, take you, Lee, to be my husband,
and these things I promise you:
I will be faithful to you and honest with you;
I will respect, trust, help and care for you;
I will share my life with you;
I will forgive you as we have been forgiven;
and I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world, and God;
through the best and the worst of what is to come as long as we live."
"Well done." He spoke up, once again joining us at the altar. He looked to the little boy on the front row. "Can I have the rings, young man?"
The boy toddled up the few steps, almost falling, only to have Carley help him back up again and be on his way. He handed the cushion over and sprinted back to his seat.
"Now we will have the blessing of the rings: May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go, they will always return to one another in their togetherness. These two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. They promise to grow in understanding and in compassion. The home which they establish together will be such a place of sanctuary that many will find there a friend. These rings, on their fingers, symbolize the touch of the Spirit of Love in their hearts." He said, slowly untying them from the cushion. "Lee, take Carley's ring and place in on the third finger of her left hand."
He did as he asked, taking the thin, silver band and slipping it on her slender finger.
"Now, Carley. Take Lee's ring and place it on the third finger of his left hand."
She mirrored Lee's actions, slipping the silver band on his larger finger.
"By the power vested in me, in the presence of your families and god himself, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. Lee, you may kiss your bride."
Lee grinned, bringing his hand up to her cheek and kissing her softly. Cheers erupted around them. They pulled apart and she linked her arm through his as he led her back down the aisle, turning left before reaching the door and into an adjoining room to sign the register.
After what felt like an eternity, they threw open the church doors and were greeted with camera flashes, confetti and cheers.
The two newlyweds had to make their way to the reception and hopped in the car, hearing cheers and wolf-whistles as they went.
Ten Minutes Later
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Mr and Mrs Everett!" The DJ shouted over applause. The song 'I Do' by Colbie Callait started playing and they made their grand enterance, their hands clasped together and huge smiles on their faces. They made their way to the dance floor and held each other tightly. "They will now take their first dance."
Brad took to the stage, making sure his guitar was tuned. Once satisfied, he spoke into the microphone.
"Uh, Carley doesn't know this, but Lee helped me write this song. He wanted to surprise her so… anyway, this is for you two on your wedding day." He started strumming a soft tune and the newlyweds rocked back and forth in each other's arms.
It was the 1st of January when I first met you
On a late Winter night
Jasmine filled the air
Lee brought Carley further into the embrace and kissed her, resting their foreheads together. Anyone could see they were in love.
Your silhouette in a crowded room
As the moonlight came down
And danced upon your hair
If anyone had told her that she would be married by the end of the year, she would have laughed in their face. Now, well, anything was possible. She married the man of her dreams.
That's when fate stepped in, and the best of my life began
God sent an angel
To answer my prayers
I found my future
When I caught your stare
I knew my searchin' was over
For the rest of my life
Cuz I saw forever in your eyes
Tears welled up in her eyes. Lee had helped write this! Hell, she never thought he could write essays, never mind music!
Standin' on this alter now
As you walk down the aisle
Most beautiful sight a man can see
Smilin' tryin to hide my tears
I take your hand in mine
As your dad gives you to me
In a flowing dress of white, you're gonna be my wife
Lee smiled happily. He was dancing with his wife! God, he never thought he'd get a girlfriend. He pulled his head back to look into Carley's eyes and kissed her tenderly.
God sent an angel
To answer my prayers
I found my future
When I caught your stare
I knew my searchin' was over
For the rest of my life
Cuz I saw forever in your eyes
Brad looked at his brother and his sister-in-law happily. Yeah, he'd given Lee grief, but he needed him to be happy. He never had much luck with girls. Now, his luck had changed. He'd found the one.
I see babies
A new family
And your wrinkled hand in mine
Together for all time
God sent an angel
To answer my prayers
I found my future
When I caught your stare
I knew my searchin' was over
For the rest of my life
Cuz I saw forever in your eyes
They came to a halt, just looking in the other's eyes.
"I love you…" Lee muttered, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"I love you too, Lee…" She replied, thoroughly looking forward to the rest of her life as Carley Everett.