Okay, somewhere I got off on my chapter numbering. Sorry about that. However, without further delay I present to you Lexi and Roman's wedding.
Chapter 24
Lexi couldn't quite believe it had been a month since the scare with the baby. Full bed rest then limited rest seemed to do the trick and she hadn't suffered any repeat effects. With two and a half months until the baby was due, hopefully, it would stay that way.
Right now, she had more immediate concerns to address. She smoothed a hand over her dress and unhappy with what she saw, sighed at her reflection. "I look like a freaking cow." As of recent, she was starting to feel like one too.
Amber stopped fixing Lexi's hair and frowned at her in the mirror. "You do not. You look beautiful."
Lexi quirked her lips, assessing. "From the breast up, I agree." She sighed and slid into the nearest empty seat. "I'm telling you Amber, this kid is wrecking me."
Careful of her own dress, Amber eased into the chair across from her. "I thought you were happy about the baby?"
"I am," Lexi defended. "I totally am, but it doesn't change the fact that with me on full restrictions, which means no exercising whatsoever, my body is very quickly going to hell. It's going to make getting back in shape that much harder and my return to the ring that much longer."
Amber shook her head. "I can't believe you're thinking about wrestling just minutes before you're about to get married."
"I know, I know, but its hard. I'm so conflicted right now. I love Roman so much and I'm totally excited about getting married and totally scare shitless at the same time. And while I wouldn't trade any of this for the world, I do miss my old, pre-pregnancy life. I didn't think I would, but I actually do." She shrugged. "Maybe it's because of all the doctors appointments and forced bed rest that I'm missing my old life. I always thought being pregnant would be fun, and it does have it's moments, but honestly, it's just be nothing but one scare after another and lots of stress."
"Wow." Amber blinked. "You are conflicted, but then its kinda understandable considering everything that's been going on. Still, you have to remember that you're not totally giving up your old, life," Amber argued. "Once the baby is born, you're coming back to work."
Lexi nodded. "Yes, but I won't be allowed any serious exercise for like two months post birth or something like that. Then it's going to be months for me to get back into wrestling shape and that will, I'm sure, be compounded by having a c-section and needing to build that cut muscle back up. Then I'll have to spend time in NXT knocking off the ring rust. It's gonna be this time next year before I'll be ready to return." She sighed. "It all just seems so far away."
"It's really not." Amber placed a hand on Lexi's knee. "It wasn't that long ago that I'm sure it felt as if the wedding and the baby would never get here and look where you are now."
"True," Lexi considered. "It's just hard watching you all wrestle while I'm stuck in bed. And it's really hard to watch my body go to hell and know that if I try to anything about it I put my baby's life at risk."
"Well," Amber replied. "Seems to me that it's a small price to pay, considering you're gaining a husband and child in the deal. And you'll eventually get your body back. It will be a lot of work I'm sure, but if you want it bad enough, it can happen."
Accepting Amber's pep talk in the spirit with which it was intended, Lexi smiled at her best friend. Nothing productive could come from feeling sorry for herself and these restrictions wouldn't last forever. Besides, the man she loved still wanted to marry her despite everything that was going on. In reality, she was one very lucky woman. "You're right of course." Lexi slowly pushed up and returned to the mirror. "Ignore me." Feeling slightly better she waved a hand in the air. "My hormones are all out of wack and I'm feeling a bit emotional." She thought about Roman, all dressed up in his tuxedo and grinned. She was sure he would be drop dead gorgeous all decked out and more important, he was all hers. "How about we forget about my nonsensical whining and finish my hair so I can get married?"
Butterflies fluttered in Lexi's stomach as she stood at the french doors and listened to the beginning of the wedding march. She glanced over at her father who grinned and patted her hand. "You ready?' Bret asked.
She took in a deep breath and nodded. "Let's do this."
Punk and Jericho opened the doors and Lexi and Bret stepped into the garden. Against the background of green Grassleaf flowers bloomed in varying shades of orange and red. Black-eyed susans peppered the edge of the garden in brilliant yellow, while butterflies fluttered near bushes blooming in lavender, pink and white at the far edge of the garden.
Family and friends sat at tables. already set up for the reception, that flanked the aisle on either side. Per her wishes, those same tables were covered in white clothes while the chairs were trimmed in black bows. Each table was topped with a black and white swirled vase overflowing with the same white Gerber daisies that made up her bouquet. Their black centers popped against the white background.
She turned to look at Chris and grinned. He returned her smile with one of his own and mouthed the word 'beautiful' to her. She replied with a silent thank you, then turned her attention to the end of the aisle where Roman stood with his brother, Seth, and Dean. They all looked so handsome in their tuxedos, but Roman... Oh God! Inside her chest, her heart did a giddy little flip. Per her request, he'd worn his hair down, the dark loose curls draped lazily over his shoulders, framed his face and topped off the black tuxedo he wore. Even now, well over a year since they first met, she still couldn't quite believe she'd been the one to catch his eye, but God she was thankful she had.
She noted the scowl on her mother's face as she passed and dismissed it just as quickly. It didn't matter that her mother now held a grudge against Roman for putting his foot down during their last scare with the baby. He'd done what was best for the her and their baby and if her mother couldn't recognize and accept that fact, then the issue was hers, not Lexi's. Nothing, she decided, and especially not her mother's attitude was going to ruin this day.
They stopped in front of the minister. "Who give this woman to wed?" the minister asked.
"I give this woman," Bret said then turned to look at Roman and placed Lexi's hand in his. "I'd say take good care of her, but you already have."
Yep, that was it. Lexi sniffled. She was definitely going to cry. Lexi sucked in a breath, fought back the tears and smile up at Roman as he took his place next to her and the minister began. "Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Leati Joseph Anoai and Alexandra Marie Hart in marriage. In the time they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife."
Ever so slightly, Roman leaned toward her. "You look gorgeous in that dress," he whispered. From the corner of her eye, Lexi cut her attention toward him and smiled even as the minister continued on about the meaning of marriage and love in the eyes of God. Then she simply closed her eyes and allowed the moment to flow throw her. She found the minister's voice soothing as he spoke about how love, above all else, could see a couple through any situation. He talked of the sanctity of marriage and honoring and respecting your spouse.
For a brief moment she thought about her parents and how they had probably made similar vows to those she was about to recite and how despite making the pledge to one another, ultimately they failed as a couple. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at Roman to find him smiling down at her. She had no intention of ever following in her parent's footsteps.
"Do you Joseph, accept Alexandra as your lifemate and one true love," the minister began. "Promising to share in all that life offers and suffers, to be there for her in times of need, to soothe her in time of pain, and to support her in all endeavors, big and small?"
Roman stared down at her now, his big expressive eyes filled with love and welled with emotion. "I do," he rumbled and Lexi felt the impact of those two little words directly in her heart.
The minister turned to Lexi now. "Do you Alexandra, accept Joseph as your lifemate and one true love," the minister repeated. "Promising to share in all that life offers and suffers, to be there for him in times of need, to soothe him in time of pain, and to support him in all endeavors, big and small?"
Lexi realized as she stared up at Roman, her heart overflowing with love, that they'd already done all those things and more. There would never be another in her life that would ever hold her heart. It now and forever belonged to him. "I do," she replied on a watery grin.
They exchanged rings, and Lexi's hands shook as she recited her vows, the words pouring from her as tears streaked her face. She had a feeling that even if she hadn't been pregnant and hormonal, she probably would have still cried like a baby. She was still coming to terms with that thought when they kissed in front of the hundred and fifty friends and family who had gathered for the occasion.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," the minister said as he raised his hands in celebration. "For the first time anywhere I would like to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Leati Joseph Anoai." The crowd cheered and for the first time in years, Lexi finally felt as if everything was right in her world.
They danced their first song as a couple to Rascal Flatt's Broken Road. The lyrics were, she realized, an accurate representation of her life to that point. Despite her best efforts not to, hormonal and wrought with emotion, she nearly sobbed as Roman leaned down to kiss her when the song ended. At this rate she was going to be an exhausted mess by the end of the night.
She danced with her father to Butterfly kisses and watched as Roman danced with his mother. Then they took their seats and enjoyed a sumptuous steak dinner. After dinner, they cut the cake and being a smart man, Roman refrained from smashing it in her face.
Later, Lexi did the traditional toss of her bouquet and was delighted when Amber caught it. By the look on Seth's face, he hadn't minded the not so subtle implication that came from her catch. At about hour three of the reception Lexi felt herself beginning to fade. Exhaustion seeped into her bones and her back began to ache. As much as she would have loved to get up and dance with everyone else, her body was demanding she rest.
After everything that had happened, it was a demand she wouldn't ignore. She leaned over to Roman. "I need to lay down for a little while."
For a moment he simply stared at her, then as if her words finally registered through the thin haze of alcohol, he nodded. Within minutes he'd excused them from the party and taken her into the house and up to his old bedroom. Through the window she could see the party going on in the garden and smiled as she settled back on the pillows. Let them celebrate and enjoy themselves, it was after all, a day of celebration, she thought as she closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.