After Tracy completed three years of college, Saturday, July 21 has finally arrived. Their family and friends have gathered at Shepherd of the HillsChurch in Porter Ranch California. Tracy is in the back room with her mom Ballade, Ashley, and the other female samurai rangers. Mia and Emily are finishing up Tracy's make up when they finished Ballade walks up to her daughter.
"Honey, you look even more beautiful than I did when I married your father," Ballade says.
"Thanks, mom. My stomach doing back flips is that supposed to happen?" Tracy asks.
"Yes, sweetie, it's just a case of the before wedding jitters," Ballade tells her
Meanwhile with the men, Antonio puts on his jacket and fixes his tie. Jayden and his father Marquis walk in the room.
"Well son, how are you feeling?" Marquis asks.
"Well, Dad I'm nervous, excited, and really happy all at the same time," Antonio answers.
Marquis tells him that everything is ready. Antonio takes another deep breath and lets it out to calm his nerves. He turns around to walk out the door leading to his new life together with Tracy. They head to the chapel. The minister and Antonio enter from stage right and wait at the altar. The groomsmen (Mike, Kevin, and Raphael) escort the bridesmaids (Mia, Emily, and Lauren) down the aisle. When they reach the end of the aisle they go to their side of the room. Ashley and Jayden walk down the aisle next. Tracy's cousin April and Antonio's cousin Diego enter next. After they reach the end the Mariachi band starts to play contigo aprendÃ. Everyone stands up.
Antonio turns to his left and sees Tracy being escorted down the aisle by her father. She is wearing a montilla veil and a flamenco-style wedding dress with ruffled edges. When they reach the end the band stops playing and the minister motions for the congregation to sit down. The couple's parents remain standing.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today in the sight of God, and the face of this company, to join Tracy Anne Burlew and Antonio Lopez Garcia in holy matrimony." The minister says.
Tracy looks to her left to see her father crying. Tracy decided to crack on last joke while she still was a Burlew.
"Mom said that dad would make it half way into the ceremony before he would start to cry. I guess she was wrong it's only been two minutes." Tracy jokes.
The room fills with laughter. When the laughter dies down the minister says the opening prayer. It was time for the parents to give their children away.
"Who parents this woman and this man to be married to each other?" The minister asks.
"We do," both sets of parents answer.
The charge of bride and groom is next. Then they do the pledge. Afterward, the minister opens the box with the 13 gold coins. Tracy cups her hands. Antonio pours the coins into her hands. (The coins are a symbol of Antonio's material possessions giving them to her marks his unquestionable trust and confidence in Tracy. Her acceptance means she promises to take care of him with her utmost devotion.) After the coins are put away they exchange vows. Before she says a word Tracy dries the happy tears from her eyes the best she could.
"Antonio, when the darkness surrounded me you always lead me to safety. Thank you for loving me for who I am and being there to catch me when I fall. I'm so happy after today I finally get to call you my marido." Tracy says.
"Tracy, there isn't a piece of paper big enough in the word to fit all the words that are inside my heart now. You are my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did before. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love from this day forward as long as we both shall live." Antonio says.
After the vows are finished the minister ties the el lazo (a white ribbon) around their necks in the shape of an eight. (This signifies the union of them is an unbreakable bond of love and trust.) Before they exchange the rings it is removed. Diego walks forward with the rings. Antonio starts to untie the ring. He hears the sound of his five-year-old cousin Enrique's voice.
"Hurry up and get to the 'I do's'. I want some wedding cake." Enrique says.
The room fills with laughter again. When the room quiets down they exchange the rings. The pronouncement and the closing prayer are said.
"Now by the power vested in me by the state of California I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The minster says.
Antonio lifts up Tracy's vail and they kiss. The wedding photographer takes first of many photos of the new couple. They back away and turn around to face their families.
"Ladies and gentleman I present to you Mr. And Mrs. Antonio Garcia." the minster says.
Then the mariachi band starts to play de colores. Tracy and Antonio walk down the aisle the guests toss red beads at them. (This is believed to bring them good luck.) The rest of the wedding party follows behind them. They get into the limo. Then their families leave to head to the reception. In the limo, everyone is talking about how beautiful the ceremony was. Tracy places her hand over her stomach. Antonio looks over at his wife.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Antonio asks.
"Nothing my golden knight, you remember that trip I took to the doctor last week?" Tracy answers.
"What did the doctor say?" Antonio asks.
"Well..." Tracy answers.
"Oh my god, Tracy you're pregnant," Ashley says.
"Yes, I'm three weeks along," Tracy says.
Her friends congratulate her. Antonio kisses her on the lips happily. Kevin asks when she is going to tell everyone else about this. Tracy says that she'll make the announcement when they make their toast. Ten minutes later the limo arrives at the Los AngelesRiver center and gardens. They get out of the car.
"This place is so pretty," Ashley says.
"I know that is why I picked this place," Tracy says.
They take a few pictures before the reception starts. After dinner, the bridal party announces the married couple. Tracy's father walks up to the dance floor, Lauren hands him a microphone. He welcomes them to the party. Then they eat the first course. After they finish eating it was time for the toasts. The waiters walk up to the bridal party table. He starts to pass a wine glass to Tracy. Tracy and Antonio's mothers watch as Antonio's hands the glass back to the waiter. Another waiter with a tray of sparkling cider walks up. They see him take a glass off the tray and set it in front of Tracy. The mothers look over at each other.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Sonia asks.
"If you're thinking that my daughter is pregnant then yes." Ballade answers.
Jayden stands up to give his best man speech. Tracy stands up and motions for him to sit back down. The room fills with mumbles of confusion. She clears her throat.
"I know I'm going out-of-order but I have a special announcement." Tracy says.
Antonio stands up. He walks over and stands behind her. He places his hand on her shoulder.
"This is the only time I'm going to correct my beautiful wife. She meant to say that we have a special announcement." Antonio says.
"My husband is right. We have some big news that our parents will be very happy. They'll have their first grandchild..." Tracy says.
"Get to the point sis." Chris shouts.
"Hey Chris, will you let me finish?" Tracy asks.
Chris is about to shout his answer. Ballade uses her left hand to cover his mouth. She tells her daughter to keep going.
"I'm three weeks along. We are going to have a baby." Tracy says.
The room fills with cheers. The room quiets down. Tracy and Antonio sit down. Tracy nods and Jayden stands up again. He gives his speech. Ashley gives her speech next. After she finished Tracy's dad stands up.
"I raise my glass to my beautiful daughter, Tracy. She's dreamed of this day. Since she was a little girl, and now her dream has come true, complete with her very own prince charming. Tracy and Antonio, I wish you much love and happiness in your new life together." Fiarace says.
Tracy's and Antonio's mothers give their speeches. Afterwards Marquis stands up to give his toast. He clears his throat.
"Let me honor the bride and groom to my son Antonio. Your giving spirit and your love have earned you the most special gift, your bride Tracy. Tracy we welcome you to our family with all our hearts, and we rejoice Antonio's good fortune that he found you, and you found him." Marquis says.
After they finish the main course it's time for Tracy and Antonio's first dance as a married couple. They walk out on the dance floor. They get into place.
"Well Mrs. Garcia, are you ready?" Antonio asks.
Tracy says yes. A few seconds later "Bless the Broken Road" plays through the speakers. As they are dancing the wedding photographer takes a few more pictures. Around eight fifteen they cut the cake. At eight forty they do the father/daughter and mother/son dance. Tracy and her dad danced to When Angels Fly. Antonio and his mom danced to The Man You've Become. At nine thirty Tracy tossed the bouquet and twenty-five minutes later Tracy and Antonio thank everyone for coming. The wedding photographer takes one last photo of the couple. Then everyone leaves to head home.
Antonio pulls the car up to the apartment. They get out. Antonio walks over to his wife. He picks her up and carries her inside. He walks into the living room and sets her down on the couch. He sits down too. Luna jumps on the couch. She walks over and curls up in Antonio's lap.
"Antonio, do you think that I'll be a good mother?" Tracy asks.
Antonio places his hand on her stomach. He says that she'll be great mom. Tracy places her hand on his. She says that he'll be a great father too.
*The End*