The Marriage!!!
*This takes place two and a half years after the end of Holding onto a Thread.*
Jake's POV
Okay, everything is set. I'm ready to do this, to propose to Kimi, my girlfriend of three-some years, mother of my two little kids, Jasper and Alexis. They look a lot like us, Alexis like me and Jasper like Kimi. But their personalities are totally like their mother's. Bubbly, happy-go-lucky, and sweet. Jasper loves to babble on and on, and Alexis never stops hugging everyone.
But I want to marry Kimi, make her my wife, and make it so we're always together as one, even though our children prove we already are. So, tonight, I'm gonna propose to her and hope-no, pray-she accepts.
I told Eli and Blake of my plans and they're overjoyed for us, happy that it's finally gonna be over and done with. Yeah, we're still as tight as ever. And yes, I got used to Eli being gay a long time ago, pretty much as soon as Blake's stabbing. And it meant so much that he was vigilant at Eli's side during his time of need.
I haven't told the kids about it, because I don't want it ruined. I love them with all of my being, but they are blabbermouths. Just like their mom. We have plenty of photos together, just us four. Plus a few of their "uncles".
Anyway, I planned on having Eli and Blake take the twins for the night, while I would woo Kimi with a candle-lit dinner, and of course, the ring. Can't have a proposal without one. And maybe, I'd get a little action because of that. Hopefully it doesn't lead to more twins. One set is enough for teenage parents.
"Hey, Jakey, why did the boys take the twins?" Kimi asked, leaning over the couch, her mind trying to figure out what was going on. Oh, what she doesn't know.
"Because I asked them to." She grew puzzled.
"Why?"
"Can't I spend one night alone with you?" She smiled, leaning down and kissing me upside down.
"I guess that's okay. But, jeez, tell me when someone takes the babies. Even if it's just Eli and Blake. I worry."
"I know, I know. Hey, how about I make you dinner? Sound good?"
"Okay, do I have to dress up for this particularly special dinner?" I do a double-take, afraid she found out.
"Special?"
"Yeah, the twins aren't here and you're making dinner. I dunno."
"Um, sure. Take your time."
"'Kay, kooky boy!" She bounds up the stairs, making sure to show off the figure she worked hard to get back. It was tough, or so she says.
Time to set up the proposal of a lifetime. This woman makes me work way too hard.
Kimi's POV
What the heck could Jake be planning? I have no idea, only a few sneaking suspicions. He's such a sneaky boy, which only makes me love him more for taking a long time to plan something this special and important.
"Come on down! All ready!" He calls, finally. He told me to stay up in our room while he got the finishing touches.
As I descend the stairs, I notice that our house is dim, save for a few flickering lights in the kitchen/dining room. I am floored when I see Jake standing at the table in an emo tux, candles flickering in a beautiful candle-lit dinner, the food smelling absolutely delicious. I'm so busy admiring the food; I neglect to see Jake go down on his right knee, holding open a little box. But when I do, oh, believe me, I was shocked and happy all at the same time.
"Kimberly Hill, I love you more than I've ever loved anyone before. I stayed by you all during the pregnancy and during the twins' birth, and I've been working hard to support you, give you a good life. I didn't really think the idea of us dating was so hot at first, I mean, we were best friends. If we broke up, that would make things way awkward.
"But we didn't. We survived everything together, with our beautiful kids. I'm on my knee, here and now, because I'm asking you to marry me. Be my wife and we can love each other forever. Will you marry me?" I put my hand to my mouth, tears running down my face, a smile slowly creeping up on me. He's looking a little concerned there, but it dissolves into a huge grin when I respond, "Yes. Yes, Jake, I'll definitely marry you."
He jumps up and kisses me hard, slamming us into a wall, and we unfortunately, forgot the beautiful dinner he'd made. We were too busy.
The boys and the twins were so happy we were getting married. And we were, too.
Wedding Day!—Kimi's POVI look like such a girly girl in this dress, which is as simple as simple gets. But I still can't help but feel this is a little too over-the-top. It's my wedding day, though, six months after he proposed, here we are. Alexis is dressed in an adorable, poofy flower girl dress, her cute blond hair piled on her head in a hair-do I wouldn't choose for myself. Her reddish hair had turned into my natural blond a little while after she was born, but her features were still a spitting image of Jake.
Jasper was dressed in a little tux, his full little lips in a firm pout. He doesn't like wearing the tux, but Jake managed to convince him to be a good sport for Mommy, and he hasn't whined since. His blond hair is a mess, but I can't do anything to it without getting a, "No, Mommy!" Ah, well.
My hair is blond for my wedding, I decided this-more like forced-sometime ago, maybe, oh, last night! It's going to be down to my waist, not very many ornaments in it. A tiara, I suppose, and a veil, but nothing else. Simple brown sandals, nothing too classy.
Jake's going with a white tux, the other boys in the wedding in classic black.
"Kimi, hurry up! It's about time!" One of my bridesmaids-cousin-calls out to me from the door. I look into the mirror; take a deep breath and turn meet my soon-to-be husband.
Jake's POV
God, another monkey suit, and it's white. Jeez, all these years later and I'm still wearing a goddamn tux!! Argh! Calm down, Jake, this is what Kimi wants. This is all her.
The music begins to play and I smile when I see my little girl walk down the aisle, throwing the rose petals wherever, her blond hair shining from behind. The others come and go, blah, blah. Then my son came, pouting and stalking his way over to us. He passes Blake, and comes beside me.
"I don't like dis, Daddy." Everyone laughs, and I gently move him towards his proper position. Kimi and her parents reconciled, and when the music plays, is walked down the aisle on her father's arm, looking like a beautiful angel sent from heaven. Thanks, God, I owe you one.
When they reach the altar, the priest asks who gives this woman to this man and Kimi's dad places her hand in mine, symbolizing that she was now mine. We turned towards the priest, hands tightly clasped. Our vows are read, and we repeat them, looking at the other while doing so. Our rings are placed onto each other's fingers, and this is the moment I've been waiting for a long time.
"Do you, Jakob Ryan, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." I say without hesitation.
"And do you, Kimberly Hill, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" She smiles, tears overflowing, sliding down her cheeks.
"I do."
"And by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
I smirk. "Don't mind if I do." And I take her in my arms and kiss her as hard and full of passion as I can, hearing the squeals and applause of the audience. Alexis and Jasper break free and run up to us, hugging our legs.
"I now introduce to you for the first time, the Ryan's." The priest introduces us all, as a family, which is what we are now, and always will be.