"Carlos!"
In the process of jumping into the pool Carlos froze, or rather, tried to freeze and ended up falling into the pool causing his sister, Nina, who had called his name to laugh.
Carlos climbed out of the pool and proceeded to give Nina a hug. Squealing, she ran around the pool, pushing her oldest brother back into the chlorinated water. He managed to grab her arms and bring her with him.
"Hey!" She shouted as she bobbed up and down in the pool.
"Hey!" Carlos repeated pulling her into a wet hug. He hoisted himself out of the pool and then helped his youngest sister out of the water.
"There you are." Cristian walked over to them with Tina following.
"You're all wet," Tina stated.
"She'll dry off," Carlos said. He put his arms out as if to give Tina a hug. She squealed and then sat down on the other side of her sister. Nina slipped off her soaking wet sandals and let her feet dangle in the pool.
"You're really getting married," Cris said sitting down next to Carlos.
"To Alexa Vega!" Nina shrieked.
"So, you're like some big star out here?" Tina asked.
Nina elbowed her sister.
"It's hard to think of you like that. I mean you're our brother. You'll always be big brother Carlos. It's hard to think of you as this 'hot' guy," she flinched at the words, "with millions of girls gawking all over, screaming over you, with posters on their walls, and all that."
"Well, you know…" Carlos trailed off trying not to blush.
"You didn't, like, get Alexa pregnant or something and that's why you're marrying her so quickly?" Nina asked.
"No! No one's pregnant." Carlos scratched his chin. "Well, Lucy is, but no! Alexa and I love each other very much and want to spend the rest of our lives together."
"Awwww!" The two sisters squealed.
.O.
With all the details to take care of the week went by pretty fast and before anyone knew it Saturday had arrived.
"I'll pick you up at noon."
"Who will you pick up at noon?" Carlos asked, entering the kitchen of 2J as his brother hung up his cell phone.
"Dara."
"Dara? Oh, Coco.0. You're still dating her?"
"That's okay, right? I know you and Alexa are having a small wedding, mainly just family…"
"Yeah, you can bring your girlfriend!" Carlos double tapped Cris on the shoulder. "Just not her mother, k?
"Oh my little baby!" Mrs. Garcia cried as she entered the living area. She ran over and threw her arms around her son. "I can't believe it."
"Calm down, Sylvia, let the boy breathe," Officer Garcia said.
As soon as Mrs. Garcia let go of her son he ran into his father's arms.
"Papi!"
"Son!"
Carlos had tried staying awake last night for when his father flew in but it was late and he was tired…
"You're getting married. You're too old to hug your father like this." Officer Garcia let go of Carlos.
"What? No, you'll always be my papi."
"And you'll always be my son."
Carlos rewrapped his arms around his father.
.O.
Standing at the front of the aisle with Kendall, James, Logan, and Cris beside him, Carlos took a deep breath. He wasn't nervous. He'd already been married for months. He couldn't wait to see his beautiful bride. Following wedding tradition Carlos and Alexa had not been allowed to see each other all day and he was very anxious to finally lay his eyes on her.
The couple knew many fabulous pianists. James was even one of them. But, in the two week notice they had for the wedding, they hired the church's piano player. Besides, James was one of the groomsmen. He couldn't play at the same time. He did offer, though.
Kendall placed a hand on Carlos's shoulder as Katie, the first bridesmaid, stepped down the aisle.
"She's beautiful," Carlos whispered. "Like a real woman."
"When did my sister become a woman?"
Carlos chuckled but regained his composure when Alexa's sisters, Makenzie and Krizia, followed Katie. Each bridesmaid wore a knee-length lavender dress and carried a small bouquet of light purple flowers.
"All rise," the preacher spoke as the piano changed tune.
A hitch caught in Carlos's throat. He wasn't nervous. He was already married. This was just a formality for the families.
So why was he nervous?
The doors, which had closed after Krizia stepped out, opened. On the other side was the most beautiful Latina Carlos had ever seen wearing a knee-length white sleeveless satin dress. The vision in front of him blurred.
Why was it blurring? Tears? Why were tears forming in his eyes? He wasn't nervous. He was already married.
"I'm not nervous," he whispered when Alexa took hold of his hands.
"It's okay," she smiled. Her eyes were watery, too. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
The couple turned to the preacher. The rest of the church drowned out. Only two people were there with him, the preacher and Alexa. He couldn't see or hear anything else. Nothing else mattered.
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God and in the face of his company to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
A tear escaped down Alexa's cheek. Carlos wanted to wipe it away, but he didn't think it appropriate to move. He grasped her hands tighter rubbing the top of her fingers with his thumbs.
"Marriage is the union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind. It is intended for their mutual joy and for the help and comfort given on another in prosperity and adversity. But more importantly, it is a means through which a stable and loving environment may be attained.
"Through marriage, Carlos and Alexa make a commitment together to face their disappointments, embrace their dreams, realize their hopes, and accept each other's failures. Carlos and Alexa will promise one another to aspire to these ideals throughout their lives together through mutual understanding, openness, and sensitivity to each other.
"We are here today before God because marriage is one of His most sacred wishes to witness the joining in marriage of Carlos and Alexa. This occasion marks the celebration of love and commitment with which this man and this woman begin their life together. And now through me He joins you together in one of the holiest bonds. "
"I love you," Carlos mouthed. Alexa smiled.
Carlos remembered the first time he met Alexa. He had wanted a real girlfriend so badly. The Jennifers had given him chances. There was Stephanie who disappeared into oblivion apparently. Then there was Alexa, his vision in white. It was divine intervention she was there instead of the Jennifers. Had he ended up with one of them…he was sure he wouldn't be as happy as he was that day.
"…By gathering together all the wishes of happiness and our fondest hopes for Carlos and Alexa from all present here, we assure them that our hearts are in tune with theirs. These moments are so meaningful to all of us, for 'what greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined together, to strengthen each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow, to share with each other in all gladness.'"
The fondest of hopes. Carlos couldn't believe there was something more he could hope for. Being with the love of his life was his greatest wish and he hadn't thought about anything beyond that.
"Marriage is an act of faith and a personal commitment as well as a moral and physical union between two people. Marriage has been described as the best and most important relationship that can exist between them. It is the construction of their love and trust into a single growing energy of spiritual life. It is amoral commitment that requires and deserves daily attention. Marriage should be a lifelong consecration of the ideal of loving kindness – backed with the will to make it last.
"The couple has prepared their own vows."
Makenzie, the bridesmaid standing next to Alexa, handed her a sheet of notebook paper that somehow materialized out of what looked like thin air.
"I didn't have much time to come up with anything, but I want to tell you how much you mean to—mean to me," Alexa cleared her throat. "Before I met you, Carlos, I didn't know what love was. I thought I did, but I was wrong. You showed me the most compassionate man I've ever met as well as funny and playful. You showed me what love was. We've had tests but they've only proven the strength of our bond. Without you I'm not sure I could make it in this world. I love you." She wiped a tear from her eye, folded the paper, and handed it back to her sister.
"I didn't prepare anything." Carlos took Alexa's hands in his. "I love you, Alexa." He looked into her brown eyes filled with tears. "I never had a real girlfriend before you. I don't want to have another one after you. I don't want there to be an after you. Thank you for rescuing me at the Tween Choice Awards. You were meant to catch me and I am thankful every day it was no one else but you."
Carlos and Alexa turned to face the minister in front of them.
"Do you, Carlos, take Alexa to be your wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?"
"I will," Carlos replied.
"Do you, Alexa, take Carlos to be your husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?
"I will," Alexa replied.
The bride and groom went through the usual repeating of the traditional vows of taking their beloved to have and to hold from this day forward, for better and worse, for richer and poor, in sickness and health, til death did them part.
"And now, we exchange the rings."
Makenzie handed Alexa Carlos's wedding ring and James handed Carlos Alexa's wedding ring.
"Please repeat after me: I give you this ring, as a daily reminder of my love for you."
Trembling, Carlos took hold of Alexa's left hand and slipped the gold band over her ring finger.
"I give you this ring as a daily reminder of my love for you."
Alexa took hold of Carlos's left hand and with what felt like more confidence slipped the ring onto his ring finger.
"I give you this ring as a daily reminder of my love for you," she said.
They had been wearing the rings for months. Well, off and on as they were trying to hide their marriage and Alexa had been in Europe. But, now, when Alexa placed that ring on Carlos's finger it felt lighter, richer…it felt like it belonged. He shook his head. That thought sounded corny. But, it also sounded right.
"By the power of your love and commitment, and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss each other!"
Without hesitation, Carlos pulled Alexa close to him and planted a big kiss on her lips welcoming in the familiar and satisfying taste.
"I present to you for the first time anywhere—"
"That's what he thinks," Carlos whispered causing Alexa to giggle and slightly elbow him in the side.
"Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Garcia!"
Richa: Thank you for your review!