Jayden's POV
"Ready man?" Mike asks, squeezing my shoulders. I breathe in deeply and sigh.
"Yeah, I guess so. It's just…nerve-racking," I respond. Kevin nods knowingly. We're standing in a little room close to the doors to the chapel entrance. The stained-glass windows throw the light around the walls, creating shadows.
"I would've been surprised if you hadn't been nervous. It's perfectly normal. She's going to love you anyway, even if you do something stupid."
"Which you probably will," Mike adds. I glare at him then turn my attention to nervously straightening my tie. Usually I can face anything with a level head, but this. This is beyond anything I've ever done before. I see Antonio walk in just in time to hear Scott say:
"Yeah, Mike's right. You may do something stupid-no surprise there-but Emily will always love you." I settle my eyes on Scott's. The window he's leaning next to almost blinds me with the bright sunshine but I still focus on the 'Ranger Operator Series Red', the name Doctor. K used to always call him. He's smirking. Turns out, he can breathe perfectly fine. I suppose precautions were in order, but I still like the idea that now I can see his face.
"Thanks Scott. Now I remember why I chose you to be one of my groomsmen." He salutes me.
"Just doing my job, oh great Red Samurai." I raise my eyebrows at his use of sarcasm but look away to calm my nerves. I don't need to get worked up over little things when I'm about to face the toughest challenge of all. Antonio laughs and loosens his golden tie.
"Did you ever know how uncomfortable a tie can be?" He complains.
"Yeah, well, it's mandatory. And traditional," Kevin replies.
"And you're all about tradition, aren't you Kevin?" Mike teases. Kevin looks confused.
"Is that a bad thing? The life of a samurai goes back through many years and traditions, as it's-"
"Okay, that's nice," Scott interrupts. Kevin looks as if he's about to say something, but decides against it. Instead he fiddles with the yellow rosebuds then pins them to my jacket.
"Thanks, I knew I was forgetting something," I say. He smiles. Now I remember why I put him in charge of the many duties and assignments weddings require. Kevin is very efficient and dedicated, so when I needed all the details planned out, he was just the guy. Antonio glances at the clock, then gives a start. He gestures with his hands, them going to fix the tie that he had been playing with. He manages to make it more or less presentable.
"Come on, mi amigo, it's time." He pats me on the back. I inhale sharply.
"Let's do this," I say and then walk out of the backroom. They all follow behind me.
"You got this Jayden," Kevin whispers adjusting his blue tie.
"Yeah man, this'll be awesome," Mike says. He tugs at his own green tie until Kevin slaps his hand away.
"Don't mess up," Scott adds flatly. I look over my shoulder and give him a look. He grins.
"Just do it," He encourages me. I give him a slight smile. Yet my eyes are focused ahead, me contemplating what's behind this door.
I wish Lauren could've been here-she's good at taking things in stride-but she's stuck in Paris. She now works as an editor for one of those fashion magazines and couldn't make it due to the weather. She would be really good at calming me down right about now.
"Jayden, it'll be fine. You're my best friend, I can tell when you're nervous, and don't be. It's no big deal. You have this in the bag, amigo," Antonio tells me.
"Thanks Antonio. I needed that." I tread towards the door, mentally preparing myself.
Come on Jayden. You're the red ranger, for crying out loud. There's been a lot more tough stuff you've faced. You can do this. You're marrying the girl of your dreams. It'll be great. Just like when you told the others your secret. Your thoughts turned out to be farther from the truth in how they reacted. You can do this.
I stride towards the door, take a deep, deep breath, and push open the doors.
Walking up the aisle, the song plays quietly, echoing off the walls.
It's about us. What we went through. How we felt. What we did to change it.
What I did.
I can't help but notice all the other rangers sitting with their beloveds. It seems to be a thing that a ranger always ends up with their teammates. I see Kim and Tommy, Kira and Trent, Maya and Leo, Dana and Carter, Ronny and Mack…
I randomly name the people I see, trying to remember which teams they came from and the order of the teams since the beginning. It helps keep my mind off of what I'm about to do.
I hear the audience mummer in awe and I look up from the floor near the altar to stare at Emily being escorted down the aisle by her dad. My jaw drops. She's stunning
She's perfect. She's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and probably ever will see.
The light isn't coming from the sun outside the windows, shining through. No, the light seems to be coming from her, within her. Its radiance is…everything to me.
She's looking down, probably embarrassed by the attention. I notice she's wearing higher heels than normal, probably due to the fact that she's insecure about being a little short. Not that I mind that, but it might not be a good thing. I love her more than anything, but she can be clumsy.
My prediction comes true when they reach the altar and her dad gives me her arm, but not first without a warning look. I give a slight nod, knowing I'd never do anything to hurt and her. I'd die to save her. I had already convinced him of my sincerity before, but one couldn't be too careful.
When I grasp her hand, she takes a step forward and stumbles a bit. I pull her closer to me, and I don't care if anyone notices.
"We have gathered here today in the binding of Jayden Shiba, the Red Samurai Ranger, to Emily Pirtle, the Yellow Samurai Ranger…" As Mentor Ji starts the sermon, I whisper to her out of the corner of my mouth.
"You look beautiful." She blushes a bit. The chapel windows are stained glass and with Emily silhouetted by them, she looks even more like an angel. The sunshine coming through creates a sort of halo around her. I didn't know such a beautiful creature existed until I met her.
"Thanks," She whispers. "You look very handsome as well." I give a slight smile.
"Thanks." I turn my attention back to Ji, but I can't help sneaking glances at her.
"Now for the rings," He proclaims. I take Emily's ring off of the little red pillow settled on the altar. I slip it on her ring finger, the diamond flanked by two rubies on either sides glittering brightly. I let my hand linger on hers a little longer than necessary and she smiles up at me. She takes my ring and puts it around my finger. The mini topazes and rubies wink at me from the thin gold band. At that moment, I vow to never take it off, ever.
"Do you, Jayden Shiba, take Emily Pirtle as your wedded wife, through sickness and in health, through riches and poverty, for as long as you both shall live?" I look over at Emily to see her smiling at me.
Gosh, she's so beautiful.
"Yes, I do. For the rest of my life, I shall love you," I add. She looks surprised at the add-ons, but happy. I can't' stop staring into her hazel eyes. I can see everything in them. Our past. Our present. Our future. Forever is in her eyes and it's beautiful.
"And do you, Emily Pirtle, take Jayden Shiba to be your wedded husband, through sickness and in health, through riches and in poverty, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," She says without breaking eye contact. "I'll never stop loving you." My heart swells just hearing those words from her mouth, but I keep my composure. I had already promised her forever. Now she was giving me mine. Mentor looks between both of us.
"I now proclaim you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." This is the moment I've been waiting for. I sweep her in my arms, lean her down a little and kiss her deeply and passionately. She responds enthusiastically. The claps and cheers of everyone reminds us of where we are and we pull apart.
"May I walk you to the reception, Mrs. Shiba?" I ask her. She laughs.
"That'll definitely take some getting used to. But yes, you may." She takes the arm I offer her and we walk back down the aisle. I see our friends cheering loudly, Mentor wiping his eyes when he thought no one could see, and all the previous rangers applauding us.
"Hey Em?"
"Yeah?" She responds, turning her head towards me from where Mia and Gemma had given her a thumbs-up sign. I lean down and whisper in her ear:
"I love you Mrs. Emily Shiba. And I always will."
A/N: I know, it wasn't very original to use the actress's last name as Emily's but I couldn't think of anything else. By the way, Abby is WideOpenSpacesGirl045's OC. I forgot to mention that earlier so she's all hers. Not mine. Also when you review, please be kind. This is my baby. This will probably be the story I'm most proud of ever. I poured everything I have into it so review and be nice!