Jumper: Cent's Story
This next chapter will focus on the wedding for Cent and John. We will meet Zoe's boyfriend in this chapter and also get to see Ashley, Emily, and Rachel for the final time. The next chapter will be the final and will focus directly on Cent and John only, the way it is supposed to be. I will try my best to give you all the satisfaction that everything for the other characters will be alright and that their futures ahead of them are bright. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. ;)
Just a reminder, I do not own anything or anyone from this story. It all belongs to Steven Gould.
Also, for those who are confused by why this story doesn't follow the third novel in the Jumper series, "Impulse", this story only follows the first two novels in the series and completely ignores the third story. In a way, I'm telling my own version of "Impulse" and creating a whole new universe of how I see it. I still mention certain events from the past novels in order to confirm the connection with the first two installments. But remember, the stories for David and Millie still happened. The story for Cent in "Impulse" did not. Like I said, this my own universe. ;)
As the wedding draws near, John pays a long overdue visit and finally does the one thing he could never do. Cent and Millie share an emotional moment. With the arrival of old and new friends, the beginning of "happily-ever-after" starts here!
Get ready for a wedding ladies and gentlemen! Here is chapter thirty four! ;)
Chapter Thirty-Four:
The Big Day
Cent:
"Oh my god! You look so beautiful!" Zoe exclaimed as she put her hands over her mouth.
Cent stepped out of the bathroom, with her mother right behind her. She had on a white wedding dress that went all the way to the tip of her toes. It sparkled as the sun shined through the window of the master bedroom.
Zoe threw off of the bed and ran towards Cent, taking both of her hands and studying the dress over. She smiled and allowed a tear to fall down her cheek.
"I really think we made the right choice," Zoe said. "After hours of searching yesterday in Venice, Italy, we finally found the perfect dress for you! You look so amazing in this dress."
Cent smiled as she remembered their time from the day before. They had taken their time to go to Venice and shop there. Millie had the most fun out of everyone. She was always the shopaholic in the family.
Millie came around and smiled, forming tears of her own.
"Now this is how a woman is supposed to look like for her big day!" Millie clapped her hands together. "You are a knockout, my beautiful daughter! John is going to be speechless!"
Cent laughed and said, "Lets just hope that I can manage to not let him see in this before the wedding."
Zoe frowned and asked, "Isn't the rule is that the groom isn't supposed to see the bride before the wedding? It's supposed to be bad luck and trust me, you don't want that on your wedding day."
Cent chuckled and replied, "In less than two months, I have fallen in love in the best man on the planet, survived a master assassin, and also learned of a secret organization who happens to be worse than anyone else my family has faced before. Yeah, I think I can handle some bad luck. Me and John have been through worse."
"True," Zoe smiled. "By the way, I told Jason everything."
Cent and Millie's eyes widened.
"How did he take it?" Cent asked.
Zoe half-smiled and said, "Actually, he seemed to take it pretty well, but I can tell that he doesn't exactly believe me. He's just trying to be a gentleman and all of that. But I do love it when he gets worried, especially about me. It makes him look so cute."
Cent and Millie giggled together.
"Sounds like things are going to be alright," Millie encouraged her. "Besides, I remember my first time when David revealed his ability to jump to me. I was scared for a little while about it, but I soon got over it and it just became part of my life. Literally."
"Wait, I thought you have the ability to jump too," Zoe was confused.
"Oh, I do," Millie explained. "I just didn't know that I was the same as David until years later. That was the same time that me and him were arguing about having children. Ten years in our marriage and the stupid idiot couldn't even give me a child due to his fear of being a horrible father."
Zoe and Cent laughed.
"How did you manage to convince him to have Cent?" Zoe asked.
"I started off by trying to seduce him, which I may have went a little overboard on a few occasions, but with no success. But the one thing that finally got him to finally agree was when he was kidnapped by a terrorist organization that wanted to use him for their purposes. That was the same time I learned about my ability to jump, which allowed me to save him. After that, he realized just how much I wanted a child and finally gave in to me. That was when we finally went into hiding in Canada."
Zoe and Cent smiled as they listened to her story.
It amazed Cent at just how awesome her parents are. They've faced government agencies, terrorist organizations, and even managed to hold onto the love that they had for each other. Now it was happening with Cent and John. Almost like a cycle that redoing the same thing over and over again.
Zoe broke the moment as she clapped her hands and studied the bedroom, all excited and impressed.
"I just love this beach house!" she stated. "I cannot believe that John built this place by himself. Then again, having the ability to jump can help with a lot of things. I'm so jealous of you Cent!"
Cent blushed and said, "I guess I'm just lucky to have such amazing boyfriend. Err, fiancée I mean."
Millie raised an eyebrow and said, "Lucky?! This is more than luck, this is love! He built this place and then gave it to you on birthday for jeeps sake! All he cares about is you and only you! John completely reminds me of David, back when he was younger."
"Yeah!" Zoe agreed. "I mean, I can tell that John is just the perfect guy for you Cent. He's your one true love and he's proven it not only in words, but in actions as well. He put his life on the line to safe you from Shaw and even gave so many gifts. But I can also see it in your eyes that he has also given you something more powerful and better than any of this... true love."
Millie nodded in agreement.
"Luck has nothing to do with this," Millie added. "All of this was because of love. Like you said, it all started when a simple look in the eyes between the two of you and it spread like wild fire. I mean, you two are now getting married, within two months into your guys relationship. It took me and David to finally marry within a year or two in our relationship."
Cent smiled and said, "Thank you guys for everything. Your words mean so much to me." She paused. "I just cannot wait to get married today! So nervous and so excited, I feel like I'm going to freak out."
Millie laughed.
"Get use to it," she winked. "It was the same when me and David got married. I still remember it like as if it was yesterday. David was so handsome and cute in his tuxedo. Too bad those kinds of events only happen once in a life time. I wish I could do it all over again. Just to relive that special moment."
Zoe's cell phone suddenly rang, making her jump.
Millie and Cent giggled.
Zoe reached into her back pocket and took out her cell phone.
"It's Jason," she smiled. "I'll take this outside. He's probably wanting to know when the wedding is."
Answering her phone, she walked out of the master bedroom.
Cent chuckled and turned to look at her mother.
"What do you think?" she turned her sides left and right, making the dress twist and turn. "Will this be alright?"
Millie smiled and said, "Yes, of course it will! John will be shocked from how beautiful you look! That dress is more than alright, it's perfect! Just like you, my beautiful baby daughter!" A few tears began to fall down her cheeks. "I always knew this day would come. I just never knew that it would come so early. I'm so proud of you Cent. Always remember that."
Feeling tears form in her eyes, Cent threw her arms around her mother and hugged her.
Millie hugged back, continuing to cry tears of joy along with her daughter.
The one thing that Cent always loved about her relationship with her mother was that they weren't like other modern-day mother and daughter relationships. They understood each other and know what the other is going through. Millie was there for her whenever she needs comfort and Cent was there for Millie whenever she needed to be reminded of herself. In a way, their relationship was stronger than ever and nothing was going to change that.
Smiling, Cent remembered the old days when she was a little girl. Millie and her used to play a game of dolls and sometimes imagine her own wedding. It was something that they loved to do because they knew that day would happen in the future and was their way of auditioning for it.
When they parted, they wiped their tears off of their cheeks, calming down.
"Now I understand why my mother cried when she found out I was getting married to David," Millie chuckled. "I'm so happy for you Cent. I just know that you and John will have a great married life. Within the next few years, you'll have a family of your own and I'll be a grandma. Hard to believe how far you and me have come in your lifetime."
Cent smiled and said, "For a fifty-two year old mother, you're still looking pretty hot."
They laughed at her joke.
"You making fun of me missy?!" Millie teased. "But true, I still manage to keep myself looking young. Besides, didn't you hear? Fifty-two is the new thirty-two."
Cent laughed so hard she nearly fell to the ground.
"Watch it there young lady," Millie chuckled. "We wouldn't want to ruin your wedding dress on the big day."
"Right," Cent calmed herself down.
"So, where is John?" Millie asked. "I just love how good he and David decorated the porch and the small area on the sand with flowers. I wanted to thank him for such beautiful work, but I couldn't find him.
Cent smiled and replied, "Oh, I think he's paying a long overdue visit to someone or something like that. He said he needed to do whatever he needed to do alone."
"Still, I couldn't believe that he and David did a shaped-heart on the sand with red flowers. That thing is huge. John is definitely a romantic! I'm so excited to have him as a son-in-law."
"Just make sure that you don't kill him," Cent teased.
Millie's mouth dropped, playfully.
"What?! I would never do that!" she played along. "I'm a good mother, including the whole "in-law" thing."
Cent laughed along with her.
"Anyway, I need to change back into my original clothes," Cent walked back to the bathroom. "Me and Zoe are going to pick up her boyfriend and the other three girls. Don't want to leave anyone behind."
Millie nodded and asked, "By the way, are Ashley, Emily, and Rachel going to tell their boyfriends about us? Or are they going to keep it a secret from them?"
"Keep it a secret from them," Cent answered. "They felt that telling them about us might be a little too much. But I think they're okay with not telling them. Ashley said that it gives them a nice advantage point ahead of them."
Millie laughed and said, "I miss those old days when I had friends like that. Enjoy it while you still can Cent, it doesn't last forever." She winked.
Cent winked and said, "I know. That is why I'm marrying the one person who can last forever fore me."
"Well, I'm going to check up on my dear old husband and make sure he isn't getting into any trouble with the food. He has a thing for chips and hamburgers."
Cent laughed as she watched her mother exit the bedroom.
Walking into the bathroom, she changed from her wedding dress to her plain old green t-shirt and blue jeans. After that, she went to check up on Zoe outside, who had just finished her phone conversation with Jason.
"You ready?" Cent asked.
Zoe nodded as she put away her cell phone.
"Yep," she responded, smiling. "Jason is ready and he has my dress and his tuxedo ready to go."
"Then lets go get him and the girls," Cent winked.
Taking Zoe's hand, they jumped to the university in Los Angeles.
John:
In a cemetery outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma, John stood at the center of two tombstones. The wind blew across the field, like a silent death that the movies always have. The sky was clear and the sun was shining bright. But for some reason, it just felt dark to John as he stood there.
He stared at the two tombstones for almost two full hours, not moving a single muscle. He didn't even bother to read the names engraved on the stones, he already knew who laid to rest here and their names. But the urge to finally read them was too hard to control and decided just to read the names.
One stone read: William J. Bale
And the other: Martha L. Bale
This was the site where his parents were buried after their deaths at the hands of Travis Shaw. John remembered the funeral well. It was filled with friends and other people who loved his family dearly. The sad part was that there were no other relatives. No other family members. It was just him. Shaw had covered up the murders to make it look like a gang hit. The funeral was hard for John to be at, but he went anyway. He remembered crying and watching from afar. The police were after him for information and his friends were worried about him deeply. It pained him that he was forced to live without his friends and without his parents as well. The funeral was the last time he ever saw their graves. It was too hard for him to come and pay his respects. But he knew that he needed to do it now, especially after everything that has happened. He needed to put this part of his life behind him and move on.
Just as he read his mother's name on the tombstone, a memory came to mind. A very special moment from a very long time ago.
A eight year old John ran in the backyard of the house he once lived in. He ran after his old dog, Jackie. Playing a game of tag with him.
This was a time before Shaw or even his ability to jump came along. A time when everything was normal and just perfect. No enemies, no special abilities. Just a normal kid with a normal life and family.
The dog, Jackie, was a German Shepard. John's father, William, found him when he was a puppy and raised him up as his own. Even Martha adored Jackie. But no one had more fun with that dog than John did. The two were best pals and the best of friends. But it wouldn't last long as within that same year, Jackie would die from being run over by a car. It was a moment that hit John hard, but he managed to move on from it.
As John ran in circles, trying to get away from Jackie, laughing himself to death, he heard the beautiful voice of his mother calling him.
"John!"
With a huge smile on his face, John took off running towards his mother, while being chased down by Jackie. When reaching her, Jackie pounced on them, licking them.
"Okay, Jackie, we love you too!" Martha laughed.
Picking up her son and sitting at the edge of the porch of their house, she tickled John.
"Mommy!" John yelled in his childish voice. "Stop it!"
"You can't stop the tickle monster!" Martha sang and laughed.
Finally stopping, Martha sat John up and looking at him straight in his eyes.
Touching the side of his face, she said, "My special John Bale! I do love you so much, son! Always remember that!"
"I will mommy!" John cheered. "We will always love each other! That is what family does, right? We always love each other and never leave each other, because we will always be in each other's hearts. Even when we die."
Martha felt a tear fall down her cheek.
Noticing the tear, John wiped it away, and asked, "Why are you crying mommy? Did I do something wrong?"
Martha smiled and said, "No, John. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm just crying tears of joy of how much love is inside your heart. Out of all of the children in this world, you still keep that same innocents inside of you." She paused as she kissed him on the forehead.
"Ew!" John giggled. "Cutties!"
Martha laughed.
"Promise me something John," said in a very slow, calm voice.
John smiled and touched her cheek with his hand, just as she always did for him.
"Of course, mommy," he said. "I can keep any promise you can ask of me."
Shredding more tears, Martha took both of his hands onto the palm of her own and covered them with the other.
"Promise me that you will never lose that innocents inside of your heart," she pleaded. "Promise me that you will never hurt other people and that you will never take vengeance into your own hands. Please promise me that no matter what happens, you will make a better future for yourself and live your life to the fullest. I just want to know that you will always have this part of you when you grow older. The part that will separate you from the others. Promise me, John."
John nodded, smiling his most adorable smile, "I promise."
Tears formed up in John's closed eyes as he remembered that moment from his earlier life from so long ago. It pained his heart and also made him smile as he actually remembered his own mother's face in years.
Opening his eyes, John knelt down between the two tombstones, on his knees.
Somehow, he found the will to speak.
"Hi, mom," he swallowed back more tears. "Hi, dad." He paused for a moment. "I'm sorry I haven't come here in a long time. It just seemed easy not to. I guess I got caught up on staying in hiding that I just got more scared to even think about coming here." He paused again. "I killed the man who did this to you. He's gone. No longer a threat to me or to those I love. But I hope you are happy with the fact that I didn't take vengeance. I only killed him because he was trying to kill someone I love so much. It wasn't out of vengeance, but out of defense. His name was Travis Shaw. An assassin who worked for the organization known as Syndicate. They specialize in kidnapping Jumpers and using them for their purposes. They agreed to let me live my life because Shaw was becoming a problem for them and with me killing him, made them promise to leave me and everyone I love alone as a reward."
Finally the tears came, but he controlled them one by one.
"I could feel it everyday," he continued. "Every since I lost you guys, I was losing myself to this aloneness that has followed me for a long time now. It felt like a darkness that was just taking over my life. I was beginning to become like Shaw, in a way. It feels like scar that will never stop hurting, and I think it will always be there. I hate what it has been doing to me over the past few years. It just feels like I have nothing to hold onto. You two are gone and my friends have all moved on with lives." He paused again as he smiled. "But I've something to hold onto. I met a very special girl. Her name is Cent Mary Rice. And she is just amazing! I've also fallen deeply in love with her. She has given me a reason to hold onto my innocents once more and also given me something to live for as well. Love. That is what she is to me. My true love."
Looking towards the grave of his father, he said, "You were right. You once told me to hold onto the one person I will always love and never let go of her. And I promise to do exactly that. I will never let Cent go and never fail her. I love her with all of my heart and I will not allow her slip right pass me."
He then turned towards his mother.
"I made you a promise that I will never change and never allow my innocents to be lost, I will always keep that promise forever and ever. With Cent in my life now, I will live it to the fullest and make every moment count. I wish you both could be there for our wedding tonight, but like I said once before, you will always be in my heart and that will be more than enough for me. I promise to you both that I will make the best of this relationship and try to be the best husband I can be to Cent, my beautiful fiancée."
Getting up off of his knees, John said for the final time, "This will be the last time I come here. I came here to say goodbye and that you will always be alive in my heart and that I will always remember you both. But I need to let go of my past in order to move on with my life. And I plan of starting with marrying Cent. After today, Tulsa, Shaw, Syndicate, and the life I knew on the run, are all history, gone from my life. But you two will never be just history to me. I will make the best of what I have now and live to the fullest. I love you both and I always will. So, goodbye, mom and dad."
With those final words to the graves of his parents, he jumped back to the beach house.
Landing in the living room, he noticed Millie and David outside, preparing the food. He laughed when David tried to steal a hamburger, only to be slapped on the hand by Millie.
Heading towards the master bedroom, he changed from his ordinary clothes to his tuxedo, preparing for the wedding ahead.
Before he exited the bedroom, he closed his eyes and imagined his parents right in front of him, smiling their approval of what he had told them earlier before.
Smiling, he thought, I promise, mom and dad!
Without hesitation, he walked towards the slide door of the house and went outside, helping David and Millie prepare.
Cent:
Both Cent and Zoe appeared outside of the university, at their usual spot. They walked up to the front doors of the large building and entered, climbing a flight of stairs up to where the dorm rooms were.
Arriving at room 133, Zoe used her key to unlock the door and them in.
Cent ran to the bed and jumped on it, landing on her back.
"So, why did you choice a single dorm room?" Cent asked. "I thought you would want some company."
Zoe chuckled and said, "Oh, I decided that I was better off in a single dorm room. At first they wouldn't give me one, but a little flirting with the guy at the counter got me the deal. He was actually cute."
Cent laughed and said, "Of course, you are always the one who puts the looks and talking to work. No man can resist you."
"And they better watch out too!" Zoe joked as she landed right next Cent on the bed.
"What time is Jason coming over?" Cent asked.
Zoe checked her watch and said, "In a few minutes. I cannot wait for you to meet him. I just love being with him."
Cent smiled and said, "Sounds like your in love."
"Maybe I am," Zoe winked. "I cannot wait to see my best friend in the world wide world finally lose her single licenses to marry the man of her dreams. This should be the greatest moment in your entire life!"
"It is my greatest moment!" Cent agreed. "And when you and Jason get married, I will be there to celebrate with you."
Zoe's cheeks became red.
"You know, we should have play dates for our children," Zoe realized. "When we finally do have kids, I mean."
"We should," Cent smiled. "I would love that. It would give us time to talk and our kids to have some fun. I'll be waiting till that day happens."
"Me too," Zoe looked up at the ceiling. "Funny how far we come, huh? Remember back when we were young and we first met? Our friendship grew and grew, now we are grown ups, making our own decisions, falling in love and just living our lives to the fullest."
"I know," Cent smiled as she remembered those moments as well. "It's hard to imagine that we have made it this far and are just realizing it. I really miss our old life in Seattle. Things just seemed so simple then. But I wouldn't trade what we have now. I found my true love and you are being to fall for Jason, not to mention starting a new life here."
"And don't forget that we both get to continue our friendship here," Zoe added. "I love that you will be going to this same college after near year. We will get to see each other more often. And I also get to see my beautiful Jason as well. But I do know what you mean. I miss our old life in Seattle. But like you said, I wouldn't trade what we have now either. I just love my new life here."
"Yeah, me too," Cent agreed. "I seriously cannot wait to marry John! This is going to be the best day of my life!"
"By the way, where are you guys going for your honeymoon?" Zoe asked, curious.
Cent frowned and replied, "I don't know. He won't tell me. He said he wanted to save it as a surprise for me. Not even my parents know. He says he wants it to be the final wedding present for me."
"In speaking of presents, I think you will love what I got you," Zoe winked.
Cent raised an eyebrow and said, "I'll believe it when I see it."
Suddenly, a knock came from the door.
Zoe's eyes widened and she jumped off the bed, all excited.
"It's him!" she cheered and ran to the door.
Opening the door, a tall, black hair, very tan man walked right through, carrying a small gym bag, already in his tuxedo. He smiled as he saw Zoe and walked right towards her.
"Hello, beautiful," he winked.
Zoe blushed and threw her arms around him, hugging him.
Setting the bag down, Jason moved his arms around Zoe and picked her off the ground, breathing into neck.
Cent smiled as she watched them in their little romantic moment. They completely reminded Cent of John and her, back when things were like this for them. Well, in a way, they were still acting like this.
As she studied Jason, she noticed how well-fit he was and could see his physical potential to be in acting business. In a way, he really did remind her of John.
As they finally broke apart, taking in Cent's presence, Zoe coughed and said, "Oh, this is my dear friend, Cent. The one I told you about."
"Wow!" he said in amazement at Cent. "You know, you described her very perfectly Zoe." Jason looked at Cent and smiled. "You really do look like an angel."
"An angel?" Cent raised an eyebrow at Zoe.
Zoe shrugged and said, "I can over exaggerate sometimes."
"Except that you were right," he walked right up to Cent and shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Zoe has talked a lot about you. From what I hear, you are her best friend from Seattle. But she also mentioned that you are also called a... Jumper?"
Cent giggled and said, "Yes, that would be right. I have the ability to teleport anywhere. But me and my family prefer to call it jumping, which is also why we also call ourselves Jumpers."
Jason nodded, but she could tell that he was having trouble actually accepting what she was telling him.
"Well, in that case, I hear that we need to catch a wedding in the Caribbean," Jason smiled and walked back to pick up the bag. "Better get going. Wouldn't want you to miss you big day." He winked at her.
Cent couldn't believe how well he was actually taking this. He was truly a gentleman and he knew how to make a girl feel special. She was beginning to see why Zoe was falling in love with him. She looked at Zoe, mouthing to her, Is he always like this?
Zoe smiled and mouthed back, Only 24/7.
Making a small giggle, Cent walked up to Zoe and explained, "In order for this to work you need to hold hands with either the person who can jump or the person who is connected with the person who can jump."
Jason walked towards Zoe and took her hand, kissing it as he did.
Zoe giggled and kissed him on the cheek.
Cent smiled at the sight and asked, "Ready?"
"Ready when you two are," Jason replied, winking at Zoe, making her blush.
Without another word, Cent jumped.
They appeared outside the back side of the high school, right where Ashley, Emily, and Rachel said they would meet them.
Both Cent and Zoe looked at Jason, whose eyes were huge from shock and trying to take everything in.
"You... you just..." he could barely speak.
Zoe smiled and kissed him on the lips, calming him down.
"I told you she could teleport," she said.
Jason kissed her back and said, "Sorry I didn't believe you."
"It's okay," Zoe chuckled. "I wouldn't have believed me either. But isn't it amazing what she can do?"
Jason nodded and put his forehead against her, holding both sides of her cheeks.
Cent smiled as she watched. This was totally how it was with her and John.
Looking around, Cent searched for her friends.
"Cent!" Ashley yelled behind them.
Turning around, she saw them, already in their dresses that they picked out from Paris. They ran to her and Zoe, hugging them both at the same time.
"What took you so long?!" Ashley teased and winked at them. "Guys have been hitting on us as we waited!"
"Some thought that we were waiting for prom or something," Rachel added.
"Yeah," Emily said. "I just cannot stand how some guys can be total jerks!"
"Sounds like those men don't know how to treat a lady," replied Jason as he listened.
All three girls looked at him and studied him over.
Rachel whistled and asked, "Who's the hot guy?"
Zoe's face lit up red from jealousy
"Hey, hands off!" she warned them. "This one is mine!"
Cent laughed and said, "Besides, don't you guys already have boyfriends?"
"True," Ashley said. "But it isn't like we're getting married." She winked at Cent.
Cent laughed and introduced Jason to them.
"Meet Jason," she said. "He's Zoe's boyfriend."
"And Zoe is my true love," Jason added as he walked up and kissed Zoe right in front of everyone.
All three girls smiled and all said at the same time, "Awwww!"
Cent rolled her eyes and laughed.
"Okay!" she said out loud. "We should get going. Don't want to keep the rest of the gang waiting."
Zoe and Jason smiled at each other and then joined everyone as they gathered together.
Concentrating on the beach house, Cent jumped everyone at once.
Just like that, they all appeared on the porch of the beach house. Where the sun was still high in the sky.
Ashley, Emily, and Rachel took in their surroundings in amazement and couldn't speak. Finally, they let out a scream of excitement and jumped up and down.
"Wow! You weren't kidding!" Emily yelled. "John really did build one heck of beach house!"
"Not to mention that it is on a private island in the Caribbean!" Rachel added.
"And that John actually gave you all of this!" Ashley ran up and hugged her. "You have the best boyfriend, future husband ever!"
"Yeah, you do!" Emily agreed. "By the way, where is John?"
"I don't know," Cent looked around for him once Ashley let go of her. "Must be inside or something."
Millie and David came out of the house and smiled as they saw everyone.
"Well, glad to see everyone made it," Millie said. "Who's ready for a wedding?!"
Everyone yelled in excitement, including Zoe and Jason.
"You must be Jason," Millie walked up and shook his hand. "Zoe talks quite a lot about you."
Jason smiled and said, "Really? I didn't know that." He winked at Zoe, making her blush again.
"Hey, where is John?" Cent asked her parents.
"Oh, he's down stairs in the basement, getting some champagne," David answered. "He wants the celebration to be done properly. Me and your mother agreed that everyone can have a small glass of it, just for tonight."
Cent smiled as she heard the girls quietly say "yes" to each other.
"Anyway," Zoe grabbed Cent by the arm and took Jason's gym bag that had her dress. "We should get ready. Me and Cent still need to get our dresses on and since everyone else here is already in their dresses and tuxedoes, you can all get ready right where that huge flower heart is. And as for you...," she pointed and winked at Jason, "... no peeking. The same for John as well."
Cent smiled and laughed as Zoe led her into the house and into the master bedroom.
"Hurry up, future Mrs. Cent Bale!" Zoe teased as she began to change from her clothes and into her dress. "We don't got all day you know!"
Cent laughed and said, "My day, my wedding. So, I'll take my precious time, thank you very much!"
They both laughed at her joke.
John:
John carried up a bottle of champagne from the basement. He managed to convince David and Millie to allow them all to get away with at least having one small glass for a toast. He smiled as he remembered a moment when he and Cent had wine on one of their dates.
Just as he reached the top of the stairs, he heard talking and smiled as he walked into the kitchen, where he sat the bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice to keep it cold. Walking outside and onto the porch, where everyone was, he was greeted by Cent's friends and David and Millie as well.
"John, you must meet Jason," Millie took him by the elbow and led him to Jason.
John smiled and presented his hand towards him.
"Pleasure to meet you," John greeted. "Zoe talks about you a lot. You are one lucky man." He winked at him.
Jason smiled and shook his hand.
"Well, thank you," he said. "But I think you are the lucky one tonight. Cent is an amazing woman. I'm just amazed by what she can do."
"You have no idea," John winked again.
"Alright people!" Millie started to take order. "Lets get ready for a wedding that we will never forget!"
Everyone cheered.
"Alright, here's what is going to happen!" Millie started to explain. "John and David are going to be in the center of that red flower heart-shape in the sand, while me and all of you will form a pattern with the outline of the heart. Zoe will come out and take her place wherever she may choose and David will lead Cent to the center of the heart, where he will marry both Cent and John. And lets just have a fun night, because we all love weddings and seeing two people just become bounded together through love forever. Lets show this world how a real wedding and a real party is done!"
Everyone cheered again, even John and Jason, along with Millie.
They all started taking their places in the sand.
John took his place in the middle of the shaped heart of flowers, while everyone took their places on the outline of the flowers, standing wherever they love to be.
Here we go! John told himself. This is it!
Cent:
Cent and Zoe finished dressing up just as they heard a knock on the door.
"You girls ready?" David asked before entering.
"You can come on in Dad," Cent called back as she reached for the flowers that were on the bed, taking them and holding them against her chest.
David entered and smiled once he saw Cent.
"Wow, you look beautiful Cent," he said, starting to form tears. "You really do. That dress just suits you so perfectly."
Cent smiled and replied, "Thanks dad. You look pretty good yourself."
David chuckled and said, "You should see your mother. She's the handsome one."
Cent and Zoe laughed.
"I'll get going," Zoe gave Cent two thumbs up and exited the room.
David kept his eyes on Cent and walked over to her, smiling as he studied her over.
"You really do look beautiful Cent," he repeated. "I'm surprised that this day has finally come. The day I hand you over to the man who will take care of you for the rest of your life. I'm very happy that man is John. I'm so proud of you Cent."
Cent allowed a few tears to fall down her cheek and wiped them away.
"Thank you dad," she said. "I love you and mom, always will. I promise to make the best with John and to never let him go."
"And from what I see, he doesn't plan on letting you go either," David smiled. "The thing I like about John is that despite everything that happened, all of the bad things that he was forced to endure, he never lost his innocents and somehow managed to hold onto his faith in love. He understands pain, loss, and even sacrifice, all of which have made him stronger and more determined to be better than he once was. I feel bad for him as well, because just like me, he has permanent pain that will never go away. I could see it in his eyes, the fear of darkness that threatens to destroy him. But now he has someone to hold onto, someone who can keep him from being consumed by his own darkness. That someone is you Cent. Please promise me that you will do your best to make sure your love for him never dies. Because I can tell that he will always be in love with you, no matter what."
Cent nodded and said, "I promise dad. I will never allow our love to die. I love him and I always will. He is my only love in this world. John is my life now and I am his life as well."
David nodded and allowed his daughter take him by the elbow.
"Shall we?" he asked.
Cent smiled and said, "Lets."
With that, her father led her from the bedroom and out of the house, where he then led her down the stairs of the porch.
During all of that, Cent had her head down and when she looked up, she saw John, looking beautiful and handsome in his tuxedo, smiling.
Just seeing him smile made her heart race and pound against her chest. Every nerve in her body begged for him. It took everything to control herself from flying across the sand to him.
This is it! she told herself, breathing in a breathe.
John:
Just as he saw David lead Cent down onto the sand and when she made eye contact with him, he felt himself go numb and his heart long for her. He was astounded with hos beautiful she looked in that wedding dress. To him, she was the greatest jewel on the face of the planet. The one thing and person in his life that can never be replaced.
Time slowed down as she drew closer to where he stood. He studied her every movement and couldn't help but feel his heart race.
Finally, after what felt like a lifetime, David handed Cent over to him and John took her hand, kissing her knuckles.
They smiled at each other and at the same time mouthed, I love you.
As they turned to face David, who held the two rings in his hands, they felt something pass between them as they held hands. Like as if something or someone was blessing them.
Cent:
Excitement rose in Cent's heart as she listened to her father get started with the ceremony.
"We are gathered here today, to celebrate the wedding of these two lovers, who have been through some much together in the past. Though they have met through such a hard and lonely path, filled with loss, sacrifice, and regret, love brought them together and formed a bond that can never be broken. Although they have been together for a short time, I have seen the love in their eyes and I've seen the fire that hungers them for each other. While they may be young and still have a lot to experience in this life, I know that this wedding is good for them and will help them prepare for their future together. Like the cycle always goes, lovers become husband and wife, and later on, parents..."
Cent smiled as the word parents rang through her ears. She never noticed John smile as well.
"... while these two still have a while to go before they can be parents," David continued, "they can start that journey by marriage and committing to their love that will last forever and ever. Now this road will be filled with many obstacles and dangers along the way, but with everlasting love and each other, nothing will keep them apart. They have faced obstacles over the past two months that have proven extremely challengeable. But despite everything they have been through, their love survived and they held onto each other. Now, they are ready to take on the world together through marriage and moving farther up in their relationship." He paused for a moment and winked at Cent. "You may now read your vows."
Knowing that she will go first, Cent turned to face John and spoke her vows from her own heart.
"I don't need a piece of paper to have everything that I feel, that is what my heart is for," she said. "John Bale, from the moment I met you, I was taken away by the feelings I had for you and I was drawn to you by the love that existed between each other. You and I both felt it on that first day. Every since then, I began to fall more madly, deeply, and strongly in love with you. After everything we went through together and the secrets I've learned from your past, I still love you and I always will. I promise to hold onto you and never let go. I promise to kiss you everyday of our lives and to eat your delicious breakfasts and dinners that you just love to do, which is usually what a woman is supposed to make."
Everyone laughed at her joke.
"But also promise to love you forever and ever and to never leave you. I promise to stick by you and to comfort you whenever you have trouble with certain memories or past pains that return to destroy you. Like you once said, "I'm a broken soul", well I am your fixer and your healer. I will always be there for you and never let you fall apart. You have lived a life alone and afraid, always fighting for your life. But now, the fighting is over and it is time to put away your need to fight and allow yourself to trust me. I will never betray you and I will always be here for you. I may not be a perfect woman, but I am a good person and all I can offer you is my love and trust. I guess the only thing to say left is that... I love you, John Bale!"
Taking the ring from her father's hand, she took John's left hand and placed the ring on his fourth finger.
Everyone smiled and remained silent, waiting for John to begin.
John:
For once in John's life, he was actually taken back by the words that Cent had spoken to him and he had no idea how he was going to top that. He could feel the tears falling down his cheek and he didn't even bother to stop them. He was allowing his own feelings and reactions go freely for the first time in years, just being happy.
Swallowing, John, started his own vows as well.
"Oh, I don't know how I can top that."
Everyone, even Cent, laughed.
"But I guess I can give it a shot," he winked and wiped away the tears. "Cent Mary Rice, I love you with all of my heart and I always will forever. I remember the day that I first laid eyes on you and I could never take them off of you. Like a beautiful rose, you shined bright out of everyone that I saw and I could never stop the love that took over after that. We barely said a full sentence to each other and I found myself trapped by you. But also, thanks you, I managed to find a reason to live. Before I met you, I lived life on the run and afraid. I never trusted anyone and I always kept to myself. Even though it was a big risk to go to school like everyone else, I still did and I didn't realize it, but I was looking for someone. Someone who could take away the pain that has haunted me since the death of my parents. By being trapped by you, I found the will to love again and it turned out that it was you I was looking for the entire time. I am a broken soul and I barely survive, but you came along and started to repair me when I was at the verge of collapse. When others would run and hide from a sight like me, you stayed and loved me, helped me heal, both physically and emotionally. I learned to love and trust again, the very two things that almost destroyed me and then were used by you to bring me back. I wish my parents were here to meet you. You are an amazing person and your parents did a hell of a job raising you into the woman you are today. You are strong, courageous, smart, independent, and also loving. Not to mention sexy in so many ways too."
Everyone laughed again.
"You are perfect Cent. You always will be in my eyes. I promise to love and cherish you for the rest of your days. I promise to never leave you or betray you. Even when the day comes when I die, death will never keep me from loving you. Both in life and death, including the afterlife, I will always love you. All I care about is you and your well-being. I once told you that I wanted to see the look in your eyes when you are finally ready for more than just a relationship, I also meant marriage as well and when I look into your eyes right now, I can see that you are fully ready and that you have the sparkle in your eyes that I have been waiting for to see. It is that same look that lets me know that I have finally done something right in my life and I hope that I can be everything that you want and love. I want to have children with you and watch them grow. I want to grow old with you and watch our grandkids come along. I don't care if the world believes that we shouldn't be together. I love you and you love me, that is all that matters."
John took the last ring from David's hand and also took Cent's left hand, putting the ring on her fourth finger, feeling the ring slip on perfectly.
With that, he closed his vows by saying, "I love you Cent. Always and forever. No one will ever claim my heart ever again."
Staring deep into her eyes, Cent was crying tears of joy from everything that he said and her face was completely wet.
David clapped his hands together and said, "With the power blessed in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your true love now."
Cent:
By the time her father had given them permission to kiss, Cent didn't waste any time and threw her arms around John's neck and brought him against her, their lips clashing together and with their bodies pressed hard against the other.
As they kissed, Cent didn't hold back to make the kiss hard and powerful.
They didn't hear everyone clapping or even the cheering and shouting coming from Ashley, Emily, Rachel, and Zoe. They were lost in their own world, completely allowing their feelings to take over and fuel their love. The kiss felt like an eternity as they finally stopped for a breath and put their foreheads together.
Holding hands, they led everyone to the porch, where all of the food was waiting for them.
Sitting down, David was the one who made the toast once everyone filled a little bit of the champagne into their small glasses.
Using the spoon, David got up from his chair and tapped his glass cup.
"If I may have everyone's attention!" he called out, raising his cup in the air. "I would to make a toast."
Everyone raised their own cup and waited.
"To Cent and John," David said with love and excitement, "who have shown us what love truly is and why it is so important. As we may leave here tonight, a new beginning for these two lovers has begun. One that will expand across a generation that will soon come from them. To Cent and John!"
"To Cent and John!" everyone announced and drank to the toast.
Throughout the meal and the party, both John and Cent held hands and sat right next to each other, just completely happy to finally be married. They cut the cake and feed each other for fun, which Cent got a kick out of when John kissed her with frosting and chocolate all over their mouths.
The one thing that Cent couldn't take her eyes off of was the sight of Zoe and her boyfriend, Jason. Some part of her knew that things were differently going to change from here on out. Within a year or so, Zoe and Jason will marry each other and also raise a family of their own. Just like her and John will do one day as well. But another part of her was happy for that as well. She wanted Zoe to have a great life and fall in love. And just from the looks like it, she already has and things are looking great.
As for Ashley, Emily, and Rachel, they would be fine. Emily would definitely marry James one day, as would Ashley and Michael, and also as well Rachel and Robert. It was part of the circle of life and that was the beauty of it.
Somehow, Zoe found a way to escape Jason and also steal Cent from John.
While everyone was dancing, Cent and John laughed as Millie and David did their own kind of dancing with each other. It was even more fun with Ashley controlling the CD player and the music.
Feeling someone grab her arm, she turned to see Zoe, nodding her head away from the party. Getting up, she followed her across the deck and right towards the edge, where the deep water was.
"I'm so happy for you!" Zoe yelled with excitement. "I just know that you will have a perfect life now. What John said was truly amazing and I was completely in tears. He's such an amazing person and I feel like I could fall for him right now."
"Watch it there missy!" Cent teased. "That is my husband you're talking about!"
Zoe laughed along with her and said, "I'm just playing. Besides, I think I found my true love in Jason."
"I know," Cent raised an eyebrow at her. "I could tell."
"Yeah, it's true love, what are going to do?"
"Well, I say we grab our men and have them give us the dance of our lives," Cent smiled her mischief smile.
"Okay, lets go!" Zoe announced as they ran back to the porch.
While Zoe got Jason, Cent managed to make John get off his chair and drag him onto the dance floor, where they dance until the sun began to set in the background.
After a few more hours of partying, things started to quiet down and Cent knew that it was time for her and John to head out for their honeymoon. Wherever it was that John was taking them.
David and Millie offered to clean up and take everyone home, which made things more easier for Cent and John to just get out of there.
After changing back into their ordinary clothes, they said their goodbyes before leaving, which she received a lot of hugs from Ashley, Emily, and Rachel.
"Have fun on your honeymoon!" Zoe hugged Cent. "And please tell me all about it later on, okay?"
Cent smiled and said, "Of course I will. Besides, I'm just excited to learn exactly when we are going anyway. Have fun with the after party."
Zoe winked and said, "You bet ya! Just make sure you have fun, alright?"
Cent gave her a thumbs up and smiled.
After hugging her mother and father, she suddenly felt a pair of arms hug her from behind, she smiled and managed to turn around to face John.
"You ready to go?" he asked.
Cent nodded and moved her arms around him as well.
"I'm ready," she said. "Jump us to our honeymoon. Before somebody here ends up hugging me again."
John kissed her on the lips and said, "At your command, my love."
With that said, they jumped.
Wow! Now that is the biggest chapter I have ever written! I wrote nearly 10,000 words on this single chapter alone! I hope you guys loved this chapter and I apologize if it was too big. I also apologize for the grammar errors as well. But I hope I did well with this part. I wanted it to be as emotional as possible and also tie up loose ends for some of the small time characters. I hope I did a great job showing that characters like Zoe, Ashley, Emily, and Rachel will be fine.
I still have one more chapter for you guys and that is chapter thirty five. We will finally tie up the final loose end of Cent and John. I hope you guys enjoy what I have in store for the next one.
By the way, the character, Zoe, is actually a based off of a friend of mine named "GeekyZoee". She had amazing stories on fanfiction, so feel free to check her out if you want to.
I would like to thank Marie King and Rose for their amazing support and reviews once again. Your guys are just amazing and thank you so much! ;)
Please review and let me know how you liked this chapter! ;)