Chapter Twenty-Seven: An Eternal Promise
I tugged on my collar as I waited at the front of the sanctuary for the music to start. Pastor Ashton stood nearby with a huge smile, bordering on goofy. He had thanked me many times for 'allowing me to officiate at your wedding'. On his other side stood Kotomi's bridesmaids: Sanae, Kyou, and Ryou. All three of them glowed; I suspected it was due in part to them wearing wedding-type dresses.
The church was packed. Kotomi and I had only planned for a few people, but when the church found out that the daughter of Koutarou and Mizue Ichinose was getting married they invited themselves to the wedding. On the bright side, we didn't have to worry about food for the reception afterwards. Our only concern was that Kotomi would freeze up with all the people around.
My nervousness spiked as the music began, and I saw the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life.
Kotomi appeared at the door at the entrance to the sanctuary. Her white wedding dress had many layers to it which constantly shifted, making her look almost ethereal. The veil nearly completely hid her face from me, though I knew that I'd recognize those deep violet eyes anywhere. She carried a bouquet of flowers of many different colors, somehow adding to her mystique.
She stopped a few feet from the altar and stood there, trembling.
"Who gives this woman away?" I heard Pastor Ashton ask.
My eyes widened as Pops stood up and walked to her side to face us. "I stand as Koutarou-san's representative." He then took her hand and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek before leading her up to us and giving her hand to me.
"Thanks, Pops," I whispered to him through the lump in my throat.
He smiled and winked at me before turning and returning to his seat.
"These two have chosen to write their own vows," Pastor Ashton said to the audience. Looking to us he said, "Which of you will go first?"
The question was a formality since we had decided earlier, and Kotomi pulled out a sheet of paper. Normally she could memorize something of this length, but with her nerves the way they were… "I cannot tell you how happy I was when you came into the library that day. I had not seen you for ten years, and to see you again made me so happy!" She dabbed at her eyes with a kerchief before continuing to read. "And then…a-and then, the things we did together…the-the violin recital, our fun times with Kyou-chan, Ryou-chan, and Nagisa-chan…? They made me love you even more." She paused to take a deep breath. "After meeting you again, I was afraid that you had changed and become someone I would not recognize, but…" She looked like she was losing it. "…but you are the same Tomoya-kun that I have always loved, the same Tomoya-kun that looks out for and cares about others, and…and…I love you so much!" she finished, trembling.
I could hear several women in the audience quietly crying. A few men, too.
"That was beautiful, Ichinose-san," Pastor Ashton said before turning to me. "Okazaki-san?"
I pulled out my sheet and glanced at it. The words looked nice, but they seemed so…dry. I put the sheet back in my pocket. "Kotomi-chan, I can't tell you how glad I am that I found myself in your parents' yard some ten years ago. I'll also never be able to tell you how sorry I am that I wasn't there for you after your parents died. I know I can never make it up to you, but I can promise you this: I will never leave you. My place is by your side, and your place is at mine. My eyes are only for you, Kotomi-chan." I looked at her meaningfully with that statement. "I really look forward to making a home with you, raising a family with you, and growing old with you." I chuckled lightly. "I may not have a lot of intelligence to offer, but my heart is yours. Thank you for falling for a nobody like me."
Even through the veil I could see tears glistening in her eyes. "Ooooooh, may I kiss him, now?" Kotomi asked while gently stomping a foot, causing the audience to chuckle.
"Not yet, sweetheart," the pastor replied. "Just a little longer." He then addressed the audience: "If there is any reason that these two should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."
You could hear a pin drop in the sanctuary.
"Do you, Okazaki Tomoya-san, take Ichinose Kotomi-san, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death you do part?"
I couldn't believe it. Was this really happening? "I do," I replied as I slipped the ring on her finger. It must have been overwhelming for her; she started crying softly.
"Do you, Ichinose Kotomi-san, take Okazaki Tomoya-san, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death you do part?"
"I-I do," she managed through her tears as her shaking hands slipped the ring onto my finger. "I have waited for so long…"
Pastor Ashton smiled kindly at us. "Good for you, sweetheart," he said warmly, going off-script. He then glanced at the crowd. "I think this is the quietest this church has ever been," he quipped, causing another wave of chuckles. He then grew serious. "Okazaki-san, Ichinose-san, you have pledged yourselves to each other in the witness of these people and in the witness of God. Be firm in your commitment to one another; do not give evil a chance to take root in your marriage. Choose each day to love each other, for love is more than just a feeling; it is a choice, one that must be made daily. May He hold you both to account, and may those present also hold you to account in order to maintain and enrich this most holy of unions."
"By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." He leaned over to Kotomi. "You may kiss him now," he finished with a wink.
We both laughed at the sudden change in plan as I lifted the veil, revealing beautiful, if somewhat puffy, violet eyes, flushed cheeks, a radiant smile and…we kissed.
Over the cheers we could barely make out Pastor Ashton's voice: "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you: Tomoya and Kotomi Okazaki! "