*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter they were greatly appreciated. thank-you all so much.*
*Here is the final chapter of the Joe and Willow series please enjoy*
"You look beautiful," says Michelle as she helps me put on my strapless sheath lace wedding dress with a crystal bridal sash on my waist line with the train of the skirt covering my brown cowgirl boots. "This dress is perfect on you," she says.
"Thank-you," I say with a smile as I look at myself in the mirror as she puts the veil on over my perfect bun of red hair. "I'm nervous," I say.
"What is there to be nervous about?" she asks me as she helps me put on a pearl necklace that my grandma wore at her wedding. "Aren't you two already married?"
"We are," I say, "but today we're getting married in front of our friends and family. Last time it was just Alani, Joe and myself. I wasn't worried about messing anything up then but what if I mess something up today?" I ask.
"You'll be fine," she says. "I promise, you'll be fine, just relax."
"My stomach is in knots," I respond, "what if something goes wrong?"
"Nothing could possibly go wrong. You had everything try to stop today from happening but miraculously everything with your house was done in time for the wedding and you didn't need to use our home for your wedding. This has to be more special for you."
"It is," I say with a smile. "This house is where we are going to spend our whole lives together. This is Mila's and London's first and hopefully only home. I love it here and it only makes sense to have our official wedding here. I never thought I would have a wedding but life has a crazy way of working out."
"It certainly does," she says as we start to dress Mila and London in their flower girl outfits; a white tutu made by Michelle and a denim blue vest with a white flower headband in their hair with a pair of brown cowgirl boots. "They look so cute," she says with a smile. "I swear they look just like Joe. Did you have any part in making them?"
"I'm starting to think I didn't," I say with a smile. "They are definitely his mini me's. That Samoan gene is pretty strong," I say with a smile.
"What about me, Willow?" asks Kaia as she comes out in her dream catcher lace dress matching Alani's with her own cowgirl boots on. "Don't I look pretty?"
"You look beautiful," I smile as there is a knock on the door. "Come in," I say.
My dad walks into the room and Kaia runs over to him. He scoops her up in his arms before carrying her over to me. Tears fill his green eyes as he looks at me and he says, "Scout, you look beautiful."
"Thank-you, Dad," I say with a smile.
"You're welcome," he says wiping tears away making me form tears in my eyes. "Don't you dare cry," he says.
"I can't help it," I say with a smile as I softly wipe at my tears secretly thanking God for water proof mascara. "You look handsome," I say as I admire his grey tux with an aqua vest beneath it and an aqua tie over his white shirt with his hair pulled into a low ponytail.
"It's not about me today, Scout," he smiles. "Are you ready for this?"
"As ready as I am ever going to be. Thank-you so much for making this all possible."
"I know how much you wanted to get married at your home in your backyard. A friend owed me a favor and was more than willing and happy to help get everything cleaned up."
"Thank-you, Daddy," I say with a grateful smile. He had a friend come in and clean up from the flood, help get everything together just so that Joe and I could get married on our property like we planned. A few things had to be replaced but it was well worth it to get married on our property in front of the pond we love so much.
"Daddy, are you crying?" asks Kaia.
"Yes because I love your sister so much and she's so beautiful. I am giving her away to the love of her life."
"She looks like a princess," says Kaia.
"She does; a warrior princess," smiles my dad making me smile. "I have dreamt of this day for so long. Usually it's the mother that is excited for their daughter to get married but in this case I'm the one that's excited for my daughter to get married. I knew one day you were going to find the man that set your world on fire and made your heart beat as many times as you said you would never have a husband. I knew one day the right man would come along for you. Joe just happened to be that guy. I like him a lot more now than I did a couple years ago when you two got together. I wasn't sure of his intentions but he proved to me how much he loves you and cares for you. He is one lucky man to have you in his life. I spent my life hoping and praying that you would find someone like him. I'm glad that you found your literary hero in your life," he says making me smile, "he may be the man you marry today or have married but one thing is for sure I loved you first. I just can't believe that my beautiful freckled faced little girl has grown up to be such a beautiful woman with two little girls of her own. I'll never forget the times I tucked you into bed and read you fairytale stories," he says bringing more tears to my eyes. "It's crazy how fast life goes by. I'm not going to stand in your way but I am going to give you to the man that loves you more than any other man on this Earth could but it's still hard for me to give you away but I know he's going to love you, protect and keep you happy the rest of your lives. This life was built to last for you, Willow. I love you."
"I love you too, Dad," I say giving him a hug. "You'll always be my number one." He leans down and kisses the top of my head softly before we all begin to make our way downstairs so I can marry the man I have always read about and wished to find in my life.
ROMAN's POINT OF VIEW:
My best man Dean and I along with Willow's brother Gunner, my cousins Jon and Josh all serving as my groomsmen make our way to the backyard for my wedding. We walk outside on the beautiful September afternoon in Houston, Texas and make our way to where the wedding is taking place in the backyard. We reach the white arch decorated with sunflowers and rope with a sign next to it that tells guests to choose a side because we are all family and friends today. There's also a table with our guestbook to be signed by our wedding guests, a photo board with pictures of Willow and me from when we were younger and some of us together in the present with the Song of Solomon saying "I have found the one whom my soul loves." There is also a board telling our guests not to take pictures because we have photographers to do that job for us and to enjoy the wedding. The final board is pictures of loved ones that we lost before today. I smile when I see a picture of my brother with his smiling face. He was so happy that I had finally found love again after Vanessa. I wish he could be here today to witness one of the best days of my life. I know he's here in spirit but still I wish he was standing by my side as I remarry the woman I love in front of our family and friends.
I look at our guests as they sit on the hay barrels on each side of the white aisle decorated with sunflowers. The sky the perfect shade of blue and the sun peeking out behind a cloud giving us an autumn feel for our wedding day. I see the podium at the end of the aisle in front of the beautiful pond on our property with wildflowers growing around it. The minister waits for me to make my way down the aisle. Everything is perfect, Willow worked hard on planning the wedding. I just went with her ideas and agreed with her. Teal and yellow were the perfect choices for colors. I make my way down the aisle dressed in grey slack pants, teal shirt with a grey vest over top with brown cowboy boots with my hair pulled into a low bun. I have a yellow flower in the pocket of my vest. I make my way to the front of the aisle and join the minister waiting to be married once again to the woman I love more than life itself. I can't even imagine how beautiful she will look coming down the aisle. My heart races thinking about it. I take my place as I wait for her to arrive. I let out a deep breath as the music begins to play the song "Beauty and The Beast" instrumental of course but I love it nonetheless.
The wedding party begins to make their way down the aisle the bridesmaids dressed in teal dresses and cowboy boots while the groomsmen are dressed in blue jeans, teal shirt and a grey vest with cowboy boots as well. I smile as Kaia appears with our rings on a pillow dressed in her dreamcatcher white laced dress followed by Alani dressed in the same dress as she pulls a wagon behind her while she wears a sign that says, "Here comes the Love of your Life." In the wagon are Mila and London surrounded by sunflowers. My mom takes the girls out of the wagon so they can sit with her while the ceremony takes place. I look up toward the arch at the end of the aisle, tears blur my eyes, my heart skips a beat as I look down at Willow dressed in the most beautiful strapless sheath laced dress. She looks like a princess as she makes her way down the aisle. A lump forms in my throat as tears start to stream from my eyes and I break down into soft sobs. Dean squeezes my shoulder to comfort me. Willow is the most beautiful creation I have ever laid my eyes upon. Seeing her making her way down the aisle is enough to bring me down to my knees. She walks down the aisle with a bouquet of sunflowers and her arm linked with her father's. My heart stops at the sight of her. God couldn't have created a more beautiful creature than the one before me. Willow and her dad stop at the end of the aisle and the minister leads us in a prayer before he asks, "who gives this woman to this man?"
"I do," says Mark before he unlinks his arm with Willow, kisses her cheek and joins our hands together. He takes his seat as the minister proceeds on with the ceremony welcoming our guests and talking about how marriage is the coming together of one man and one woman, talking about the first wedding and discussing what love is from Corinthians.
"I understand that Willow and Leati have chosen to state their own vows?" he asks.
"Yes," I say with a smile.
"Leati, you may state your vows first."
"Okay," I say. "Willow, the moment I saw you I knew I wanted you to be part of my life. I met you in that gym two years ago even though we both grew up with fathers in this business that was the first time I had ever seen you. You shot me down when I asked you out and told me I wasn't your type. I did everything I could to be the man you desired the man you want and I even read Wuthering Heights for you and left little love quotes for you because I just wanted that one chance with you and soon enough you said yes. Before I realized it we were together and falling in love with each other more every day. I didn't think I would be able to love again after Vanessa broke my heart but you came along and changed all of that. We haven't always had it easy but we've had enough love to get through all the tough times from my addiction to pain pills, overcoming the loss of our son we've went through it, walked through fire and came out stronger. Every day of my life makes sense with you. Every day of my life means something with you. You accepted Alani with no problem and continue to love her as if she were you own. You're amazing and the love I have for you runs deep. I couldn't have asked for a better woman in my life than you. You're my best friend and my biggest supporter. When I walked away from the business to be a husband and a father you stood by my side, when the WWE Universe booed me you were the only one cheering me on. Every step of the way you have been there beside me. They always say behind every great man there is a great woman that pushed him to be the best but you have never been behind me and you never will be behind me. You've always been beside me, pushing me and supporting me and loving me. I love you more than any vows could ever say and like you have supported me I will continue to support you, continue to love you the rest of our lives. I give myself fully to you, my heart, my soul is yours. You're my whole heart, my whole life. You have given me one of the greatest gifts in life and that is our daughters Mila and London. A beautiful creation from our love for one another, you're the best thing to happen to me other than my children. I want to grow old with you, love you, forsaking all others and cherish you the rest of my life. I promise to be the man you have always wished for and always dreamed of. I promise to be with you through the good and the bad supporting you and loving you through whatever comes our way but most importantly I promise to never stop loving you."
"Willow," says the minister. "Please state your vows to Leati," he says as Willow wipes tears from her eyes.
"Wow," she says getting herself together as I hold onto her hands. "That was beautiful." I smile at her as she begins to speak. "I have spent a great deal of my life reading because I am a nerd and reading is my thing. I have always had dreams of falling in love with a man like one of my literary heroes come to life. A man that has been my soulmate since the beginning of time and one that would love me despite my flaws and who my father was or the money in my bank account. I dreamed of a man to love me like no one ever has, a man my soul would long for, love for its entire life. I dreamed of finding the other part of me, my life long soulmate. I thought such love only existed in romance novels and Bronte love stories. I never thought that one day I would actually meet the man that fit this description, the man my soul had been searching for my entire life. I found the man that loved me beyond who I am and where I came from, a man that loves me for me and all my craziness. My own true literary hero come to life, everything that I want, Joe is everything that you are. You're my best friend and the love of my life. You're the man I have hoped for all my life," she says with tears forming in her eyes, "the man I want to grow old with, have children with and raise a family with. The moment I saw you, the moment I met you I knew you would wreck my world. That's the funny thing about soulmates. Soulmates don't come into your life peacefully they make you question things, change your reality, they come into your life to shake things up, show you true love and stand up to you in ways no one else has. They adore you but challenge you to your full potential, a soulmate relationship isn't just peaches and cream, it is roses with thorns. The day you came into my life you shook it up, made me change who I wanted to be, made me question everything I wanted in life. I never thought about marriage or having children. I never thought of that life. I was just going to be a WWE superstar living my dream in the ring but you made me change my mind made me want to live a different dream with you. The best dream any woman could imagine. I love you, Joe and ever since you came into my life I have wanted nothing more than to be your wife, the mother of your children and to have a life of forever with you. Joe, I love you so much. You've given me the best gift London and Mila. I couldn't have asked for a better father for my children or a better man to spend the rest of my life with. I promise to love you, honor you and respect you as my husband. I promise to forsake all others saving myself for you and only you, supporting you in whatever you choose to do. You're my best friend, the other part of my soul, my whole life and the love of my life. I promise to be with you forever and beyond forever. I love you, Joe and I am going to spend the rest of my life loving you," she vows bringing tears to my eyes as tears fall from her beautiful green eyes. I reach up and wipe her tears away and mouth that I love her.
"At this time, Leati and Willow will exchange rings. Can I have the rings please?" he asks. Kaia hands him the rings and he blesses them. He hands me the diamond and sapphire ring to match Willow's engagement ring to place onto her finger. He tells me to place the ring on her finger and repeat the words after him that a ring is a symbol of my love to her and like a circle my love is unending. I express that with this ring we are wed. He hands her the wooden ring and she does the same as she places it on my finger. The minister then hands us two candles and lights them. "As a symbol of their unity Willow and Leati will now light the candle of unity to show they are one in the eyes of God."
Willow and I light the candle together and blow out our own candles. The minister says a prayer over us and then says, "by the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," he says and he doesn't have to say it a second time. My lips are on Willow's and I give her a soft passionate kiss as I hear our friends and family cheering. I break the kiss and she's smiling at me, I swear she's the most beautiful creation I have seen on this earth. "Allow me to introduce to you the new Mr. and Mrs. Anoa'i," he says introducing us as a married couple before we make our way down the aisle followed by our wedding party. We come back to thank our guests for coming before we go to get our official wedding pictures taken.
Once our wedding pictures were taken we enjoyed our evening at our wedding reception celebrating with friends and family with eating a wonderful seafood or country dinner drinking champagne out of mason jars with a beautiful sunflower and wildflower center piece. We danced most of the night away including Willow sharing a dance with Mark to Cinderella which brought tears to my eyes watching them dance together. Mark loves her deeply and their bond with one another is stronger than any bond I have seen between father and daughter. I hope now that I am no longer wrestling that I have time to make the same bond with my daughters. The smile on Mark's face and the tears in his eyes as he dances with his first born daughter is beyond words. It is clear that he will always be her first love and the man that loved her first.
Willow and I take the dance floor when it's our turn and the sounds of "Say You Won't Let Go" begins to play. I smile as I take her in my arms, holding her close to her as we dance. She looks up at me with a smile on her face as her green eyes meet mine. I kiss her head softly. I whisper into her ear and start to sing along with the words of the song, "I'm so in love with you and I hope you know. Darling your love is more than its weight in gold. We've come so far my dear. Look how we've grown. And I wanna stay with you till were grey and old. Just say you won't let go, just say you won't let go."
"I won't let go," she whispers resting her head on my chest as we continue to dance. I kiss her hair softly.
"I'm gonna love you till my lungs give out. I promise till death we part like in our vows. So I wrote this song for you now everybody knows cause now it's just you and me till we're grey and old. Just say you won't let go," I sing to her as I feel her sobbing on my chest. I kiss her for comfort as we continue to dance as husband and wife. We finish our dance and I kiss her lips softly. "I love you, Willow."
"I love you too," she says with a soft smile before we have cake and continue our celebration for the night before we go into our home.
"I'm ready to celebrate this marriage just you and me," I say as I carry her into our bedroom. Her parents were nice enough to keep the girls for us to celebrate before we head to Hawaii in the morning for our one week honeymoon.
"Not so fast," she smiles. "Remember the marriage advice?" she asks holding up the box as I put her down on the bed.
"Do we really have to do that tonight? I mean we have a lifetime of marriage to look for advice," I say.
"How about just one?" she asks with a persuasive smile.
"All right," I say, "Just one and I hope it's a good one."
"Okay," she says as I sit down next to her on the bed. She opens the box that is labelled Marriage advice. I place my hand on her thigh as she pulls out a piece of folded paper. "All right," she says unfolding it. "Don't expect love to last without a fight or expect it to come easily. You're going to have ups and downs but you need to fight for the love you share. Remember to love the other more than yourself. Like in James, trials build perseverance in faith because you trust God. You must trust each other in trials like you trust God to mature your love, appreciate each other more. You need to love each other in the good times and bad times. Cherish the good times and remember the bad times make the good times better. Forgive one another and don't keep records of wrong. Respect and support one another but most importantly don't forget to love each other through it all."
THE END
*A/N: What did you think? Please review and thank-you for reading. I thank everyone that favorited, followed and alerted as well as reviewed this story. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
*A/N: Please look for my new story "Life As We Know It" I am excited for you to meet Roman and Audrey :) (I promise it will be worth reading)