Being a groomsman turned out to be rather simple. His one job seemed to be walking a bridesmaid down the aisle and then standing by the altar. Easily accomplished! With his task done, Alec was free to turn and watch Izzy in all her glory.
The bride was holding a bouquet of flowers that mostly consisted of light cream colours but also had a few pops of brighter shades mixed in. Alec knew nothing about flowers but even he could appreciate how stunning Izzy looked holding them.
The neckline on her dress looked like a deep v cut all the way to her navel, but actually had a skin tone piece over it to give the illusion of a deep V. It had been the only way their mother would pay for the dress. Alec remembered Izzy had wanted it to be more revealing. Simon had very wisely refused to comment.
And then there was Isabelle's face. Somehow the joy he saw there made her more beautiful than anything else could. Alec felt tears form in his eyes and begin to fall down his cheeks. There was just something so moving about watching his little sister positively bursting with happiness in her glorious wedding gown.
A familiar sound caught his attention and Alec turned from the bride to the audience. To anyone else the sound would have been indistinguishable from all the other sniffs and awws from the crowd, but Alec knew his husbands awws and sniffs better than anyone. It didn't take long for Alec to spot Magnus in the audience, seated near the rest of his family. Magnus was also trying to hold back tears; he was however having much more success than Alec.
It was only then that Alec noticed Simon. The groom had his eyes fixed on Isabelle without the slightest hint of looking away. Alec felt sure Simon wouldn't have turned his gaze even if a living dinosaur walked over and asked to borrow his shoes. Alec couldn't help but chuckle at the image. The look on Simon's face was that of endless devotion and it gave Alec a warm happy brotherly feeling. He'd known for a while now that Simon was perfect for his sister but over the last two weeks and especially today he'd witnessed it in exquisite detail. Simon knew when to fold and when to hold with Izzy, but most importantly he valued her happiness more than his own. Alec could never have wished for anyone better for his baby sister.
The bride was approaching the aisle now. Izzy had opted to cut out the 'who gives this woman' part of the ceremony and just walked down the aisle on her own. Especially given who the officiant was.
"Dearly beloved," Robert began. "We are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Simon George Lewis and Isabelle Sophia Lightwood in matrimony, not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this permanent state, these two persons presented 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."
"Marriage is a funny thing," Robert continued when no one interrupted. "It's messy and long, with twists and turns along the way, but when you find that right person, they turn every roadblock into an adventure. I believe these two people have what it takes to make it through the hard times and enjoy the good ones with everything they have. I hope you do as well." There was a brief pause before Robert invited them to recite their personalized vows.
"Izzy," Simon began. "My life was so dull until you showed up. You make everyday colourful and bright. I love you with all my heart but more than that I love how you have changed me for the better. My life is infinitely better with you in it. My better half, my soulmate, I vow to be your devoted husband for as long as I live."
"Simon," Izzy said. "You have taught me so much about myself and about what it is to love, really love. To see love as more than just something to fear. Before you my life was so empty. You have made me complete. My better half, my soulmate, I vow to be your devoted wife for as long as I live."
If people were crying before it was nothing to how they were crying now. Alec couldn't help but wonder if people had cried this much at his wedding. He mostly remembered being too focused on Magnus to notice one way or the other. His mother might know though. Alec made a mental note to ask her later.
"Do you, Simon George Lewis," Robert began. "Take Isabelle Sophia Lightwood, to be your wife, to have and to hold, 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 do you part."
"I do," Simon said.
"And do you Isabelle Sophia Lightwood, take Simon George Lewis, to be your husband, to have and to hold, 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 do you part."
"I do," Izzy said.
"The rings please Max," Robert addressed his youngest child. Max came forward chest out, looking very pleased with himself as he held the rings up high.
"With this ring I thee wed," Simon said as he slipped it onto Izzy's finger. "As this ring has no end,
neither shall my love for you."
"With this ring I thee wed," Izzy repeated as he too put the other ring on Simon's finger. "As this ring has no end,
neither shall my love for you."
"Now by the power vested in me by the province of Ontario and the internet," Robert announced smiling. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now seal your vows with a kiss."
Izzy positively threw herself at Simon who caught her happily before covering her lips with his own. It was then that the crowd started making a lot of noise. Alec heard a few whoops and some more general cheering, but he didn't tear his eyes away to see who was doing what.
Once things calmed down, Robert directed the new couple to sign the legal documents which were then signed by witnesses and then the entire wedding party was directed to the back garden to be photographed within an inch of their life.
It was a very long hour. Alec felt like his fake smile would be plastered to his face for all eternity by the time it ended. At least Izzy was happy that the weather had held up for her to take photos in the garden. She'd reserved a room upstairs for photos in case of rain. Ever the planner, his sister.
Once the wedding party photos were done, Alec was sent to collect Magnus and the rest of the family to take the larger group photos. Maryse even made sure to get one with just Alec, Izzy, Simon and Magnus which she called 'just the kids'. Though Alec felt it was lovely that Maryse considered her in-law children to be as good as her kids, it was also rather degrading to be referred to as 'kids' as an adult.
As the last photo was snapped, Alec breathed a sigh of relief. The reception was back indoors and even if the photographer was coming with them at least Alec wouldn't need to stay still with his fake smile in place while he had dinner.
From his seat at the head table, Alec couldn't see more than the back of his sister's head, but he could hear her gentle laughter four seats down the table.
"She's glittering with glee," Magnus said in reference to the bride. "Were we that obnoxiously happy on our wedding day?" He was sitting on Alec's left at the very end of the table.
"I was," Alec replied easily. "But if you want to know if I looked it, you'd have to ask around."
Magnus chuckled. "Simon looks pretty happy too," he admitted. "I suppose I shouldn't tease. A wedding is perhaps the most appropriate place for excessive happiness, wouldn't you agree?"
Alec thought about being really cheesy by saying something along the lines of wherever he was next to Magnus it was the most appropriate place for excessive happiness, but he decided against it. Instead he just nodded. It was someone else's day to be sappy today. Alec would save it for later.
Looking around, Alec admired the beautiful decorations. White and cream streamers adorned the walls with little twinkling lights hanging from the ceiling. Beautiful centerpieces filled with elegantly arranged flowers he couldn't name decorated every table.
In such surroundings, Alec couldn't help but reminisce about his own wedding. The weather had not held up for him and they'd had to change venues entirely which is likely why Maryse and Izzy had picked an indoor hotel for hers. The irony gods as they were had therefore decided the weather on Izzy's big day had to be perfect.
More than the decorations, Alec remembered the feelings of his wedding day. He felt sure his mother would still recall every detail about every centerpiece, but to Alec it all had been about his love. His favourite memory from his own wedding day, had been that feeling of standing beside Magnus and promising to be his and his alone forever. The memory of it gave Alec a warm sense of security. Yes, he knew vows could be broken and love lost, but even so the fact that at one point in time both he and Magnus had wanted to vow to be a team forever would always be a great comfort to him.
"I'm thinking about it too," Magnus's voice pulled Alec's thoughts back to the here and now. "Our wedding. It was the best day."
"How'd you know what I was thinking about?" Alec asked.
Magnus gave him a look as if to say 'oh please.'
"Looks to me like your mother invited everyone she knows, same as last time," Magnus chuckled. Medium sized round tables covered in pristine white cloth covered every inch of the room and seated at those tables were likely everyone of Maryse Lightwood's acquaintance who could make it into town. Alec felt sure even more had been invited but had been unable to attend.
"It's mom's way," Alec replied. "110% support or zero, and she rarely resorts to zero."
"That I had noticed," Magnus replied. "Cut off your credit cards is the only zero I've ever seen and it didn't exactly last long."
"But it was right after I got married," Alec said slowly. "I wonder if she has something similar in store for Izzy?"
Alec couldn't help but be excited about this. It just seemed fair, after all.
"It's possible," Magnus replied easily. He was clearly not as investing in knowing for sure as Alec was.
"I wonder if mom will tell me if I ask?" Alec inquired.
"You shouldn't ask," Magnus said. "It's not your business."
"Says the only child," Alec chuckled. "Siblings dynamics might be lost on you but I can assure you it's normal for us to pry into each other's business."
"I have noticed," Magnus said, pretending to be upset but actually just teasing. It was a subtle difference but Alec knew it well.
Just then dinner was served and Alec was saved from having to come up with something to say in reply. The meal was sauteed salmon with rice and grilled vegetables. There was also a green salad and buns on the table. Alec ate a bit of everything before unbuttoning the top button on his pants and having a little more.
Once dinner was cleared away, they announced the toasts. Alec decided this would be a great break so he could digest in time for dessert.
"If you'd told me five years ago that I'd one day be a groomsman in the wedding of the man whose girlfriend I was falling for and eventually stole, I'd have thought you were insane," Jace began. "But here we are and despite the strange way we got to know each other I could never wish for a better friend. To Simon!" Jace held up his glass of champagne and the whole room joined in.
"To Simon," they chanted.
"And of course how could I leave out the bride," Jace said with a smile as he repeated the cheer for Izzy as well.
"To Izzy." The glasses were held up once more.
Robert gave a very moving speech about his little girl being all grown up which almost brought Alec to tears again. Then his mother stood and spoke, welcoming her new son into the family. Elaine's speech as the mother of the groom was very similar in its lovely and welcoming way but Rebecca kicked it up a notch.
"As the sister of the groom," she began holding up her glass. "I think I can say what we are all thinking. How did my dork of a brother score the hottest richest babe this side of the atlantic." She paused and was rewarded with a slight chorus of laughter. "Like is this the same kid I talked into doing my chores in exchange for a trip to the comic book store?" Once again she managed to get a laugh from the crowd, but when she began again it was in a more serious tone. "Joking aside, all I can say is that I have never seen my brother so happy and I wish you all the joy in the world. To the bride and groom!" She lifted her glass and the crowd cheered with her.
Alec wasn't big on public speaking but he did get up and say a few words about how wonderful it was to see his sister happy. There were a few more people who wanted to speak and then finally it was time for dessert.
Before the cheesecake, pastries, bars, cookies and other goodies were rolled out however Alec witnessed the traditional newlyweb's feeding each other cake. By some miracle Izzy managed not to get any on her dress but Simon had it all down his front by the time his wife was finished with him.
Alec couldn't help but laugh a little. He was however quickly distracted by the dessert choices served with tea and coffee.
"Shouldn't have had seconds at dinner," Alec commented as he tried to decide which desserts to try first.
"I told you," Magnus reminded him since well he had indeed mentioned something about saving room for dessert while Alec had heaped food onto his plate.
He was only half way through a tiny cheesecake when Alec noticed the slideshow come on. It was showing pictures of Izzy and Simon as kids or even babies. Then as the pictures continued there were more of them together as adults. It was all very cute but Alec couldn't help but notice something.
"How come we didn't have one of those at our wedding?" Alec asked.
"We did darling," Magnus replied kindly. "We just weren't here to see it. If you recall, we ran off early to leave for the honeymoon."
"Oh right," Alec sniggered, turning slightly red. He ate a few more bites of cheesecake before Magnus got his attention and pointed.
"And it looks like your sister and brother in law are following our example," Magnus chuckled, with a huge grin on his face.
"We set an excellent example," Alec agreed with a giggle.
I had such a hard time naming this one. lol. I'd already used like everything I could think of! Cake, Tears, dinner, nostalgia. Wedding wouldn't work since it wasn't Alec's wedding. I had to re-read the whole thing again to come up with a new word. *Insert laughing emoji here* You know a story is too long when!
On another note, someone on ao3 (since I get basically all my reviews/ comments there now) had a brilliant idea. They reminded me that the 7 year anniversary of chapter one of this story going online is coming up on Sept 5th 2023! So I've decided that the final chapter of this story will go up on that day.
Sneak Peek Chapter 207:
"Just that you are most glorious in the morning," Clary replied.
Jace grunted in a very disagreeing kinda way. "My mouth tastes funny and I'm sure I need a comb bad."
"These things are of no importance," Clary remarked. "You are as stunning as the first time I saw you every time I see you."
"How do you walk in a straight line?" Jace laughed.
"With practice," Clary chuckled.
Reaching forward she stroked the side of his face softly. This was it. She knew it so much more now than ever before. Jace was her first and he would be her last love. He was all she ever wanted, but more than that she never ever wanted to lose him again. She was pretty sure it would break her. It was strange but somehow you can miss someone more than you can love them. The missing them rather proved the love more than anything else. Never wanting to lose someone logically meant being with them for the rest of your life and being with someone for the rest of your life meant…
"You went quiet again," Jace grumbled, cutting off her train of thought. "What are you thinking about now?"