Exchanging Forevers
The Willow Creek Estate was a lush oasis, a verdant tapestry painted with strokes of green in the middle of the New Mexico desert. Jason pulled the Mach 1 up to the farmhouse, a charming blend of rustic and elegant. Andrew, Chad, Luke, and Troy promptly jumped out, carrying their suits into the temporary haven before the ceremony. He hopped out to make his way into the farmhouse, his suit slung over his back as he tried desperately to put on an air of nonchalance. The guys were soon dressed, playful banter flying around as they tied their ties and slipped into their dress shoes.
"Dude, I gotta say, we all look pretty sharp," Troy said to Jason as he snapped his watch on. "Hope we all look this good when you're in my wedding next year."
Jason smiled at the thought, the engagements of his friends had brought even more joy to their circle in the past few months "I just hope I put on enough deodorant, I feel like I'm going to sweat right through…" he muttered as he struggled to secure his own watch, the second hand ticking on, taunting him. "Damn.. this fucking watch…"
Chad stepped up to face him and quickly secured the band for him, placing his hands on Jason's shoulders. "Jase, take a few breaths, dude," he chuckled.
"I'm trying, man," Jason replied as he raked his hand over his face. "I've wanted this since… geez, the closer it gets the more I'm shaking like a leaf."
"Exactly," his friend said with a smile, "just keep how much you want this in mind and that'll get you through. She's the one for you, man, we've all seen it for years." Chad locked hands with Jason and pulled him into a hug with a smack on his back.
"Thanks, man," Jason replied and turned to the sound of the screen door opening.
"Hey look! The girls are here, you know what that means, Jase," Troy said with a smile as he pointed to the vision of the ladies stepping out of Steven's GTO, "your bride's here."
The ceremony site was a masterpiece of natural beauty. A sprawling lawn, soft and inviting, descended towards a tranquil pond, its surface a mirror reflecting the weeping willows that guarded its banks. The willow's graceful branches dipped and swayed in the gentle breeze, casting dappled shadows on the emerald grass. It was a place of serene beauty, a perfect setting for a new beginning.
"Wait until you guys see Kelsi!" Gabriella squealed as she stood under a willow tree with Troy, Chad, Luke, Alisha, Taylor and Martha at the back of the ceremony space. The girls had made their way from the car and left the bride with her dad just out of sight before the ceremony finally began.
"She looks absolutely stunning!" Martha agreed exuberantly. "If Jason doesn't cry, I'm going to make him!" The friends burst into laughter at the violent inference, all conceding that Martha could probably deck Jason pretty easily if she wanted to.
A few moments later, Andrew walked up to join them, adjusting his tie and boutonnière as he walked. "Everyone all set?" he asked before offering his arm to Martha.
"Ready to roll! Where's Jason?" Chad asked as he looked towards the farmhouse.
"Jason's all set, think he's just working up the nerve to get out here."
As if on queue, Jason pushed open the screen door and took the stairs down from the porch, his hands stuffed into his pockets and his shoulders tensed with a nervous energy. He stood by Andrew and breathed a heavy breath as he rocked up on his toes. Behind him, Steven snuck Kelsi into the farmhouse where she would await her grand entrance.
"You alright, man?" Troy said as he leaned over and clapped a hand on Jason's bicep, "you look like you need a drink."
Jason chuckled and shook his head, his hands not moving from his pockets. "Nah I'm alright, Troy, thanks," he said with a sharp exhale, "I just hope I don't pass out, this is nerve wracking."
"Take it from me, bro," Andrew said, "just say what you're told to say and don't lock your knees. The getting married isn't so tough, it's being married, that's what you should be nervous about."
Troy laughed in agreement and turned to offer Chad a quick fist bump, while Taylor gave them a sharp look of disapproval.
"Hey!" Gabriella remarked with a smack on Troy's behind, "you'll love being married to me and you know it."
Troy shrugged his shoulders, throwing an arm around Gabriella, he smiled at Jason. "I've been instructed to tell you that I will love it and I know it," he said with a wink.
"Well thanks for takin' one for the team, brother," Luke said, pulling Alisha closer, her heirloom ring catching the sunlight, "someone had to go first!"
Jason chuckled and finally pulled his hands out of his pockets. "Thanks, you guys," he looked at his watch and heaved a deep breath. "It's time, let's get this thing going." He headed off towards the front where the officiant was waiting off to the side of the rows of seats that were nearly filled with all their friends and family.
Chad squeezed Taylor's hand as they waited for the music to start and they would lead off the ceremony. They soon saw Jason take his place with the officiant at the front of the aisle. The music began and they headed to the top of the aisle to begin the procession. "Here we go," Chad said softly.
Jason watched as his friends made their way down the aisle and it finally hit him that their wedding was actually starting. His brother and Martha, the final pair, made their way down and he forced himself to breathe steadily. In defiance of his efforts, his breath caught hard when the screen door of the farmhouse swung open and a vision in white glided down the porch steps. He raked a hand over his mouth, unable to hold back the emotion of seeing his bride for the first time. Kelsi stopped with her dad at the top of the aisle as the officiant called the audience to stand. He could only stare, this was a sight he'd waited to see for years.
A glance at her father brought a comforting smile to Kelsi's face. He'd always been her rock, and today was no different. His strong arm steadied her as they began their walk down the aisle. Kelsi strolled slowly down the aisle, a little precariously in her heels, but her beautiful white gown drifted in the breeze like the willow trees towering around them. She glanced around at all of their friends who had come from near and far for this special day. Even Miss Darbus shed a tear as she watched Kelsi drift down the aisle, seated happily with Sharpay and Ryan. Her mom sat with Lucia and Mark in the front row alongside their grandparents, a reminder of the generations that set an example of commitment for them. This is what it was all about, the life that had brought them together and the family that surrounded them as they prepared for their next adventure. She breathed deeply and let the butterflies flutter away in her stomach, she was too excited to even begin to think about fighting them.
As she drew closer, Jason's vision blurred again. He blinked the tears away, desperate to keep his focus on her. Kelsi's eyes locked on his, her loving gaze helping him pull himself together and he smiled happily at her when she stopped at the end of the aisle.
"Dear friends, we are here today for a special celebration indeed. There is no greater joy than to see one's child finding the one to move into the next phase of life with. Who is it that presents this woman to be married to this man?"
"Her mother and I do," Steven said in a clear and confident voice, the one thing he needed to say to hold that piece of Kelsi's heart intact. He was giving her away with joy, with a happy feeling of sending her off on her next adventure.
Jason stepped forward and received a handshake and firm hug from Steven before taking Kelsi's hand. They took the few steps back to the officiant and he couldn't help but glance sideways at her. Her dress was stunning, her look was just perfect, and her eyes sparkled in the sunshine.
Kelsi glanced back at him and took him in just the same. She hadn't been sure about his look, but he pulled it together handsomely. Who was she kidding? He looked sexy as hell.
"You look gorgeous, baby," he managed to whisper in her ear before the officiant began again.
"You may all be seated. We are gathered here today to celebrate the love between Jason and Kelsi, a love story that began many years ago, one that was lost for a time, and was happily found again. If anyone wishes to protest this union, please do so now or keep your opinions to yourself for a very long time." A ripple of laughter drifted through the audience as no one stood. As the officiant carried on his message, Kelsi squeezed Jason's hand, finding comfort in his familiar touch.
Jason felt a lump growing in his throat, he was a bit nervous as it had been a long time since he was in front of this many people.
"Jason and Kelsi, you have chosen to stand here today, before your loved ones, to declare your love and commitment to one another. Is there a reason why you've decided to be married?"
Jason turned his head to look at Kelsi and spoke without hesitation, "Because Kelsi is the best thing that's ever happened to me, even though I don't deserve her. She's the missing piece I never knew was right in front of me. Spending the rest of my life with her is the only way to be complete."
Kelsi smiled and pinched her lips together, blinking back a torrent of tears that threatened to make her mascara run. She needed a moment, but she finally collected herself and took a breath in. "Because Jason is the perfect harmony to the music in my heart. I need that more than I need air. As long as it's up to me, I don't ever want to be without him."
Jason shook his head and wiped his eyes again while a few sighs and "Aw"s rose from the audience.
"Beautiful. Now we know why you're here and that you have come of your own volition to become husband and wife, please join hands," the officiant said and motioned for Martha to receive Kelsi's bouquet.
When they turned to face each other, Jason had that smile on his face again, and Kelsi couldn't help but mouth What?! How he was grinning at her made her slightly irritated with all these people watching.
Jason mouthed back I love you, before the officiant continued.
"Jason and Kelsi have written vows from the heart today, their own words of commitment to each other. While it's impossible to truly encapsulate promising your life to someone into a few phrases, let's let them give it their best shot," the officiant said, "Jason, please present your vows to Kelsi."
"Kels, from the moment I met you in high school, I knew there was something special about you. Your quirky style and mastery on the piano captivated me then, and you still captivate me every time I see you or hear you play… and anytime you call me 'Gearhead'." He paused with the laughter from the audience and took a ragged breath in, pushing himself to continue without anymore tears. "You're my best friend, the person I can tell anything to, and the woman I'll ever let drive my Mustang. I promise to love you with every beat of my heart and to always put you first. I promise to be your partner in crime, your shoulder to cry on, and your biggest fan. Through sunshine and rain, laughter and tears, I'll be by your side, always."
Kelsi allowed one tear to sneak out the corner of her eye, she was so moved by his words that she nearly forgot all of hers. She took a deep breath and willed them to pour off her lips. "Jason, for a long time I felt like the girl in the background, content to hide behind my music, keeping to myself. Until you came after me, I never expected to open my heart to someone like I have to you. You know me like no one else, you make me feel like the only girl in the world when you smile at me. You make me laugh until my sides ache, and your love brings sunshine to my darkest days. I can't imagine life without you, and I'm promising you today that you'll be stuck with me until we die. I vow to love you unconditionally no matter where you leave your sweaty socks lying around, to be your unwavering support, and to face every adventure life throws our way, hand in hand, every time, until we run out of time."
A collective sniffle rippled through the crowd as their vows flowed out wholeheartedly, even the officiant took out his handkerchief and wiped his eye. "Wish I'd written that," he said with a casual chuckle that brought a laugh from the bride and groom, "We who witnessed those beautiful words now know how much this truly means to you both, but I offer you the opportunity to ensure everyone who is fortunate to cross your path knows of your commitment to one another. May I have the rings please?"
Andrew reached into his vest pocket and produced Jason's heavy black band while Martha extended Kelsi's delicate rose gold band out to the officiant. He held them out to Jason first, who's gaze was fixed on Kelsi as he took her ring, her eyes sparkling back at him with anticipation. This tiny band held the weight of a promise to love her, to cherish her, and to build their future together, and he couldn't wait to place it on her finger.
"Kelsi Jeanette Nielsen, I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage," he repeated after the officiant as her hand trembled in his. "With it, I take you as my wife and promise to love you in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or worse, until death do us part."
Kelsi sniffed back another tear and smiled as she reached for his band, the black metal sat heavy in her fingers, like the weight of this new chapter before them, but strong like the man who was promising to journey through it with her. With a tearful smile, she took Jason's hand and slipped the ring onto his finger.
"Jason Adriano Cross, I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage. With it, I take you as my husband, and promise to love you in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse until death do us part," she repeated, equally echoing the commitment, although unable to hold back a giggle at rhyming off his full name.
"Jason and Kelsi, may these rings ever be a symbol of your unending love for and commitment to one another," the officiant continued, "as the band has no beginning and no end may it serve as reminder of how your lives are now indeterminably unified. Now the state of New Mexico has some paperwork you need to sign. In the meantime, we are going to be joined by Troy and Gabriella for a short song. I'm told it's an old favourite of many of the guests here, written a few years ago by our bride."
Troy joined Gabriella in a slow rendition of Kelsi's song Everyday that she had written that summer at Lava Springs, the one where they had been in love with each other, but just didn't know it yet. The officiant directed them through the signatures, both of them confidently putting pen to paper. They made way for Martha and Andrew who also enthusiastically signed their names in witness. Troy and Gabriella brought the song to a graceful ending as he kissed her cheek and returned to his place with the guys, shaking his head at the hoots and hollers from the former Wildcat squad in the audience. Jason and Kelsi moved back to their places in front of the officiant and gripped each other's hands in anticipation of the last piece of their marriage.
"You folks in the back probably can't see how badly these two want to get this done so I'll finish it off quick," he said, bringing one last laugh from the audience. "Jason and Kelsi, you have come here today and presented your vows of love before these witnesses and exchanged rings as symbols of your marriage. It is my great privilege by the powers vested in me by the state of New Mexico to now pronounce you husband and wife. Jason, go ahead and kiss your bride!"
Jason pulled Kelsi quickly into his arms and laid his lips on hers, the eagerness to finally kiss his wife pushing away all consideration for the audience watching.
She received it wholeheartedly, wrapping her arms around her husband's neck as he dipped her back slightly. They broke away and looked into each other's eyes for a brief moment before Kelsi turned to take her bouquet back from Martha who beamed back at her with an overjoyed smile.
"Friends, will you stand and welcome for the first time: Mr. and Mrs. Jason and Kelsi Cross!" The audience erupted in applause as Kelsi looped her arm around Jason's to follow him up the aisle, the excitement propelling them almost into a run before the photographer waved for them to stop in the aisle. Jason turned to Kelsi and dipped her low before planting another deep kiss on her lips.
"We did it, Kels," he whispered in her ear.