Chapter fourteen- Right here, right now
Side note: Jo's vows are inspired and partially modified from Jane the virgin.
If this was forever, what could be better?
We've already proved it works
But in two-thousand one-hundred twenty-three hours
A bend in the universe is gonna make everything in our would change.
And know that where we are
Will never be the same
Right here, right now
I'm looking at you and my heart loves the view
Cause you mean everything
Right here, right now,
I'll promise you somehow
Tomorrow can wait to be some other day to be,
But right now there's you and me
-Right here, right now- Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron
Two weeks later- June 22nd
Josephine Brooke Wilson stands in front of a floor length mirror, trimmed with gold. The mirror was the perfect addition to the church dressing area she currently stood in. The walls were adorned by large picture windows, which let in an abundance of natural light.
She looks at her self closely and admired the beautiful gown she was in.
Jo was wearing a figure flattering dress with knot detail. The Waistline was adorned with beaded detail and it had a floor length layered Chiffon skirt that left a small train. It was the same dress she wore many years ago and to her surprise it was still the prefect fit, despite her having two kids in the process. Her long black hair was kept simple to compliment the dress and was curled and free flowed over her shoulders. Standing behind her was Meredith, her mother in law Alice and best friend Steph, who had helped Jo get ready.
It was true to say that Jo never thought that this day would come around again, but after seeing all of what Kepner ended up pulling off and walking through everything Jo and Chris had walked through, she was glad that it did.
Jo gently places her hands on her upper stomach, turns around and smiles, "this is amazing."
"Alice walks over to her daughter in law and grabs a hold of her hands, "What you and Chris have been through is nothing short of amazing."
"It's meant to be," Meredith adds.
Jo shakes her head gently, "no, not meant to be, we made a choice."
"Well, you do look beautiful,' Meredith compliments.
"I second that," Steph replies. "But now you're going from being just the 'married intern' to the 'married twice intern.' How do you feel about that?"
Jo rolls her eyes, "like that's an unnecessary label."
"Well, tell that to Leah," Steph chuckles.
There was a quiet knock on the door and as it opened Arizona popped her head around. "They're ready for you Jo," she says happily.
Jo turns around and looks at the mirror, she breaths in and out deeply and nods her head. It was at times like these where Jo wished she had a father that could wake her down the isle, but she was glad that her father in law could take that place. Jo looks down at the floor and a tear begins to roll down each side of her face.
"Jo, Jo, what's wrong?" Meredith questions.
"Jo?" Alice asks as she places a hand on Jo's shoulder.
"No, no, I'm fine. It's just, I'm really happy, that all," Jo smiles.
"Aw, honey," Alice chuckles. She pulls Jo in for a quick hug.
"Nathan is waiting for you," Arizona adds.
Jo nods her head, "lets get going."
As Jo stands behind two giant wooden church doors she takes a deep breath in and out. In just a moment music would begin to play and Nathan would escort Jo down the isle.
"I know I haven't said this nearly enough, but I'm very proud that you're my daughter. I know that we didn't have the best start, but you are the best thing to happen to my son. You've given him two amazing children, hopefully more because I want a lot of grandchildren, but I'll let you both discuss that," he begins with a grin, "but above all you stayed with him throughout this whole situation. After you got married I never doubted how much you loved him... I could tell you were both head over heals, but I now know just how profound and deep your love is... how pure and magical. Not many people have that, and I'm proud of you both."
Jo smiles and nods her head, "I know."
The wedding march begins and Nathan takes Jo's arm. She takes a deep breath in before they make their journey to the front of the isle. As she walks down the isle and becomes closer and closer to Chris, the smile on her face grows bigger and bigger.
"Who gives this woman to this man?" The priest asks.
Nathan nods his head, "I am," he says. He passes Jo's hands to Chris and they interlock hands. Nathan walks over to his seat and Chris and Jo look lovingly, and deeply into each other's eyes and the minister begins to speak.
"We are gathered here today to witness the recommitment of Christopher Nathan Wilson and Josephine Brooke Wilson. Christ blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and vows; and now it is his honour to recommit you both in the special sacrament that is marriage. He continues to strengthen you to fulfil the duties of your married life. Christopher and Josephine, you are about to celebrate this sacrament. Have you come here of your own free will and choice and without compulsion to marry each other again?" The priest asks.
"We have," they say together.
"Will you love and honour each other in marriage all the days of your life?" He asks.
"We will," They say as they continue to look into one and another's eyes.
"We shall now take part in the traditional renewal of vows. Christopher," the priest prompts.
"Because of you, I laugh, I smile, I dare to dream again. What we have is so pure... so strong. We've been through a lot, and I know that it hasn't always been easy. They're were plenty of times when it all got too much and we were ready to quit. But we didn't. We pushed through, you persisted with me until I was the person you remembered, and I'm forever grateful that you didn't because I really love the person that I am. I'm sure that Jake, who lived with a pig named Gertie on a farm in Tulsa was a good person too, but I love who I was a lot more and I'm glad to be that person again," Chris begins, causing Jo to chuckle slightly. "I want you to know that I love you to the end of this earth and that love has never been as strong as it is right now in this moment. You and the kids complete me and make me a better better version of myself, one that I didn't think was possible. As I stand here, with confidence I can say, that nothing could ever come between us, and nothing in the world means more to me than you and Theo and Gracie and any other children we may or may not be blessed to have. Together we are brighter than the lights of New York City... You are my hiding place when the world's not pretty, And I swear that I will always love you, You and you alone." As Chris finishes his vows Jo notices a tear rolling down the side of his face. Jo lifts up her right hand and cleans it away.
"Josephine," the priest prompts.
"I don't believe in meant to be's. Meant to be just makes everything sound so easy, and this love has never been easy. There's been an incredible about of hard work, overcoming obstacles and determination. It was a choice. We choose each other through the love, laughter, happiness and the pure joy. We choose each other through the incredibly hard times, the messy moments, the fights and near breakups. We stand here again today, not because of meant to be's, but because of the choice we keep making to love each other. We keep choosing each other through the face of every single twist and turn and in the face of a million obstacles. We made a choice, which isn't meant to be, or fate or destiny, it's a choice of commitment. And today I cement that commitment to you again, to further or journey together as a family and make many, many, many more happy memories with the kids and to make many many more choices to choose you through tough times. You are my ever after. I love you and I love our beautiful children, forever and always," Jo gushes.
"Christopher do you take Josephine to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, till death do you part?" He asks.
"I do," Chris says with a smile.
"Josephine do you take Christopher to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, till death do you part?" He asks.
"I do," Jo smiles.
"What God joins together man must not separate. May the Lord confirm the consent that you have given, and enrich you with his blessings," the Priest says. "We will now participate in the traditional exchanging of rings," he says.
Chris and Jo had taken their wedding rings off earlier that day and had given them to their 'best people'.
Chris takes his ring from his best man and brother, Adam and slides it onto Jo's ring finger. Jo then takes her ring from Lucy, who was Jo's maid of honour, and slides it onto Chris' ring finger.
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife, again. You may kiss your bride," the Priest announces happily.
Chris waists no time and promptly pulls Jo in for a dip kiss.
And as the night grew darker the noise got louder, mostly due to the copious amount of Alcohol being consumed at Chris and Jo's wedding reception. It was going to be a night not easily remembered for most, except for Jo, who due to her breast feeding, was the only adult not consuming copious amounts alcohol and was at this stage still stone cold sober.
Jo laughs as she watches her friends, co workers and mentors preform acts they wouldn't usually do. "Your friends are hilarious," Chris laughs as he walks over to his bride with a glass of sparkling water for her in his left hand and a glass of bear in his right hand. He hands her the sparking water.
"I didn't know they could get this drunk," Jo laughs just as Alex walks over.
"Are you enjoying the show?" He asks,
"Did you know that Kepner could dance like that?" Jo asks curiously.
"No, no I did not," Alex replies with a nod of the head, "did you?"
"I saw drunk Kepner at my bachelorette party. It was scary, I've seen things I'll never be able to unsee," She chuckles.
"Can I invite the Newley recommitted couple onto the centre of the dance floor. It's time for the couples dance," the announcer says over the PA.
Chris places his bear down on a nearby table and extends his arm out to Jo. "May I have this dance?" He questions.
Jo grins at him and takes a hold of Chris' free hand, "I'd love too." Jo places her glass of sparkling water down on the table and Chris places his beer down and then leads them over to the dance floor.
She places her hand on his shoulder and he places his hand around her waist. They interlock their free hands and begin to dance to their wedding song, the same song that they danced to many years ago. "Lucy said that both kids are passed out."
"It's a shame they're missing it," Chris replies.
Chris and Jo look at each other and smile, "We're totally waking them for the family dance."
"Theo actually asked me to keep him awake for the entire night, but I couldn't bring myself to do it," Jo admits.
"Well, he asked me to give him lots of soft drinks so he wouldn't fall asleep," Chris laughs.
"That's totally you coming out in him,"Jo smiles.
"Me!" Chris exclaims.
"Yes. The cheeky and mischievous side of him is you," Jo responds.
"And what part of him is you?" Chris asks curiously.
"The well behaved and curious side," Jo grins.
Jo places her right hand around Chris' other shoulder and Chris places his right hand around her waist. Jo nestles her head into Chris' shoulder and they danced together long into the night.