house right now I would kick your ass all the way back to New York.”
“You got to admit dude, it was kind of funny,” He laughed. “I should have taken a snapshot because your face was priceless.”
“It was not funny or priceless, you tripping over and breaking your neck on the way back to me? Now that would have been funny,” I replied sarcastically just as my eyes focused on the vicar who had stepped to the front of the altar.
“The rings,” I said quickly, “do you have the rings?” Alex stopped laughing suddenly and began searching his pockets frantically.
“Please Alex, please tell me you have the rings,” I said through gritted teeth.
Alex laughed once more as he held the rings up in front of me, “too easy dude, you are just too damn easy.”
I breathed a sigh of relief yet again, “karma is a bitch you know. I look forward to introducing you to it sometime soon.” I narrowed my eyes at Alex quickly just as the song that had become mine and Jo’s signature tune began to echo around the church. Ellie Goulding’s ‘How Long Will I Love You’ had been playing the night that Jo and I finally became an item and also the night that I proposed to her, having Jo walking down the aisle to what had become our song seemed very fitting.
*~*~*
I felt a cold breeze blow in as the doors to the church opened prompting me to turn and look; Jasmine and Fraser were the first to enter as slowly they made their way towards me. Fraser was as cute as ever as he asked Jasmine over and over again why everyone was smiling at him; Jasmine being the experienced mom that she is, just told him over and over again to simply smile back and keep quiet.
Casey and Jemma were next to enter the church, I heard Alex sigh happily as they approached whilst Casey mouthed the words ‘I love you so much,’ to him. My eyes were then drawn back to the church doors where the most beautiful sight that I have ever seen stood smiling happily at me as she clung to Anthony’s arm as if he was her lifeline. Her nerves were evident; I had seen it enough times over recent months to know that she was happy but still held on to a tiny bit of fear. Through her dress I could see our baby bump which made me realize that even though our son and daughter weren’t here in person; they were still here, to celebrate their mommy and daddy becoming husband and wife. Anthony whispered something closely into Jo’s ear; she nodded quickly before they started to make their descent down what seemed like a mile long walk towards me. Jo’s eyes stayed focused on me the whole time until my wife to be was stood next to me. She passed her bouquet to Jemma before turning her full attention to me.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” she whispered.
“I’m sorry that the car broke down,” I replied.
“We were overdue a bit of drama, don’t you think?” She smiled happily at me.
“You look so beautiful, I can’t even tell you how much I love you right now,” I whispered back, choking back my emotion. “When we walk out of here, you are going to be my wife, I love you,” I whispered.
“I love you too, husband to be.”
The music stopped and the guests took their seats just as Jo and I turned to face the vicar. I felt Jo’s hand wrap around mine as she gave me a gentle squeeze. I turned to look at her; she was smiling happily, as the vicar began our service.
“In the presence of God, and before this congregation, Blake and Josephine have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.”
The congregation roared and cheered as finally we were announced to them as husband and wife. I took the opportunity to kiss my wife for the first time, placing my lips firmly against hers and showing her through that kiss alone just
Judith Ivory
Joe Dever
Erin McFadden
Howard Curtis, Raphaël Jerusalmy
Kristen Ashley
Alfred Ávila
CHILDREN OF THE FLAMES
Donald Hamilton
Michelle Stinson Ross
John Morgan Wilson