I nod my head, take a deep breath and smile. “I am so ready.”
The music starts and Spencer, Janessa and Wellington are first to walk down the aisle together. The boys in black tux with pale pink shirts and black bow ties, Janessa in a pale pink off the shoulder floor length satin gown. I can only imagine how silly they look walking down the aisle, but Spence and Janessa are the only ones I would ever have stand with me on this day and It is the same for Jonas with Wells and Jenessa. So we left it up to her where she wants to stand once up there.
I know this is going to be one of the happiest days of my life, yet I find myself stalling as my uncle tries to get me closer to the exit. I am not nervous, not really, but I am feeling something new.
“Bug? What's going on?” my uncle asked as he turns me to face him.
“I don't know. I mean I am ready for this, I love him. I just can't get my legs to cooperate.”
He smiles. “You know I remember the day your dad got married. He was a wreck. I kid you not he was sweating so much he had to change his shirt before we even got to the church.”
I laugh hard at the thought.
Victor and Killian are next to walk out of the tent and make their way down the aisle.
“He kept telling me how he was going to mess up his vows and the whole day was going to go to shit. Your father was quite the drama queen that day.”
“I can't imagine that.” I giggle.
“Yeah, I know it was a sight for sure.”
Lori walks out of the tent with Arabella wiggling in her arms.
“Thanks, maybe I just needed a little piece of him with me.”
The music changes and now it is my turn.
“So, are you ready?” he asks with a smirk.
“Yes.” I say with the cheesiest smile on my face. Thoughts of my dad still swimming in my head.
My uncle takes my hand and leads me to the exit. We stand there for a moment before the curtains are pulled aside, then he places my hand on his arm and we take our first step out of the tent and into the beautiful setting sun.
I look straight ahead and see the most beautiful man smile back at me. His black tux fitting him so perfectly it makes my legs weak. The sunlight bounces off his slicked back hair and his delicious tattoos peeking from his collar and cuffs. This man still takes my breath away.
Chapter 35
Jonas
I have been a mess the past few days not seeing Ember or our little ones. My mother insisted on having them stay with her and my father for the days leading up to the wedding. Wells and I have been staying with my cousin and Erik and his wife Mara, but the rest of our family and friends have booked a rather large house on the coast to share.
Jenessa and my mother were overly excited when Ember told them they could plan the wedding however they wanted. Thankfully Nessa knows her well enough to keep our mother from making this overly extravagant. I am pleasantly surprised to see what they came up with. The view alone is going to have my beautiful bride excited.
My mother has, thankfully, met me at the limo with my children. Oh how I missed them. Arabella nearly jumps out of her arms to me and wraps her tiny arms around my neck giving my cheek a slobbery kiss.
“Hello my sweet girl, daddy has missed you too.” I pepper her little face with kisses making her giggle and squirm in my arms.
Killian waits patiently for his turn. He seems to be very used to his sister hogging the attention first. Once I have Arabella settled down he reaches for me and I take him in my other arm. He lays his head on my shoulder and suckes on his thumb.
“Looks like someone is sleepy.” I say looking at my mother.
“Well he was your fathers responsibility. Arabella had a nice nap before we had to get ready.” she defends.
My father who was not far behind her chuckles. “How can you blame me for playing with my grandson when he wants to play. He will be just fine, once he is down the aisle and back in grandma's arms he will get his nap.”
“So you can play with Arabella? During the ceremony?” she gives him a look that he seems to be very familiar with.
“Well, if she wants to play who am I to stop her?” he asks with hands in the air.
“Well both of you are wrong, Ember's grandmother will be taking Arabella for the ceremony and mother you will have Killian. No distraction for you.” I say pointing at my father.
He crosses his arms and takes Arabella from me mumbling something under his breath and shaking his head. My mother and I both laugh at him but follow him to the ceremony area. The place is set up simple yet elegant just the way Ember likes.
“Well, my darling son, it is time to take the littles to your bride. Are you ready for this?” My mother asks as she takes a half asleep Killian from my arms. I feel a tantrum coming on soon.
“I have never been more ready for anything in my life. I have been waiting for this day since the first time I laid eyes on her.” I can't help the smile that spreads across my face at the thought of her, in that black dress, pressed against me for the first time as I caught her from falling.
My mother smiles and I can see how happy she is for me.
“I am very happy for you son.” my father lays his hand on my shoulder. “You have grown so much. You are now the man I always hoped you to be.”
“Thank you, father.” I know I was a disappointment to my parents for a long time, but my company turned my life around. They were certain I would never settle down, especially after what Nessa told them when she moved to France to keep an eye on me.
“We are so proud of you. You could not have picked a more perfect woman to be your wife and mother of your children.” I lean and kiss my mothers cheek and wipe a stray tear from the other.
“Thank you both. I know I was a mess for a while, but that is all in the past. This is my life now.” I say motioning to my children in their arms. “Ember and our family, that is the most important thing in my life. I have everything I have ever dreamt of, and today it just gets better.”
Spencer comes from behind my parents. “Sorry to interrupt, but we need the kids in the tent.”
“Yes I will be right behind you.” My mother replies as she takes Arabella from my father.
Wells slaps his hand on my back as he walks beside me to the altar. “I have to say I am impressed you didn't screw this up.”
“You are not funny, Wells.” I grunt.
“Sure I am. Your sister thinks I am.” his elbow meets my ribs and he laughs at himself again.
“Remind me why we are friends again.”
“Ouch, that hurts.” rubbing his hand over his heart.
We both laugh at our childish behavior.
“They're calling for me. Looks like times up for you, no turning back now.” he says as he pats my back slightly softer than the last time.
Now my nerves are on edge. This is it. This is the day I have been waiting for, the day she becomes mine forever. I can't fathom a day without her in my life, without our children. I take a deep breath and turn to look down the aisle as music starts to flow from the speakers. The white curtain opens and Nessa walks out. Spencer and Wells wait for her on either side of the aisle. They each link one of her arms and the three of them walk towards me.
Nessa lets go of Spencer and walks with Wells to stand at my side. She gives me a reassuring smile and we all direct our attention back to the aisle as the curtains open. Victor walks out with Killians sleepy form in one arm and holding the ring pillow in the other hand. My son rubs his eyes and rests his head back on Victor's shoulder with his thumb in his mouth. They take their place next to my parents.
Next to walk out of the tent is my cousin Lori with Arabella holding her hand. Lori directs her to the aisle and puts the flower basket in front of her. Arabella excitedly takes a handful and throws it forcefully, but it doesn't go far. The guest all chuckle at her attempt and she giggles back before repeating the action a little further down the aisle. Midway Lori picks her up facing forward and places the b
asket in front of her to disperse the petals. Once they make it down the aisle Lori hands my daughter to Linda and sits next to her parents just behind mine.
The waves can barely be heard from a distance, but the sight and the salty breeze is more than enough. The sun is just now starting to set, giving off a nice shade of purple swirled with orange and pink. The music changes to the bride's song and my heart speeds up. I wait staring at the curtain hiding my beautiful bride from me. It feels like an eternity before it opens and I see her for the first time in days. She is stunning.
Her lacy dress hugs her perfect curves yet leaves so much to the imagination. The way the setting sun catches her hair makes it almost glow a golden bronze. Her eyes seem brighter than normal and her soft pink lips are just begging me to kiss them. It takes a moment for me to come back to the here and now after seeing her.
Thomn guides her down the aisle at an agonizingly slow pace. I want her in my arms now. I can feel my heart racing, each step she takes making it beat a little faster. Her eyes have been on mine since the second we could see each other. My cheeks are starting to hurt from this damn smile, yet I can’t seem to get it off my face.
Finally her hand is in mine. I heard Thomn give her away but have no idea what was said. With her hand in mine, I lead her up the few steps to the altar. I don't want to look away, but Enzo begins to speak.
“Welcome friends and family. We have been brought together here in this beautiful seaside village from near and far, for a celebration of great joy. The union of Jonas Drakos and Ember Beauvoir. They have chosen each of you to bare witness as they exchange their wedding vows and as they join together as husband and wife.”
My wife. She will be my wife. The thought of it gives me so much joy. We stand here side by side holding hands looking at Enzo as he speaks, but my only thoughts are of her and our future together. After today I will be complete.
“Marriage is a bold step into an unknown future, risking who we are for who we can be together. We know that a marriage is not created by a law or a wedding, it happens in the heart. It grows out of the love of sharing ourselves with each other.”
“This wedding will not create a relationship that did not already exist. It has already been celebrated in all the commitments they have made to each other since the day they met. So, in witnessing this wedding today, we are seeing a union that already exists between Jonas and Ember. This wedding is only a symbol of how far they have come together. The promise they make to each other today is to continue to love each other solely and above all others.”
feel her hand squeezing mine and I glance at her. She has her lip pulled between her teeth and she is taking deep breaths. I'm not sure if it is nerves or if like me she is finding it hard to stand her with only our hands touching. I want her in my arms right now more than ever. She turns her head to me and gives me a sweet smile before looking back to her grandfather.
He cast his hands out towards the guest. “Every person sitting here today will witness the vows that they will make to each other. But a marriage needs the help of friends and family; to be there when needed, to do all that they can and to stand by Jonas and Ember during hard times. I hope you will always support the union that will be made here today and to nurture their bond.”
Now he looks at us. He gives me a stern look and then a soft smile to my bride. “A successful marriage is not something that just happens. It takes hard work, patience and time. It also takes commitment from both of you to do whatever it takes to make your relationship thrive, not merely survive.”
He motions for us to face each other. This is the moment I have been waiting for. To look into her golden brown eyes and lose myself for the rest of my life.
“Jonas, do you take Ember to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, comfort, honor and protect her? Do you forsake all others, and promise to be faithful to her as long as you both live?”
My heart speeds up again before his words are finished.
“I do.”
She smiles and I can see the tears starting to build in her golden brown eyes shining like crystals in the sunlight.
“Ember, do you take Jonas to be your lawfully wedded Husband? To love, comfort, honor and protect him? Do you forsake all others, and promise to be faithful to him as long as you both live?”
“I do.” her voice soft and eyes full of tears.
“The rings please” he looks to Wells and Spencer.
They each pull a ring from their pocket. Wells hands it to me and squeezes my shoulder with a slight chuckle. Spencer slips a ring into Ember's hand at the same time.
“These promises you have made to each other today are inscribed in your minds and on your hearts, but words are fleeting so let these rings be a reminder of the feelings you have for each other now and forever.” he looks at me and nods.
I take her hand in mine and begin to slide the ring onto her finger as I speak the words I have been memorizing for the past two days. “Ember, with this ring I am giving you my promise to always cherish, honor and comfort you. I promise that I will love you always, and keep my heart open to you all the days of my life.”
She lets out a small sob as the ring makes contact with her engagement ring.
Enzo smiles and looks to Ember giving her a nod.
“Jonas, with this ring I am giving you my promise to always cherish, honor and comfort you.” she pauses to wipe away her tears with a tissue Spencer handed her along with the ring. “I promise to love you forever and keep my heart open to you for the rest of my life.” she waits to slide the ring on until she is finished.
“Here today you have spoken your vows before your family and friends. Each loving word will be the declaration of what was made here today. I joyfully acknowledge your union as husband and wife. You may now seal your marriage with a kiss.”
I pull her into my arms and press my lips to hers. It is a soft loving kiss that I hope shows her how much she means to me. When we pull away we continue to look into each other's eyes until we hear Enzo again.
“Friends and family, it is my privilege to present to you with the happy couple, as husband and wife for the first time.” he smiles and places a hand on each of our shoulders. “Jonas and Ember Drakos.”
The guests all stand and cheer for us. I can't help but pull her to me again, pressing my forehead to hers and taking in her addictive scent before kissing her again. I take her hand and we walk down the few steps to the first row. Linda hands Arabella to Ember while my mother hands Killian to me. We walk hand in hand down the aisle, our perfect family.
The End
Ribbon of Fate: Love or lust? Page 34