"Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, with your hands joined, declare your consent before God and his Church, this community of your family and friends." The priest nodded to them, it was time for the vows.
"I, Kris, take you, Kat, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of my life."
The priest looked at Kat and nodded.
"I, Kat, take you, Kris, to be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, all the days of my life."
Kat couldn't contain the smile that formed on her lips as she looked at Kris. The love she felt for him was unlike anything she experienced in her life. Somehow, she fell even deeper in love with him at this moment, standing before God, their family and their friends. Was it even possible to love this much?
"The rings, please," The priest asked.
Matt quietly brought them to the altar. Giving a quick nod and smile to Kat and Kris, he returned to his seat without a word.
The priest held the rings and read a blessing. "May these rings be a symbol of the true faith they share in each other and always remind them of their love and compassion."
The priest had to nudge Kat out of her fog to take the ring. Nervously she slid the gold band on to Kris's finger, "take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity." Looking up into those loving dark eyes, she was lost all over again.
"Kat," Kris slid the ring on her finger. "Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity."
Kris held her hand tight for the rest of the ceremony. She thought he had been shaking a bit earlier, but there was no sign of it now.
"It is with great pleasure that I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Kris pulled Kat to him with a wide grin on his face. His lips came down gently on hers.
She wondered how she was going to kiss him in front of all of these people, but when his lips met hers, they were the only two people that existed. Forgetting about everyone around them, even the priest, she pressed close to him. His lips warm and soft, she opened her mouth inviting him in.
He ran his tongue over her bottom lip before meeting her tongue with his.
The priest cleared his throat, startling her. Looking up at him and then their guests, she let out a shy giggle, her face burning. Kris gently puller her chin towards him and gave her one last peck on her lips.
Their guests simultaneously cooed, "Aww!"
"It is with great joy and honor that I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Kristopher Lafleur!"
The church erupted in applause as the organ played the Wedding March. It was their cue.
"Shall we, Mrs. Lafleur?"
****
The reception hall was beautifully decorated in light blue and white flowers. Each table adorned with white and royal blue tablecloths, and lit with candle centerpieces. Kat watched as the caterers started to set up the buffet.
"Did you see this cookie table, Kat?" Gia was standing over it with a plate already half filled. "When I saw how many cookies Mom and Claire were bringing in, I seriously didn't think they would all fit! Tyler might have to cut me out of this dress later, cause I'm not leaving until I taste every single cookie."
"Yeah, Grandma Torella would've been proud." Kat pointed towards the cake table. "Don't forget about the cake, G. How gorgeous is that?"
Gia admired the three tier square cake. She swiped her finger on a corner of the white icing. "Mmm, that is good!"
"G! Get your fingers out of my cake!" Kat giggled. "Yeah, wow! They did such a nice job."
"Not to mention the hockey sticks and pucks decorating the top layer. All the icing decoration is so intricate. I'm glad they used gold accents instead of blue, it looks much nicer."
"Yeah, I think so too."
"There's my wife," Kris flashed a bright smile as he pulled Kat to him, brushing his lips against hers.
"Here I am," She beamed.
"Matt is going to make his toast, and then we'll eat. So, let's go sit down. C'mon, Gia."
Kris led Kat back to the bridal table, with Gia following behind. "Here, take a plate of these cookies, I don't want to look like a pig holding two," Gia whispered.
Kat just shook her head, but took the plate. She couldn't wait to dive right into these sweets.
Matt stood up and tapped his glass with a fork. "Excuse me, everyone. Can I have your attention?"
The room grew quiet and all eyes were on Matt.
"I realize that Patrick is the best man, but I've known Kris for a long time. So, Patrick suggested that I make the big toast today, and then he will say a few words after." Matt turned his attention to Patrick, "thanks for that, Pat."
Patrick just smiled.
"I want to thank you all for sharing this wonderful day with Kat and Kris. You've all heard the saying, 'love is patient'. Right? Well, that is true unless you are Kristopher Lafleur."
The crowd rumbled with laughter.
"If you are Kris Lafleur, then you close your eyes and jump right in whole heartedly with both feet. But, don't worry, Kat, I'm not saying that's wrong. No. Kris has excellent instincts, on and off the ice. They never fail him, and this time was no exception. Kat was the best decision Kris ever made. I think he had been searching for her his entire life. She no doubt is his soul mate."
Kat couldn't help the smile that crept across her face.
"Kat is kind and sweet, and she has a big heart. She is a wonderful friend to Lindsey and I, and we knew the moment that we met her that this love was meant to be. We also knew that she had stolen Kris's heart. Anyone can see how devoted he is when he looks at her. At the risk of repeating myself, these two were meant to be together; I have no doubt about that. They truly have a love of a lifetime."
Kat grabbed her napkin and wiped away a tear that started to slide down her cheek.
"Kris and Kat, thank you so much for letting me be part of your special day. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. To Kat and Kris." Matt lifted his glass, and the guests cheered.
"Thank you, Matt; you said it better than I ever could." Patrick said as he stood with his glass. "For those of you who don't know me, I'm Kris's cousin, Patrick. I knew that Matt would make a better toast than me, and he didn't disappoint. Thanks again, Matt. Well, I just wanted to say a few words then we can eat. Kris, you are many things to me. You are my cousin, my brother, my best friend, and my teammate. We've been through it all together. I can honestly say that I have never seen you as happy as you are with Kat. I knew the moment you told me about her that you were smitten. Guys, I am honored to be part of your special day as you start your new life together."
As Patrick talked, Kris stole a small kiss from Kat.
"I saw that you two. Anyways, let's all left our glasses. To Kat and Kris." Patrick lifted his glass. "And I have renewed hope that one day I will find a love as passionate as Kris and Kat have. Salute!"
"Salute!" the guests called back.
The wedding party was served as the guests lined up for the buffet.
Patrick looked over at Kris's plate, "Careful of those potatoes on there. Pure fat, dude. You know what, let me just take them for you." Stabbing the potatoes from Kris's plate, he popped them in his mouth.
"Ass," Kris whispered with a smile.
"Like you were going to eat them, please!"
"Maybe I was!"
Kat took a bite of her own food, the savory morsels dancing around her taste buds. The potatoes were outstanding. He needed to at least try one, and since Patrick stole his, Kat had an idea. "Babe," she gently turned his head towards her and fed him a piece of potato.
Before he could even taste the food, a smile slid over his face. Then his face lit up at the flavor. "Wow, that's really good." He inched closer to Kat.
"Aw! How cute these two are!" Gia called, as she hit her fork on her glass.
; That was the universal wedding sign for a kiss. Kat's face heated up, but she leaned in as Kris brushed his lips against hers.
"That's all you're getting for now, folks! Eat up! And don't forget about all those cookies over there!" Kris called.
A low hum fell over the crowd as everyone sat down to eat. Kat watched Gia quickly eat and then join Tyler at his table. She thought she noticed a hair flip or two in Patrick's direction, but she wasn't sure.
"Well, the caterers did a great job. That food was amazing." Kat said as she finished her last bite of dinner.
"They sure did! Do you think I could go get seconds? I mean, the buffet is still up." Patrick asked.
"I don't see why not."
"Great!" Patrick headed off to the buffet, returning with a full plate and a bottle of champagne.
"Did we need more champagne?" Kris examined the bottle that was already on the table. "This still has some in it, and I probably won't drink much more. What about you, Kat?"
"No, at the most one more glass."
Patrick shrugged as he ate his food.
"I forgot to tell you, you do clean up nice, Patrick," Kat said.
Patrick had a mouthful of food and simply smiled while giving her a thumbs up sign.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to have the bride and groom up here on the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. C'mon you two!" the DJ announced.
Kris and Kat slowly made their way to the center of the room. A slow, romantic tune poured out of the speakers and the room became quiet. She knew all eyes were on them, again. All she really wanted to do was wrap herself up in his arms and never let go. Their bodies swayed as one to the soft music. Forgetting there was anyone else around, Kat snuggled into his chest.
Kris softly sang to her, "Come away with me, and I'll never stop loving you."
As the song ended, the DJ announced. "Okay, will the maid of honor and best man please join the new couple on the dance floor?"
Kat glanced over at her sister and watched her sulk to where Patrick waited for her with a wide grin. Patrick wrapped his arms around Gia, pulling her closer than necessary. Kat giggled as Gia pushed him back giving herself personal space.
"Behave." Kris whispered to his cousin, only getting a devilish grin in return.
The song changed and the lyrics "I do, cherish you," played through the air. Kat swayed with Kris, forgetting all about Gia. The lights illuminated the dance floor. Kris held on to her tightly. He stared longingly into her eyes as they moved to the music.
Kris's lips slid up her jaw, he sang softly in her ear. "I do cherish you, for the rest of my life, from the depths of my soul,"
When the song ended, Gia had already run back over to Tyler. She was gone before Kat slid out of Kris's arms. Well, it wasn't perfect, but at least those two were co-existing. That was all she could really ask for.
Kat and Kris stayed on the dance floor hoping for another slow song to come on.
"Alright, before we all start dancing and celebrating, I would like the bride and groom to head on over to the cake table. Folks, get your cameras ready for the cutting of the cake!"
"Guess it is cake time, babe." Kris laced his arm around her waist and led her off of the dance floor.
"Okay, so don't smash it up in my nose and everything, okay?" She hated when brides and grooms did that. Who wants cake up their nose?
"Wouldn't dream of it, babe." Kris smiled.
Together they held the knife and cut the first piece of cake. Flashes went off from every direction. It was like paparazzi! Kat giggled before saying, "Wait, now I know what it's like to be Kris Lafleur!"
Everyone erupted in laughter.
"Cute," Kris said with a smirk.
He picked up a little piece of cake, putting it to Kat's lips.
She opened her mouth to take a bite, but not before he smeared a bit of icing on her lips. A smile curled on his face as his mouth covered hers and he licked off the icing. Then she fed him a small piece smearing only a little icing on his face.
Everyone cheered and continued to snap photos.
Kat licked the remaining cake off of her lips. "This is really good."
The caterers hurried off with the cake, slicing it up and setting it on serving plates.
Kat looked around the room for Gia; she was sitting with Tyler. At least that will keep her out of trouble for now. Patrick had been behaving himself so far. Where was he anyways? Scanning the room, she found him back at the bridal table.
She saw her mom and dad having a nice conversation with Kris's mom and dad. They appeared to be having a really nice time.
"I'm going to talk to Ben real quick, babe."
"Okay, I'll meet you at our table. They are bringing around the cake and coffee, and I don't want to miss that. Plus, I feel bad that Patrick is sitting all by himself."
"Kat, he's been downing that champagne, make sure he's okay. I'm fairly sure he's going to need someone to take him home at this point. And make sure he gets some black coffee, please."
"Really? I didn't notice that he drank that much. Okay." Before Kat turned away, Kris grabbed her wrist, twirling her into him. Kissing her lips he whispered, "Mrs. Lafleur."
His kisses made her dizzy. Looking back at him with a smile, she made her way to the bridal table. Patrick was sitting there all alone, emptying the bottle of champagne into his glass. "Hey, Pat. What are you up to over here?"
Patrick just shook his head and shrugged. "Great party. I like that DJ."
"You should get out there and dance," she suggested without any response. "Okay, well, they are passing out the cake, anyways."
The server brought two pieces over to their table and asked, "Coffee?"
"Yes, please. Can we get three coffees here? Thanks."
She filled three cups of coffee. Kat had planned to give them all to Patrick, but maybe she would take a sip or two. It has been a really long day.
"You want some cake? It's really good." She took a forkful of cake.
"Nah. You want some champagne?" He held out the bottle.
"Sure, I will take a little." Kat took the bottle from him. "Whoa, it's almost gone." She reached for the other bottle, and that one was completely empty. If he drank all of this, he was holding his liquor pretty well, cause she could barely tell. Except he was overly quiet. "Why don't I finish this off?" There was barely enough to fill her glass. "How about some cookies?"
Patrick just shrugged as Kat pulled him over to the cookie table. "You know, I really need to make a cookie box to take with me. Patrick, grab a plate and get some cookies. There has to be a box around here somewhere." Kat started to look under the tables.
"Kat, what are you looking for?" Gia appeared beside her.
"A box to put cookies in."
"I brought you one, it's over here." Gia moved over by Patrick and paused before kneeling down to get the container from under the table.
"Thanks, sis!" Kat grabbed the container and started to fill it with cookies. "Patrick, why don't you put some more cookies on that plate, please." She wasn't sure that cookies would help to sober him up, but it was worth a shot.
Looking over at Kris, she wished he would come back to the table soon. What was he doing anyways?
Patrick moved beside Gia. "Gia, you look really great in that dress." He leaned closer to her to fill his plate up with cookies.
Okay, well that was nice. I guess it could have been worse. Maybe he isn't that drunk, Kat thought. She figured if Patrick were that drunk, he would have said something much worse.
"Really, Patrick? Use a little bit of class, please," Gia shouted.
"Whoa, what's going on?" Kat spun around, almost flipping a few cookies on the ground.
"Did you hear what he said to me?" Gia snapped as Patrick went back to the table and finished the champagne that was left in Kris's glass.
"Um, that you looked nice in that dress?
"No, after that." Gia looked mad. Until she did that hair flip in Patrick's dire
ction.
Yeah, Gia hated Patrick's advances, almost as much as she liked them. There was no doubt in Kat's mind. That little hair flip was a patented Gia move.
"Okay, so what did he say? And are you offended or turn–"
"Shut up." Gia wagged her finger at Kat. "He said that I would look even better out of my dress! Ugh!"
Another hair flip.
Seriously, Gia? "Look," Kat put her arm around her sister. "Patrick has had a little too much to drink. I'm sure he wouldn't have said that normally. He knows you are with Tyler."
"Gia, hey." Kris grabbed a cookie, helping Kat to fill the container. He lowered his voice. "Look, I don't want Patrick driving home tonight. He has had way too much to drink."
"You have no idea," Kat added.
"Can you make sure he gets home? Please? He is staying at our house. You can just drop him off and go. He shouldn't be too much trouble, I'm sure he'll pass out as soon as he gets in the door."
Gia rolled her eyes. "I guess." She grabbed a cookie and took a big bite.
"Thanks, Gia." Kris turned to Kat, "as soon as you are done with those cookies come dance to one more song with me, and then let's get out of here. Time to start the honeymoon." Kris wagged his eyebrows.
Kat was hoping to get Patrick away from Gia for a while. Instead, she saw him slide next to her. As Gia turned to say something, he wiped a crumb off of her lips and popped it in his own mouth, only to say to Gia (way too loud) "I bet that dress would look even better on my floor. Gia, the things I would do to you..."
Oh Patrick, really? Kat just shook her head.
Gia turned to face him, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. Kat expected her to slap him, but she just stood there staring at him. She bit at her bottom lip.
"Patrick, go sit down, there's some coffee over there for you. Gia," she pulled her sister aside. "Thanks for not slapping him, and I have no idea how you didn't, cause I just might have. Just drop him off and get out of there. No need for you to hang around."
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