After All (A Jordan Knight/Joe McIntyre Fanfiction)

34

Amber looks at herself in the full length mirror, she has to admire her reflection  staring back at her. Professional hair and makeup, an absolutely beautiful wedding dress, she looks like a fairy tale princess. "Wow. Is that really me? I can hardly recognize myself."

Her mother, Susan steps up behind her, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "That's you sweetheart. You make such a beautiful bride. I always imagined how you'd look on this day. And this is it." Tears fill her eyes, "I can't believe my baby girl is all grown up. It all went by so fast. It seems like just yesterday Sara Beth handed you to me and made me a mother." Susan turns to look at Sara Beth, "I'm forever grateful Sara. You'll never know what your generous gift meant to me." Sara Beth is a little taken aback. Susan Carson has never been so nice to her before. She'd been cordial during their talks prior to Amber's birth. And she'd been cautious during the adoption process, almost like she thought Sara Beth was going to change her mind at any minute. And since Amber had found Sara Beth, Susan had been standoffish towards her, almost cold at times. But not today, today she's been warm and welcoming to her. And Sara Beth has appreciated that more than she can say.

Andi interrupts the tear fest. "Okay ladies, that's enough of that crap. Today's a happy day, I better not see anyone making my girl here cry before Joe gets a chance to pour his heart out in front of everyone. His vows better be so awe inspiring, that there's not a dry eye in the place. Speaking of Joe, he asked me to give you this." Andi hands her a small box. Amber opens it and finds a pendant inside. It's a J and A with a heart between them. The heart is a beautiful sapphire. The note with it reads: Your something blue!!

Evelyn steps forward, yes Evelyn was there. Amber hoped this meant things with her and Jordan were okay. "So I wanted to give you something old. Marlene gave me this handkerchief when I married Jordan. It was given to her by her mother when she married Jordan's father. I thought it was only fitting that you have it on your special day." Amber takes the beautiful handkerchief and holds it to her chest. "Oh my gosh Evie, thank you so much. This means everything to me." They hug quickly and she excuses herself to go get the boys from Jordan so he's free to walk her down the aisle.

Sara Beth hands her a box containing a tiny silver cross. "This is the necklace my grandmother gave me before my first communion. I'm sorry I cannot part with it just yet but I'd like to loan it to you. It's brought me comfort in some difficult times and blessings in other times. Whenever I wear it I just feel so blessed, like my grandmother is there with me, looking over me and guiding me. Your spirit reminds me so much of hers. I'd love for this to be your something borrowed today, if you want it to be." Amber stares at the simple, delicate little cross. "Sara Beth I'd love that. Would you mind putting it on me?"
"Of course Hija."

Susan steps up next, "So I got you these. I thought they'd look beautiful with your dress. And they can be your something new." It's a pair of gorgeous dangle tear drop diamond earrings. "Oh mom these are amazing. I love them. And they will look perfect today."

There's a knock at the door and James pokes his head inside. "Sweetheart, it's time. I hope you're ready." He and Jordan walk into the room. "Alright ladies, time to take your places and let the Father's of the bride have a minute." Everyone hugs and kisses Amber on the cheek. Susan kisses James as she walks by him. Amber can't help but notice Andi touch Jordan's chest as she walks past him. He turns his head ever so slightly to watch her go.

"So we got you this." James says holding up a coin to Amber.

"What is that?" Amber's not sure what he'd be giving her a coin for.

"It's a silver six pence for your shoe." James takes her hand and Jordan kneels down in front of her, taking one of her shoes off. He places the coin into her shoe and puts her shoe back on her. "I guess that's everything. Time to get you married sweetheart."

It's all a blur, Amber can't really remember walking out of that room, or walking down the aisle. All she knows is she's standing here,  holding onto Joe's hands and staring into his baby blues as he says his vows to her.

"Amber, it's hard for me to put into words how much I love you. You came into my life when I honestly didn't feel like I was missing anything. But the moment I saw you and heard you sing I knew there was a hole in my heart just waiting for you to fill it.
You're everything I could ever want or ever need. You've brought so much love and happiness to my life. You're the lyrics to my music. You're the song that's in my heart.
Today I give you what's always been yours- my heart and my soul and all the love I have to give. Today I get to marry my best friend.
I hope you always stay the same, cause there's nothing about you I would change." Joe sings the last line, knowing it was her favorite song off his first solo album.

The officiant gives Amber the go ahead to say her vows.

"Joseph, you've changed my life in such a fantastic way. It's hard to even remember what life was like before you walked into that bar. I promise to be worth all the trouble I've been. I promise to be your muse. I promise to always want to hear you sing. I promise to be your loving duet partner for the rest of our lives. And I promise to always love you like only a true Joe girl can. I promise to be your biggest fan and  share a bus bunk with you on every tour.
I promise to love you even when I don't want to. I promise to be there whenever you need me. But most of all, I promise to put your happiness before mine, because that's what you've always done for me.
Today seems like it's the start of a new journey, but I already belong to you. It feels like we're finally going home. I love so much Joseph."

They exchange their rings and are pronounced husband and wife.

Then Joe gives her one of his knee weakening kisses.