Ghost Of You (Michael Berzatto X Black!OC X Eventual Richie Jerimovich)

8. I Do

2007-Chicago, Illinois

"There she is." Richie smiled as Angie walked into the room. He hugged her and kissed her cheek. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you." She smoothed out her white silk dress that had once been worn by her mother.

"You ready?"

"Yeah. I'm ready."

Natalie walked in first with the rest of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Angie linked her arm with Richie's and the two began to walk into the nave.

Her heart was beating a mile a minute, but her eyes only focused on Michael. Richie kissed her cheek again once they got to the alter. He went to stand by Michael and the other groomsmen. Angie handed off her flowers to Natalie before she grabbed the hands of her soon to be husband.

The priest cleared his throat and looked to the crowd. "We are gathered here today in the house of the Lord as witnesses to join Michael and Angelina in holy matrimony."

He gave some long speech about marriage and loving your partner, but neither of them heard it. They were too lost in each other's eyes.

"The couple will now read their written vows. Michael will go first, reading his vows to Angelina."

"Angie, you and I both know that I'm not a poet. And even though I had a little help writing this, I mean every word."

She laughed at his comment. He took a deep breath and grabbed a piece of paper from his pocket. She could tell he was anxious, so she gave the hand she was still holding a squeeze.

"Angie, I vow to cherish you, to honor you, and to walk beside you, even when the path is uncertain." He looked up from the paper to catch her loving gaze.

"I promise to be your rock, even when I feel like sand, and to love you more with each passing day, even when I feel unworthy of such a gift. I vow to never leave your side, and to love you till death do us part." His voice began to crack as a tear streamed down his cheek.

"Today, I give you my heart, flawed as it may be, and my soul, which you have already healed. I am forever grateful to call you my wife, and I vow to spend every day proving that your love for me is not misplaced. My Angie, I love you."

She let go of his hand for a moment and wiped her eyes. He lifted her hand to softly kiss it.

"Now, Angelina will read her written vows to Michael."

She grabbed her paper and attempted to pause her tears.

"Michael, you are my best friend, my confidant, and my greatest strength. With you, I have found a partner in every sense of the word."

She could hear Natalie's tears behind her. Which didn't help her to keep it together.

"I promise to love you through the good times and the bad, to stand by your side in sickness and in health, and to support your dreams and ambitions as if they were my own."

Even Richie was getting emotional. Watching all the people she loved cry was only creating a domino effect that started her tears again.

"Together, we will face the challenges that life may bring, and we will celebrate the joys that it offers. I love you more today than I did yesterday, and I will love you more tomorrow than I do today. Forever and always, I am yours."