Broken

Chapter 10: Our Love

Today's the day. It's time.

Beautiful morning. Birds chirping on trees in harmony like a choir. The sun shone beautifully, with the clouds accompanied by its side.

In the beautiful vineyard owned by the brother of General Logan, close friends and families gathered at the beautiful day to witness a beautiful moment occuring, which was the marriage of two different but loving individuals.

With Eddie standing before General Logan, who happened to volunteer to be the marriage officiant, their eyes along with the attendees turned to the beautiful bride who was dressed in a very lovely wedding dress along with her father as he walked her down the aisle.

Finally the bride arrived and stood before the groom, not before she handed the flower bouquet to Anne.

With the two standing before each other and their respective best friend by their side (Alex as Eddie's best man and Anne as Sophia's bridesmaid), the wedding ceremony commenced on that beautiful vineyard as Joseph put on his glasses.

A quick prelude before the main event. When the two families along with General Logan and the wedding organizer were discussing the wedding, they were choosing which place the wedding would take place. Joseph volunteered to use his brother's vineyard as the wedding venue. Joseph's brother, who was Billy's granduncle, allowed his vineyard to be used, since he was quite fond of both Eddie and Sophia.

Both family and the wedding organizer had decided for the wedding to be private, only close relatives and friends.

Hereby was the list of attendees the Keegan-Gardner wedding: The Keegan Family (Addyson with her husband and kid, Max with his girlfriend), The Gardner Family (Lois, Stephen, Rita, and Elena), Alex & his wife and family, Anne with his boyfriend, Mr. Brooks and his friends who were friends of Eddie's late father, Mrs. Dixon and her family who happened to be Eddie's late mother's friend, and all of Sophia's students, who brought their family along with them.

Back to the marriage. After Joseph spoke a few words, it's the groom's and bride's turn to exchange their vows. Eddie went first because he had a lot of things that he wanted to say to her which he couldn't control if it's held any longer.

"Sophia. My love. My life. The day I first met you was the day my life started to brighten up with your radiance. I've probably said a lot of things before but I'd like to say it again, because it's never enough when it comes to you, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life."

Small laughs and giggles came from Sophia's former students, causing the bride to blushed a little. Eddie just smiled as he continued with the vow.

"I was once in a dark place, where I felt like drowning. I was struggling with my own demons and found myself overwhelmed. But in spite of all that, even when I... pushed you away, you stayed by my side and cast my fear away. For all the things you have done to me, I cannot thank you enough but I promise you that whatever happens on the path ahead of us, I will protect you and stay by your side, through better or worse, through brightness of days or darkness of night, through rays of sunshine or waves of flood. You are worth protecting, my love. I will be your shield for I love you forever."

At the end of Eddie's vow, Billy was the first to clap his hands. His applaud was then followed by his fellow friends, who were all in awe of him. Alex just chuckled seeing the kids.

On her cheek, Eddie spotted tears running down as he ran his thumb to wipe it off, causing all the kids to tease him. Sophia who was silently crying now laughed upon hearing the kids' teasing, with Eddie laughing as well.

Now it was Sophia's turn to say the vow, not before she composed herself.

"Eddie. I fell in love with you not because of your appearance, but I fell in love with you because of your gentleness and kindness towards me. You have been nothing but good to me the whole time I've known you. I promise from the bottom of my heart that I will stay by your side no matter the situations we're under. Just know that I am yours forever for I have devoted myself to you now."