Strong (Book 2 in the No Control series)

Chapter 35

Caroline takes my bouquet. Liam and I hold hands. For a very brief moment there is a little piece of me, the insecure little girl deep down, that wants to pinch myself. Can I really be marrying this incredible, handsome man?

The pastor says a few words, then directs me to speak.

I squeeze Liam's hands. Looking into his sweet eyes I say, "Today, I marry my best friend. My protector. My hero. My perfect lover. Today, I marry the other half of me, my missing puzzle piece."

Liam smiles and I see a glint of tears in those sweet eyes. Now it's his turn to speak. He squeezes my hands.

"Today, I marry my best friend. The one who makes me a better man. The one who makes me laugh. The one who makes everything else worthwhile. Today, I marry my heart...my soul...my passion...my everything."

Liam wipes away my tears. I am speechless.

"I have a bit of a surprise for you, Liz." Liam nods to someone and music begins to play.

Then my perfect prince begins to sing to me, a song he wrote for me called "Beautiful."

I take in every word as Liam sings to me, looking deep in my eyes. He performs to thousands of people all the time. Yet today, he performs for me only. Every word, every emotion directed only to me. Oh sure, all of our guests can hear his beautiful voice, but it's meant only for me.

My heart is so full. I never dreamed that my capacity for love could be this large. That my heart could grow fuller everyday with more love for Liam.

When he finishes, I lay my hand on the side of his face. "Thank you, I love it. It was perfect. You are so talented."

"You inspire me, Love."

The pastor directs us on with the traditional vows.

"Liam, today I take you as my husband. I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you. Continue to grow with you. And cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

I turn to accept the gold band with our birthstones from Caroline. Slipping it on Liam's finger, looking in his eyes, I say, "Take this ring as a seal upon the marriage vows I have spoken, and as you wear it, may it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of your life."

I see a hint of tears in Liam's eyes as the pastor directs him to start.

"Liz, from this moment I take you as my wife. My best friend for life. I pledge to honor, encourage and support you through our walk together. When our way becomes difficult, I promise to stand by you and uplift you. I promise to work at our love and always make you a priority in my life. With every beat of my heart, I will love you."

Liam gently wipes away the tears trailing down my cheeks, before turning to Louis for my ring. As he slips the eternity band of our alternating birthstones on my finger, he says.

"Take this ring as a seal upon the marriage vows I have spoken, and as you wear it, may it be a reminder of how very much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of your life."

Liam and I say our I do's with happy, tearful eyes. Eyes that are locked on each other. It's as though we are alone in this gazebo, like so many times before. The pastor's words bringing us back to reality.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."

Liam grins. "Come here, Mrs. Payne." He pulls me in tight and kisses me. No sweet, "we are in front of a hundred people kiss"...a full on "passionate, tongue involved, make the pastor blush kiss."

When we finally come up for air, I wipe my lipstick off of Liam. "I'm so happy, Baby."

"Me too, Beautiful. I love you."

"I love you more, Handsome."

"Ladies and Gentleman, I give you, Mr. and Mrs. Liam Payne."

Liam screams, lifting me up and twirling me around before we head down the aisle.