Story of My Life

Chapter 23: Wedding Ceremony

It was the big day... Wedding day!
Astrids POV
Today's the day! I can finally be Carters forever. It feels like it was yesterday when Carter and I were just kids on that night when he turned me. That was probably one of the best nights of my life! Ehh what am I talking about it was the best night! Carter wants to see me before the wedding starts but, I told him no because I don't want him to see the dress yet. There was a knock on the door and I yelled "come in". At first I thought it was my brother but, then I saw the ring on his finger. "My darling baby girl... All grown up! It seems like yesterday you were a little 3 year old girl dressing up as princesses." I got up out of my seat went over to my dad and said "I'm still your little baby girl. Just all grown up. Nothing has changed." And then. There was another knock on the door. "Come in" I said and saw six girls at the door. "OH MY GOSH ASTRID YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL!" Catherine said smiling at me. I smiled big and said "thank you Catherine. And everyone thank you for making this day even more special!" My dad walked out of the room where I was and I went over to the mirror to see how I looked. I looked at how my hair was I felt like Elsa only my dress is short, a little poofy (kinda like a homecoming dress that's short), and the sleeves went on the side of my shoulders. And instead of wearing heels I wore the brown Arizona boots my mom got me before she passed away a couple years ago. "Your mom would be so proud of you, Astrid!" I heard a voice say and looked into the mirror to match the voice with one of my friends... Clara. Clara has been one of my best friends since freshman year. "I wish she was still hear" I said keeping a smile on my face. I was not about to redo my make up again for tears ain't nobody got time for that. I heard the door open and saw that it was Carter. I walked over to him and said "you aren't supposed to see me yet... It's bad luck!" He came closer to me and put his hands on my waist and said "ain't no such thing as bad luck when I'm with you. You look beautiful as ever!" I smiled at him then, said "thanks... You look handsome. Now get out of here before my dad comes back to lecture the both of us." I said with a smile on my face laughing a little. Carter kissed me on the cheek and walked out of the room. "Ugh... I feel like a princess cowgirl like when I was younger riding horses when I was little" I turned around when the door opened and saw Jack at the door smiling at me. "You look like a princess! But, better looking that those skinny a** princess on Disney." I smiled a little hearing that trying not to burn my head curling a piece of hair by my head on both sides. "I'm surprised to see you here Jack. You're the last person I thought would want to see my wedding. Let me guess princey here too?" I said smiling. And apparently Jack thought me calling Henry was funny too because then, he said "yeah, he's here... Hitting on your brides maids!" I started laughing again nodding my head shaking my head from side to side smiling then, said "they won't take effect... They all have boyfriends or their married." After that Clara poked her head through the door and said "it's time Astrid! Your little "wolfy" is waiting!" I smiled at her calling Carter "wolfy" and said "what's that supposed to mean I'm part wolf to now! I'm just a joking with you I'm coming." I walked through the door saying "you coming vampy?" Jack nodded his head moving his hand through is brown wavy hair and went out of the room behind me.

As the brides maids and Carters' closest friends walked down the aisle the song "Love Story" by Taylor Swift. All of my bridesmaids are wearing turquoise and the boys walking them down the aisle are wearing a turquoise rose. Once they all walked down the aisle my song to walk down the aisle came on. I started to hum the song "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri.  After about five to ten seconds of the song my dad locked his arm with mine and walked me down the aisle to Carter. "We are gathered here today to unite this woman and this man in holly matrimony. Now before we go on any further if anyone has reason for these to not to wed speak now or forever hold your peace!" There was silence in the room for a minute and then, that's when Carter began to stand but my dad pulled him back down to his seat thank god because Carter and I were not going to deal with his a** right now. "If you two would please take each other's hands. Carter Woods do you take Astrid Rivers to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others and only holding her forever more?" We smiled at each other and then, Carter said "I do!" I had butterflies in my stomachs just thinking about after all this ends. Okay Astrid, focus. Then, the preacher man said "and do you Astrid Rivers take Carter Woods to be you husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others and only holding him forever more?" I nodded my head yes and then, said "I do!" Then, the preacher man reads "Colossians 3: 12-14". He looked over at us both and said "Carter will you please repeat after me?" Carter nodded his head yes. Then, the preacher said the vow thingy then Carter repeated saying "I Carter Woods, take you Astrid Rivers, to be my wife, to have to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, I promise to love and cherish you." Then, the preacher told me to repeat after him saying "I Astrid Rivers, take you Carter Woods, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, I promise to love and cherish you." We exchanged the rings and the preacher said all the word thingys. And then finally we got to the part and said "Hold on... Hold on I must speak my mind really quick. I have been Astrids pastor for nearly thirteen years now. When I first met Astrid she was seven year old. I baptized her when she eleven year old. She has grown up so much since I fist met her. She's a very ambitious, courageous and a very very curious girl. Plus, her voice is killer when singing! She's a special girl and I know if your mom were here right now she would be proud of the women you've become and how grown up you've become. And without having further ado I now pronounce you husband and wife you may kiss the bride." The preacher said with a smile on his face. I handed the bouquet to Clara and turned back to Carter who lifted my chin up to his face and kissed me with one hand on my waist and one hand holding my cheek. I almost forgot about everyone watching and then pulled away smiling and Carter smiling still holding my hand. Finally, the preacher said "may I now introduce Mr and Mrs. Astrid and Carter Woods." Everyone got up and clapped with smiles on their faces.