Brooklyn

Chapter Twenty - Jaxon

Jaxon got up early at exactly five the next morning. Nerves were everywhere, not just with him. He had breakfast with Zac, showered and dressed into jogging bottoms for the time being, it was too early to dress up in suits but he couldn't help wondering how Arielle was managing. Eventually, the anticipation got too much and he called her. She didn't have much to tell him, just that she was getting her make-up done now. He then hung up to get ready. The wedding was at two in the afternoon so he still had time but Cheryl had told him that he and Zac would need to make sure that the decorations for the ceremony and reception were still in check. They therefore took their suits and Zac brought Cheryl's car around. They went first to the restaurant because it was nearest to the apartment. The staff had arranged the cutlery and glasses so Zac and Jaxon helped out there with setting up the buffet. Once that was done, they then went to the register office where the room hadn't been set up so that took up the majority of their morning. They had a quick lunch of chicken salad sandwiches before getting ready themselves in a spare room.

"You scrub up well." Zac told Jaxon as they adjusted their suits.

"So do you." Jaxon laughed as he fastened his flowers to his lapel.

"Let's go, I can hear people arriving." Zac said. They went back to the ceremony room where Jaxon and Zac said hello to people they knew and some familiar members of Arielle's family.

At ten to two, there was more bustle and chatter. Tomas was in the front row next to Neil and Jason plus some of other military people that knew either Jason or Jaxon. Margaret was sat in the front row, Shaun was with Arielle behind those wooden doors. Jaxon felt both excited and nervous as he met the registrar who stood at the front of the altar. Zac took his place beside Jaxon as sweet music played and the doors opened.

Cheryl walked in first followed by Kirsten. Both of them wore pastel blue sleeveless dresses with a white sash around the waist. Both held white flowers, roses. Following them was Arielle on the arm of her father. Jaxon's heart jumped into his throat as he saw how beautiful she looked. Her dress was white (of course), sleeveless with glitter and jewels around the waist and a floaty layered skirt that shimmered with glitter. She held a bouquet of white and blue roses. Her hair was in an elegant updo with curls escaping and a tiara with a veil trailing behind her. Her make-up was just natural but showed her beauty in a radiant way. Her father passed Arielle onto Jaxon, placing her hand in his. Jaxon took Arielle's hand and squeezed it lightly as they turned to face the registrar.

He didn't hear a word that the woman was saying, he was lost in Arielle. He would look over at her and she would spot him looking and would blush.

They signed the wedding paperwork there and then they exchanged vows and rings. Promises to cherish each other, love each other, care for each other. Cheryl took Arielle's bouquet in order for her hands to be free to place the ring on Jaxon's finger. Zac smiled as Jaxon took the ring off his best man to put on his wife. The only words Jaxon really tuned in to hear were the words 'I now declare you man and wife, you may kiss the bride' where he did not fail. He held her close and kissed her passionately to applause. A photographer flashed away at them. Arielle and Jaxon hugged their family, both blood and in-laws as they walked down the aisle again. A car awaited for them outside to take them to the reception. A car behind would take the maids of honour and the bestman, plus the parents.

"I love you so much." Jaxon told Arielle as their car drove off.

"I love you more." She told him back.

"I love you most." He finished, holding her close.

The reception looked amazing and the DJ was setting up a couple of tracks when they arrived. The guests started to arrive and congratulate them. Zac hugged both of them as did Cheryl and Kirsten. Margaret was crying her eyes out as she asked Jaxon to always take care of his daughter to which he promised he would. Jason welcomed Arielle to their family and Arielle and Jaxon introduced in turn their other family members and friends. The songs played while everyone found their assigned seats. The buffet was delicious and served by two of the restaurant staff. After a main meal, Jaxon and Arielle cut the beautiful cake and everyone had a slice of that too. A couple of restaurant staff wandered around with trays of champagne and juice.

"Can I propose a toast?" Shaun stood up and everyone quietened down to pay attention. "My daughter, Arielle is a beautiful girl and I'm proud to say that she has found an amazing husband who I know will take care of her. Congratulations to Arielle and Jaxon." Everyone toasted that as Shaun sat down. Zac stood up.

"Jaxon, I actually can't believe you found a girl as good as Arielle. Took you long enough! I imagine your hand was quite tired after all these years," There was laughter as Jaxon felt himself cringe inwardly and rested his head on Arielle's shoulder, hiding his face. She was laughing."Nah I kid. Jaxon has never let Arielle leave his mind for one moment. It was only a matter of time before this happened. I've never seen two people so in love. So... I wish you both all the best." Zac sat down as he took a swig of his champagne. Jaxon clapped Zac on the back and Arielle reached over Jaxon to hold Zac's hand. Jaxon then stood up.

"Arielle... She means the world to me. When you're out there on the battlefield, there isn't a lot of things that keep you going. It's scary for everything and you miss a life outside, even if you do have the good days, even if you do have good people fighting alongside you. Arielle has given me the hope I've needed to live life to the most, just as I'm sure I have done for her. Life for the both of us have changed and it will continue to change us both as well. I've never appreciated a bar as much as I did the night that my eyes laid on Arielle. To my beautiful wife, the woman of my life."

They danced together for the first dance on the dance floor. They then had to dance with everyone else, family and friends. Arielle could not stop smiling and Jaxon had never felt happier. When Arielle's favourite song came on, she pulled all of her friends together and they sung and danced together. At the end of it, Margaret and Cheryl dragged Arielle away so she could change for the plane. Jaxon caught Kirsten and Zac and told them his plans for when he came back. When Arielle came back she was dressed in a black knee-length dress with a gold belt and goldstraps. Her shoes were just pumps and her make up was still on but her hair had been let down to curls again. Everyone sprinkled them with confetti as they got into the car and drove off to the airport.