Storms

Some Lace and Paper Flowers

Stevie descended the stone stairs, her dramatic lace train trailing behind her. Lindsey looked up in awe. She was angel. Her hair fell in soft golden curls, her makeup was immaculate and she looked happier than he had ever seen her. Her smile became broad as she drew closer and closer to him. Mick, who had brought her down the aisle, kissed her cheek and whispered words of luck and comfort in her ear. She turned to stand in front of Lindsey, her bouquet passed to Karen for her to hold.

With hands clasped together and family surrounding them, Stevie and Lindsey gazed deep into each other's eyes. She smiled at him as the officiant spoke about the meaning of the union between two people, the magic and wonder of true love. It's true, they had waited a long time to be together. Many ups and downs pulled them apart but also ultimately pushed them together. The sea of people in attendance seemed endless, everyone smiling or wiping away tears. There were no sides, as Kristen had said. The love was evident between the two of them and it reflected back at them from their guests. Lindsey squeezed her hands comfortingly as they were each asked to repeat their vows. He rose his hand briefly in interruption and the officiant turned to him with a knowing smile.

"I actually wrote my own" Lindsey said and there was an audible 'aww' heard all around them. Jenna leaned forward in the line of women in identical dresses standing at Stevie's side. She had been very interested to know what her father had been working one as he always hid his notebook when she was around. He told her it was top secret and guarded his writing fiercely. Stevie looked surprised as she wasn't aware they were even writing vows. Almost as if he knew what she was thinking, he stroked her hand. "Don't worry, you wouldn't have forgotten something like this." He saw the relief wash over her. She hated to feel unprepared. "Stephanie you are the love of my life. I've known you since I was 16 and I always imagined us getting to this point, I just didn't know it would take so long." He chuckled, as did their guests. "I tried to put into words exactly how I feel about you and I went through probably two notebooks worth of drafts. Nothing seemed write. You know I'm not always good with emotions, that's kind of your thing, and I'm not the best at communication."

"But you're trying" she reassured him with a nod and he smiled.

"Yes, that's true. I'm trying. All because of you I've been communicating much better with all four of my children, getting to know them on a whole new level, but I digress. What I came up with was...well, nothing. I could write for days about you, how much love I hold for you but it wouldn't be near as effective as me showing you. I plan to do just that every day of my life. You're my first love and my last love and you are so special to me, Stevie. I'm sure you noticed l, much to your annoyance, am not wearing the boutonnière you had chosen for the guys and there's a perfectly good reason for that. If you look at the bouquets of your bridesmaids, you will see one of the flowers is actually made of paper. They were made by some creative person who is much more crafty than I but I fell in love with them when I saw them in one of the innumerable wedding magazines Jenna brought you. All of these gorgeous live flowers will not last but these" he says, pointing to the flower pinned to his lapel "will endure forever, much like our love. Years have passed and when I'm with you, I feel like I'm 16 again, falling in love with the brown eyed blonde from youth group. I am honored to have you become my wife...finally!"

"I love you" she says in a whisper as tears fall down her beautiful face. They had started before he even spoke, and he longed to touch her and wipe them away. Instead, he squeezed her hands once more and she smiled through her tears.

"I love you too" he said.

"I think for once in my life, I'm speechless" she says and he chuckles. Rings were exchanged, the officiant pronounced them as Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey Buckingham, and they sealed their union with a passionate kiss. When they pulled away, Lindsey had tears in his eyes as well. "We did it" Stevie whispered, leaning into him as they came down the walkway, toward the house.

Flower petal were thrown once more by rambunctious and antsy children, cheers and whistles thundered behind them and the couple were giddy as school children. Once inside the house, on their way up to change for dinner, they kissed once more. "I can't believe this actually happened" Lindsey says, kissing her once more.

"I can't either but now you're stuck with me, Buckingham."

"Good!" he told her. "That means you're stuck with me too"

"Hmm...I don't think I thought this through" she joked, her index finger tapping her chin as if in deep thought.

"No take backs. This is the real deal, missus" He wrapped her in his arms, walking her backward to the staircase.

"Wanna help me out of my dress?" she asks seductively, biting her lip. He nods vigorously, taking her hand as she nearly drags him up the stairs. "Don't be a brute. I designed this."  she tells him. "Careful"

"Whatever you say. Happy wife, happy life."

"Wow, you're good" she says with a giggle. "I might have to give you your wedding present a little early then. I don't think they will be expecting us down there for a couple hours with some of our guests taking their kids home and such. I'm sure Karen can handle anything else that needs attention."

Lindsey looks up to the ceiling and folds his hands as if in prayer. "Thank you, God" he mouths.