Forever & Always

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

One by one, then it was my turn. The doors were closed so I could get into position so I was ready to walk straight down the aisle. I heard a change in music, and the wooden pews make noise as our guest stood up. The doors boomed open when I heard gasp across the whole room.

I knew my bruises healed since I was part wolf now; so they couldn’t have been gasping at that. Step by step, pew by pew, and with my head down half way down the aisle. I look up; the church was all white with red accented. The cloth down the aisle was different, instead of a white cloth; it was black and white pictures of Sam and me since college. That’s why my head was down, remembering all the memories that lead to this moment.

Sam was standing at the end of the aisle where his smile was ear to ear. My mother had tears in her eyes. Bride’s maids were staring at me with disbelief. My daughter was next to Sam, clutching onto his hand; excited for this moment. Senior, who was on the other side of the aisle glared at me, with a very genuine smile after what had happened yesterday; Barb with the look of happiness filled her eyes.

Everyone was happy to see me there, walking down the aisle. I was just happy to see Sam in his black tuxedo, red tie, and red rose pinned on him. My heart was racing, ‘I am so nervous Sam’ he tried to hold in his laugh ‘It is okay Mrs. Pierce’. My dress was long, with a 10 foot train. The back was completely open, but had diamonds around the opening. I had sleeves that came down to my wrist, that were semi see through, with lace around every edge of fabric. My hair was long and let down with loose curls. My veil was in front of my face, so nobody could really see the tears that escaped my eyes. I was so happy, words couldn’t describe.

‘Are you sure, I feel like I have a mud stain on the back of my dress.’ I smiled big knowing there wasn’t ‘you’re fine Olivia, now hurry up, I am ready to marry you.’ With his reassuring I walked a bit fast the last few steps. I was now taking Sam’s hand that sends warmth all over my body. Standing at the altar, everyone takes their seats. Butterflies build up in my stomach, hands sweating like they did in class back at college; but Sam was there, he helped me realize there was nothing to be nervous about.

“We are all gathered here today…” I ignored the priest as I was too busy thinking. ‘Olivia, are your vows ready?’ oh shit! I don’t know where they are, I tried not to panic. ‘Uh…I lost them.’ I could hear him snicker a bit under his breath ‘its okay, I lost mine too. Guess we will have to do it freestyle.’  Thank God, he knew the right things to say and do; “Ready to read your vows Samuel? That caught my attention, it was time. Sam nodded and turned to me, lifting my veil up the audience gasped at the beautiful face that was covered.

“I, Sam; take you Olivia. As my wife, best friend, and soul mate.” He pauses; he wasn’t going to freak out was he? He turns towards our family and friends. “Olivia has brought so much to my life; I couldn’t live it without her. We met in college, fell in love, lost contact, and reconnected. She is the one for me, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. She’s a wonderful mother to both of our kids, and she’s a great daughter to our parents.” I could see the tears in everyone’s eyes. He kept going but turning to me now, “Olivia, I will cherish you rich, poor, sick, healthy, living or dead. I want to be with you for the rest of our lives.” I couldn’t cry, not now.

While I paused, waiting to collect myself.  I began “Samuel, I will love you unconditionally. You have given me strength I would have never had without you. The sun burns brighter while you’re around me. I never want to be without you, nobody can ever replace you. I don’t want to go a day in this world without you by my side.” Pausing, what else do I need to say? My words to describe how I felt for Sam weren’t enough. ‘Say it with me Sam.’ He knows what I am talking about we both speak up “I will love you, forever and always.” Nobody speaks for a minute, they are all shocked at what we had done, and we were shocked ourselves.

The priest cuts in “You may now kiss the bride.” We kiss as if nobody is around; I feel my legs turn into jell-o again. He supports me with his hands on my back. “I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Pierce!” The audience filled with people we love stand up, clap, and cheer for us. Our kiss felt like it was going on for hours.

We pull back and face everyone - Hand in hand; walking back up the aisle, our guests throw rice over us. After the ceremony, we were pulled to the side to take personal pictures while everyone gathered into the reception building. Sam and I were happy to get away from everyone and spend a bit of time together alone. ‘Thank you Sam.’ He looks at me with his eyes filled with confusion ‘For helping me; not be so nervous.’ He smiles ‘I love you.’ He says in his thoughts ‘And I love you.’

After some pictures were taken we were guided to the reception area where the doors were shut but I could hear the DJ calm the crowd down “Ladies and gentlemen, if I could kindly introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Pierce!” the doors open and everyone went crazy. He grabbed my hand ‘It is going to be okay, I’m right here.’ We walked forward while everyone clapped for us.

We walked to the center of the room to the dance floor. “Sam and Olivia’s first dance” said the DJ as a song came on (Kim Taylor – Build You Up) this song fit us so much. As we danced slowly to the rhythm Sam got close to me and whispered “Forever and always?” And I looked up at him and smiled, “Forever and always.” A simple kiss, then laid my head on his chest. This is what life was all about, love – forever and always.