I Do

Part I: Raquelle Tima, Time is Precious

The perfect wedding. Every little girl's dream. But, to Raquelle Tima, the twenty-three-year-old woman that had overcome a deadly heart disease, it was a miracle. Never did she believe the day would come. After she was diagnosed, the world seemed to have fallen apart and the day she found out she would live was the best one of her life. Excluding the coming wedding, at least that was her plan. Elle was lying in bed. She looked over at the picture frame of the woman who had become a dear friend to Elle during her long, depressing time in the hospital. This woman, Joan Andata, had given Elle life. Elle never failed to credit every moment to Joan, the one who had given Elle her heart. Her boyfriend (now fiance) had come to the hospital a lot at the time, but he couldn't understand the relationship she and Joan had. Elle had started dating Matthew Tanner before the diagnosis, and if she was honest with herself things were going downhill. At least one good thing came from the illness, she and Matthew were closer than ever and engaged to be married! Elle ran her fingers through her hair, It seemed she would never be able to sleep. Her mind was buzzing with excitement for this long awaited day. In just fourteen hours, Elle would be walking down the aisle.

Elle's mother along with Matthew's had planned the wedding perfectly. The decor, the guests, and the organization was amazing. And as her 'beauty team' put the last finishing touches on her, Elle couldn't help but feel a wave of peace wash over her. Soon she would be married to her true love, a kind, smart, and hard working man that loved her with his whole heart. Elle couldn't wait to see him.

"Elle, honey, it's time." Elle turned to see her mother, standing teary-eyed in the doorway. Her father was right behind her, pride shining in his eyes. Elle could hear her good friend, Tristan Sentir - a wonderfully gifted pianist - playing the beautiful entrance piece on the piano. She got into position, arms linked with her father.

"I love you," he said just before the music cued them to walk past the people she loved, to the one she loved most.

"I promise to love you more and more each day, and to help you if you need a reminder why you love me." Soft laughter rippled through the crowd as Matthew's vows drew to a close. Elle gazed into his pale blue eyes and he grinned back at her. Time flew by and Elle felt as if she were floating above the arch, watching the perfect wedding.

Elle was staring at his lips, it took her a few seconds to realize the words he had just said: 'I do.'

"And do you, Raquelle Tima take Matthew Tanner to be your lawfully wedded husband to share your life openly, standing with him in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forever more?"

This was it. Elle glanced over at her parents, tears of joy falling down their faces. She looked up at Matthew and smiling said,

"I do."