Red White & Blue

Red White & Blue Chapter 4

WARNING! Get the tissue box!!😭

The Wedding

I couldn't breathe. Today was my wedding day. The wedding dress I am wearing is a simple lace ball gown wedding dress with a sweetheart necklace. I have on a pair of heeled white cowboy boots, a diamond heart necklace and dangly diamond earrings. My hair was curled and my bangs were pinned back. My white veil is attached to a small tiara. I was shaking like a leaf. Bre, Ashley, and my friend Jessie are my bridesmaids. Derek's grooms men are Parker, Anderson, and Matthews. My mother is trying to do my makeup and kept yelling at me because I am shaking so much. As soon as she put the final touches on my makeup my father walked into the room. Tears welled up in his eyes when he looked at me in my dress. I stood up and he walked over to me. He took my hands in his then looked at me.

"You look beautiful sweetheart."

"Thanks dad." I said smiling. He looked down at the watch on his wrist then back at me.

"It's time. Are you ready?" I took a deep breath before replying.

"No."

"You'll be alright I promise." my dad replied. I linked my arm in his and he guided me towards the chapel doors. In front of me stood Bre with Matthews, Ashley with Anderson, and Jessie with Parker. Behind them is Andrew as the ring bearer then Matthews daughter Annabelle as the flower girl. I was taking slow deep breaths to steady my nerves. The chapel doors opened and Bre and Matthews walked down the aisle followed by Ashley and Anderson then Jessie and Parker. Once all of them were in the right places Andrew walked down the aisle and stood on the right side. Annabelle began to walk down the aisle spreading flower petals and that's when the music began. I didn't know what to do. I didn't look up until my father started walking and I began to walk with him. I lifted my head and looked through the veil to see Derek standing at the end of the aisle wearing his dress blues. He looked extremely handsome and butterflies erupted in my stomach when smiled at me. When my father and I reached the end of the aisle he kissed me on the forehead then handed my off to Derek. We held each other's hands as the preacher began.

"We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. If anyone among us objects to this marriage speak now or forever hold your peace." he said. The chapel was quiet and he looked at me.

"Your wedding vows please." I took a deep breath. I had practiced this a million times and I was afraid I was going to mess it up yet I began to speak.

"I love you unconditionally and without hesitation. I vow to love you, encourage you, trust you, and respect you. As a family, we will create a home filled with learning, laughter, and compassion. I promise to work with you to foster and cherish a relationship of equality knowing that together we will build a life far better than either of us could imagine alone. Today, I choose you to be my husband. I accept you as you are, and I offer myself in return. I will care for you, stand beside you, and share with you all of life's adversities and all of its joys from this day forward, and all the days of my life." I slipped the ring on to his left ring finger. Derek's face broke out into a smile and I smiled back at him even though he probably couldn't see it. He squeezed my hand and began his vows.

"Today, I promise you this: I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. Together, let us build a home filled with learning, laughter and light, shared freely with all who may live there. Let us be partners, friends and lovers, today and all of the days that follow.I take you as you are, loving who you are now and who you are yet to become. I promise to listen to you and learn from you, to support you and accept your support. I will celebrate your triumphs and mourn your losses as though they were my own. I will love you and have faith in your love for me, through all our years and all that life may bring us." He said to me slipping the wedding ring onto my ring finger. I let a tear roll down my cheek and smiled at him.