One day at a time. (Part 2 of the story of Joanne and Paul. Now complete!)

Chapter 33 - 20th June 2004

Paul looked towards her, listening to the instructions of the vicar. He smiled softly and mouthed 'I love you.' to her. She looked into his eyes and listened intently as he made his vows.

"I, James Paul McCartney, take you, Joanne Johnson to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever, according to God's Holy Ordinance, and thereto I give you my pledge."

He grinned at his bride and kissed her hand "Your turn now." he whispered.

Joanne looked at him, unable to speak. She felt the emotion of the words she was about to say well up inside her. She looked from Paul to the Vicar, whom she knew well, then felt herself relax. This felt so right, she had no doubts. Looking back into Paul's eyes, she began to speak.

"I, Joanne Johnson, take you, James Paul McCartney, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever, according to God s Holy Ordinance, and thereto I give you my pledge."

Grinning like fools, the couple held each others gaze as the Vicar took over.

"Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder.
Forasmuch as Paul and Joanne have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company of witnesses, and there to have given their pledge, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands; by the power vested in me, I now pronounce them husband and wife.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. And Mrs. McCartney!"

Paul grabbed Jo and swung her round and round in delight. Then, hand in hand, the new Mr and Mrs  McCartney filled out of the church followed by their family and friends. They travelled the short journey to their wedding reception which was to be held in the barn of a near by farm. It was to be a barn dance after the tradtional speeches. Firstly, James spoke, as he had given his mother away.

"I don't think I'll ever forget the evening that mum told me she had met someone. It was nearly 4 years ago now and around the same number of years since my dad had died. I knew this someone had to be different. You see, my mum and dad were inseperable so when dad died, I know mum was totally lost. Grace and I worried about her constantly, especially when she was alone and we were at uni.

She told me about this man, called Paul. She told me he was a widower with 4 kids but not much else. It was very apparent though that mum was very smitten. When Grace and I did meet Paul though,  I honestly thought that he was one of those lookie likely people, you know who make money pretending to be some celeb or other!"

His audience laughed. James grinned before carrying on.

"It wasn't until I submitted the poor man to a total grilling before we felt that we had to admit he was the real thing! Strangely though, I don't think we were ever star struck! We were more worried about mum!

However, worrying about mum was something Grace and I have realised we didn't need to do anymore. Paul is a total gentleman. A fantastic bloke who clearly thinks the world of my mum. He wanted to protect her and love her. Through him, Grace and I have had the pleasure of watching our mother come back to life again after loosing our dad. No more hiding away, shy, scared and uncertain. The fun loving slightly mad mum we both remember when growing up came back. And that was thanks to Paul.

So, all I want to say is thank you to Paul for making our mum so happy and Grace, Luke and I wish you both so much love and happiness together.

Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glass for the bride and groom, Paul and Joanne!"

Joanne found tears in her eyes as they were toasted by their guests. James hugged them both before taking his seat once more. Next, it was Paul's turn.  He kissed Joanne's hand then stood up. Stella cheered her dad and he waved to his three daughters sat close by.

"Ladies and Gentleman, I can't believe it! We're finally married.

Marrying Joanne has been something I've wanted to do probably from the day I met her, if I'm honest. That is a day I'll never forget. I spotted Joanne stood outside my house on a very cold October day! To this day, I still don't know why I decided to go out to her or, even more strange, invite her inside my house for coffee and cake! I'm glad I did though! 

Joanne has often told me that I saved her from the dark, lonely world she had retreated into after her husband Rob died. I understood immediately what she meant as I had done the exact same thing when I lost my wife Linda. I feel priviledged because Jo and I, we both carried grief which we shared in a way I have never shared with anyone except her to this day! Slowly, she made me believe that it was OK to enjoy life again, to like the company of others again and ultiately, I fell in love with this wonderful woman.

It's been a tricky road for us both. Meeting each other's children didn't go quite as planned and we almost parted because of it. Thankfully, Jo felt our relationship was worth working on and I was the happiness man on earth the day I asked her to marry me and she said yes.

Then she nursed me through my illness, only to find herself in the same position just a few weeks later when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember the terror of her diagnosis and treatment. The fear I could loose another woman I loved to this disease! But my Jo was one of the lucky ones. It had been caught early and she was able to make a full recovery. I knew then I was lucky too!

Going through this, we both realised that life as too short to hang around. So when Jo announced she wanted to get married at 4.26am on Christmas morning, I knew she was right!"

He turned to Joanne. "So Joanne, here we are, on that day you and I have wanted so much. I want to tell you how much I love you and how much you mean to me. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife and for making me the happiest man on earth."

He turned back to the listening guests.   

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please raise your glasses and toast the woman I love, Joanne, The new Mrs McCartney!"

Joanne stood up next to Paul as he kissed her as their guests toasted and cheered them!