60 days flew past.
Tomorrow was the big day and Rose and Lannan were staying at the venue in separate rooms.
Neither one was asleep, Lannan drinking a beer with his brother, who was trying to give him drunken advice on marriage and Rose, who was sitting on the floor of the suite, writing her vows.
Despite their separate rooms and distractions, their minds were focused on each other.
Lan: I cant wait for tomorrow
Rose: I wish I could see you
Lan: It's just 12 hours, my love
Rose: goodnight don't get too drunk with jarrad love u
Lan: love u too
Rose unfolded herself from the floor, walking to the closet and unzipping the bag with her dress in it.
She let her fingers run down the bodice, shaking slightly.
Tomorrow would be the day she married Lannan.
All the hard parts of their relationship had paved the road to this point.
All of the best moments and all of the worst moments were culminating into one day when they'd pledge to stay with each other forever.
The thought was almost too overwhelming to think about.
Forever.
It wasn't that Rose wasn't ready to commit to Lannan forever.
It was more the thought of him one day deciding that forever was too long.
Pushing that thought far away, she zipped up the dress bag and climbed into bed.
She stared at the ceiling for nearly two hours until she fell asleep.
Lannan fell into a deep sleep the moment his head hit the pillow.
The morning began early, Tannar, Cara, Grace and Kath waking her up at exactly 7am with a makeup artist, hair stylist and champagne.
The wedding planner they had hired buzzed in and out of the room as she oversaw the set up going on outside.
Surprisingly, despite how apprehensive she had felt the night before, Rose was nothing but excited for the day ahead of her.
For a moment she stared into the mirror, the natural makeup accenting her brown eyes and saw a glow that had nothing to do with the makeup or the champagne.
Then, before she knew it, she was being helped into her dress and heels and having a bouquet handed to her.
One last spritz of hairspray and her mother's delicate necklace gently placed around her neck finished the getting ready process.
Grace stood in awe in the corner of the bridal suite, looking at her aunt, "Auntie Rose, you look like a fairy."
"And you look like a princess, Gracie." Rose smiled at her favorite girl.
"It's time, sis." Cara took her arm and helped her out the door to the ceremony area.
The other girls began their walks down the aisle towards Lannan and the waiting groomsmen.
Rose had asked Cara to walk her down the aisle shortly after Lannan had proposed.
There was no one else she would want to be by her side.
Grace skipped down the aisle, haphazardly throwing rose petals in the air. Despite the many lessons on sprinkling the flower petals, Grace couldn't help herself.
The music changed and the guests stood.
Rose and Cara made their entrance, slowly walking together, arm in arm.
The moment Lannan saw Rose, a few tears welled in his eyes.
She was absolutely ethereal and seemed to be floating down the aisle.
He discreetly tried to wipe away the tears, a move forever immortalized by the flash of a photographer's camera.
After what seemed like an eternity of walking towards him, Rose reached the end of the aisle.
Lannan met them there, offering his arm to Rose and leading her the rest of the way to the front.
"Hey," He whispered to her.
"Hi," She giggled back.
"Hello, friends and family of Lannan and Rose. We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Eacott and Jamison. Rose and Lannan have decided to write their own vows." The officiant stepped back, gesturing at Lannan. "Lannan, you may begin."
"Rose. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were my future. I learn from you every day of my life." He paused for a moment, choking up slightly with emotion, "You are everything to me. I promise to be by your side in all the trials and tribulations of life for as long as I am breathing." Rose gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I want you to know that you are the one great love of my life and when you walk into a room, I see no one else. I cannot wait for the rest of our lives together. Thank you for choosing to love me, then, today, and forever."
Rose sniffled and Cara handed her a tissue subtly.
"Rose?" The officiant prompted her.
"Lannan. Life has thrown many curveballs my way, but you're the only one I didn't see coming. The moment our eyes met over the can of tomato sauce I couldn't reach, I knew I was in deep. I am so excited to start this next chapter of adventures together. I promise to always support you in anything you choose to do and to help you through the hard times. Thank you so much for being my rock and for being my lighthouse when I was lost. Everything always comes back to us and I am just so ready to jump into the rest of my life with you."
"Lannan, please repeat after me: I, Lannan Eacott, take you, Rose Jamison, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to true to you in sickness and health and in good times and in bad. I pledge to honor and love you all the days of my life."
"I, Lannan Eacott, take you, Rose Jamison, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to true to you in sickness and health and in good times and in bad. I pledge to honor and love you all the days of my life." He slid the ring on her finger gently.
"Rose, please repeat after me: I, Rose Jamison, take you, Lannan Eacott, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to true to you in sickness and health and in good times and in bad. I pledge to honor and love you all the days of my life."
"I, Rose Jamison, take you, Lannan Eacott, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to true to you in sickness and health and in good times and in bad. I pledge to honor and love you all the days of my life." She slid the gold wedding band on his finger.
"I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Rose met Lannan halfway, catching his lips in a searing kiss.
The guests cheered as Lannan held his fist up in celebration. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Eacott!"
