To Have And To Hold

22 - Vows and Validation

It was when they reached the altar that Joey began to feel the nerves radiating off of Lauren. She was looking down at the floor, her hands slack in his, and as nervous as he was Joey pushed everything else out of his mind other than her. He squeezed her hands, forcing her to look up at him, and smiled reassuringly. It was like she forgot about everyone else there, and it was just the two of them. Her eyes lit up as she smiled and she interlocked their fingers, taking a minute step closer to him.

Joey barely listened to any of the necessary preamble: he was busy rehearsing his vows in his head. When it came time to say them, he had to try a couple of times to get the words out, choked up with emotion as he was.

"Lo, you are one of the most incredible people I have ever been lucky enough to have in my life. From the moment we met I knew you were someone special, but I never would have guessed that you would become my entire world." 

He had to fight not to get caught up in her eyes as they looked at him with total adoration. "You're there for me in all the good times and all the bad times, and I'll always be here to do the same for you. I'm so lucky to have you to support me. In nearly every decision I make, whether that be in terms of my career or my personal life, I know you'll be right behind me. I couldn't ask for a better mother to my child," he grinned, "or a better life partner. I am so much happier with you by my side, you face life with so much compassion and determination and laughter and it makes me want to be an even better person. And I am so excited to hang out with you forever."

He finally breathed, feeling as though it was a miracle that he managed to get through his vows without breaking down.

"Oh god," Lauren murmured, tilting her head back as she extracted her hands from his and tried to wipe away her tears without smudging her makeup. She steadied herself, rolling her eyes at Joey's apologetic smile, and then took his hands again to begin her own vows.

"I will always be so grateful for you," she began. She opened her mouth to continue and had to close it again, trying to smile even as her eyes welled up. She took a deep breath and managed to carry on. "Because you came into my life at just the right time. You fill every day with so much joy, and laughter, and love." Her voice was shaky with emotion but as she carried on determinedly, Joey felt faint with pride for her.

"You are so wonderful to me, and Diane, and all our foster babies. You're one of the most incredible people I know, and everything you do is for us which makes me feel so lucky to have you. Thank you for being the tester of all my baking. Thank you for not getting mad at me when I don't listen to half your stories. Thank you for being so amazing, JoJo. You make me so much more appreciative of every day. I can't think of anyone I'd rather do life with."

Joey heard sniffles from the guests and felt a lot less self conscious about the tears rolling down his own face. He blinked them away as best he could, Lauren drifting out of then into focus. 

"I, Joey, take you, Lauren, to be my wife," he said on cue. "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, till death do us part." All things they'd done for each other already, and things they'd unfailingly continue to do for each other as long as they both lived.

"I, Lauren, take you, Joey, to be my husband," she repeated. "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, till death do us part." They squeezed each other's hands even tighter, not letting go until they had to exchange rings. 

To Joey's immense relief, his hands didn't fumble once. The tiny stone in Lauren's ring caught the light as he slid it onto her finger, and he looked up to meet her eyes with an awed smile. He dipped her to kiss her for just a moment, before he pulled her up into a crushing hug, her feet leaving the floor. When they pulled back to look at each other, they couldn't help but laugh, the sound containing unadulterated joy.

They walked back down the aisle in a whirlwind of cheers and applause, Lauren clutching Joey's hand the whole time, and then they were in the car on the way to the reception, basking in their newly wed status. Joey couldn't quite believe this day was here, but it was one he would never forget.

He raised Lauren's hand to his lips to kiss the back of it. "Here's to us."

"Here's to us," she replied, his own happiness reflected back at him in her eyes. "I love you."

"You did just marry me," he reminded her with a grin.

"Don't make me change my mind."

"How dare you, Lopez," he said, clutching his heart.

She gave him a disarming smile. "Lopez-Richter." 

Joey's heart was fit to burst with happiness, and he leaned forward to kiss her. They were finally the family they were always meant to be.

A/N The amount of proposals and vows and speeches I've written for these two is unbelievable. On another note, Joey's birthday post was pretty okay huh?