His Only Savior | #Wattys2019

Chapter 29

3 Years Later

"On behalf of Isaac and Emily, I welcome you and thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful fall day to witness their childhood promise to one another become a lifelong commitment."  My breath was uneven, my palms sweaty.  "Marriage is the promise between two people who love each other, and who trust in that love.  This ceremony will not create a relationship that does not already exist between you but will become a symbol of how far you have come these past few years.  It is the symbol of the promise you both made so many years ago, when you were still naive children learning to navigate the world.  Since then that promise has blossomed into so much more.  It is the promise that has led you both out of the darkest of times."

Isaac's eyes glistened with moisture as we turned to face one another, my heart pounding within its confines.  Desperate to break free.

"It is my understanding that you both have prepared your own vows, so Isaac we'll have you start."  Charles grinned as he placed his hand on Isaac's shoulder encouragingly.

When he took my hands in his I realized he was shaking just as violently as I.  The smile he wore tender.  "Fuck," he laughed nervously.  "I don't even know where to start.  I don't deserve to be standing here with you that's for damn sure, but I am.  I have made so many mistakes in my life but loving you was never one of them. I knew I wanted you the first time I saw you. You rode your bike past my house and just smiled at me, and I knew right you were the girl for me."   He released a shaky breath when he realized he had been holding it in.  He turned towards Sean, who took the honor of being his best man, to retrieve the ring.  Holding up his mother's wedding band to my hand, his hands trembling.  "I just have one question, are you sure you still want to finish out this crazy journey with me by your side?"

"I am."  My face lit up as he slid the ring onto my finger.  My lifetime dream becoming a reality.  "It's my turn I assume."

"You assume correctly," Charles laughed from beside us.

I gave him a sideways glance before returning my doting gaze to Isaac.  "I love you more than I have loved anyone, despite everything.  There have been things that have held us apart, even you have held us apart.  I know you felt you were doing what was best, but you have always been worth every risk.  I have always stayed true to our promise and I will continue to every single day.  Isaac Holland it will forever be you and I, through thick and thin, together until the very end."  Becca tapped my shoulder stealing my attention, handing me a simple matte black band.  "There are so many promises this ring symbolizes to me, many of which we discuss daily.  So, I just have one question, do you promise to live by those promises every day as I do?"

"I do."  My heart raced as I placed the ring upon his finger.

"Well it's about damn time am I right people?"  Charles' words were drowned out by the applause of our closest family and friends.  "Well then by the power vested in me by the state of California I now pronounce you husband and wife.  Kiss your bride man!"

With one hand Isaac gripped my waist tightly while the other tenderly snaked its way around my neck, the contrast electric.  When he captured my lips in his own, I could feel the smile that was permanently placed upon his face.  "I love you," he whispered against the delicate flesh of my lips before deepening the kiss.  This was happiness.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, can I have your attention please?"  Charles' voice rang through the speakers.  "For the first time as husband and wife let me introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Holland!"

"You ready?"  Isaac rubbed his thumb lovingly over my hand as I adjusted my dress with my free hand.

"Not really," I laughed nervously.  "This is our first and last night to spend together as husband and wife before you ship out for eight months."  My heart ached when his expression turned to that of shame.  "Hey, hey look at me."  Placing my palm gently against his cheek I forced him to meet my eyes.  "I love you.  Eight months apart knowing you are mine forever is better than a lifetime without you.  I knew what I was signing up for.  Let's just enjoy tonight."  

He nodded his head, a single tear escaping those tender ocean blue eyes.

I wiped it away with an encouraging smile.  "They're waiting for us, come on."  Tugging lightly on his hand I forced his feet to move, dragging him into the reception tent that was elegantly decorated.  The round guest tables circled around the dance floor, large floral center pieces placed at the center of each one.  The sunflowers and baby breaths beautifully accenting the other, an exceptional example that simple can sometimes be the most stunning.

Everyone erupted in an applause as they stood to welcome us.  My hand tightened around Isaac's in an attempt to ground myself, it all felt serene.  I wanted to spend this moment with our family and friends, but I also wanted him all to myself.  We slowly made our way up to the head table to find our seats, sitting for the first time as husband and wife.  It all felt so serene, I breathed out nervously trying to convince myself I wouldn't wake up and realize it was all a dream.  Reminding myself this was in fact my reality.  I was officially married to the love of my life, and he had finally made the decision to choose me every single day. He made the decision to love me fiercely.

The reception went smoothly.  Becca and Sean gave phenomenal speeches that really depicted the strength of our love.  Then came our parents' speeches, all of which brought me to tears.  For the first time publicly Isaac's father, Matt, spoke about his struggle with alcoholism and how I had saved him from himself and ultimately saved Isaac as well.  My heart was full when he held up his three-year sobriety chip, tears of pride and joy making their great escape down his cheeks.  Isaac cried silently next to me, proud of his father's accomplishment.  The greatest decision I had ever made was choosing to walk into that house alone.  If I hadn't, we never had reached that moment.  The moment the man of my dreams became my husband.

Towards the end of the night I snuck away with my mom and Becca so I could change out of my wedding gown.  Looking in the mirror I removed the pins from my hair, while Becca tucked my dress into the bridal box.

"You really do love him, don't you?"  My mom queried from the chair beside the vanity.

"I really, really do."  I smiled as I glanced at her reflection, our eyes meeting.  My heart twisted in knots at the sight of tears streaming her face.  "Are you okay mama?"

"I'm just happy, I know how long you have dreamed of this day.  I can recall a time when you cried thinking it would never come.  I just worry is all, I don't ever want to see your heart broken like that again."  She wiped the tears as she grabbed my jacket off the back of the chair. "You ready for tonight?"

"More than ready, I have wanted him to myself all night," I beamed with excitement.

"You deserve it," Becca chimed in as she handed me my helmet.  "Just know we are always here for you.  I know his last tour was hard on you, but you have us.  All of us."

"You have no idea how much that means, I love you both so much."  The tears broke free again, as my mom and Becca engulfed me in a hug.  They walked me out, hand in hand, to meet Isaac and our guests outside.

Gabriel was the first to greet me, "I love you sweetheart.  Be safe and we will see you tomorrow night."

I smiled wrapping my arms snuggly around his shoulders.  "I love you too, dad.  Thank you for everything," I whispered trying to hold back the tears before continuing my goodbyes.

Matt was the next in line and he pulled me in for a hug, his shoulders convulsing as a result of his unsteady breathing. "You are the best thing in that boy's life, I hope he never forgets that."

"As long as I have you on my side he never will."  I kissed his cheek before detaching myself from him to make my way to Isaac who sat on his black Harley.  "Hey there."

"You ready?" He smirked.

"As long as I have you, I'm ready for anything." After mounting the bike, I pulled the helmet on and secured the chin strap.  I waved one last time before wrapping my arms around his waist, burying my face into his neck.  "I love you Isaac Holland."

"—and I love you Emily Holland."  The engine revved to life as he glanced back placing a gentle kiss upon my forehead.  "More than you will ever know."