Breaking the Madness

Twenty-three - part one

A/N

Hey!! Thought I do something really special for this chapter.... Hope u like it :)

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Jen POV (told u it was special)

Today was the day. It was the day that most girls dream about from the moment they are old enough to understand. It was the day that I had dreamed about, even prayed for, yet never wanted.

It was my bonding day.

I know what your thinking, your thinking 'how can you pray for something yet dread it?' I can because, well, I'm just like everyone other girl, I dreamed of white dresses and a long path that my father would walk me down, giving me to the man that my heart would flutter at, that my soul screamed for.

Yes I was just like every other girl.

But. I didn't want it to go like this. I didn't want to meet some stranger one week, than marry him the next. I wanted an epic love story, you know, the I kind that they write about in books and a pictured on the big screen. I wanted to have that awkward first date that ends with him missing my face when he goes in for our first kiss. I wanted the experience of being him home to meet my parents for the first time. I wanted the thrilling excitement that would fill me up as he pulled at that shiny diamond ring. I wanted stories that I could tell our children about, that they could tell our grandchildren. I wanted the white picket fence with the golden retriever.

Instead I got an assumption that I would marry him instead of a proposal. I got a growl of 'mate' instead of a first date. I didn't have a story to tell, and the only dog around here was me.

Do t get me wrong, I love Jared. Well, I think I do anyway. I also incredibly happy to be marrying him, it just, I wanted to FALL in love with him, not just be in love. It kind of puts a downer on my little girl dreams.

But it doesn't matter now, I was here, in my flowy, white lace dress. The dress was beautiful with lace capped sleeves that fell off my shoulders highlighting the heart shaped neckline, the soft fabric hugged my body nicely. My hair was curled and pulled into an intricate design. I felt beautiful, the dress was everything I could have dreamed of.

My father walked over to me a stiff frown on his face. Would it kill him to smile on my special day?

"Are you ready?" he asked me, looping his arm through mine.

I nodded and turned my gaze to the fragile blonde in front of me. Anna was staring into the sky a little ok of awe on her face as she scratched at her wrists nervously. I wanted to hug her and forever keep that look of peace and awe on her face. I wanted to keep her safe from all the evil in this world, keep her innocent. However, I knew it would be a failure. Evil always had a way of seeping into the innocent of mind.

"Anna? Are you ready?" I asked her gently.

A grin spread across her elvish features as she looked at me, nodding her head enthusiastically. She pulled her hands together i front of her, holding a simple light pink rose.

She wore a a pale apricot coloured dress, that was high necked but fell to just above her knee. The dress was covered in a cream lace like mine. In her hair was a crown of small cream roses, her blonde hair fell around her waist in natural curls.

Anna truly was a beauty, it was a shame that she didn't see it.

The soft melody of 'Be Still' by The Fray started to play as I walked down the isle.

Left together, right together..... Was all I could think as we came into the view of the guests. People were staring I didn't like when people stared.

I looked up to the end of the isle, my eyes traveling over the men who stood near the arch in suits. Ben stood there a gigantic smile on his face as he watched me walk, I gave him a small smile that I think was more of a grimace because I was so nervous.

My gaze moved on from Ben and I focused on Jaiden. Unlike Ben he wasn't watching me, no, he was watching Anna. I smirked as I saw the look of a mortal adoring a goddess on his face. He looked like a man in love.

My eyes moved onto the next man and I think I almost fell over. Jared was waiting for me under the arch, his eyes held a light in them that I had never seen before, I could not look away. His eyes filled with tears as they peered into mine, I think I felt like the luckiest girl in the world at that moment. Screw what I said before about wishing that our love was epic.

This is epic love.

My heart was pounding in my chest all I could see, all I could feel was Jared. As I reached him and he took my hand in his as my father let go of me, I think my heart really did stop.

And really, if it did. I wouldn't be sad. People can only dream of dying in such a way.

The celebrant said a couple of thing that they always say at ceremonies as the music died down. I didn't care what she was saying, all I could think of was this incredible brown haired man in front of me.

The celebrant continued to talk as I continued to stare into Jared's eyes as he rubbed small circles into my hand. However, Jared soon cleared his throat and gave me a little nudge.

I frowned and looked up at the celebrant, she smile knowingly and whispered, "it's time to say your vows honey."

Vows? Oh, that's right vows. Hang on a second, I had forgetting the vows that I had learnt to say. Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap.

I was on the verge of bursting into tear when I remembered something Anna had said to me as I had been fussing over my vows. She told me that I should say exactly what I felt.

So that is what I did.

I looked Jared in the eyes and smiled,

"Jared Nicolaus Batterson, I promise to always love you. As sure as the stars shine at night, I will always love you.

Your love is like water. Formless. Shapeless. It is peaceful, strong and always just what I need.

You are my heart, my soul, my mate. I promise to honor you. I promise to support you. I vow to be your best friend, your love and just as importantly I promise that if there is ever a zombie apocalypse that you can count on my axe!

You are my heart and I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with you. Everything I am and have is yours. I love you for all of eternity and even if that were to end I will keep on loving you."

I finished, tears in my eyes as I slid his simple gold ring into his finger.

"Jenifer Rose Delacroix, in your eyes I have found my home.

In your heart, I have found my love.

In your soul, I have found my mate.

With you, I am whole, full, alive.

You make me laugh, you let me cry.

You are my breath, my every heartbeat.

I am your, you are mine.

Of this I am certain.

You are locked in my heart,

The key is lost.

You must stay there forever."

Jared slowly put my gold band into my fingers as he finished his vows.

Damn him, why did he have to be so poetic.

The celebrant smiled, "Do you Jared Nicolaus Batterson, take thee Jennifer Rose Delacroix to be your lawfully wedded wife and mate?"

"I do."

She turned to me, "Do you Jennifer Rose Delacroix, take thee Jared Nicolaus Batterson to be your lawfully wedded husband and mate?"

"I do"

"You may now kiss and Mark the bride!" The celebrant exclaimed.

My heart began to flutter again as Jared leaned towards my, gent placing his lips against mine. The crowd cheered as he moved his lips from my mouth to my neck, and bit me.

Marking me as his his for all of eternity.

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