The Days To Come

chp. 46

*13 weeks and 2 days later* (May 26)

Cayla's pov:

Today was finally the big day. The day that I get married to Zachary. I sat in the building of the place that we were getting married at, getting ready. I put on my white off-the-shoulder dress as the curling iron heated up. Megan and Hope came in from the venue, where they were doing the centerpieces. Faith zipped up the back of my dress, as Hope got ready to do my makeup. As Hope did my makeup, Megan curled my hair, before spraying it with hairspray. My mom came inside from where she had been setting up the memory table where the guests checked in.

*2 hours later*

I stood at the end of the walkway, as my bridesmaids walked down the aisle. The music then started, and Brandon, my older brother, walked me down the aisle. Once we got to the alter, he lifted my veil, placing it behind my hair. Zach already had tears in his chocolate brown eyes. 

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses, to join Cayla Elizabeth Harder and Zachary Alexander Baer in matrimony commended to be honorable among all; and therefore is not to be entered into lightly but reverently, passionately, lovingly, and solemnly. Into these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together- let them speak now or forever hold their peace," the preacher said.

"I, Cayla Elizabeth Harder take you Zachary Alexander Baer as my husband, because I choose you. To stand by your side and sleep in your arms. To be joy to your heart and food for your soul. To learn with you and grow with you, even as time and life change us both. I promise to laugh with you in good times and struggle alongside you in bad times. I promise to respect you and cherish you as an individual, a partner, and an equal, knowing that we do not complete, but complement each other. May we have many adventures and grow old together," I said, putting the gold band onto his finger. 

Zachary's Pov:

"I, Zachary Alexander Baer take you Cayla Elizabeth Harder to be my wife, because now we will feel no rain, for each of us will be a shelter for the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of us will be a companion to the other. There is only one life before us, and our seasons will be good and long. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you, no matter what lies before us for as long as we both shall live," I said, sliding the rose gold crown ring onto her ring finger. 

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the preacher said, before Cayla and I kissed. 

We walked down the aisle hand in hand, heading to where we were having food.

Joseph's pov:

Now all of us, except for Faith were married. We sat at the front table, waiting as everybody filled into the other tables. The caterer's came out, placing the food onto the table, before taking off the aluminum foil. We were having pasta, since it's Cayla's favorite food. Once everybody was sat down, the announcer let the head table go first to get our pasta. Cayla, of course, got the chicken alfredo, with sauce made my our mom, of course.

*5 hours later*

Megan, Sydney, and I were currently on the way home from my sister's wedding. We were all tired since it was a long day. I pulled into the driveway, parking the car. Megan carried  Sydney into the house, taking her upstairs. I ran up the stairs, peeling my shirt off as Megan shut Sydney's door. I threw my shirt into the laundry basket, heading to our bathroom. I started the bathtub, making sure that the water was warm and not burning hot. I gently placed a glittery blue bath bomb into the tub, before going to find Megan.

I found her looking for something of mine to change into in our closet. I gently grabbed her hand in mine, taking her to the bathroom. As she undressed herself, I took the lighter out of the drawer, lighting the candles that were sitting on the side of the tub. Megan slowly got in, and I slid in behind her after I took my pants off. I gently poured water into her hair, before I put shampoo into her hair, scrubbing it in. 

Elizabeth's pov:

I helped clean up after my daughter's wedding, taking down the memorial table. I gently placed the pictures of my husband into the box, before shutting it. I took the box out to my car, placing it on the floor of the backseat. A lot of days, I miss my husband but it's slowly getting better even though it's already been ten years since he passed. I got into my car, driving home from the wedding venue. Once I got home, I took the box of pictures back upstairs, placing it into the corner of my closet. Honestly, I think Austin would be proud to see all five of our kids happy and excelling so well. I fixed the shelf off his things that was in the closet, straightening it up.

Faith's Pov:

I took off my bridesmaids dress, changing into an olive green dress. I got into Preston's car, and he drove us home to our apartment. once we got home, I changed out of my dress into a pair of pajamas since it was getting pretty late. I climbed into bed, plugging my phone in beside me, placing it on top of my nightstand. Preston slid under the covers, wrapping his arms around me. I laid there for what felt like hours, before finally falling asleep.