One Night in New York

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Have you ever experienced intense emotion as your heart beats faster at the sight of your soul mate? What would the next chapter of our lives entail, and where would we go from there? Will he keep his word and be by my side until the day I die? All of those questions fade away as you move closer to them, leaping, in this thing we call life. I was about to jump the farthest I'd ever jumped, and I was prepared to dive in headfirst.

It was finally time. Everything I had gone through that year had brought me to this point. As we stood at the top of the stairs, I clutched my father's arm tightly. The aroma of a thousand roses filled the air as beautiful twinkling lights hung from the ceiling. It was my turn to make my entrance as everyone took their places in our honor. One of the best moments of my life was seeing my husband standing in front of me, eagerly awaiting my arrival, promising forever to each other.

I saw him as I rounded the corner on the spiral stairs. The man with whom I would spend the rest of my life. He wore a black tuxedo jacket with a satin peak lapel, black tuxedo pants, and a burnt orange tie that hung down his chest to match the orange stones on my shoes. He was the pinnacle of perfection, the only man I'd ever want, my rock and my everything. Aside from Connie, he was the reason I breathed, the daily motivation for me to be the best wife and mother for him and our daughter.

We both focused on each other as I pretended he was the only person in the room, convinced he felt the same way I did. Everyone seemed to vanish from their seats as my attention was drawn solely to him. It hit me as I looked over to Connie, who was nestling her head against my sister, feeling more love than I had ever felt before. We were about to become a complete family of three, and we were only hoping for the best.

"A few more steps to go, Natalie, and then he is yours forever," I told myself, continuing toward him.

We finished our descent as my father led me to the officiant, where my husband was waiting, and I placed my hand in Liams'. Our gazes locked once more, not only seeing but also feeling the love we shared, and then it was time.

"Who gives this woman to this man before us tonight," the officiant began.

"We all do," my father stated as he turned to all in attendance.

Everyone sat in their seats, weeping because my father had chosen everyone to be the ones to give us away. It was a heartfelt moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

The officiant began the traditional introduction of Liam and myself, followed by the vows, which I had long anticipated. We wanted to mean what we were about to say because we were about to give ourselves completely to one another. This is what was said after we decided to write our vows.

Liam: "You walked into my life, Natalie Carter, and changed me in ways I never imagined possible. You have opened my eyes and convinced me that everyone is capable of loving. Things were shaky at first, but I never gave up, and you never let me. As we travel down this road called life, I promise to love you every day, for the rest of our lives, never leaving your side, no matter where it takes us. I promise to love you in sickness and in health and to hold your hand through the difficult times we may face on our journey. You have given me the greatest gift I could have ever asked for, completing our little family, and I promise to cherish that for the rest of my life. I admire your heart and beauty, and as time catches up with us, I will love you even more because every sign of our aging will be a sign that we have come so far. I promise to never love another or give in to temptation because I know I will never have a desire for anyone else. Natalie, you have my heart yesterday, today, and forever. I absolutely love you to heaven and back."

Natalie: "Liam Taylor, I never expected someone as wonderful as you to enter my life. I couldn't believe you picked me at first, but you did, and I want to thank you for never giving up on me. Your persistence and charm initially won me over, but your heart won me over for good. I promise to listen to you even if I am convinced that I am correct. To not rush through the moments in our lives and to take the time every day to show you how much I love you. As we continue on our journey together, I pledge to keep my word in everything I promise, to encourage you even when you feel defeated, and to respect the sanctity of our marriage until the day we die. Liam, I'll hold your hand until the end, never letting go, even when things get tough. I will be your rock and someone you can rely on for the rest of our lives. I promise to love you and never let it fade as long as I have breath in my lungs and you by my side. I promise to be the best mommy and wife. You will be my one and only until the day I die. I love you to heaven and back."