Chapter Fourteen

Stephen

I woke up, still in disbelief that my wedding day had finally come.

Clint was the one to rouse me, insisting I had to leave the floor and head to his and Mia's room. The girls had made it clear they didn’t want me catching a glimpse of my bride-to-be before the ceremony.

I gathered my things and sent a quick message to my girl for her to find when she woke up.

Stephen

Good morning my beautiful wife to be, I can't wait to see you. I love you xx

I grabbed my stuff and headed out with Clint, suggesting we grab some coffee on the way.

“So, how are you feeling, bro?” he asked.

“I can't wait,” I admitted.

“That's my boy. Seeing Mia walk down the aisle, knowing she was about to be my wife, was the best moment of my life. You deserve this, mate. Enjoy it.”

“Thanks, bro,” I replied. “Soon you'll have another moment to add to that when she has your child.”

“I still can't quite believe it. Seeing that little peanut on the ultrasound... it felt like everything in my life finally made sense.”

I smiled at my friend, looking forward to experiencing that moment myself.

We reached Clint's room and relaxed with our coffees, waiting for Dave to arrive.

After about ninety minutes of chatting and watching some sports, Dave showed up and announced it was time to get ready.

I headed to the shower, taking the time to relax and clear my head. The excitement for the day was starting to build now that it was time to get ready.

We each took turns in the bathroom, getting cleaned up and dressed.

Finally, I was dressed and ready to go. I turned to the guys, “So, what do you think?”

“My boy!” Clint clapped his hands together and whistled. “Looking sharp.”

“Ready to do this, boss?” Dave asked.

I grinned. “I’ve been ready for this, mate.”

Trinity

The girls had told me to be up by seven. I was a bit nervous but mostly excited to see my soon-to-be husband.

I spent a good amount of time in the shower, calming my nerves and preparing myself for the day. I got out around 7:30 AM.

I dried off and went to my room, picking up my phone to find a message from Stephen. I quickly sent one back.

Trinity

Good morning my soon to be handsome husband, I love you and can't wait to see your gorgeous self at the alter xxx

Soon after, the girls arrived with the hairdresser and makeup artist, and of course, coffee! A true blessing!

The hairdresser started on Mia's hair.

Even though Felicity wasn’t part of the bridal party, I wanted her to feel included. So, I arranged for her to have her hair and makeup done with us. The makeup artist started on Felicity.

Once they were done, they switched girls and continued their work. I watched as the girls were pampered and transformed into the goddesses I knew they were.

As they were nearing completion, I got Mia's dress out for her.

“Oh my, that’s stunning,” Felicity gasped. “That color is breathtaking.”

“Right?” Mia agreed. “I couldn’t believe it when she showed me, just stunning!”

“All right, stop you two,” I interrupted. “I’m feeling highly emotional today and if you keep at it, I’ll start crying.”

“Well, I’m highly hormonal,” Mia added. “So don’t start, because then I’ll cry too.”

“I’m a woman at a wedding,” Felicity said. “That’s a valid excuse for a good cry at any point in life.”

We all laughed and I swapped places with the girls. They went to get changed while I got my hair and makeup done.

After an hour, they were finally finished and it was time for me to get changed. I stepped into the bathroom and slipped into my dress.

Thankfully, it had a side zipper so it wasn’t too much of a hassle to do up.

Once I was dressed, I asked the girls if they were ready and walked out.

“Well?” I asked, spinning around for them.

“Oh my God! Babe, you’re effortlessly beautiful. Stephen is going to lose his shit.”

Felicity nodded. “Wow! You’re a goddess, girl.”

“You’re missing one thing, though,” Mia said.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“These,” Mia said, handing me my bouquet.

Just then, Luke walked into the room.

“Bestie! My God, you’re a ~vision~,” he said. “Sweetheart, you look just… wow. I really have no words to do you justice right now. That is one lucky man out there waiting for you.”

I pulled Luke into a warm hug, whispering to him how much I loved him. We held each other tight for a moment.

“You ready to go get you a husband then, babes?”

“I’ve never been more ready,” I said.

Luke said he had already checked and the boys had left thirty minutes ago, so we were clear to head down.

When I got outside, I was taken aback. I couldn’t believe it.

“Who…?” I blinked. “Are you guys serious?”

“You can thank your husband for that after the wedding,” Luke said, winking.

“I can’t believe he remembered!” I squealed.

Sitting in the driveway, ready to take me to my wedding, was the car of my dreams; the new 2019 Ford Shelby GT 500.

The driver got out and opened the back door for me. Luke came around the other side and Felicity and Mia got in a car behind us.

“Are you ready, beautiful?” he asked.

“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life,” I said.

He grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly as we sped off toward my future husband.

We pull up to the venue, and I catch sight of the altar. It’s as breathtaking as I’d pictured it in my mind.

He’d truly outdone himself with the planning.

***

Stephen

Her car pulls up, and my heart kicks into overdrive. Clint, Dave, and I head to the front, following our guests as they find their seats.

“You holding up, boss?” Dave checks in.

“You’ve got this, man,” Clint encourages.

“I’ve got this. She’s all I need.”

The music starts, and my heart feels like it might burst.

Mia walks down the aisle first, and I glance at Clint. He’s grinning from ear to ear. They can’t take their eyes off each other.

It takes me back to their wedding day.

The officiant asks everyone to rise. Luke, part of her bridal party, will be walking my girl down the aisle in place of her parents.

I straighten up and turn towards her. The moment I see her, my heart skips a beat.

I can’t breathe, and I can’t tear my eyes away from her.

Her grace, her beauty, her poise—she’s my everything. I feel tears welling up, and I don’t care who sees.

This girl stops my heart in every sense of the phrase.

Our eyes lock, and we can’t look away.

I’m oblivious to everyone else.

She smiles at me, and we lose ourselves in each other's gaze.

A tear trickles down my cheek, and I wipe it away.

As she gets closer, my heart pounds in my chest. I’m humbled by this moment.

I feel like a mere mortal in the presence of this goddess, unworthy of her.

How I got so lucky to be chosen by her, to be worthy of her heart and her love, is something I’ll always be grateful for.

When they finally reach me, the officiant asks who gives this woman away.

“I do,” Luke says. He kisses Trinity’s cheek gently before taking his place next to Mia.

We exchange loving smiles, and I reach up to caress her cheek.

“Hi, beautiful,” I whisper.

“Hi, baby.”

“You’re truly a goddess.”

Her cheeks flush beautifully, and another tear slips down my cheek. She reaches up to wipe it away with her soft hand.

“Please be seated,” the officiant tells the crowd.

“First, I’d like to welcome everyone and thank you all for being here on this joyous day.”

“Each of you is here today because you hold a special place in the lives of Stephen and Trinity.”

“I can’t think of a better place than this paradise for an occasion that’s not only monumental for the couple but for all of us who are fortunate enough to know and love them.”

“Not just as individuals, but as a perfect pair,” the officiant says, smiling.

I take my girl’s hand and gently rub her knuckles with my thumb.

The officiant continues, “The most remarkable moment in life is when you meet the person who makes you feel complete. The person who makes the world a beautiful and magical place.”

“The person with whom you share a bond so special that it transcends normal relationships and becomes something so pure and so wonderful, that you can't imagine spending another day of your life without them.”

“For Stephen, that happened about twenty-five years ago when he met his best man Clint, and they became like brothers, or sometimes overgrown kids if you were to ask Trinity and Clint's wife, Mia.”

Everyone laughs. Clint always had a way of putting his own spin on things, even the vows.

“But about eighteen months ago,” the officiant continues, “Stephen met Trinity, who is also pretty wonderful.”

“I know from speaking with their friends and loved ones how deeply these two care for and love one another.”

“I feel privileged to be here today among all of you as a witness of their commitment to a lifetime of love for one another.”

“Now Stephen and Trinity have asked that I keep this speech short, classy, and family-friendly, and politely asked me to leave out stories that are unflattering to either of them.”

“So I had to cross out stories provided by Clint, like the infamous Kitchen Saga.”

My girl turns bright red, and we all burst out laughing.

I swear Clint is going to pay for that later when she gets her chance.

I hear him roaring with laughter behind me, and I can't help but join in.

“These two are a perfect pair because they complement each other so well. They balance each other, and while each of them is a fantastic individual, together they’re even better.”

“And being better together, as a team, a unit, is what has been so long in the making and ultimately leads us to be here today, witnessing their commitment to one another in front of those they love most.”

“I wish I could tell you a single story about Stephen and Trinity that summarizes their relationship and how they enrich each other's lives, and the lives of each of us…”

“But the truth is, there is not one single event that is a good encapsulation of what they mean to each other and all of us.”

“But what I do know is that both of them care deeply and passionately for each other, they protect each other, they make each other laugh and think outside themselves.”

“That time magically seems to fly and slow down when they are together. They help each other in ways that are obvious and unnoticed but always appreciated. So without further ado…”

“Dearly beloved and honored guests, we’re gathered together here to join Stephen and Trinity in the union of Marriage.”

“This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of the lifelong obligation and responsibility.”

“The bride and groom have each prepared vows that they will read now. Stephen will go first.”

I clear my throat and look deeply into the eyes of the woman I love.

“Trinity, because of you, I laugh, I smile, I dare to dream again.”

“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, taking care of you, supporting you, and being there for you through everything life throws our way. I promise to be faithful and true for as long as we both shall live.”

“I choose you as my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I don’t yet know.”

“I’m excited for the chance to grow together, to get to know the woman you’ll become, and to fall in love with you a little more each day.”

“I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us. You’re my best friend, my lover, my soulmate, and I will always love and respect you.”

I look at my girl and see the tears in her eyes. I mouth the words I love you as a tear rolls down my own face. She gently brushes her fingers against mine.

“Stephen, if you ever grow weak, I’ll be there to fight your battles for you. I’ll help you with your responsibilities and make your problems my own to lighten your load.”

“If you have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, I’ll be standing right there with you.”

“From this day forward, I promise these things: I’ll laugh with you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow. I’ll share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals.”

“I’ll listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I’ll help you when you need it and step aside when you don’t.”

“I’ll remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You’re my best friend, my lover, my soulmate, and I will always love and respect you.”

I grip her hands a little tighter as she mouths back to me I love you. Her tears start to fall, and I catch them with my fingers.

The officiant steps toward us once again and smiles.

“Stephen, do you take Trinity to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others, and holding only onto her forevermore?”

“I do,” I say.

“Trinity, do you take Stephen to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others, and holding only onto him forevermore?”

Trinity nods. “I do.”

“Stephen and Trinity will now exchange rings as a symbol of love and commitment to each other,” the officiant explains.

“Rings are a precious commitment to each other. They’re made of precious metal, but they’re made even more precious by you wearing them. Your wedding rings are special—they enhance who you are.”

“They mark the beginning of your long journey together. Your wedding ring is a circle—a symbol of love that never ends. It’s the seal of the vows you’ve just taken to love each other without end.”

He motions to me now. “Stephen, please place the ring on Trinity's left hand and repeat after me: ~as a sign of my love~…”

“As a sign of my love that I’ve chosen you, above all else. With this ring, I thee wed.”

I gently slide the ring onto her beautiful finger and hold her hand tightly, looking into her beautiful, loving eyes.

“Trinity, please place the ring on Stephen's left hand and repeat after me: ~as a sign of my love~…”

“As a sign of my love that I’ve chosen you, above all else. With this ring, I thee wed.”

She slides the ring onto my finger and for the first time in my life, I feel complete. Everything in this world that matters to me is now my wife.

“To make your relationship work will take love,” the officiant says. “Keep dating each other. Take time to show each other that your love and marriage grow stronger with time.”

“It will take trust to know that in your hearts, you truly want what’s best for each other. It will take dedication to stay open to one another, and to learn and grow together.”

“It will take loyalty to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment to hold true to the journey you’ve both pledged today.”

“And now, by the power vested in me by the State of Illinois, it’s my honor and delight to declare you married. Go forth and live each day to the fullest.”

He smiles, looking between the two of us. “You may seal this declaration with a kiss.”

I gently touch my beautiful girl's cheek and whisper to her, “Hi, wife.”

Trinity blushes, a beautiful smile spreading across her face. “Hi, husband.”

I pull her close to me and gently cup her soft cheeks in both hands as my lips meet hers.

My tongue softly nudges at her bottom lip and she opens, accepting me as I bend her back and kiss her with all the passion I have for her.

Time stops as I get lost in this magnificent woman, my wife.

I slowly bring her back up, holding her like the delicate goddess she is, staring deep into her soul as she gets lost in mine in return.

“I’m pleased to present to you all Mr. and Mrs. Gotti!”