"Don't think about fainting because I'm not catching you."
"What kind of best man are you?"
"A smart one. Isabel is getting out of the car. Oh, wow, she’s gorgeous!"
"You're making me even more nervous, CJ."
"Look, I didn't tell you I forgot the wedding rings."
"What?"
"I’m kidding! I have them here."
" Idiot! You'll pay for this."
The bastard laughs winking at me.
When I hear them coming, I turn around. Seeing her so beautiful, I can't hold back the tears. I lift her veil and kiss her, causing my family and friends to laugh.
The mass is long, infinite. If it were up to me, I’d have gladly done without everything.
Looking into her shining eyes, I take her hand:
“In faith, honesty, and love, I take you, Isabel Barlow, to be my wedded wife, to share with you God's plan for our lives together united in Christ. And with God's help, to strengthen and guide me, I’ll be a strong spiritual leader for us in our lives, for better, for worse, in sickness, and in health, in joys, in sorrows, until death do we part. With this ring, I seal my vow of love to you and pray I may fulfill God's place in our home.”
I feel her tremble, and I know she’s excited. I just want her to understand that she’s mine. Her voice is broken by emotion, and her eyes are shining:
“In faith, honesty, and love, I take you, Nathan Weister, to be my wedded husband. I pledge to share with you God's plan for our lives together united in Christ. For better, for worse, in sickness and in health, in joys and in sorrows, until death do we part—I promise you all of this and more with God's help to strengthen and guide me as your supportive wife. I give you all that I have myself and my love. All these things I pledge to thee in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. With this ring, I seal my vow of love to you and pray I may fulfill God's place in our home.”
"You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide. Amen."
"Amen,” we say together, looking at each other.
It's done. She's mine, and she will be forever.
"Since you kissed the bride before the ceremony, I don't think you want to kiss her again, do you?" the priest asks me.
"You bet I want to kiss my wife," I reply as I kiss her, whispering, "I love you."
Chapter Twenty-Two
Isabel
The mass is exciting, more than I expected. I struggle to hold back tears, but in the end, I succeed.
We get into the limo to go to our party.
"You’re stunning, babe."
"So are you," I answer, leaning my forehead against his.
"You’re mine!"
"Only yours!" I answer while he kisses me.
"I have to tell you something."
"Me too."
