The wedding
Vanessa stood before the mirror, and her reflection stared back at her. The wedding dress hugged her curves, fitting her figure perfectly, adding to her radiant beauty. Unlike the simple dress she had worn for her first wedding, this one was a masterpiece and she loved it.
She loves everything about her wedding. The circumstances surrounding this wedding are different from the previous one she had with Darryl. This one was real. No conditions, no contracts, just love. The love she thought she would never have in her life.
Darryl had showered her with love since they made their relationship official. The last few weeks was a dream come through for her. Darryl took her on tons of dates while they explored different cities together. A smile spread across her face as she thought about the journey that had brought her to this moment.
After Darryl’s coronation ceremony, his position as the successor of the company solidifies. Since then, he worked with less pressure, creating time to take her out. The best thing was that he had taken his time to plan their wedding because he was determined to make it a grand and unforgettable celebration. Darryl wanted the world to know that he had found his soulmate, the love of his life.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts and Vanessa’s maid of honor, Carolyn, entered with a bouquet of flowers. “I can’t believe I’m having flashbacks of my wedding.” Carolyn said, her eyes welling up with tears.
Vanessa’s smile broadened as she took the bouquet, inhaling the sweet fragrance of the flowers.
“You look stunning, Vanessa. I’m so happy for you.” Carolyn said, trying to stop herself from crying.
“You don’t want to ruin your makeup and the same applies to me. Don’t even think of crying.” Vanessa said, a gentle smile played on her face.
The whole thing was overwhelming, but she braced herself not to cry today, but Carolyn wasn’t helping much.
“I’m not crying, and I don’t have plans to cry, dear.” Carolyn retorted, playfully.
She sniffled, her eyeballs moving in her socket as she tried to stop the tears welling in her eyes.
“Let’s get the bride to the awaiting groom. Darryl can’t wait to see how stunning you look.” Carolyn said as she successfully controlled the tears in her eyes.
Vanessa smiled as she imagined Darryl’s face when she walked down the aisle. The faces of her family and friends cheering her flashed in her mind and happiness filled her heart. Today, she would marry the love of her life, surrounded by friends, family. With one final glance in the mirror, Vanessa took a deep breath, ready to walk down the aisle and begin her new life with Darryl.
******
Darryl couldn’t take his eyes off Vanessa as she worked towards the altar. His heart raced as he saw how stunning she looked in her wedding dress. He felt like the luckiest man alive to have a beautiful bride like Vanessa.
Time seemed to stop as Vanessa got closer to him, her beauty filled the surrounding air and nothing shone brighter than her.
A flicker of nervousness sparked on Vanessa’s face as she stopped in front of him. She flashed him a nervous smile as her eyes lingered on him.
“You are beautiful,” Darryl mouthed to her, causing the priest to call their attention by clearing his throat.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Vanessa and Darryl in holy matrimony.” The priest began the ceremony.
Facing Vanessa, the priest said. “Vanessa, do you take Darryl to be your wedded husband, to have and to hold him from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, and to love and to honor?”
Joy replaced the nervousness in Vanessa’s heart as she heard the priest. For a very long time, she had dreamed of taking this vow with someone she loved, and her dream was finally a reality as she answered the priest.
“I do.” she answered as she sparkled with joy.
After her answer, the priest turned his face to Darryl. “Darryl, do you take Vanessa to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold her from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, and to love and to cherish?”
Darryl, feeling like the luckiest man in the world, smiled as his eyes moved from the priest to Vanessa’s face. Everything about his demeanor was proof that he was madly in love with Vanessa.
“I do,” he said, his voice calm and gentle.
After Darryl’s answer, the priest continued, “Will you, Darryl and Vanessa, love and honor each other, as long as you both live?”
“We will.” Vanessa and Darryl echoed in unison as their eyes got lost in each other.
Darryl retrieved the ring from its case, handed to him by Dawson, his best man. As Darryl gently took Vanessa’s hand, her eyes locked onto his as anticipation gnawed at her.
Slowly, he slid the ring onto her finger, his touch sending shivers down her spine. As the ring settled on her finger, her gaze landed on the ring, and she realized that it was not the same as the one he had given her before. Unlike the old ring, the new ring was a platinum band, adorned with a majestic diamond, surrounded by smaller silver stones. Her eyes lit up as she realized that it was not a customized ring he had locked on her the previous time. The ring was a symbol of his love for her. This was more than just a symbol of their love; it was a promise of forever.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The priest said and a round of applause came from the audience.
“You may kiss your bride.” The priest said, flashing Darryl a knowing look.
Without wasting time, Darryl closed the space between them, pulling her into a kiss. It was a short one but the best. The kiss was a stamp on the new path they had decided to take together.
The kiss was a stamp on the vows they shared in front of everyone. The kiss was a silent promise to stay together, forever.
The voice of the priest interrupted them, “May the love that has brought you two together continue to grow and blossom. May you always find joy and happiness in each other’s company, and may your love continue to be a source of joy and strength to one another.
And the audience echoed a loud “Amen.”
As their family and friends congratulated them, Vanessa felt the joy of being celebrated. She was glad to see how they all cheered her up with love and sincerity. She was in love with her new beginning, and she was more in love with the reason for her new beginning, Darryl.