Once over at Lance and Lirael's, things got a little hectic. The caterer was setting up food where the DJ was supposed to set up and both were trying to set up there because they needed access to the electrical outlets. So I ran to the store and grabbed some more extension cords, a surge protector and picked up some rugs to place over the cords so no one tripped on them. When I got back, I helped with setting up all the cloth covered chairs, making sure the ones with the floral decorations were on the end caps near the aisle.
Lirael made sure to call us and correct our original placement of just setting them out along the aisle runner. All while the wedding photographer walked around and started taking pictures of everything and everyone. By this time, I had to start turning on all the lighting, so that it was ready for when people would start showing up. Which some already had, but they were bartender for the night, Big daddy, and some of Lance's family.
Soon, more people were showing up, and it was crunch time when the justice of the peace showed up. Sarina showed up and told me to go freshen up, change my shirt, and cool down, because the photographer was going to be asking us groomsmen to gather for some before pictures. I did as she told me to, her handing me my jacket, vest and shirt and shooing me into the downstairs bathroom. I hurry and get dressed and then go and grab the ring from the downstairs bedroom where Lance is finishing up getting ready.
His Uncle Jim is there handing him something in a box. "...was your dad's. You're mother said she didn't want to cry before her picture was taken. So I'm giving it to you for her."
Lance is touched, surprised and speechless as he takes the box from his Uncle.
"Thank you, Uncle Jim." He finally croaks out, his voice barely audible. He clears his throat and gives his uncle a firm hug before he opens the box to find a an antique pocket watch. It's silver case glistens from the light in the room as he attaches it to his vest pocket.
Right then, the photographer comes in and asks if we're ready, the event coordinator was ready for Lance to head out to the gazebo.
"You ready for this man?" I pat his back before he walks out.
"Hell yes."
Lance's smile could light up total darkness as he walks out towards the gazebo.
Kim joins me, taking my arm as we wait in line and the music starts. The coordinator starts getting us moving down the walkway, in time with the music. The place is full of familiar faces as we walk towards the gazebo and take our places along the outside of the steps. Then the music changes and everyone stands for the bride.
Lirael comes walking out in her off the shoulder, sparkling, soft, flowing dress. It's elegantly simple but her dazzling smile and beauty make it a show stopper. I feel my own heart skip a beat as I picture Sarina in something similar, walking to me. I look towards Sarina who is smiling brightly at her friends happiness. I peak at Lance who's close to tears seeing the love of his life walk happily towards him.
Big Daddy looks like a king the way he wears his suit, walking with Lirael. The man beams with pride and happiness as he presents Lirael to Lance and offers her up. He takes his seat and the justice of the peace begins their short and to the point speech on marriage, partnership, working together as one unit. Then he asks them to say their vows.
Lance speaks first,
"Lirael, from the moment I first saw you, I knew. I knew that you were the one for me. Everything stood still as I watched you walk towards me. After talking to you, getting to know you, I knew you needed time and a friend, so that's what I gave you. After years of patiently waiting, I took my opportunity to grow closer to you. Even though we've had some bumps along the way, one thing has not changed and that is how I feel for you." Lance takes a quivering breath as my eyes go to Sarina.
Lance's words strike a chord within me, knowing exactly what he felt the moment he saw the woman that made all others non existent. Sarina locks eyes with me, her gaze softening as she smiles at me. I want to tell her so badly how much I love her, but Lance begins to speak again.
"There is no one else that I would ever want to spend the rest of my life with, build a family with ..." Lance's voice catches as a tear falls from his eye, even Lirael has to dab her eyes between his words.
"You are everything I could have ever hoped for and more. I can hardly wait to wake up everyday to see your beautiful smile and learn new ways to love you and our life together."
Lance wipes his eyes as he smiles and holds onto Lirael's hand with the other, promising her to love her and take care of her, among many other things.
Even I'm needing to wipe my eyes watching this. My hands enter my pocket and notice a lacy texture in it. I pull it out just barely and notice the familiar looking lace pattern... Where did I see this? I pull it out a little more and shove them back in my pocket and stare at Sarina, wide eyed.
She avoids my gaze, but the shit eating grin on her face as she crosses her legs in her seat, confirm everything.
She stuck her panties into my coat pocket! That little minx!
I have to get a hold of myself in the next second though, as I hear the justice of the peace ask that Lance present the ring. I reach into my pocket, finding only the underwear. I chuckle uncomfortably, as all the attention flows to me. I check the other pocket not finding it, when Sarina motions that it's in my inner breast pocket, discretely.
I reach in and sure enough, the box is there. I smile and wink at them both. "Gotcha!"
Everyone gives a short laugh and Lance rolls his eyes at me, "Figures, you ass." is muttered under his breath at me as I do the kiss sound and wink at him again.
"Lirael, I give you this ring with this promise; that I will be as you are to me, my one and only, my lover, my friend. I'll listen to you, nurture you, I'll do my equal share and respect you as the beautiful woman inside and out, that you are, remembering that you are my equal and treat you thus. I will never give up on you, ever. I will endure until the very end and do my best to fulfill your every need no matter how big or small. I am yours, every bone in my body, every hair on my head, my heart, my soul, is yours. I will never give up on us, and I will cherish every moment of every second, that I am able to share of this life together with you."
Once the ring is placed on Lirael's finger, she begins her vows.
"I never thought..." She has to clear her throat and take a breath after her voice breaks, "I never thought, that someone could and would ever care about me, flaws and all, the way you do. You're practically perfect. Even though you did at times, show me that you were not actually perfect."
Everyone gives a soft chuckle at that statement. "You've proven time and again, that you are perfect for me. You are so much more than just my lover. You're my rock, my reasoning, the spice to my food and life, you're the reason why I have found contentment and joy in my life when something was always missing before. You've become my best friend, someone I can trust with anything and everything, someone who broke down the walls of my heart and showed me, I am worthy of being loved. You showed me who I am through your eyes." Her voice breaks again, Lance pulls her by her hand a little closer, mouthing to her 'I love you', before she takes another breath.
"I love You, Lance, and I can hardly wait myself to see what our future will be like together. I promise to love you, even when you're being a butthead. I promise to support you in your decisions, but still offer my opinion on the matter. I promise to try and compromise on subjects we don't agree on, even if I don't want to. I promise to talk to you with the same respect you give me, and walk away till we calm down when we can't talk. I promise to help you clean up the house and do dishes, even if all I want to do, is to watch you do it." She giggles, as Lance lets out a short, barking laugh, an inside joke obviously being shared between the two, "I promise to nurse you back to health when sick or hurt, laugh with you as we grow old and think fondly when we remember our youthful days. Most of all, I promise to always remember that you are my partner, my friend and that there is no one else that I could ever or would ever want to call my husband other than you." She smiles at him as she places the ring on his finger.
The Justice of the peace says to them both, "Everyday that you look upon these rings, may they remind you of the promises you have made here today. May the love which has brought you together, continue to grow and enrich your lives. And may everything you have said and done here today, become a living truth in your lives."
He continues on smiling at the two.
"The greatest happiness of life, is the conviction that we are loved. If there is anything better then being loved, it is TO love. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude, self seeking or easily angered. Love keeps no records of wrongs. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Having sealed these vows with the giving and receiving of your rings and affirming your acceptance of the responsibilities of such a union by pledging your love and faith to each other. We recognize and respect the promises you have made here today. Therefore, in the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done, and with the power that has been granted to me by the state of Texas, It is my great honor, and proud privilege, to pronounce that you are now man and wife!!! You may now kiss your bride, and you your husband!!!"
Lance pulls Lirael close, whispering something for just her to hear and kisses her, sweetly, slowly with his eyes full of love and promises as every one stands, cheering loudly and joyously for the now happily married couple.