Family First (Book II) Complete

Chapter 33

"You heard her ladies. Move it." I shouted. Today was my day and Abby mistakes were inexcusable.

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"Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others. Why this moment? Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. That no matter who we are, where we've come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing right. That's why you both are standing here. That's why you all are here to watch them stand up here, together. We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we're reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity. All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing - and others that are exciting and full of adventure. Which brings them here. A time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead at all the moments that are still to come. I'm here - we're all here - because we want those moments for you. We're here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It's not one moment - not even this moment. It's every moment. Big ones like saying "I love you," moving in together, getting engaged - but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments. Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families, binge-watching Netflix shows, getting a big hug when you get home from work. These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience. And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try and explain it. That's just the way it is with love - it's meant to be felt, not described. But trying to describe love is one of our favorite pastimes. We use the words we have to write stories, and poems, and songs about love. And even though we describe love in different ways - and even though love can look different from one person to the next - we all know it when we see it. And we see it here. So today, we have some words about what love is, coming from some of the people who love you the most. Mike and Britney have prepared their own vows today. But I just have one more thing young say."

He looked at both of us and began to speak, "You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter. You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. There's a simple premise to each of these promises: you're vowing to be there. You're teaming up and saying to the other, "Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of." Now you may proceed." He ends. I couldn't help but smile at his speech. I was going to say my vows first before I forgot them or became an emotional wreck.

"You are my lover and my teacher. You are my model and my accomplice. You are my true counterpart. I will love you, hold you and honor you. I will respect you, encourage you and cherish you, in health and sickness; Through sorrow and success, for all the days of my life." I spoke to Mike meaning every word. "I knew I had to become a better person not just for you, but for my son, and myself. The person I became wasn't me. I know I needed up in the past, but you have forgiven me and I look forward to our future together. If I never had a chance again to ever tell you how much I'm in love with, believe me today when I say I am and will always be deeply in love with you Mike, always." I ended. He wiped my stray tears.

"I used to be afraid of falling in love, of giving my heart away, until I met you. I used to think: How could I trust a woman to love me, to give to me all that I wanted to give to her? Britney, when I met you, I realized how much we could share together. You have renewed my life in ways I never imagined and today I join that life with yours. I thank you for giving me little EJ, and I think you for being by my side through everything." Mike said. I promised I wouldn't cry, but his words really hit home for me. His vows were short, yet sweet.

With that the wedding continued.

"Okay, now Britney, repeat after me." The pastor said. "With this ring, I give you my promise that from this day forward I will give you all my love, and you shall not walk alone. I have no greater gift to give. As your love is my anchor, and your trust is my strength. May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home. As this ring has no end or beginning, so shall my love for you be. As I place it on your finger, I give you all that I am, and all that I shall become." He said. I repeated it while placing the ring on Mike's finger.

"Now it's your turn Mike." The pastor said.

After placing the ring on my finger Mike repeated the same words as I once did.

"...I now pronounce you husband and wife you may not kiss the bride." He announced. Mike pulled me into a possible kiss. I could hear clapping and cheering all around us as we kissed.

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We stepped into the room and I was in awe. Today was just getting better and better. There was nothing that could ruin my happiness, not even the fact that Mike still had yet too tell me about how he came up with the money. I was going to enjoy the wedding that I always dreamed of and worry about things later.

"Can you believe you two finally tied the knot?" Quinta asked me as we sat at the table drinking. Dre, Mike, and Ty were talking with the rest of their family and friends. We had already had our first dance as husband and wife. I danced with my dad and a few of my cousins.

"I know right. I got the man I've always loved and the wedding of my dreams." I gushed. Quinta laughed.

"I know today's supposed to be about me, but how are you really doing since the breakup?" I asked Quinta. She shrugged.

"I'm okay.. Dre and I are co-parenting now and I have no choice but to be okay with it." She explained. Hell I know how she felt because I felt the same way when I lost Mike, twice. and almost a third time.

"Well if it was meant to be you two would've worked it out." I said.

"You're right, but God does things for a reason." She said and sipped her champagne. "Let's dance. Today is about you, not me." She added. I downed my glass of champagne and got up with Quinta.

I couldn't stop smiling. I was officially Mrs. Mike James.

A/N:

Wedding in MM.

Now you know why she went over budget.

Mike nosey ass!

Ty put him in his place tho.

Mike and Brit finally tied the knot.

Do you think that was a good thing?

Dre and Quinta co-parenting.