For the second time, I find myself waiting for my wife at the end of the aisle. I would do this over and over again — I would pledge my eternal love to Vivienne, vowing to marry her each day until my last breath escapes my lips, without growing tired of it.
But despite this being my second time, I still feel the same as I did the first. Except this time it's different, this time I know what I'm doing, I know what love is, what home is. This time it's right.
I can hear Finn snickering beside me, undoubtedly sending immature signals to Wren on the other side, but I don't pay much attention to him as the doors suddenly open, revealing Vivienne, who looks more gorgeous than ever — if that's even possible.
Everything is the way it's supposed to be, exactly how we wanted it, how Vivienne wanted it. A few months ago, she had gone on for hours, talking about her dream home and wedding to detail, — A summer wedding, an old, historic white chapel, full of people that actually mean something, — who want the best for us. —
— In which I was determined to fulfil, anything Vivienne wants, Vivienne gets.
Which had eliminated a lot of people, including our parents. We hadn't even told them about the second engagement, let alone the pregnancy.
So that left the majority of the people in the room either close friends, distant family, colleagues or other tolerable people, all watching as she glided down the aisle, her white lace, expensive wedding dress flowing behind her, the only woman in the room.
Her sparkling eyes remain solely on me as she travels closer, a big, warm smile spread across her face. Whenever Vivienne smiles, everything is uncontrollable, as if I'm hypnotised, as if I'd abide by anything she says. — I would anyways.
A grin spreads across my face at the sight of her, and I'm sure the dimple she loves so much is on display. She's the only person who manages to get that to happen.
In the blink of an eye, there she is, standing before me. She timidly gazes up at me, her eyes hidden beneath fluttering lashes and I suddenly need to fight the urge to pull her in a kiss her too soon, though I should be allowed to, she's my wife after all.
With a gentle grace, Wren delicately plucks the bouquet of flowers from Vivienne's trembling hands before I replace them with my own, intertwining our fingers together in attempt to calm her nerves.
Our eyes flick in between each others, eyes roaming over our faces, tracing the outline of our features, prominently our lips — a grin playing on her plump, kissable ones as she beams up at me.
The officiant's voice droned on, filling the air with words that seemed to float past us, unnoticed. Our attention was not on the ceremony unfolding before us, but rather on each other. Our eyes locked, as if engaged in a silent conversation, as if we're sending telepathic messages.
We've learnt to read each other's eyes and facial expressions like words on paper — I know every inch of Vivienne, head to toe, I can read her like an open book. I know every emotion and thought behind those dark, doe eyes; So 'telepathic messages' wouldn't be so unrealistic right now.
Suddenly, the use of my name gets both of our attention, ". . . Ryder, would you please read out your vows?" I swallow the sudden knot in my throat, my anxiety intensifying, my ability to form coherent sentences vanishing into thin air.
I didn't really need to memorise or rehearse my vows. Everything I have to say is everything I've already vowed to, it's everything I already believe, I wouldn't need them in words on a paper to know it.
My eyes hesitantly peel off the officiant and back to Vivienne, and the intensity in her eyes is like a magnet, pulling me in and erasing any trace of nervousness from my body completely, as if it was only the two of us left in the room. She has the power to do that.
I discreetly clear my throat, slightly struggling to show vulnerability in front of everyone watching, but looking down at a patient, emotional Vivienne is enough for me to eventually get the words out.
"from the moment I laid eyes on you Vivienne, my world had been flipped upside down in the best way possible. I didn't know what to expect, but it definitely wasn't this, you." As soon as I start speaking, Vivienne's eyes instantly glaze over, a soft smile playing on her lips as she attempts to hold back tears.
"I've always wanted you, even when I didn't know what I wanted, from the day I lied eyes on you, and forever since." She looks up at me with a wide grin, her sparkling eyes hanging onto every word that spills from my lips.
You have shown me what it means to love, to live, to have meaning in my life—" I go on to say, "You're my reason, my purpose, the blood in my veins, you hold me together. You're why I'm me and I don't know where or who I'd be today if it wasn't for you."
"I may have not known how to love, but like breathing, loving you is the most natural feeling I've ever known, and for as long as I exist, you will always be loved."
"Now, I've already vowed to forever loving and protecting you, but for the sake of this moment, I'll revow for you, my Vivienne." Vivienne is trying to collect herself while smiling widely, giving in to the tears and not caring that they are running down her face.
". . . Vivienne, would you now read your vows."
Her gaze remains fixed on me, her hands trembling ever so slightly as she pulls away and grasps a sheet of paper. She delicately wipes away a tear with the back of her hand, and with a soft exhale and a gentle giggle, she begins to read,
"Even though you had only been in my life for less than a week, I felt like I had known you forever, and under certain circumstances, I already knew that I had loved you, no matter how much I tried to deny it."
A smirk tugs on my lips, finally hearing her admit that she felt the same even in the beginning, I knew she was always mine.
"Never in my life would I have thought that I would've ended up in this situation, but never in my life do I think I'd want it any other way." I listen to her intently, hanging onto every word, watching every facial expression she makes as she reads, watching the single tear cascade down her cheek, before she swiftly brushes it away.
"You've shown me how I completely belong to you without ever asking for it, without ever asking for anything. You've shown me what it's like to have a home, to be loved."
her hand instinctively moves to her stomach with a smile, as she continues to read— "You've given me everything I didn't even know I wanted, from a home, to friends, to a baby." I feel my smile grow wider, if possible, at the mere reminder of our baby.
"I chose you, and I'd choose you over and over again. Without hesitation, uncertainty, or second thought, for the rest of my life, I will always pick you." With a sniffle, she lowers the page and her tearful eyes meet mine again. I couldn't help but wear a permanent grin on my face, my body only urging more towards her, praying that they'll speed the process up some more,
". . . Ryder, Do you take Vivienne to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love, comfort, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
I don't take a second to hesitate, not even a breath, before a grin plays on my lips. "I do."
"Vivienne, Do you take Ryder to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love, comfort, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"
Her gaze locks onto mine, a mischievous glimmer dancing in her eyes, teasing me with a fleeting moment of suspense. A playful grin tugs at the corners of her lips, and then, at long last, she utters those two simple words that send my heart into a frenzy, "I do." I couldn't help but let a wide smile grace my lips in response.
That was all it took for me to draw her in, my hand firmly gripping her waist. Our lips collided with force, feeling her smile against my lips, sinking into my arms as the room fills with cheers.
I still remember the first time I kissed Vivienne, exactly how we are standing, and as much as I loved it the first time, this time it's different, It's right. We finally manage to pull away, massive smiles spread across our faces as she gazes into my eyes. This time she doesn't seem so upset, but at peace, I'm at peace. I no longer feel that ache, the weight on my shoulders.
I've waited for Vivienne my entire life, and it was worth every minute.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
AN/word count: 1600
I don't like this chapter, it's corny, but I NEED to get these out, so I can't keep rewriting it.
SORRY FOR THE WAIT😭