~Keiji POV~
It's the day and I couldn't wait.
Lala and I were finally going to get married and the best part about it all is that we have a tribute section in the video we put together as it will be about the people who we wish were here: Tatsuya and Smoky.
I know for a fact that he would've wanted to see Lala and I get married, but he's looking down, just happy about it all happening.
Once we were ready, we let the priest know that it was time.
Now, I didn't see what Lala was wearing, but she did text me to let the priest know.
~Ceremony Begins~
The video started playing as it showed the pictures of Lala and I from the time we were just babies, growing up to be children, going to school, when we reunited, when we were finally got together, all until we showed the video of me proposing to Lala after defeating Kuryu.
I didn't see this, but hearing my friends' reaction to me proposing and Lala nodding "yes" is just the best feeling ever.
Then, it finally got to the part where we memorialize our fallen friends, I wanted to start crying after I saw the pictures of Smoky and Tatsuya. I know that Naomi would be feeling so sad about Tatsuya not being here to witness me getting married, but I know that he's looking down, watching this happen.
And Lala, I know she's crying about the fact that Smoky isn't here anymore to walk her down the aisle, but Takeshi, who is a brother to me, made the call to walk her down himself.
When I learned about that, I cried. I mean, Smoky is gone and Takeshi was actually torn about whether to do it or not, but I know for a fact Smoky would've wanted Takeshi to walk his sister down the aisle and see us marry, so I convinced him to do it, and he took the opportunity.
When the video was over, I entered in my suit...
...as there were no bridesmaids or groomsmen. It was just gonna be us at the altar.
As I walked down the aisle first, I didn't want my theme to be playing, I wanted to enter like a normal human being, just waiting for Lala and I to kiss and confirm our marriage.
When I finally got to the altar, it was time for Lala to come out as I saw Takeshi from behind the congregation, gesturing Lala to come forth as the song for her was being played...
As the song started playing, the entire congregation had stood up, waiting to see Lala in white.
Speakers: There's a stirring in the throne room
And all creation holds it's breath
Waiting now to see the bridegroom
Wondering how the bride will dress
And she wears white
When she finally showed what she was wearing...
...I was stunned and smiling at my beautiful bride. She really looked beautiful as I had a tear coming down my eye.
Speakers: And she knows that she's undeserving
She bears the shame of history
But this worn and weary maiden
Is not the bride that he sees
And she wears white head to toe
But only he can make it so
When someone dries your tears
When someone wins your heart and says your beautiful
When you don't know you are
And all you long to see
Is written on his face
Love has come and finally set you free
On that wedding day
On that wedding day
I really wanted to cry right here, but I held myself together and kept my smile.
Speakers: She has danced in golden castles
And she has crawled through beggar's dust
But today she stands before him
And she wears his righteousness
And she will be who he adores
And this is what he made her for
I saw that she was smiling and tearing up about the fact that she's getting married to me and I really can fathom what's going on in her head.
Speakers: When someone dries your tears
When someone wins your heart and says your beautiful
When you don't know you are
And all you long to see
Is written on his face
Love has come and finally set you free
Takeshi was holding it together as he walked Lala up to the alter as he was smiling too.
Speakers: When the hand that bears the only scars
In heaven touch her face
And the last tears she'll ever cried
Are finally wiped away
And the clouds roll back as he takes her hand
And walks her through the gates
Forever we will reign
When they finally got to the altar, he let Lala go before hugging her as she did the same as we both bro hugged, just happy about the fact that today is the day.
Speakers: When someone dries your tears
When someone wins your heart and says your beautiful
When you don't know you are
And all you long to see
Is written on his face
Love has come and finally set you free
On that wedding day
On that wedding day
When the song was finished singing her song, she got down and looked to see the wedding through as another song was going to be sung, this time by everyone while organ played...
All: What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear.
What a privilege to carry, ev'rything to God in Prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, ev'rything to God in Prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? take it to the Lord in prayer;
in his arms He'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Saviour, Thou hast promised, Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing, all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded, there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship, will be our sweet portion there.
Priest: You may be seated.
After that, everyone sat down as Lala and I held our hands together, looking at each other, just as happy as we could be.
Priest: 1st Corinthians 13 says...
"Love is patient, and love is kind,
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres.
Love never fails." Let us pray.
We then bowed our heads and close our eyes as the Priest started to pray.
Priest: O gracious and everliving God, you have created us male and female in your image: Look mercifully upon this man and this woman who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them in your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever, amen.
All: Amen.
Priest: Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and the covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his church, and Holy Scripture commends to be honored among all people. The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God. Into this holy union of Lala and Keiji Harada now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else for ever hold your peace.
After some time, no one interrupted as we were ready to keep this going.
Priest: I now require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God's word, you do now confess it.
We both shook our head as the Priest continued.
Priest: Keiji Harada, say this vow with me. This woman I marry...
Keiji: This woman, I marry...
Priest: No matter what the health situation is...
Keiji: No matter what the health situation is...
Priest: I will love this person...
Keiji: I will love this person...
Priest: Respect this person...
Keiji: Respect this person...
Priest: Console this person...
Keiji: Console this person...
Priest: Help this person...
Keiji: Help this person...
Priest: Until death...
Keiji: Until death...
Priest: Protecting fidelity...
Keiji: Protecting fidelity...
Priest: I swear.
Keiji: I swear.
Priest: And Lala, say this vow with me. This man I marry...
Lala: This man, I marry...
Priest: No matter what the health situation is...
Lala: No matter what the health situation is...
Priest: I will love this person...
Lala: I will love this person...
Priest: Respect this person...
Lala: Respect this person...
Priest: Console this person...
Lala: Console this person...
Priest: Help this person...
Lala: Help this person...
Priest: Until death...
Lala: Until death...
Priest: Protecting fidelity...
Lala: Protecting fidelity...
Priest: I swear.
Lala: I swear.
Priest: Groom, Keiji Harada, you this woman marry and become her partner. Will you in peaceful times, during sickness, this person love, this person respect, this person comfort, this person help, until death, do you promise to fulfil?
Keiji: Yes, I promise.
Priest: Bride, Lala, you this man marry and become her partner. Will you in peaceful times, during sickness, this person love, this person respect, this person comfort, this person help, until death, do you promise to fulfil?
Lala: Yes, I promise.
Then, it was time for us to exchange the rings as this was very exciting as we are finally almost at the end.
I had butterflies in my stomach. I don't think anyone but a few people could ever understand how much this means to me, to get married to someone I've known for a long time and after dating for a year. It's really special to me.
Priest: Bless, O Lord, these rings to be a sign of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then, it was time to do the rings as this was probably the part that'll get to me.
Lala: Keiji Harada, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
She put the ring on me...
...as it was my turn to do the same.
Keiji: Lala, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Priest: Most gracious God, we give you thanks for your tender love in sending Jesus Christ to come among us, to be born of a human mother, and to make way of the cross to be the way of life. We thank you to, also, for consecrating the union of man and woman in his Name. By the power of your Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance of your blessing upon this man and this woman. Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death. Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast for ever in your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
We lifted up the veil as it was almost time to seal the deal.
Priest: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and the age to come have life everlasting. Amen.
Right then and there, we kissed as we are now married, making everyone cheer and applaud as we finally made it happen.
When we finally released the kiss, the wedding march started playing, but I had to yell this out...
Keiji: Hey, hold on. Enough of the good Christian stuff, okay? I got something even better. Play the song!
After that, the DJ played this...
...and the entire congregation cheered and laughed as the song played.
After that, we had a congregation party to celebrate us getting married as we did the typical cutting of the cake and having our first bites of it together.
Then, we had our dance, as it felt so right to do it. I mean, this was probably the greatest moment of my life and I'm super proud to be Lala's husband and I'm pretty sure she's super proud to be my wife.
After the wedding, we went our honeymoon, just visiting Tokyo and Yokohama, making it the best time of our lives, however, two weeks later, we had to come back home and think about what we planned on doing.
(A/N: That's it for the trilogy and now I'm about to work on the The Worst series, continuing Keiji's story as I have a lot of things planned. Be ready for what I got in mind!)