Chapter 8

It is said that every little girl dreams of her wedding day but as I stand here today in my wedding dress, I feel nothing but pride for having made it this far. Finding your forever person has proven to be harder in this day and age but I was lucky enough to have found mine five years ago.

"Amerie..." My father's voice trails off as he looks at me in awe. "Right now you are the most beautiful woman alive."

"Don't do that." I fan my face as the photographer captures our every moment. "You're going to make me cry and it took me almost two hours to look like this."

"You look beautiful." He gives my cheek a delicate kiss.

"Thank you." I rest my forehead against his momentarily as we stand there alone. "I know that you weren't ready but thank you for being here."

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." My dad kisses my nose. "You are my only child and all I have ever wanted was for you to be happy even if it meant that you tried to steal my debit card on several occasions."

I laugh while fighting back tear.

"You and I have always been a team which is why I struggled to accept your relationship with Jordan." He pauses for a moment. "I know that Jordan is a good guy and I love the fact that he only has eyes for you. That man loves you more than you know and we have had many conversations because he fights for my approvals. Jordan knows how much my approval means to you so he fights so damn hard for it and I respect that." 

I decided on not having any bridesmaids since our wedding is pretty small and intimate and small. Only our family and closest friends have been invited because they are the only ones who know the love that I share with Jordan.

"Time to go." He softly tells me once we hear our cue. 

The next few moments are precious as my dad pulls my veil down over my face before taking a moment to adjust the veil and my dress. It is crazy to think that I could have missed out on this moment with my father because I wanted to elope.

"Here we go."

Many gasps can be heard as the ballroom doors open to reveal my father and I. We glance over at eachother once more before beginning the slow walk down the aisle as Leona Lewis sings I See You.

Walking through a dream, I see you
My light in darkness breathing hope of new life
Now I live through you and you through me, enchanting
I pray in my heart that this dream never ends

I try not to look at the many faces staring right at me as I feel the tears welling up in my eyes. Never did I foresee myself crying  at my own wedding but today has been a pretty emotional one.

I see me through your eyes
Breathing new life, flying high
Your love shines the way into paradise
So I offer my life as a sacrifice
I live through your love

I lock eyes with Jordan who is staring back at me with the most beautiful smile on his face which only makes me smile. We are finally doing this and I could not be happier to be doing life with my person.

"If you feel like crying, just think that you're going to get laid tonight." My dad whispers and I start laughing because I was not expecting him to say that. "This will be the first time in like two or three years."

"Stop it." I laugh some more before letting out a shaky sigh as we reach the alter and he gives my hand a squeeze.

Leona ends the song before bowing slightly as she makes her exit and I blow her a kiss.

"Who gives this bride away?" The pastor asks as we stand before him.

My dad clears his throat, "I do." 

A lone tear falls from my eye as my father kisses my head before shaking Jordan's hand. The second that my hands are in Jordan's, we stare into eachother's eyes and I feel my knees start to buckle as tingles run down my spine. The love that we share is so etched into our spirits that it's hard to look away from the man that I adore.

"You look beautiful." Jordan mouths and I squeeze both of of his hands.

"Dear friends and family, we are here to witness Jordan and Amerie get married. We have watched their love blossom and here they are today so thank you for taking time out of your day to be here." The pastor gives everyone a look as some of our guests cheer. "Today is about love and love is the strength of the world, a universal language that binds everyone. I pray this love we are here to witness will spread in our hearts and to all that's ours. We will support them on the journey that begins today."

"Amen." Jordan chuckles because the pastor is preaching. This pastor holds a special place in Jordan's heart as he was the one to baptise him as a child and as an adult.

"You may take your seats." 

The pastor soon begins a reading from the Bible which he references to our personal love story. The celibacy that we have both undertaken is mentioned during the reading and my eyes slightly widen as it did not realise that this would become public knowledge.

By the time that we reach our vows, I am an emotional wreck as Jordan's words speak to my soul. I knew that he loved me more than life but to hear him say how genuinely feels hits so close to home. I have been so blessed to be the recipient of love from everyone in my life.

"I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honor, and cherish you in all times, places and in all ways forever." Jordan looks into my eyes. "With this ring, I marry you and bind my life to yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship and the promise of all my tomorrows."

Jordan slides the ring down my finger and I grab the ring from the pastor before holding it in position.

"I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honor and cherish you in all times, place and in all ways forever." A tear slides down my face. "With this ring, I marry you and bind my life to yours. It is a symbols of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship and the promise of all my tomorrows."

I slide the ring down his finger and it takes everything in me not to fall to the ground.

"Today you have pledged yourselves to a lifetime of caring for one and another. May this be a commitment made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope and eternally renewed. As you stand before us, it is our hope that you will go through life loving, trusting, and caring for one another, completely and forever. Jordan and Amerie from this moment forward you will never be alone. You will carry with you the love of another person. May your life together be immersed in love and excitement."

I grip Jordan's hands tighter, "Can I kiss my husband?"

Everyone around us bursts into laughter and cheers as Jordan cups my face. The pastor throws his his arms up into the air as he declares the magically words that I have been waiting to hear for the past however many minutes.

Some people wait a lifetime
For a moment like this

"You may kiss the bride." 

(Some people search forever)
For that one special kiss

Time seems to slow down as Jordan pulls the veil over my head and we lock eyes before our lips collide. My hands grip his waist as we pour all our love, passion and fire into the kiss that we have been saving for the past week. 

I can't believe it's happening to me

I look into Jordan's eyes, "I love you forever."

"Forever, I love you." Jordan smiles before pulling me in for another heart melting kiss that has my knees buckling as he dips me infront of everybody.

For a moment like this
For a moment like this

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