"Mom, please. Dont cry." Kayla's happy voice rang through the room. She watched as her mother wiped her eyes for what seemed like the millionth time that day. She herself felt her own eyes well up with tears, tears of happiness and amazement. She quickly swept the room with her eyes. First to Chel, her maid of honor, who was dressed in a beautiful off-white gown, and the rest of her friends, who made up the rest of the bridal party. She watched as her mother began to walk across the room toward her.
"Honey, i am so happy right now. You look so beautiful." Kayla felt her mother embrace her into a hug, which lasted for a few minutes. "Now, you know the old tale of having something old, something new for your wedding? This is for you hun. " She accepted the black velvet box her both handed her and opened it. It was a small silver chain that held a locket with a diamond in the center. Inside the locket was a picture of Kayla and AJ together, and also a picture of herself, her mother and Ryan. Looking up at her mother with tears in her eyes, she wrapped her arms around her mothers neck, placing a kiss on her cheek. "I love you mommy!"
They were interrupted by a commotion at the door. "Alexander James, Dont you dare try to go in there. What kind of son did i raise? Dont you know it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding? Now, GO!! Go find Nick, Or Howie. I think i hear them calling you. Go on." Laughing, Kayla looked up to see a flustered Denise walking into the room. "Can you believe that son of mine? Kayla, sweetie, I wish you luck...lots of it. He's a handful." Kayla embraced the older woman and said, "Handful isnt the word, but i love him very much. Denise, i want you to know that. I am honored to become his wife. You have done an amazing job with him."
"No more of that Denise stuff. You call me mom from now on. And, Kayla, I have never seen Alex as happy as you make him. You, i think, are the best thing that ever happened to him. Oh, and before i forget, i have something for you." Kayla watched as Denise reached into her purse and pulled out a beautiful antique silver bracelet. "This was my grandmothers, then my mothers, and now, i want to give it to you. It was given to me on my wedding day, God knows that didnt turn out great, but I can see the bond that you and my son share. The love the two of you possess for each other. I am so proud to be welcoming you into our family." Both in tears, the two embraced again.
There was a faint knock on the door and it slowly opened. Nick's blonde head peeked into the room, letting them know that everything was ready outside. Kayla met his eyes and watched as he walked into the room, first stopping to give Chel a kiss, then Kayla felt his strong arms around her. "Kay, you look beautiful. I can't describe the way you look right now. It's not just physical beauty, but your glowing. Its good to see you so happy." Kayla looked into her friends blue eyes and squeezed him tighter. "Thank you Nick, for everything. I still think if it wasnt for you, then we might not have..." Nick stepped away from her and shook his head, giving her his best brotherly look.
"Dont Kay. It wasnt me. It was something the two of you had to work out and you did. You two are meant to be together, i mean it. Now, i have to get back to your insane, impatient groom. You know how he gets. If you dont get out there soon, i cant guarantee that i can keep him from coming in here, so get your butt out there, Kay." Nick walked over to Chel, leaving Kayla sitting there laughing. She watched as Chel made her way over to her and tried to supress her giggles. "Kay, I'm going outside with Nick, but before i leave i wanted to give you something. Oh my god girl, you are in hysterics. Are you gonna be ok?"
Kayla saw the smile on her friends face and that made her laugh even more. "I'm sorry hun...I just...I think that the nerves are....getting the best of me...I'm trying to....calm....down..." Taking a deep breath, she managed to control herself. "Chel, i can not believe this. This past year, could we have even imagined all of this was going to happen? I'm getting married, Chel! Today! Even though this past year has been the hardest year of my life, it made me stronger. And did i mention i am getting married to the most perfect man in a little while?" She grabbed her best friend into a hug and together the two of them let out an excited shriek.
Kayla heard someone clearing their throat and was embarrassed to see that Nick was still standing right near them. She watched as he shook his head and muttered, "Girls." Chel motioned to him and told him that she would be right out, then turned her attention back to Kayla. "I want you to wear this today, Kay. It's only right. And this is your *borrowed* thing." Kayla watched as Chel took the small gold ring off her finger and placed it on Kayla's. "I know it isnt much, but i wanted to do something to help make this day perfect for you." Kayla held out her hand to admire the ring and gave her friend another hug. "Chel, thank you for everything. I dont know what to say..."
"Are you girls almost ready? Our very own groom is getting ready to start singing bad show tunes. We're losing him Kay! Let's wrap it up, you guys!" Chel kissed Kayla on the cheek and ran out the door past Kevin. Kayla looked to her mother, who was also on her way out the door behind Denise. The butterflies were returning to her stomach as she looked at Kevin. "Kev, I'm so nervous! What if i cant go through with this? What if i mess up Kev? Kev?"
The older man took Kayla's hand and looked into her eyes. "You are going to be the prettiest bride i have ever seen and you are going to make one of my best friends the happiest he has ever been. I'm proud of how you have handled yourself these last few months. I know it's been hard for you, but the important thing is you made it through. Both of you. I look at you as a little sister, and I love you Kay." Kayla felt herself turning red as she embraced Kevin. "Thank you so much. God, it seems as if that's all i've been saying today is thank you. You guys are all the greatest. I wouldn't have made it through it without all of you."
"Look at you, you're crying. I can't believe i just made the bride to be cry." Kayla laughed as Kevin went in search of a tissue for her. "Kev, it's ok. I'm gonna be crying alot more as soon as i get out there. I think...I think I'm ready now, it's time. Can you go get my grandfather for me?" Kevin nodded and began to turn away, then he turned back to face Kayla again. "Your sister told me to give this to you. She said that you would be needing something blue." Kayla laughed as Kevin handed her a small plastic figurine of the dog Blue, from the tv show. Even though her sister had outgrown shows like that, she still loved the dog, Blue. She placed the figurine inside her bouquet and thanked Kevin. She watched as he made his way out the door to get her grandfather. It was time.
**ten minutes later**
AJ stood as patiently as he could, watching as each person walked down the aisle. He saw his mother and gave her a smile and he watched as Chel took her turn down the aisle. He had to admit that she looked beautiful in her off-white flowing gown. He gave a glance to Nick and saw that he was beaming. AJ honestly couldnt believe that the day was finally here. He looked at Nick again, then at Brian, Kevin, and finally Howie. His four best friends in the world. Together they had been through everything and now, here they were at his wedding. Chuckling to himself, he mouthed the words. My wedding.
AJ felt an elbow in his side and looked up to see Nick staring at him, a huge smile on his face. "Bone, you were mumbling. Loudly." AJ laughed and quickly shot his hand out to mess up Nick's hair. Nick countered the attack by doing the same thing and for the next couple of minutes, the two friends went back and forth at each other until Kevin's voice rang through. "Would you guys stop? AJ, it's your wedding! Can't you be serious for one hour?" Smiles still on both of their faces, Nick and AJ looked at each other and at the same time, they reached out and messed up Kevin's hair. The three of them laughed as AJ remembered that they were all standing up in front of everybody. He mouthed to Nick, "I cant believe we just did that. God, we're idiots." This sent the three of them into a fit of laughter. AJ's laughter stopped as quickly as it came and a sudden seriousness overcame him as the beginning of "here comes the bride" echoed through the air.
Kayla took a deep breath when she heard the opening chords of "Here Comes the Bride". Everything from this past year came down to these next few minutes. She felt her grandfathers hand on her arm and as he wheeled the chair to the door, she felt her heart beginning to beat over time. She looked out the door, to all the faces that were now watching her every move. Then, she caught his stare. At that moment in time, his brown eyes were all that she saw. In that instant, he gave her the strength that he had always given her and she knew she could do it. Grasping her grandfathers arm, she took a deep breath and steadily lifted herself out of the chair.
AJ watched as Kayla appeared in the doorway. He still couldnt see her very well, but he felt his heart beating double time in his chest. Somehow, he met her eyes and in them he saw something he couldnt read. Besides a look of pure happiness, he saw that she had the look of a secret, like she was hiding something. He was not prepared for what happened next. In the next few seconds, he watched as his fiancee stood up from her chair and began walking down the aisle. All he could do was stare in amazement as she slowly made her way down the aisle.
Kayla could feel the eyes of everybody upon her as she walked the short distance to where AJ stood. She gave herself a few seconds to look at her fiance, who looked very handsome in his deep red tux. She saw that he had no hat, and his red streaked hair was evident for everyone to see. The other thing that Kayla noticed was that he was not wearing any shades and she was able to read every emotion that ran through his deep brown eyes. At the moment, she could see a wealth of different emotions hidden in their depths. Pride, love, and complete amazement. She was within feet of him now and as she took her place beside him, she felt a happiness like none she had ever felt.
As Kayla stood beside him, AJ still could not find the words to speak with. He was not used to being speechless but he felt that all words would fall short of what he was feeling at the moment. Instead of speaking, he took Kayla's hand in his and gazed into her eyes. God, she looks beautiful, he thought as if seeing her again for the first time. Her pale yellow gown seemed to float around her, and her veil seemed to bring out the green in her eyes. He wanted nothing more at that moment to take her in his arms and hold her and by the look in Kayla's bright green eyes, he knew thats what she wanted too.
"...And do you, Kayla Marie Davis, take this man, Alexander James McLean to be your lawful wedded husband, for richer, for poorer, to have and to hold in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?" Taking a deep breath, Kayla said the words that would make her the happiest person that she had ever been in her life. "I do." She could feel the tears in her eyes threatening to fall down her face and for once she was glad that they were tears of happiness. She would never forget the look on AJ's face as she walked down the aisle to him.
She had found it very hard to hide from him that she was had been working every day to walk again. She had made a promise to herself the last time she was in the hospital, a week before the boys last tour, that she would walk down the aisle on her wedding day. Now, her determination had paid off. It was true, she had regained the use of both of her legs. It had been a long, hard road to get this far, this quickly but it was something that she had wanted to do. There were days when all she wanted was to give up, but then she thought of AJ and she knew that wasnt an option. The doctor had also told her that maybe, with alot of time and patience, she would dance again. It would be another long hard road, and Kayla knew that she was ready to face it head on.
"...And by the power vested in me by the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Mr. McLean, you may now kiss the bride." Taking her face gently in his hand, AJ moved her lips to his own and he lost himself in her kiss. Feeling her hands on his back, he felt like he never wanted the kiss to end. It did, finally, after he heard a yell from their "audience". "My God, save it for the honeymoon!!!" He looked out to see Brian cracking himself up and his girlfriend giving him a playful smack. He looked at Kayla, who had a playful look in her eyes. "So, how does it feel to be Mrs. Alexander McLean?" He watched as Kayla curled her lips into a smile and placed her arms back around his neck. "Like heaven AJ. I love you.."
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