by Michaella Jean
It was a beautiful August Day, and perfect for a wedding, especially one that had been put off for several years. Brooke was dressing for the wedding, when Hayley walked in. They started talking about the day's events, and Hayley noticed the glow around Brooke, but there was something wrong as well. She needed to ask, after all, she was her friend, and soon to be sister-in-law.
Hayley: "Brooke, are you all right? You seem, well, distracted."
Brooke: "What?!? I'm fine. In fact, I'm better than fine, I'm fantastic! I'm marrying the man of my dreams today, nothing on earth could bring me down!" but she knew what was wrong. Her concience was nawing at her. She hadn't told Edmund of her suspicions of Maureen Gorman being Maria Grey. She was worried that if it was her, she would loose Edmund. She didn't know what to do. At that moment, Edmund walked into the room where the two women were, and walked quietly behind his bride, slipping his arms around her small waist. God she is so beautiful he thought to himself. She quickly pulled away, scolding him for coming in on her.
Brooke: "Edmund Grey! You know that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding!" He smiled at her wryly, and reminded her of the night before.
Edmund: "You certainly didn't care last night..." Hayley gave them a "oh really" look, and walked out of the room, leaving the couple to themselves.
Brooke: "Edmund, you know very well that...that was different." she knew she needed to tell him, she couldn't hide it from him any longer. "Edmund I need to talk to you. It is VERY important."
Edmund looks at her wonderingly, hoping she isn't doing what he thought she was going to do...
Brooke: "Remember how Tad and I went to Nevada for Enzo's donor match? Well, that woman we were looking for, her name is Maureen Gorman. We went to look for her many times, trying to find her. Well, I found her, and talked to her. Edmund, I think she's Maria." he looked at her with such surprise and at the same time, he didn't believe it. It couldn't be, he saw the plane go over that cliff, she couldn't be alive. He would feel it in his heart if she was.
Edmund: "Brooke, she isn't Maria. Maria is gone, and I have finally come to peace with that. I don't want to think about that today, this is OUR day to be happy. I love you Brooke English, and that is all I have to say about that. Now, I have something to tell you. You look absolutly incredible, and so beautiful. If there weren't people coming in less than an hour, I would...!" he smiles at her so lovingly, and pulls the blushing woman into his arms, and kisses her so passionatly.
Brooke: "Edmund, we can't." she was barely whispering as he kisses her neck. "Edmund, we have later..." he pulls away from her, and she looks deep into his eyes. They are so filled with love, a love that will never die. "I love you so much Edmund, so much."
Edmund: "I love you too. More than anything in this world. I will never let you go again Brooke, never." he ment it, he had lost her once and now he has her back, and they are more in love than ever.
Chapter 2
Brooke and Jamie are getting ready to walk down the aisle, when he decides to tell his mother something.
Jamie: "Mom, I love you so much. I am so happy to be walking you down the aisle today, and I hope you and Edmund get everything that you guys want." she smiled at him and kisses him on the cheek. Brooke: "I love you too honey."
The music starts and everyone rises. As Brooke is walking down the aisle, she sees Edmund, and their eyes meet. Brooke feels the sting of tears in her eyes, and she knows this is the real thing. Nothing can come between them, they are going to make it this time. When she reaches the alter, she takes Edmunds hand, and holdes it so tightly, as if she is never letting go. They begin thier vows and Edmund starts.
Edmund: Brooke, you're a brilliant editor, but you're going to have to listen this time, and no cuts. Along with a devilish red pencil, you've also brought passion and laughter back into my life. To start and end each day in your arms is to know perfect contentment. Your love for me and my two children have shaped us into a family again. We are better, stronger, and happier because you're in our lives. Brooke, I know that you've known a lot of pain and loss, but know this -- with this marriage, you will never be alone again. As your husband, I vow to love, honor, and protect you, to never fail. And if I succeed, it's because you inspire me with your devotion to friends and family, your compassion, your integrity. One of the things I love about Brooke is her modesty. This woman loves so fearlessly that she will risk everything, including her own happiness, just for the sake of those who are lucky enough to be loved by her. And being one of those lucky ones, I vow to do everything in my power to be worthy of that love. Brooke feels her heart in her throat, she loves him so much. She has her own set of vows for him, and she begins to read hers.
Brooke: There are no words to tell you what you mean to me. I mean, what can I say to a man who offers castles and cheese puffs with equal fervor? But Maddie inspired me. The tradition "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue" -- well, it sort of took on new meaning today because she gave me her handkerchief from her christening, and it signifies there's something old -- the gathering together of friends and family in our new life. And I promise to honor our past so that it nourishes our present and our future. And then there's the something new, from Laura, and that's because we're starting our future today and it goes with a promise from me that I will make sure it's built on love and joy and good times and laughter. And my something old and borrowed is from my Aunt Phoebe, and I'm sure she's hoping that some of her common sense rubs off on me. I want to fill your day and our children's days with love, every day. And my something blue is romantic and not mentionable and it's -- thank you, Hayley. I promise to honor you as my husband, to be your comfort and your confidant. I give you my heart and my soul because it's through your love and your faith that I have a second chance at a love that I thought was never possible. Sometimes it seems like life is just a series of tests and if you fail one, then you lose everything. And if I lost you, Edmund
Edmund: I'm afraid you're stuck with me for eternity.
Brooke: I want to believe that. I think that a love that's as strong as ours deserves a chance, doesn't it? I mean, that's why I stopped looking back. That's why I stopped waiting for the past to catch up with me again. Your love gave me the courage to do that -- to grab on the brass ring and hold on. And the joy in this room, I -- I think it's proof that it was meant to be. Isn't it?
Edmund: Listen, you never doubt that our love was meant to be, ok? Nothing's going to take it away. I won't let that happen. Brooke, I promise you the bad times are behind us. Let me love you the way you deserve to be loved.
Brooke: I want nothing more than to spend my life making you happier than you could ever dream. I love you, Edmund.
Edmund: I love you, too.
He takes her hand, and kisses it. After their vows are said, he takes the wedding band and slips it over her tiny finger. She follows suit. She is beaming, and so incredibly happy. She can't wait until the honeymoon. The priest finally says the magic words, You may kiss the bride! Edmund gently takes her face into his hands and kisses her softly, and so lovingly. Everyone claps, and the wedding is finally over, they are now Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Grey. Everyone leaves the chapel, but Edmund and Brooke stay. They just stand there, looking into each other's eyes, unable to belive they were finally married, and so happy.
After the wedding ceremony is over, Brooke and Edmund go upstairs to change. She was in the bedroom taking off her veil, when Edmund walks in behind her and kisses her neck, sliding his arms around her.
Edmund: "I came to finish what I started before the wedding. Saving the best for last...well, not last, but best." He kisses her so softly,and she turns to face him. She feels like she is in a dreamworld. He starts unfastening her dress, and she is furiously unbuttoning his shirt. He leans into her, and they fall onto the bed, intertwined, making each other feel perfection.