Ceremony Time!
Despite the worry, there was no sign of rain in the park. They had chosen it as the venue, deciding it was better than making each other conform to a particular religious setting. Rows of chairs were set up in front of small arches and a table serving as a makeshift altar. On it lay various keepsakes and a braided cord, and music through a small speaker set a festive atmosphere.Guests milled about, chatting and finding their seats as Matthew arrived with his best men and bear. They walked up the aisle and took their place by the altar, waiting for the ceremony to start. The officiant took their place in front of him, heightening the anticipation.
“She’s here!” Matthew heard someone say behind him, turning his head around on impulse. Alfred grabbed his arm “Hey wait a minute! Can’t look back until she’s ready bro!” Matt grinned sheepishly, too excited to say much else.
The music paused, then a slow melody began playing through the speakers. His heart jumped up to his throat, holding his breath for a second before looking back.
And there she was.
Walking up the aisle, looking positively stunning in her dress. He felt his heart stop for a moment, and wanted to run back down the aisle into her arms, but willed himself to stay put. Similarly, she resisted the urge to speed up, never breaking the gaze they shared as he gave her a look that took her breath away. Any fear or worry they had was gone, melting away at the sight of each other. Finally, finally, the distance closed as he grabbed her hand and the music faded out.
They almost didn’t hear the beginning of the ceremony, paying more attention to each other than what was being said.
Once the small speech by the officiant was done, they took the cord off the altar, wrapping it around their joined hands and tying it with a small knot, giving a nod for them to say their vows.
Matthew took a breath, and began. “Before I met you, all that I wanted was just to be noticed. Even for just a moment, I wanted to stand out and no longer be invisible to everyone. When I met you, I found that, along with so much more. With you, I don’t have to fight to be noticed. I always feel recognized for who I am. I feel loved. You’ve given me so much love and care over the years, I want to return that for the rest of my life. I promise to love you, to care for you no matter what life throws at us. I promise to share what I have with you. I promise to deal with the spiders and make you pancakes.” Steph chuckled, smiling at his words. “If you’ll have me, I ask you to be my wife.”
Steph nodded, and after a small moment, she began her vows.“I knew romantic love was a possibility in my life, but I didn’t think it would truly be a part of my life until I met you. I’m so excited to share the rest of my life with you. I vow to love and honor you every day, to be with you through both good and bad times, to share my own joys and sorrows, to help you find peace of mind and show you love when life gets too overwhelming, to make decisions together and act as a team when the time comes. I love you so much, and with these vows I ask you to be my husband.”
At this, Kumajiro walked over to the both of them, a ribbon holding the rings tied loosely around his paw. Steph crouched down to get them, taking the ribbon with her free hand. “You’re just as much a part of this as we are, Kuma. I’d like to ask, can I be your family?”
“Yeah, okay.” The bear’s flippant response started a small wave of laughter. “Thank you.” Steph smiled, then straightened to face him again. The officiant untied the ribbon, giving the couple each other’s ring.
“Do you take Matthew to be your husband?”
“I do” Steph said without hesitation, pushing the ring onto his finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
“And do you take Stephanie to be your wife?”
“I do.” He took her hand, mirroring her in putting the smaller ring on her finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss-“
The newlyweds didn’t wait for permission, Steph grabbing his face and Matthew burying his fingers into her hair as they went in for a kiss, barely noticing the applause and cheers they were getting. They lingered together for a few minutes before coming up for air, and walked back down the aisle as the reception was announced. Both were too happy to realize for a moment...
”Oh!” Steph started, “My lipstick, it got on you! I’ll look for a tissue-“ At this, he brought her into another sweet kiss.
“I don’t care at all, if it means kissing you!” He said breathlessly, once they had parted again. She grinned back at him. “I can’t believe we’re finally married .”
“Neither can I. I’m the luckiest person in the world to be your husband.”
For a moment, she was at a loss for words kissing his cheek instead.“Ready to party?”
“Always.”
—————————
Guests and bridal party:
@miyuswhoopsiedoodles @self-ship-stars @littlegreeklover @littlestlostsheep @inoselfshiplove @shipmyself (flower person) @e-conjure @lovestruck--aris @noellojello (friend of honor) @peachyphila @smachiespacefish @pinkestharem @ava-ships @floofship
(Please message me if I missed anyone!)
