Out of The Box Regifted (28 page)

We turn to watch the rest of the wedding party make their way down the aisle.

Mariah is next, escorted by her handsome boys, as they lead her to her seat, where Gary is smiling at them proudly.

Kyra is next to walk and as she does, my focus is on Todd, as he’s following her with his eyes. He puts his right hand on the corner of his sunglasses, pulls them down and looks over the top smiling, as he exhales and mouths ‘
wow
’. He’s swaying slowly to the music, trying to make light of the emotion, but I can tell the sight of her takes his breath away. She looks at him and in a flirtatious manner; turns her head to the side, bats her eyelashes and coyly smiles. Tommy turns around and whispers something to Todd as Kyra is walking, and they both shake their heads and give a thumb’s up.

Lainey follows and I look over to Kellan, who is sitting 2 seats down from me and when he sees Lainey, he holds two fingers up to his lips. She winks at him and with her little bouquet in hand; she rubs her belly and giggles, as she affectionately blows him a kiss. I’m certain he is thinking back to his own wedding day when he first saw her walking down the aisle, on the arms of her father. Even though they did the first look photos, Kel was an emotional mess when he saw her, and we still tease him unmercifully about it. My boys call him a girly guy because of that.

Once the girls have taken their places, Smash starts the wedding procession song,
Book
of
Dreams.
Everyone stands and turns, eagerly awaiting Emily. From my vantage point, I can see Emily walk through the back door onto the patio with Brian and Steve’s arms wrapped securely through hers, and she’s positively radiant. Angelica adjusts her train, and gives her a reassuring hug just before she begins her ascent. From the corner of my eye I see Glenn slowly make his way to stand beside Emily, and I’m relieved he’s kept his promise. Confused and unsure, Steve looks at Glenn, not knowing who he is. Glenn whispers something in Steve and Brian’s ears and they respectfully step aside. Brian places Glenn’s arm on hers, as he smiles and nods. With a look of shock and bewilderment, Emily looks up at Glenn, who is a very tall man and mouths the words, “Daddy?” She looks into his eyes and I can tell she’s crying. They pause, and for a moment I wonder what must be going through her head. Did we do the right thing by having him come, without her knowing? Ash is rubbing my neck softly. He knows I’m worried. Several awkward moments go by and everyone is still standing patiently, waiting while wondering what the holdup is. Glenn wipes the tears from her eyes and kisses her ever so gently on the cheek. The emotion has overtaken her, and I can see her small body shaking. They briefly talk and she nods her head yes, so I assume it’s a go. Tommy looks worried and is straining his neck to look at the back door, because Emily is off cue to the music. He turns around to Todd and whispers something in his ear. Todd shrugs his shoulders and they both look over to Ash for answers. Ash mouths to them that everything is ok. Before they start to walk, Glenn takes Emily into his arms and is whispering something in her ear. He caresses her face as only a father can and with his handkerchief, again he wipes the tears from her eyes. I turn back around to face the front and see Tommy, who is equally overwhelmed with emotion. He’s nervously shaking his hands by his side, and the sight of Emily has just literally taken his breath away. His lips are quivering, as tears of joy stream down his face and Todd, his best man and closest friend in the whole world, is there to reassure him. He whispers something in Tommy’s ear, which I can only assume contains the F-word and must be funny, because it makes Tommy laugh through his tears. Standing behind Tommy, Todd puts his hands on Tommy’s shoulders and shakes him in an affectionate way. Everyone’s waiting anxiously as Emily, on the arm of her father, slowly makes her way down the aisle. Brian and Steve have come to sit behind us. Brian taps my shoulder and whispers in my ear. “Ok, can someone please tell me what the hell just happened? Is that her old man or something?”

I turn around and tearfully respond. “Yes, that’s her father.”

His elbows are on the back of my chair and he leans in, “Wait...so you knew he was coming all along?”

I shake my head, “We were hoping he would, but we weren’t sure. It’s complicated.”

***

At the altar, Glenn affectionately whispers something in Emily’s ear before placing her hand in Tommy’s. Tommy nods, and Glenn takes his seat beside Mariah and Gary. Todd looks over at me and gives me a secret thumbs up, which makes me smile. Once seated, Glenn is wiping tears from his face as Mariah comforts him, tenderly putting her arm around his shoulder.

Scott begins the ceremony.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of Tommy and Emily, I’d like to welcome you all here today. You’re here to witness the union of Tommy and Emily, as they profess their love and devotion to each other before God, our creator. You know, each and every day in my day job as a tattoo artist, I’m fortunate to be a creator of sorts. I create artwork on the bodies of people. As an artist and creator, I tell my clients that first and foremost, they must take care of their bodies. Our heavenly creator has created each and every one of us in his image and we are perfect in his eyes. Through his divine creation, he has fashioned each one of us to his satisfaction and charged us with the responsibility to care for our bodies both physically and spiritually. If we are reticent and don’t accept what God has asked us to do, we languish and falter resulting in failure, plain and simple.”

“Tommy and Emily, I must tell you that relationships require a great deal of work and must be taken seriously, requiring effort on the part of you both every single day of your lives. Even in the face of adversity, you both must reassure each other that in the eyes of our Heavenly Father, your love will flourish and prevail. Cherish each other and extend the utmost respect.” He gets his Bible out and looks at Tommy and Emily.

“
I’d like to read to you from the book of Ephesians chapter four, verses two through four:

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future
.”

“I’m fortunate to have Tommy as a friend. I’ve put a considerable amount of artwork on his body and have also come to love him as a brother over the years. When my wife, Angelica, and I first met Emily, we both knew she was the real deal and the perfect soul mate for him. It was just a matter of time until Tommy realized it.”

The guests all laugh at his remark. He laughs, “Well he finally did and when Tommy called saying he had proposed to Emily, he asked me to preside over their wedding. I was humbled and honored. To unite this beautiful couple in the bond of marriage is beyond words. I love them both and wish them nothing short of a harmonious union, rich in faith, love and friendship.” Smiling, he turns to face them. “Tommy and Emily, you both have told me your intentions and I know without a doubt, this is God’s magnificent plan. He has brought you together and you have the adoring love of your wonderful family and friends. Never for a moment take this for granted. Be all that you can be for each other. Grow in your faith day by day and know that the Father has great plans for you.

Tommy and Emily, I would ask that you now recite the vows you have each written to each other in profession of your love and lifelong devotion.”

He nods, as Tommy who looks into Emily’s eyes and places both hands on her face, lifting it to his, recites his vows.

He takes a deep breath and smiles lovingly, “Emily Noel Evans, from the very first moment I set eyes on you, I knew you were the one for me. I’ve never in my life felt the feelings I have for you. You’re perfect in every way. I swear on my life that I fell in love with you the very first time I first saw you, and I knew from that very first day that I had to make you my wife.” He breaks down, and I’m in tears as he continues. “Babe, I can’t even imagine my life without you and until we met I was a lost and messed up soul, searching for someone like you. You complete me and you make me want to be a better man. I want to be your husband, your best friend, the father of your children, and your soul mate in life. I give you my promise Emily, that from this day forward, I’ll love you forever. I’ll never hurt you, I’ll be steadfast and faithful to you and I promise you that every day I’ll give you a new reason why you chose me to be your husband. So Emily, please accept this ring as a token of my love, my fidelity, my devotion, and my dedication to making you happy every single day of your life. I love you with all my heart, Emily Noel. Thank you for choosing me, the luckiest man in the world, to be your husband. Always know that the ring I place on your finger signifies my never-ending love for you.” Tears are streaming down his face. “God I love you Em! You’ve made me the happiest man on the face of this earth and I promise you that I will live up to every expectation you have. You’re perfect, you’re beautiful and I’ll love you forever.”

Emotionally, Scott then turns to Emily.

“Emily, now that Tommy has given you his promise of love, I ask that you please state your own vows of intention to him. Are you ready?”

Nervously, with tears in her eyes, she nods her head yes, smiles as she turns to Tommy and looks into his eyes. Tommy takes her hands and holds them softly, rubbing them as she speaks with a quivering voice.

“Tommy, what we have is rare. A love not many will ever get to experience. For this, I'm thankful, because you are not only the man of my dreams, but beyond that. I've always been told you’ll know when you find the right man, but never imagined that saying becoming a reality. Today, I'm standing right in front of the most certain decision I'll ever make in my life. You've given me so much joy throughout our time together. We've grown in ways, which have allowed us to love each other more, and I wouldn't trade the hard times we’ve been through for anything. Since we've made it this far, I know we can conquer anything together as one. Thank you for choosing to love me, and know that I will always be by your side. Constant, faithful, patient, and always loving.

This ring I give you represents each of those promises I make to you, not only on this day, but every day for the rest of my life. I know that God created me for you. I love you with my whole being and cannot wait to be your wife.”

Tommy’s crying, and Emily tenderly wipes his tears with the handkerchief we placed inside the breast of her dress.

They stand in awe of each other and for a moment there are no words being spoken, just the sight of them gazing lovingly into each other’s tear filled eyes. Tommy is nervously shaking his hands and Emily grabs them.

Ash is rubbing my leg, his own leg shaking nervously, and he has tears in his eyes.

I lean into him and see tears in his eyes. “Are you okay?”

He pats my leg and kisses my ear. “You’d better believe I am.”

Lainey and Kyra are looking down, trying to disguise their tears. Grinning, Todd and Brady look over at me, and each wink.

The exchanging of the rings has come as Scott speaks.

“With this touching and beautiful profession of their vows, I now ask Tommy, do you take Emily as your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto her, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do. Yes.” He tearfully says, as Scott continues.

“I ask that you now place the ring on her left finger and profess your love.”

Todd pretends to look for the ring in his pocket causing us all to laugh. He hands the ring to Tommy, who places it on her finger while looking into her eyes.

“Emily Noel, please accept this ring as a token of my love and never ending devotion.”

Scott looks to Emily. “And I ask the same of you Emily, do you take Tommy as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him, as long as you both shall live?”

She nods and Scott teases her. “Emily, we need you to answer yes or no.”

The crowd laughs, as she responds with a giggle.

“Yes, I do.”

“I ask then that you, Emily place your ring on Tommy’s left finger and profess your love.”

“Tommy, please accept this ring as a token of my love and never ending devotion.”

They stand transfixed on each other for a brief moment and Scott smiles fondly and laughs. “Sorry folks, it’s a formality but I have to ask this. If there be anyone present who may show just and lawful cause why this couple may not be legally wed, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”

Todd, in his classic style puts his hand up to his eyes and surveys the crowd, looking for any objections. He laughs and then gives an ok signal.

No one objects, of course and we’re all brought to tears. Ash clasps my hand tightly, leans into me and kisses my cheek and whispers, “Honey, just think, we’ll be saying those words to each other soon.”

Scott concludes the ceremony by saying, “By the authority vested in me, by the State of Illinois, I now pronounce you man and wife and what God hath joined together, let no man,
nor
woman, put asunder.” He chuckles after he’s spoken. “I say ‘
nor woman
’, because my wife says it sounds better that way.” He winks at Angelica, as she rolls her eyes, laughs and shakes her head.