Gen 1 - Chapter 13: The Wedding.

Author's note, this chapter will be told from both Claude and Jenna's perspective's. Jenna's will be in normal font and Claude's will be in Dark Blue, the minister's is in red.

I opened my eyes and layed there for a full minute before I moved. Claude was missing from our bed, for the first time in over 15 years. And if I had ever needed reassurance from myself over my acceptance of Claude's proposal it was this moment.

I stayed round dad's the night before my wedding. It was odd to sleep in a bed on my own, it was something I had grown unaccustomed too. I hadn't slept well as every time I moved I was subconsciously reaching out for Jenna.

I was nervous and determined, I felt like a general leading his army into a battle that they should definitely win. I knew there should be no surprises, but with the short time span I could not help feeling that something in my preparations was missing. I went downstairs and made some French toast, but I barely ate half a slice.

I was in half a mind to try and snooze a little longer, to regain some of my stolen sleep, however the smell of pancakes and maple syrup wafted into the bedroom. I walked through the living room and I saw dad bustling about in the kitchen. He looked serene, and yet was moving faster than I have ever seen him move before. I wonder if he had ever pretended to be a chef on an assignment. I pushed the thought out of my mind as he passed me a plate of the tastiest looking pancakes I had ever seen.

The girl's came downstairs within a minute of each other, both looked nervous at first as though they expected to see me in tears. They also both looked relieved as I smiled at them from the dining table. I excused myself and went to have a shower. I showed for a little longer than was probably necessary. I had been flicking through last months issue of "Simona" and I had found a gorgeous hairstyle, which was currently being used by some unknown Russian actress. She looked divine, but most importantly she had virtually the same shape face as me. So I knew it would work well for my big day. Next came my make-up, of which I was using very little. My mother had always lived by the phrase " classy not tarty." and on today of all days I was determined to live by that motto. I shouted down to the girl's to tell them that I was ready for them to come help me put my dress on.

My bath was quite invigorating, we had left the tuxedos at dads after we had bought them, as obviously we had planned that I would be staying here the night before. Dad had already showered and got himself ready, I checked again to make sure he still had the rings safe. In France, before Dad had been told the lie of mine and my Mothers death he had bought a matching pair of plain gold bands for them to re-new their vows upon his return from France, as he said that that was supposed to be his last mission. Getting changed took less time than I thought it would, my fingers fumbling nervously at the knot on my tie.

The girl's helped me into my dress and then left me to my thoughts as they went and got ready themselves. I sat in silence for a while, not daring to move as I did not want to put even a wrinkle in my perfect dress. Giggling from the girl's rooms roused me from my reverie, I got up to check on them and there they were, my two perfect angels, both ready and looking very happy. I rang Billy to check that everything was OK, and he said he and Claude were then about to leave. I thanked him and said I would be there about 20 minutes after they arrived.

As I put on my jacket an envelope fell out of the pocket, I had almost forgotten about the tickets it seemed like such an age since I had bought them. I placed the envelope back inside my jacket pocket for safe keeping. I glanced at dad as we both left the house, I wonder if he was this nervous on his wedding day.

I spent six minutes and twenty four seconds staring at the clock, until I decided that staring at it wasn't going to make it go any faster. I didn't want to wait another minute longer, so we grabbed our things and headed to the venue.

Dad and I greeted the Minister and we exchanged small talk as we waited, the Minister told me that the longest time a groom had ever been kept waiting at one of his ceremonies was over two hours and assured me that if my mind was in the right place every minute would be an eternity until Jenna arrived. I heard a car pull up, but the people who got out of the car were two total strangers.

The taxi ride was very short and yet it seemed to take such a long time, every red light was just another milestone on my way to my forever.

I almost couldn't bear another moment, this profound feeling of loneliness............

I turned the corner.

And then I saw her.

And then I saw him.

It took every ounce of energy in my being not to run straight into his arms. I walked as calmly as I could manage towards him, smiling my entire way there.

I felt relief flood through me, I knew she would come, I knew there was no way she would change her mind and yet I suppose there is no way to be definitely sure until the moment arrives. And arrive it had, like a freight train my conscious mind was now very fully aware that my future stood in front of me, and I could not have been happier.

I took his hand.

I took her hand.

"Ladies and Gentleman gathered here today, we are here to witness the joyous union of Jenna Elizabeth Stone and Claude Albert Clementine. Before we proceed does anybody know of any lawful impediment which would prevent these two individuals from joining in marriage............... Good. Best man, do you have the rings........... Good. Now I believe you have both written your own vows, as is traditional in the town of TwinBrook the person whose last name is being kept by the other reads their vows first."

I looked Claude straight in the eyes, I had practised these words so often that they almost felt like a part of me. I took a deep steadying breath and said,

"Do you remember how we started out as friends all those years ago? Back then, we had no idea that we would end up like this — happy, in love, and married. But even then, I knew you were special, and the day we fell in love was one of the happiest times of my life. Today, I want you to know how lucky I feel for having found the one perfect person for me, the one who suits me so comfortably and who gives me joy and boundless hope and anticipation for the future. Every day we’re together, you do nothing but make me happy. The day we met was the day I became truly alive again, and today — our wedding day — I declare my love and devotion for you before the entire world. I make a vow to stand by your side through the best and worst of times, and to give you the best of what I have from now until the end of our days."

I struggled not to cry, Jenna wasn't one to open up about her emotions so to hear all that simply took my breath away. I paused for a moment letting that feeling wash over me. I fought to keep my voice steady as I said,

"When I first saw you outside the library I was amazed by how beautiful you were, and I was attracted to you like a magpie to something shiny, however after spending so much of my life with you I realised that every facet of your personality adds another dimension to the diamond I love. Jenna you have been the one constant in my life for as long as I can remember, your existence is as essential as the air I breath. You are my Sun and my Stars, my Moon and my Earth. I owe everything I am today to you. You have left footprints on the beach of my soul that no crashing wave could ever wash away. I stand here before you today, and even though I know your answer I promise to cherish every moment, forever, and always."

I reached for a handkerchief to wipe a tear from my eye, after 40 years of doing this real emotion does still get me.

"Both of you, I can genuinely say off the record that they were possibly the best vows I have ever heard. If I could have the rings please. Jenna, I have heard your vows and on behalf of the city of TwinBrook I give my blessing to your marriage. Do you take Claude to be your lawful wedded Husband?"

I took a second longer than I should have done, as I was still stunned by the beauty of Claude's words, and breathed barely louder than a whisper " I do ."

The Minister passed me the ring and I placed it on Jenna's finger, luckily it fitted perfectly.

"Claude I have heard your vows and on behalf of the city of TwinBrook I give my blessing to your marriage. Do you take Jenna to be your lawful wedded Wife?"

I swallowed the knot in my throat and said slightly louder than I should have done, given that everbody was less than five feet away, " I do ".

The Minister passed me Claude's ring, it was a very snug fit and I had to push a little to get it over the knuckle.

"By the power vested in me by the city of TwinBrook, I bless these rings and your marriage. Your words have touched us all today and I hope that this is the continuation of what seems to be a very happy partnership. It is with great pleasure that I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride."

"I hope you two are very happy together, I think the phrase was "Forever and Always"."

Forever and Always.

Forever and Always.

Hope you all enjoyed it and didn't find it too confusing keeping up with who was talking. :)

Stay tuned for chapter 14 :)