The Big Day
Song: Boom Clap by Lennon & Maisy
The next week went quickly. You had no idea where the time had gone. You were now 20 weeks along and definitely showing. You had also asked Tony to walk you down the aisle and he accepted, feeling very honored. He was, after all, kind of the boisterous father of the group. He had always made sure everyone was taken care of.
You and Chris spent the night before your wedding together. You arrived at the venue the afternoon of the wedding and only parted after Pepper had shown you both all the work she had done.
She had picked a beautiful reception center sitting in an open expanse of bright green grass, along with beautifully hanging, mature willow trees and flower gardens that spotted the property.
The ceremony would be held just outside the building under a large tree and rustic wood pergola draped with flowing, sheer white fabric, sunflowers and small wildflowers. There were rows of simple white chairs on either side of an aisle. You would be coming out the door to the side and behind the back of row of chairs.
The interior of the reception building was bright and airy, large windows. Tables with white table cloths and centerpiece of miniature log pieces gathered around tin flower pots holding large arrangements of sunflowers and wild flowers surrounded by small glasses with candles. The chairs were also rustic, polished and varnished wood, donning bows of pale yellow, the tails of the bows hanging nearly to the floor. The tables were spotted around the perimeter of the room. The empty center would serve as a dance floor. There was a stage for a band at the front and a full bar off to one side.
The cake was a simple white, round, four tiered cake with an arrangement of flowers on top that mirrored the centerpieces. It sat atop a large log base.
The ceremony would take place just before dusk, so the reception could be during the evening for dinner, utilizing the beautiful strings of white lights hanging from the ceiling and walls amongst the canopy and curtains of more billowy, sheer white fabric and to add an intimate feel once the sun had gone down.
Chris walked you to your dressing room along with Pepper, who went inside to start getting things in order to start helping you get ready. Nat, Jane and Maria would be there soon to get ready and to help as you as well. Even though Nat was the only lady in your wedding, you wanted them all there.
Chris looked down at you lovingly. You were already trembling anxiously as he took you in his arms, "You okay, sweetheart? You're shaking."
You looked up at him taking a deep breath and nodding, "Yeah. I'm just nervous and really excited.", you chuckled quietly.
He smiled, "Don't be nervous, little love. Nat will be with you until you come out, and when you do, just look at me and know how much I love you. Everything's gonna be fine, okay?"
"Okay.", you replied quietly.
He put his curled finger under your chin, placing his forehead against yours and he spoke softly, "I can't wait to finally be your husband, (Y/N). It's what I've always wanted." You had butterflies as he kissed you gently, deeply.
When he pulled back, you were both smiling. He crouched down, hands on your belly, and said to your bump, "I'm gonna marry your Mama today, little man. You help her get real pretty for me, okay?" The baby kicked and you both chuckled, then he said, "That's my boy." He kissed your stomach and stood, then kissed your lips once more, "See you soon, my baby. I love you."
"I love you, Chris."
He smiled, stoked your cheek with a closed hand and walked away to get ready himself.
You went into the large dressing room, all white furniture and carpet with an extravagant and large vanity and a connected bathroom.
Pepper came to you, two other women standing off the the side, "Okay! Let's get you ready to be married!" She guided you behind an accordion partition to help you get changed into your undergarments and a white satin robe.
Once you tied the robe, you spoke, "Oh my God, Pepper, I'm sweating like a pig already."
She placed her hands on your arms and smiled brightly, "Just breath, okay. It's gonna be great."
From behind the partition you heard Nat enter the room loudly, "I'm here!" You stepped out and she beamed at you, Maria and Jane standing behind her as she spoke again, "Heeeeey, girly! Let's do this!" She hugged you tightly. "I'm so excited for you!" She bent over and hugged your belly, "Hey, little dude. Your mom and dad are getting married! Isn't that great?!" She straightened again, smiling.
"Nat,", you looked at her intensely, taking her hands and already starting to tear up, "Thank you so much for everything you've done. I don't know if I'd be here today if it weren't for you. I love you."
She pressed her lips together, her eyes also welling up and her raspy voice strained, "You're welcome. I love you too." She scoffed, wiping at her eyes, "Geez. We aren't supposed to cry yet. Good thing we aren't wearing makeup yet." You both chuckled. "Now, let's get you married!"
You also greeted and hugged Jane and Maria, both of them rubbing you belly affectionately. Jane asked, "Can I get you anything?"
"Um, a Valium?", you chortled.
"I don't think that's good for the baby and I don't think Chris would appreciate us having to drag you down the aisle.", she giggled.
You sighed heavily, "Right. A water maybe?"
"Of course." She left the room to fetch it.
The two other people that you didn't know were a hairdresser and a makeup artist who both got to work on you as soon as you sat at the vanity.
Once they finished their work, Nat was ready and dressed. Her and Pepper helped you into your dress as Nat noticed you were shaking again and she encouraged you, "Deep breaths, (Y/N). Remember, once you see him, everything is going to feel perfect."
You breathed deeply and nodded, blowing out through pursed lips as they zipped you up. They took you to the full length mirror to see yourself. They beamed behind you and Pepper spoke, "You look so beautiful, (Y/N)."
You smiled and wrapped your arms around your belly, then stroked it softly, speaking quietly, "You ready for this, my sweet boy?" You sighed heavily as there was a knock on the door. Maria cracked the door only enough to check who it was, then she opened it as you turned...
And there was Sebastian's mother.
Your hands went over your mouth and nose as she entered, you teared up quickly and started shaking even more. You let out a quiet sob as she rushed to you, her arms open, tears filling her own eyes as she spoke softly, "Dragă mea." She took you in her arms and hugged you tightly.
Pepper quickly fetched you a tissue, "Your makeup!"
"Oh.", you took it as Gloria released you and you dabbed at your eyes quickly.
The makeup artist added, "We can fix it. Happens all the time."
Everyone chuckled.
You sniffed as Gloria's face brightened and she placed her hands on your belly. "Oh! Look at you! Can't wait to meet this little guy.", she beamed.
You smiled, "I can't wait for you to either."
She then took your face in your hands and cooed, "You look so beautiful, my lovely girl."
"Thank you.", you replied quietly.
Her hands then went to your arms as she continued, looking into your eyes, tears filling her own again, "You made my boy so happy, sweetie... And I know you're going to make my other boy happy now too."
Your face twisted and you titled your head, the tears falling quickly now. You struggled to smile, "I hope so."
"Oh, you will. I have no doubt. You already do." She hugged you again and pulled back, "Now, go knock 'em dead, pretty girl."
You sniffed and nodded, chuckling and dabbing your eyes, "Okay." As Gloria left, you turned around and looked in the mirror, your mascara was running, "Oh, shit.", you muttered. You turned and addressed the makeup artist, "I'm sorry."
"No worries.", she swiped a hand downward dismissively. "It's not so bad. Like I said, we can fix it." She got to work freshening you up.
Once she was finished, you got up, hugged Maria and Jane, then they left to find their seats. Pepper handed you and Nat your bouquets, then led you out the door where Tony was waiting for you.
He beamed at you and hugged you, "You look positively radiant, (Y/N)."
You pulled back and smiled weakly, "Thank you, Tony. And thank you for doing this."
"I'm honored." He paused, noticing your nervousness, "You okay? Can I get you a drink? Little scotch?" He grinned.
You huffed out a chuckle, "No."
"Don't fret, dear. I'm here, okay?"
You nodded, "Okay."
You gave Pepper a hug with her offering words of encouragement again before leaving to find her own seat.
Tony held out his bent arm, "Shall we?"
You took his arm as Nat hooked hers with your other arm and off you headed down the hall.
You all stopped just short of the door to the outside and Nat stepped in front of you and turned. She squeezed your hand as your heart was pounding. She smiled, "You got this girl."
You sighed heavily as the soft music started and you nodded. You were shaking like a leaf as she turned and headed out the door.
"Don't let me fall, Tony.", you said, your voice faltering.
"I promise.", he assured, rubbing your hand. "Chris would kill me." You chuckled weakly as he added, "Here we go." And you both stepped forward.
You heart was thumping so hard you thought it might burst out of your chest as you stepped out the door. You were looking at the ground, breathing shakily through your pursed lips, your whole body trembling.
Your baby kicked as if encouraging you to relax and reminding you that he was there for you. You took another deep breath and looked up to see the standing crowd of people all smiling at you. You rounded the corner of the chairs to start down the aisle and you closed your eyes for a long beat, letting Tony guide you, his hand stroking yours reassuringly.
You took one more deep breath, Chris's words from earlier and the first time you made love echoing in your head, '...just look at me and know how much I love you. Everything's gonna be fine...Open your eyes, sweetheart. Stay with me...' You opened your eyes.
And there he was; your hero.
His hands were clasped one over the other, lips pressed together, turned up in a gentle smile. His brows were pulled up in the center, his eyes glistening with emotion, his chest heaving slightly.
You started to calm immediately. 'Everything's gonna be fine...' A bright smile crept across your face. He smiled back, letting out a silent huff of a chuckle. That walk was seemed to take forever, you just wanted to be near him.
When you finally reached him, Tony kissed your cheek, took your hand that was hooked over his arm and placed it in Chris's, then gave him a single pat on the arm before taking his seat. The image from your dream of Sebastian putting your hand in Chris's flashed in your mind and you closed your eyes for a beat.
The guests sat as you turned and handed your bouquet to Nat, her winking at you. You faced Chris again. You were still shaking slightly, both your hands in his now, taking slow, deep breaths to level yourself. Your stomach fluttered uncontrably as he spoke quietly, "You're so beautiful."
You blinked quickly a few times and wiped a tear from his cheek with you thumb while smiling up at him.
He looked to the officiate, "Can I kiss her know?"
The crowd laughed in unison as the officiate also chuckled and answered, "Soon." He then started the ceremony as Chris looked at you, scrunching up his face in disapproval, making you giggle.
You both repeated the traditional vows the that officiate spoke before you, then exchanged rings. The officiate then announced, "I now pronounce you man and wife-"
Chris took you in his arms quickly, his mouth crashing into yours and kissing you deeply as your arms went around his neck.
The officiate laughed, "I'd tell him that he may now kiss the bride, but he's already there."
You barely registered the laughs and cheers from the crowd as you were lost in Chris's kiss, melting into him. When he finally pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against yours, he spoke low enough for only you to hear, "My wife."
You let out a sharp sigh, "Yes."