Chapter 70: My Best Days Are Ahead of Me

*ZOEY'S POV*

"Hey bff!" I answer quickly when I see that Amy is calling me.  It's rare that I get a call from her and it's even more rare when I get a call from her and I actually have the time to answer it.

"Hey!" she replies, "I'm so glad I caught you!"

"Yeah, me too," I reply, "What's going on with you?"

"Well...you know how Mac is going to be moving here soon?" she asks.

"Yeah," I answer, nodding as well - as if she can see me.  

Terry has really been instrumental in getting Amy and Mac back together - even though Amy doesn't know this. 

Several months ago Mac and T were talking and it was obvious Mac was miserable in Bridgeport - he hadn't been able to find any friends, much less any women, his job was stressful, etc, etc.  Long story short, T suggested (at my suggestion) that he consider going back to Harmony.  I am secretly hoping he takes that one step further and moves here, along with Amy, but one step at a time I suppose. 

"What's up?" I continue the conversation.

"Well..." she starts, "I really wish I could tell you this in person..."

"You could always jump in the car..." I offer.

She laughs, "Oh right..."

"Just sayin'...just a few hours drive..." I half joke.

"Well, as much as I would like to..." she stutters.

I laugh, "I'm just joking...sort of...but seriously, what's up?"

"I'm engaged!" she exclaims.

There was a time that I would have been shocked and dropped the phone, but honestly it's about time.  Even though I know this isn't her fault, Amy has been in this suspended state where nothing has been happening to her for so long.  It's time she finally has something good coming her way.

"You do realize you have maid of honor duties, right?" she asks.

"I would certainly hope so," I say.

So we chat for another hour or two (who's counting) about potential wedding ideas before she has to go.

When we get off the phone, I rejoin my husband in my new favorite place to be - right beside him, with his arm around me.  I know, wanna puke yet?  Normally I would, but I seem to have had my inner-cynical bitch extracted lately.

"That was a long convo," T says as I get comfortable, "I'm assuming that was Amy?"

"Yup," I say with a smile.

Terry misses nothing, "What's with that Chesire cat grin?"

"Have you talked to Mac yet?" I ask.

"No," he sits up and takes notice, "What's going on?"

"He proposed," I tell him.

"Ahh, about time, I was wondering how long I would have to sit on that," he says.

I sit back and look at him, "What are you talking about?  Did you know he was planning this?"

He grins.

"And you didn't tell me?" I ask, slightly offended.

He raises his eyebrows, "...and tell Mac he has 20 seconds to propose because it's going to take you 30 to find your phone?"

I elbow him lightly but just laugh.  I have to admit he's right.

I sit back and start thinking and can't help but smile.

"What's that smile for?" he asks, laughing at me.

"I'm just happy," I tell him.

This really is everything I have ever wanted.  Amy and I have been best friends forever and we always said our ideal situation would be finding two best friends to marry because they are the only ones that would understand our friendship.  I never actually thought we would find them.

Terry interrupts my thoughts with a kiss.

Yup, who would have thought that this cynical bitch could be tamed?

*AMY'S POV*

Over the next week, I busy myself with wedding plans.  Mac and I are thinking about a spring wedding.  That gives me enough time to plan everything - and I have always loved spring.

Of course everyone is ecstatic.  Rebecca, Kelsey, and Zoey are going to be bridesmaids and Robbie and Jake are going to stand on my side as well because along with Mac and AJ sharing best friend duties, Mac's older sisters are going to stand on his side as well.  Then Mac has a younger sister who's going to be a junior bridesmaid, Brody is going to be the ring bearer, and Ivy and Melody are going to be flower girls.  

That about covers it, right?

"What do you think about sea foam?" I ask Mac as we are cutting into our Jack-o-lanterns the next time Mac is in town.

"As general foam in the sea?" he asks.

I flick a pumpkin seed at him, "No goofball.  As colors for the bridesmaids dresses."

"That's a color?" he asks.

I roll my eyes, "Never mind."

Mac and I are carving two different Jack-o-lanterns because we couldn't agree on a design.

Call me crazy, but I'm a traditionalist - triangle eyes and nose with a jagged tooth smile.

His is definitely more intricate, but that's fine with me.  He can be the artist in our family.

That night we just sit down and watch some TV.  I never would have thought I would be in one of those couples that spends most of their time sitting at home, but I guess that's what I get for waiting so long to be in a good one.

Mac only has this weekend of coming and going and next week he's going to start his move here, thank goodness.  I'm just about tired of all the traveling and it's taking its toll on him as well.

Even so, I don't take it well when his phone rings.

"Hello?" he answers.

...

"Oh really?" he continues.

...

"uh-huh...uh-huh...of course.  Yeah, no, I'm not in town, but I can be there in a couple hours." he says.

I look up and glare.

"No, no, don't worry, I'll be there..." he continues, "Yeah, no problem.  I'm hitting the road now."

He gets off the phone and I glare even more, "Please don't tell me that's what I think it is."

"Baby, I have to go back," he says.

"Are you kidding?  You just got here." I complain.

"I'm sorry, but there was a break in my case...I have to go."  he says.

Honestly I'm not in the mood to hear it.

"Well, I certainly hope there's not a break in a case on our wedding day," I start to bitch.

"Baby..." he interrupts.

"No, no, that's fine.  I guess it goes along with the territory of marrying a cop."  I pout some more.

"Come on, baby, please don't give me a hard time.  You know I don't want to leave you tonight," He says.

"You're sure no one else can handle it?" I am not convinced he actually has to go.

"Can you get other people to write your books for you?" he asks, stupidly using logic when I just want to pout.

"That's beside the point." I continue on my bratty course.

"I've got to go baby," he stands up and I give him a look.

In response he pulls me up into his arms.

As much as I fight, he kisses me long and hard.

"I'll be back to you before you know it," he says, "I can't go with you mad at me."

"Well then you better not go," I pout once more.

"Baby..." he says again.

I roll my eyes like the brat I am and hug him tightly, "Okay...I guess I can forgive you."

"Go to bed and I'll be back by the time you wake up in the morning," he suggests.

"Yeah, yeah," is the last thing I say.

As he is walking out the door he shouts an "I love you."

I shout a lackluster "Love you too" at him as the door closes and he is gone.

If I had only known...

I am apparently more tired than I thought because when I sit back down on the couch I end up dozing off.

I wake up disoriented and look at my watch.  It's 4:30 am.  

"Geez," I say out loud.

My neck is hurting and I curse myself for passing out here.  Getting old is sucking already.

I grumble and get up to go upstairs but am interrupted by my phone ringing.

"Who the hell would be calling now?" I ask myself.

I don't recognize the number, "Hello?"

"Is this Amy Keagan?" the voice responds.

"Yes," I answer, "what can I do for you this early in the morning?"

I am annoyed and I certainly hope whoever is on the other end knows it.

Obviously the voice knows this, but still continues, "I'm sorry to bother you Ms. Keagan, I am the chief of police for Bridgeport PD.  There's been an accident."

Chapter 69: She Will Be Loved

*AMY'S POV*

"What are you doing here?" I ask accusingly after I pull away from him.  Or did he pull away?  Or...oh, it doesn't matter.

He looks surprised and maybe a little hurt, "That wasn't the reaction I was hoping for."

I step back to clear my head.

Just a refresher:  Mac is my ex-boyfriend - he's also Terry & AJ's best childhood friend.  Everything was going great with us before he got transferred to Bridgeport.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that..." I start, but he starts talking.

"No...I just got excited to see you," he admits.

I raise my eyebrows.  We didn't exactly leave on good terms.  It got kind of hostile the last week he was here.

"Well, that's great..." I say hesitantly but he interrupts me again.

"I'm coming home," he says.

My mouth hits the floor, "Wha-?"

"If you'll have me, I want to come home to you," he continues, "I realized I would rather be here with you than anywhere."

"What about work?" I ask him.

"I can work here," he replies, "I've already put in for a transfer."

"But..." I start.

"None of it matters as much as being with you," he admits and those seem to be the magic words.

Before my head can think about anything, my heart takes over.

I pull him in close and kiss him again...this time I know it's me.

As we kiss, I feel something inside me waking up and taking notice.

The part of me that has been slowly decaying over the past year is coming back to life.

The walls that I've been building are breaking away.

As we pull away he asks, "So I guess that's a yes?"

I smile in reply.  I don't think I could speak if I tried.

So Mac and I pretty much pick up where we left off...minus the fighting at the end.  He still has to work in Bridgeport while his transfer is being processed, but he comes here whenever he's not working.  Every five days he has two days off - sometimes it's a weekend, sometimes not.  I guess it's a good thing I work from home.

It's funny how one person can change my whole outlook on life.  In truth, I was probably heading down the road to bitter as hell - if I wasn't already there.  Now that I'm with Mac I smile all the time.  I don't have a whole lot of time for other people when he's in town, but I try to prioritize.

This is sad to say, but Mac is the first guy in a long time that has looked at me as more than just a piece of ass.  I have had such a long line of guys that just look at me as an easy lay that it was seriously starting to have a negative affect on my ego.  It wasn't that big of a deal when I was younger, but now that I'm getting older I actually want to settle down.  I want to get married, have children, the whole shebang.

Being with Mac has reminded me of that and given me hope that it can actually happen.

I am just getting comfortable in my life when I get a call from Rebecca inviting me out to the beach.

Bec looks great when I see her - she has just gotten back from a tour with Josh and she's full of excitement and stories.

"Damn Sis, it seems like I haven't seen you in forever," she starts.

It's true, being with Mac for some reason has made my sisters want to call me more often and I don't have the time to talk to them when he's in town.

"Well, ya' know how that goes," I start.

"Yeah, yeah, get a man and forget about everyone else huh?" she jokes.

"Hmph, I'm sorry, was I supposed to be sitting in a bubble waiting around for the once or twice a month you actually call me?" I ask her, obviously still a little bitter.

"Yeowch!  Damn Sis, I was just joking," she says.

"I'm sorry...it's just...I don't want to neglect you guys...but..." I stammer.

"I get it," she says, "you're in looove."

I gulp.  Mac and I haven't said the L word to each other yet - which is weird I suppose - it's not that I haven't felt it - I just don't want to jump headfirst and break my skull.

"Okay, okay, enough about that, I actually have some news," she wakes me up from my thoughts.

I raise my eyebrows, "You're not pregnant are you?"

"Oh God no!" she exclaims, "Not for lack of gettin' it on though..."

I roll my eyes before asking, "Okay, so what's you're news?"

"We're moving to Starlight Shores!" she blurts out and my heart leaps into my throat.

"What for?" I ask.

I never get to see her as it is.  If she moves to Starlight Shores it will be worse.

"Josh and I are going to try our hand at acting!"  She exclaims, "Besides, Harmony isn't the scene anymore - everything is in Starlight Shores."

"Well damn.  When is all this taking place?" I ask thinking I might at least have some time.

"Um...actually in a couple days." she replies.

My mouth drops open, "What?!"

"Yeah...um...Kelsey is throwing us a going away party...it's tomorrow." she says.

"What the...?  I wish y'all would tell me shit."  I can't help but be a little peeved.  It seems like lately I'm always the last to know everything.  I understand I kinda lost my mind for awhile there, and then I started dating Mac, but I'm still their sister for crap's sake.

"Come on," Rebecca ignores my annoyance and continues, "just come to the party."

"Fine." I begrudgingly agree.  

I can't stay mad at my sisters...trust me, I've tried.

Rebecca and I spend the day on the beach and let me just say it's perfect.  The sun is beating down and Rebecca's skin is turning from sun-kissed to a warm toasted color while mine is moving from alabaster to antique.

Not that I'm bitter, but we are supposed to have Native American blood in our family and apparently I have nothing but the pasty German and English.

So the next night, Mac, AJ, and I head to Kelsey's for Rebecca's going away party.  

For being a cop, Kelsey's house is always full of trouble.  As soon as we walk in, we see a couple guys kicking the crap out of each other as Kelsey watches.

"What the hell is going on?" I ask Josh.

Josh shrugged and laughed, "Kelsey apparently set up two different dates for tonight and forgot about them."

I roll my eyes.

Kelsey is busy keeping her guests from breaking everything in the house when I hear a little coo and a tug on my pant leg.

I look down at Melody's sweet face and my heart melts.

Even though it's still hard sometimes thinking about how lucky my sisters are for having children where I still haven't had any, I have warmed to my nieces.

Melody reaches up with her chubby little arms and I pick her up.

"Well hey there, Mel Bell," I greet her.

I am answered with gurgles and coos.  Kelsey says she talks but refuses to most of the time.

She starts sniffling and closing and opening her eyes, so I'm assuming she's tired.

AJ and Mac are busy watching Rebecca and Josh play dueling guitars, and Kelsey is tending to one of guys from the fight, so I head upstairs with Melody, grabbing a book as I go.

I don't even get through the entire thing before she's out.

I sigh and head back downstairs to the party.  As much as my heart longs for a child of my own, I know I have to pace myself with Mac.  We just started dating again, there's no way we can have a baby now.

*AUTUMN* 

Three months pass quickly and before I can blink, the crisp autumn air arrives.

Mac is still coming back and forth between here and Bridgeport, but we now have a date scheduled for the transfer.  He should be here full time in two weeks, the week after Halloween.

When he comes in, we make plans to go to the Fall Festival.

"I hope you know that your ass is toast when it comes to this contest baby," I joke with him before we start the pie-eating contest.

"Please, like you can out-eat me!" he scoffs.

"Look at your skinny ass," I tell him, "you don't have anywhere to put these things!"

Well, as it turns out, we both lose to this little waif looking chick that is probably going to go throw all the pies up.

I look over at him and bust out laughing, "Look at you!"

He lightly touches a piece of cherry that is stuck to his face and chuckles, "You don't look much better sweetheart."

"Ugh," I laugh some more, "We're both a mess...I don't know how I'm ever going to get all this off."

He turns to me with a mischievous look in his eye and I laugh because I can't help but love this man.

Just when I think he's going to hug me, he plants a big, cherry-covered face kiss all over mine.  Something like that used to make my OCD kick in and freak out about the mess, but now I just laugh.

As I pull away laughing I gasp, "I love you."

He smiles and replies, "I love you too."

It isn't the first time we have uttered those words, but for some reason they feel more meaningful.  

He pulls away from me and I turn around to go when he grabs my hand.

I turn around and he's down on one knee.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

His voice is a little shaky but he starts to speak, "I have never met anyone like you.  I fall in love with you more every day and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I gasp as he reaches into his pocket...

...and I am in tears when he pulls out a ring.

"Will you marry me?" he asks.

I can't speak, so I ferociously nod.

He smiles and slips the ring on my finger.

He gets up and wraps his arms around me and I can't help thinking that my life is close to perfect right now.

And for the first time in years I actually have hope that it will stay this way.

Chapter 59: Zoey & Terry Get Married!

*AMY'S POV*

Early the next morning, Zoey and I head over to the venue to make sure everything is ready for the ceremony and the reception.  I can't believe this day is finally here.  I can't help but wonder if this is the beginning of something great or the end of our friendship as we have known it all these years.  Okay, I know I'm probably being melodramatic, and I know Z is always going to be here for me, but things are going to be different, ya' know?  Ugh.  I royally suck for thinking such selfish thoughts on my best friend's wedding day.

Either way, those thoughts are entirely too deep for a day that is supposed to be filled with happiness and joy, so I put them on the back burner and decide to "be present" as all the self-help books say.

"Okay, well, the caterers just set everything up, the bar is good to go...a limo was sent to pick up your mom, the guys are on their way, and your dress is ready and waiting for you to slip into." I tell her.

"Wow." Zoey takes a deep breath.

"You still have some time though, you don't have to change just yet." I tell her.

She smiles, "that's probably a good idea.  I know I will spill something on that dress if I put it on too early."

"I can promise to keep you away from all liquids until the ceremony starts if that makes you feel better..." I half joke.

Zoey laughs, "You're going to have to.  I almost want to walk around in a bubble with that dress on."

"So what's the verdict?" I ask, "Dress now?  Or wait?"

"Let's just take a minute," Zoey says as she takes a deep breath.

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

"Oh, yeah.  I'm fine...just...overwhelming." She is speaking in fragments right now.

"Are you wishing you eloped?" I ask.

"No...well, maybe...this all feels so surreal.  I never thought I would ever get married...and now I'm about to...what next?"

"I'm pretty sure a happily ever after of some sorts..." I tell her.

Zoey gives me a cut-the-crap look, "Come on, we know those don't exist..."

"But maybe they do, Z," I tell her, "Terry is a great guy.  You know if I didn't think so I would tell you..."

"You'd better!" Zoey starts, "You know that you and my mom are the only voices I listen to when making life decisions...it means a lot that you like him."

"He really is a great guy for you.  You know I will only accept perfection for you and he's as close as we're going to get I think." I tell her.

Emotion overwhelms me right then and I hug my best friend.  As whiny and selfish as I have been lately, I know that Terry is a great guy and that she will be so happy with him, which she deserves.  So I am not going to allow my inner bratty monologue get in the way today.

Besides, it's not like they're moving far away or anything.  It's going to be the same as it has been the past six months, they're just going to be married.

"Aww, am I interrupting a Hallmark moment?" I hear Mac's voice coming from the parking lot area where he is getting out of his car with Terry close behind him.

"I hope there's not a rule about the bride seeing the groom before the wedding," T says.
Mac looks great in an all black tux.  He is freshly showered and shaved and his dreadlocks are...well, as neat as dreadlocks can be.
Terry looks even better with his tux.  He and Zoey decided that he would wear a white jacket while his groomsmen wore black jackets.
"Vi, you already look beautiful, we can just get married now.  You don't need to change," Terry says, trying to kiss his bride.
I push him away, "Hold it there, hot lips.  No kissy til the minister says kiss the bride..got it?"
He laughs, "Dayum!  Is that the final ruling from the wedding czar?"
"Yes, it is, it'll be more special if you wait," I tell him.
"That's an awfully romantic notion coming form a cynic like you," Mac says.
I shrug, "Yeah, well, don't spread it around."

I quickly change the subject, "Are you all set then?"
"Yup...good to go..." Terry says.
"Wait...where's AJ?" Zoey notices that he's not here.
"Ugh, I should have noticed my lack of headache...where is he?" I ask, irritated at just the thought of him.
"He said he had an errand and he would catch up with us later." Terry says, "Don't worry, he'll be here."
I roll my eyes, "Oh yeah, I'm sure, I swear, if he's late for your wedding, I'm going to kick his ass.  He's probably off banging some gullible girl that amazingly fell for his bullshit."
Terry laughs, "Okay, as funny as your little quips are, can y'all not fight today?  I don't want y'all throwing wedding cake at each other."

In the spirit of making their wedding day perfect, I agree to leave AJ alone.  Since the boys are ready, I send Zoey into the bathroom to get dressed while I finish up with a few instructions to the bartender.

*ZOEY'S POV*

Amy sends me in to get started on getting dressed and I'm fine.  I pull my dress out of the plastic garment bag and hang it up, staring at how beautiful it is.  And I swear I'm fine.

I reach up for the dress and I begin to take the dress off the hanger...and stop.

Suddenly panic takes over and I start freaking out.  What am I doing?  Am I really ready to get married?  Terry's a great guy, true, but do I really want to spend the rest of my life with him? Am I sure I can stay married to him forever?  I don't want to be one of those serial brides...if this marriage doesn't work out, that's it for me.  I don't want to have second and third husbands.  No, this has to be it.  It has to be right.  

I have to be sure...am I?

Interrupting my freak-out, Amy walks in.

"Hey, why aren't you getting dressed?" she asks, but before I can answer, she continues, "Oh, I guess you probably need help getting in your dress...okay, let's get this bad boy on."

She thinks nothing is wrong, but I know I won't be able to keep this from her.

As she walks around to try to get the dress off the hanger, I stop her.

"Wait...can we just...wait a second?" I'm panting a little bit now and she can tell something is up.

"What's wrong?" She looks concerned and I debate not telling her because she'll think I'm crazy.

"Nothing, um...I just want to relax for a second." I say.  Play it off, yeah, let's see if these feelings subside.

"Why don't you get dressed first?" I tell her.  Maybe that will give me enough time to calm down.

She looks at me suspiciously, damn her.  She knows.

"Okay, out with it," She tells me, but I'm not ready to talk about it.

"It's nothing..." I insist weakly.

"Okay, then let's get your dress on and get ready..." She coaxes, but I think if I put that dress on I'm going to suffocate.

"I can't," I confess.

"Why?" 

"I don't think I can get married," I tell her quickly.

She takes a deep breath.

"Okay, what brought this on?" She asks, "You were fine just a few minutes ago out there."

"I don't think I can do this...be married...I can't be a wife...I don't even know what it means to be a wife...I'm probably not going to be good at it...I don't cook...I barely clean...I'm moody...I like to be alone...I'm never going to be alone again if I get married..." I'm rambling and I know it, but I can't help it.  All of my concerns just keep spewing out.  The more I talk, the more I am convinced this can't happen.

Amy takes a deep breath before she starts talking, "Z, all of those things you just mentioned have already been resolved.  I have watched you and Terry over this last year.  The two of you are very similar, he gives you your space when you need it, he doesn't care that you can't cook, none of that stuff matters to him."

"Yeah, but he can do so much..." I start, but Amy interrupts me.

"If you are about to say what I think you are about to say, I might have to slap you.  I have seen the way Terry looks at you...it is so clear how much he loves you.  The two of you have that...undefinable something special that binds people together forever.  You all are in love, but it's not fake...let me ask you a question...are you happy with him?"

I don't have to think, "Of course."

"Then what is the problem?" She asks.

"I just don't know what to expect...I don't want marriage to ruin the way things are." I tell her.

"Z, no one knows what's going to happen tomorrow, you're going to have the unknown in front of you whether you get married today or not, but think about how happy you have been since you and Terry got together...you guys make a great team.  Can you imagine finding anyone else you would want to build a life with?"
"Other then the two of us living in a house raising your dozen illegitimate children and my one?  No..." I say.
"Well there ya' go," she says.
"But what about you?" I ask.  Now I'm thinking about what this must be doing to her.  Her sisters are married, I'm with Terry...
"I will be fine.  I told you, if I need to get a sperm donor and have a baby by myself, I'll do it.  I don't really care if I ever find a husband, I just want kids..." she says, "...and if you use me as an excuse not to go on with your life, I will never forgive you."

All this talk has really helped my nerves...I don't know if I just needed to purge or what, but I feel a lot better.  I think I'm ready now.
"Okay," I say.
"Okay what?" Amy asks.
""Let's get this show on the road," I tell her.
"Woo-hoo!" She exclaims, "Ok, dress...hair, makeup..."
"Please don't poke my eye out this time..." I ask her.
"Shoo...one time...one time and you never forget it," she laughs.

About an hour later, she and I are both dressed, made up, hair done, and ready to go.  

"Okay, hang out here for a minute, I'm going to send Terry into the church, then you can come out.  The windows are barred, so don't try to escape...and I'm going to send your mom in as soon as she gets here." She tells me.

Good, I definitely need my mom right now, "Awesome...I'm good to go."

*AMY'S POV*

With Wedding Crisis #1 successfully averted, I head out just in time to witness Bro time.  Terry and Mac are apparently having a moment, so I let them be.  We still have plenty of time and people should start arriving shortly.

I take one final look at everything to make sure it's all in place when I hear a distinctive wolf whistle and I know exactly who it is.  Before I turn around I start talking, "I could kill you for being late..."

...But I turn around and am shocked.

"Wha-wha-..." Is about all I can get out.

For a second, I can barely recognize AJ.  His hair is void of the piss-yellow tips and he has apparently invested in a razor, because he is clean shaven.

"A fine way to greet someone," he says with his usual joking nature, "especially someone that decided to take your advice..."

My throat is a little dry - I guess from all the running around and lack of hydration - so I swallow hard before answering him, "Well, uh, you can't argue with the results...you look a lot better than you did."

"Hmm...is that your weak attempt at a compliment?" He asks.

"Yeah, well..." I really don't know what to say because he is looking at me so seriously, it's making me uncomfortable.

"I have to say...you look absolutely stunning." He tells me.  No one-liners, no jokes.  Just his big blue eyes that crease down and look like they're laughing all the time looking at me...and he has...I never noticed, but...

"Hey, do you have freckles?" I ask.

He groans, "See, this is why I didn't want to shave, I look like a little boy..."

"No, they look...cute..."

"Why Ms. Keagan, did you just tell me I look cute?" He jokingly asks.  And there it is.  His obnoxious personality disorder rears it's ugly head and erases any idea that he could be a person I can actually tolerate for a few hours.

I roll my eyes, "Don't get it twisted, Reed.  You look appropriate for a wedding.  Good job...now go get Terry and head inside.  People are starting to arrive."

"Yes ma'am," He jests.  Ugh.

As I walk away from him, he has a smug expression on his face.  Ugh times two.

Everyone begins showing up:  First, the wedding party.  Rebecca and Kelsey are the other two bridesmaids while Robbie agreed to be a groomsmen with AJ and Mac to even it out. 

Rena shows up in the limo we sent for her just in time.  Zoey opted for walking down the aisle herself and then having her mother stand up for her at the whole "Who gives this woman to this man" part.

We all line up behind Terry and as he goes inside, Rena gets Zoey and we get this show on the road.

*ZOEY'S POV*

As I walk in, my heart is pounding so hard I think it can be heard above the music that I am walking in to, but I look ahead and catch Terry's eye and feel completely at ease.  Even though he is across the room, I feel like he is right beside me.  His expression is encouraging, coaxing me to walk down the aisle toward my future with him.

I finally make it to the front of the church and am standing in front of him.  He takes a deep breath and greets me, "You are so beautiful."

I smile at him as my mother stands up and the minister asks, "Who gives this woman to this man?"

My mother answers, "She gives herself freely with my blessing."

I can't help but get misty already, and it continues with the ministers words.

"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Taurrence Pope and Zoey Irvin in marriage. Through their time together, they have come to realize that their personal dreams, hopes, and goals are more attainable and more meaningful through the combined effort and mutual support provided in love, commitment, and family; and so they have decided to live together, as a partnership and witnesses to each others lives, as husband and wife.”

I look down and over to see my loved ones watching as the minister continues with the reading.

"May you always need one another, not to fill an emptiness, but to help each other know your fullness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you embrace one another, but not encircle one another. May you succeed in all important ways with each other, and not fail in the little graces. May you have happiness, and may you find it in making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it in loving one another."

"Taurrence and Zoey have chosen to write their own vows and exchanging of rings that they will share with us at this time."

That's my cue to look up at Terry because he is starting.  He takes my hands in his and starts.  Whew, I just need to remember to breathe.



"Zoey, in the year that I have known you, I have watched you in awe and with a love that has only grown since the day I met you.  You teach me things without making me feel like an idiot, you make me laugh without even trying, and you give every ounce of yourself to everything you try.  What I love the most about you is that even though you are all these things and so much more, you do not accept your greatness, but only strive for more.
I can't promise a life free of pain and hardships, but I can promise to stand by your side and embrace all that life holds for us together.  I will provide shield and shelter from things that might harm you and be your partner in this life until my last breath.  I will laugh with you, cry with you, respect and inspire you.  I give you this ring as a symbol of our love and the unity that we are committing to today.  Will you accept it and my continuing love?

Although my mouth is dry, I answer, "I will."
Terry puts the ring on my finger.

Now it's my turn.  Whew, deep breaths.

"Terry, when I was growing up, I never had dreams of my wedding day, the flowers, the dress, the bridesmaids, or the groom, but as my love has grown for you, you have taught me to dream for the love we have together - a love that I never thought possible.  Though I didn't dream of a wedding as a child, I had dreams of a home, a place of my own, where I felt comfortable, safe, happy, and secure.  This past year I have learned to realize that while I was looking for a structure, all the things I wanted in a home came into my life when I met you.  You are my dream, my safety, my security, my happiness.  You are my home.  You are gentle, patient, kind, and giving.  You have taught me to love and to trust.

Today I vow to love you, care for you, cherish you, and support you in our life together.  

I give you this ring as a symbol of our love and the unity that we are committing to today.  Will you accept it and my continuing love?

He answers, "I will." as I slip the ring on his finger.

Then the minister speaks up again, "Please join hands."

Terry and I chose to have a hands ceremony, so the minister begins reading:

Taurrence and Zoey, 

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future

.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your child.

These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase your dreams.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Well, that's it for my makeup.

"By the power vested in me by the state of New Jersey, I now pronounce you husband and wife.  You may conclude your ceremony with a kiss."

That was all we needed to hear!

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, for the first time: Taurrence and Zoey Pope!"

Everyone is clapping for us and there are several people screaming at the top of their lungs.  

I can't believe after everything, we are married.  As overwhelming as today was, it was absolutely perfect.

*THE GUESTS!*

REFERENCES:

I used this website for the wedding ceremony ideas.

Hands Ceremony