PART THREE As the priest continued with the ceremony Ned kept glancing over at Alexis. She looked beautiful and elegant in her simple white dress. He couldn't believe they had finally made it to this point. They had been through so much and they still were in love with each other. He took one final look at his bride before turning back to face the priest. As Alexis listened to the priest's words about the bond of marriage she glanced over at Ned. He looked so calm and handsome as he listened to what was being said. She couldn't understand it, she was so nervous! Was she going to remember her vows? What if she started to have a panic attack? Then she realized it didn't matter. She loved Ned and he loved her. She felt at peace and was happy about getting married to Ned. "The couple has decided to recite their own vows," the priest said interrupting Alexis' thoughts. "Ned will go first." Ned and Alexis turned to face each other for the exchanging of their vows. They smiled at each other and locked eyes as Ned begun his vows. "I have nothing prepared, so I'm going to say what is in my heart right now." He looked deep into Alexis' eyes before continuing. "I believe everyone has a soul mate, someone they are meant to spend the rest of their life with. Alexis, you are my soul mate, I know this because God has thrown so many obstacles in out path and we are still together and in love. Through everything I never stopped loving you and I never will. Alexis, when we say 'I do' today I will be giving you my heart forever. My one request is that you never try and give it back to me. No matter how hard you try I will never take it back, because I love you with all my heart and I always will." As the priest stepped back up Alexis wiped tears from her eyes. What Ned had just said was so beautiful and sweet. The priest smiled and said, "Now Alexis will recite her vows to Ned." Alexis was still crying some as she begun. "I never in a million years thought I would get married, but Ned, you changed all of that. I sometimes think I don't deserve your love, you are always there for me and that means so much. You are my best friend, my hero, and the man that I love. Whenever I need you I know you will be there, despite everything else going on. I only hope that I can repay you during our marriage. No matter what happens though I am going to be there and I will always love you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and I will love you until I die." "Now Ned repeats after me. With this ring I thee wed." The priest said continuing. "With this ring I thee wed." Ned said placing the wedding band on Alexis' finger. The priest nodded and smiled. "Now Alexis, repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed." Alexis took the ring and as she slide it on Ned's finger repeated the words, "With this ring I thee wed." The priest smiled again and said, "By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Ned you may kiss your bride." Before the priest finished Ned and Alexis were embracing and kissing. The small group of guests clapped their hands at the happy couple. Ned and Alexis turned to face the group as the priest said "May I introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Ned Ashton." They smiled at each other and shared a quick kiss before starting back up the aisle to leave the church. At the reception all of Ned and Alexis' friends and family expressed their happiness for them. Edward and Lila welcomed Alexis to the family. Monica and Alan also welcomed her and said that they could see that they were truly happy together and in love. Emily and Nik said that they were glad they finally worked things out and would be together forever. Towards the end of the reception Stefan came up to them, "Ned I know you don't like me very much and I don't enjoy you, but I can see that you really love my sister. You make her the happiest I have ever seen her. So anything that makes her happy makes me happy. Even if you don't like the family very much, I still would like to welcome you to it." With that he kissed Alexis on the cheek and skook Ned's hand. Ned and Alexis got back to the penthouse around midnight. They were going to spend the night there and leave for their honeymoon tomorrow morning. Outside the door Ned stopped Alexis before she walked in. "What?" Alexis asked Ned. "It is a tradition to carry the bride over the threshold." "You don't have to do.." The shock of Ned picking her up cut off Alexis. "What in the world!" She asked. The only answer she got was Ned's kiss. When they got inside Alexis kicked the door shut with her foot, as her and Ned continued to kiss. Ned carried her over to the couch and set her down ending the kiss. He sat down with her, never losing eye contact. "You have made me the happiest man alive. I love you so much." "I love you too Ned and I'm so happy to be your wife. I only hope I can live up to your expectations." "I have no expectations for you. I love you just the way you are, clients and all." He leaned over and they started to kiss again. Alexis pulled away one last time and said, "Thank you and I have none for you." With that the spent the rest of their wedding night holding each other and making love. They were finally man and wife and nothing could come between them now.