| Dave met us there, and he and Gary and two others, escorted us to our hair appointments and then to the Hanson's house. Lacey made sure that Tay was nowhere in sight before she would let me out of the car to go upsatirs and change into my dress. We laughed and chattered noisily as we changed, commenting on what a nice job the decorators did on the house, and then hoping they did just as well at the gym. As the hour for the ceremony to start neared my stomach knotted and my hands started to shake. I looked, confused, at Wattley. "Why the heck am I so nervous? I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life.." "Jessie, that's why. You love him and I know you. You are a perfectionist. It WILL be perfect, sweetie, you know it will.." she handed me a tissue. "Quit that. Your mascara's gonna run." There was a knock at the door and then Diana and the girls came in. I stood up and smiled at all of them. "Well?" I asked looking at Diana. "Oh Jess! You're so beautiful..." she hugged me and then I got one from each of the girls. "And Taylor is as big a bundle of nerves as you are." she grinned. "Everything will be fine honey.." she patted my hand and then took the kids out as Jake and Zac came in. "Wow, Jess.." Zac said, and kissed my cheek. "Thank you, Zac." I kissed his cheek and then turned to my brother while Zac went to Watts. "Getting to be about that time, sis. You about ready?" he asked. "I think so.." I smiled, smoothing the front of my dress down. Zac and Watts and the other girls left the room for a minute. "Do I look ready?" I asked, my hands still shaking. "You look beautiful, Jess. Just like her.." he said. "Like who?" I asked. |
| JESSIE: "Both of them actually, look.." he pulled our grandparents' wedding photo out of his inside jacket pocket. I looked exactly like my grandmother, but with dark hair. That did it. My eyes filled with tears. "Damn it, Jess. I'm sorry. I just wanted to see.." he handed me more tissue. I took it, but I couldn't speak. "Jess...come on.." he hugged me too his side. "I just wish she was here.." I squeaked. "She and Tay would have hit it off right away.." "Well hell Jess..not many people DON'T like Tay, ones who KNOW him, anyway." he grinned. "She would want you to go get married and be happy, gumby. And so do I. Oh, thank you by the way.." he looked down at me. "For what?" I asked. "Being a totally, unbelievably awesome sister and giving me the best set of brothers in law a guy with NO brothers could ask for." He hugged me tightly then held me away so he could look at me. "No puffy eyes," he laughed. "Are you ready now? Because Tay is about jumping out of his skin. He kept me up most of the night yakking too.." I giggled and socked my handsome brother in the shoulder. "Yes. Go tell them.." I kissed Jake on his burly handsome cheek, and looked into his eyes, which decided to be as blue as his vest and tie today. "I love you, Jakey." "I love you too, gumby." he grinned. "But I cannot wait to get you married off and outta my hair.." he joked. "We'll get your smart ass outta here and tell 'em I'm ready then.." "Kay.." he smiled, brightly and opened the door letting the others back in. Lacey fussed over my makeup for a minute, berating me for crying BEFORE walking down the aisle, then she kissed me on the cheek. Abbey made sure we were all where we were supposed to be, then gave the signal for the music to start. |
| TAYLOR: I knew that Jake had gone to see if Jess was ready, and my stomach was tied in a giant, pretzel-like knot. Jake stuck his head out and nodded, finally, and we all took our places at the front of the room, where a podium had been set up as an altar. The music started and I felt my hands begin to shake slightly as I watched the girls come down the aisle one by one. First Abbey and Wattley right behind her, then Lacey. Then my sisters came down and stood next to Abbey, and they were followed by Mac and Zoe, who looked extremely cute throwing flower petals and smiling at everyone. Mac stood between my Dad and Zac, and Zoe between her sisters. Then the wedding march started and I looked down the ailse to see Jessie, smiling, on Jake's arm. My eyes stung with tears and I couldn't breathe as everyone stood and turned to watch her come down the aisle to ME. "Oh my god, Ike.." I whispered and smiled at the woman of my dreams walking toward me. "I know, man.." he said as I continued to watch her, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life. Her dress was classic and simple, and her hair was straight, but up, her one lock escaping the headpiece and brushing her eyelash. As Jake handed her to me, she kissed his cheek. A tear slipped down mine as she took my hand and stood next to me, then hers began to flow, too. She held my hand tightly as we faced the minister and listened to him speak. Neither one of us faltered, or stuttered as we repeated our vows and our gazes remained locked together, as if magnetized. Neither of us noticed the tears spilling forth as we exchanged rings, though I did have to steady Jess' hand to slip the ring on her finger. She smiled up at me through her tears as we finished taking our vows, not noticing that there wasn't a dry eye in the entire place. The world stood still as the minister told me to kiss my bride, and as I did my heart felt as if was exploding in my chest. Her hands rested on my chest and I felt as if my feet weren't even touching the ground. When we ended that kiss, Jessie looked straight into my eyes, and blinded me with her beautiful smile. I offered her my arm as the minister announced, "May I present Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Hanson." There was a huge round of applause as we faced our guests, and I leaned down to kiss my wife again before I led her from the room. When we got to the end of the aisle and through the doorway, I pulled her close into my arms and kissed her again. "I love you, Jess Hanson.." She smiled up at me and wiped her cheek. "I love you, too Taylor Hanson. Forever." "Forever, baby.." I smiled back, then she took my hand and we turned to greet our guests. |