Melissa saw everyone she loved in the living room of the beach house. Everyone except for one. Kevin, Kristin, Leighanne, Brian, AJ, Jeni, Alyssa, Howie, and her parents.
“Welcome home Mel!” Brian said giving her a hug.
“Mel, you look amazing!” Leighanne stated as she gave her a hug.
“I know that’s not true, but thank you.” Melissa hugged everyone in the room till she reached her parents.
“How are you feeling honey?” Mrs. Barnes asked.
“I’m feeling okay.”
“Good, you have a long day ahead.” Mr. Barnes said smiling at his daughter.
“What are you talking about?” Melissa asked confused.
“Well, Mel I think this will give you a hint. Leigh!” Brian stated. Melissa turned and saw Leighanne holding Baylee.
“I’m babysitting?”
“No, look closer.” Melissa then realized that Baylee was in a tuxedo.
“I’m sorry I don’t know what I’m supposed to look for.”
“Baylee.” Brian said.
“Wedding!” Baylee replied.
“Wedding? Who’s? The only person I know that’s even engaged is…” Then it hit her. Her hands went to her mouth as tears welled up her eyes. “My wedding?” She softly whispered.
“Yes, honey. Your wedding.” Mrs. Barnes responded hugging her. “Come on, we don’t have much time.” Mrs. Barnes, Melissa and the girls headed upstairs while the guys headed over to the other beach house.
“Nick! We’re here. Are you ready?” AJ yelled entering the house. Nick greeted them in his tuxedo. He was just wearing the shirt and pants. The wedding was going to be on the beach, the way they had both wanted it. So the attire was going to be classic, but relaxed.
“How did she look?” He wanted to be there, but he knew Melissa was traditionally which meant not seeing her the day of the wedding.
“Beautiful and surprised.” Brian stated wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
“She had tears in her eyes. Baylee did an amazing job!” Howie said sitting down on the sofa.
“That’s my boy!” Nick let go a breath that he had held onto.
“Okay, your guys’ suits are upstairs, so all you have to do is change. Brian do you have Mel’s ring?”
“Yes, I have it. Relax Nick, everything is ready. All we have to do is, just wait.”
“Mel this is Jessica and Rachel, they are going to do your hair and make-up.” Jeni said as they entered the room.
“What about my dress and my bouquet?” She asked.
“We have it covered, all of it.” Julie said.
“How?”
“Well, between your mother, me, and Nick, we have planned the wedding of your dreams.”
“The ceremony is going to be on the beach at sunset with family and close friends. There is a decorated arch on the edge of the beach. The girls have their dresses already, so we are all waiting on you.”
Melissa started crying. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“It is, so let’s get you ready to marry Nick.” Melissa smiled through her tears and then sat down so the girls could work on her hair and make-up.
“All done.” Rachel stated once she finished Melissa’s make-up. Rachel kept her make-up natural, but she brought out Melissa’s eyes.
“Wow, Rachel you did an amazing job!”
“What about me?” Jessica smiled. Jessica put soft waves throughout Melissa’s hair.
“My hair is beautiful. Thank you both.”
“We aren’t done Mel.” Cathy came up behind her daughter and handed Jessica a clip. “I wore this clip in my hair the day I married your father. Now it is your turn and I hope that when you have your children, you’ll give this to your daughter.”
Jessica pulled back Melissa’s hair and placed the clip into place. Small waves framed her face. “Thank you, mom.” Melissa and her mother hugged.
“No tears, you’ll ruin your make-up!” They giggled till Julie interrupted.
“The clip was something old and I have something borrowed.” Julie handed Melissa diamond earrings. “Jonathon gave me these on our second year anniversary.” Melissa put on the exquisite earrings. “I wouldn’t have Jonathon if it was for you, so I want you to wear these to remind you of our friendship.”
“You guys are going to make this hard not to cry.” She said wiping her eyes.
“Well prepare yourself!” Leighanne stated and then handed her a small black box. “This is from all of us. Brian, me, Kevin, Kristin, Alyssa, Howie, AJ, and Jeni.” Melissa opened the box and saw a silver bracelet with a dangling heart.
“Oh it is beautiful!”
“Look at the heart!” Alyssa replied.
“To Mel, our friend who has a heart of gold. Thank you for sharing it with us.” Melissa said out loud reading the inscription. Tears were falling down her face now. “Thank you all so much.”
“Group hug!” Julie yelled! Everyone laughed as they came together.
“Please tell there are no more gifts or Rachel will have to do my make-up again.”
“There is one more!” Jeni grinned.
“Are you nervous?” Brian asked Nick.
“No strangely enough, I’m not. I’m anxious. I want Mel to be my wife.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks Brian.”
“Time for a toast!” AJ stated holding a glass of water. “Sorry Nick, its only water. I can’t have you getting drunk on your wedding day. Jeni would kill me!”
They picked up a glass of water. “To Nick on his big day! I’m so happy that you found someone who loves you like you deserve. May you and Mel be forever happy. Cheers!”
“CHEERS!” Everyone took a sip of their drink.
“I for one can’t believe Nick is getting married today!” Kevin smiled.
“Me either!” Howie laughed.
“Thanks for your support guys!”
“In all seriousness, Nick you have picked an amazing woman to be your bride.” AJ said.
“Nick, on behalf of Cathy and I, I would like to thank you for making our daughter smile again. We haven’t seen her this happy in a long time. Thank you.” Mike said giving Nick a hug.
“Thank you, Mr. Barnes. Mel is my world; there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.”
“I know that and it makes it easier to give her away today.”
“Mr. Barnes, where did Mel get her feisty personality?” AJ asked.
“That would be from her mother! Barnes women will never back down in an argument. Cathy has instilled that in Mel. She is just like her mother.”
“A blue garter.” Melissa said with a smile.
“Yes, now you have something old, the hairclip, something borrowed, my earrings, something new, the bracelet, and something blue, the garter.” Julie stated.
“We have all the traditions covered. Now it is time to get you dressed.” Mrs. Barnes walked over to the closet and pulled out Melissa’s wedding dress.
The dress was silk organdy v-neck column gown with pleated v-neck empire bodice. The straps were beaded and embroidered. The back of dress was sprinkled with beading and pleated godet detail.
“It is exactly what I wanted. How did you know?”
“I’m your mother, I know everything.” She handed Melissa the dress. “Time to get dressed.”
Nick waited impatiently under the arch. He couldn’t believe this day was here, he was going to marry the woman who held his heart. Nick was drawn back to reality when he heard the music starting to play.
First Kevin and Kristin came down the aisle and then took their seats. Then after them came Brian and Leighanne, AJ and Jeni, Howie and Alyssa, and finally Jonathon and Julie. Everyone smiled when Baylee came down the aisle, carrying a little pillow. Once he reached the end, he ran to Leighanne and then sat in her lap. The wedding march started and Brian and Julie quickly took their spots.
“Are you ready honey?” Mr. Barnes asked Melissa.
“I’m ready.” She said and then took a deep breath. Melissa and her father made their way down the aisle as all eyes laid on her.
Nick’s breath got caught in his throat just looking at her. She looked so beautiful, everything about her looked beautiful. Her hair, her make-up, her dress, she looked like a real Angel.
She saw him standing there, looking so handsome in his tux. She couldn’t stop smiling. She was finally going to marry the man of her dreams. She was finally going to have her life back.
“Wow, she looks amazing.” Kevin whispered to Kristin.
“She does, she glowing.” Kristin laid her hand on his.
“Who gives this woman to this man?” The priest asked.
Mr. Barnes smiled at his daughter and said, “Her family does.” He gave Melissa’s hand to Nick. “Take good care of my baby.”
“I promise.” Nick said squeezing Melissa’s hand.
“I love you papa.” She placed a kiss on his cheek.
“I love you Mel.” He took his seat next to his wife who had tears already in her eyes.
“We are here today to join this man and this woman in wholly matrimony. If anyone can show just cause why these two should not be joined, please speak now or forever hold your peace.” The only sound you could hear was the waves hitting the beach.
“I have had the chance to get to know Nick and Melissa through their families and friends. The love they shared has grown with each day and this day proves how strong their love for each other is.” The priest stated to everyone. “Nick and Melissa have written vows that they like to share at this time. Nick.”
Nick looks at Melissa. He had to take a breath to control his feelings. “Mel, my Angel.” Melissa smiled at him. “I thought about what I would say to you on this day. I thought it would be difficult to find the words to express my love for you. But as I stand here, and as I look at you, the words come to me so easily.” He held her hand in his. “I have never loved someone the way I love you. You walk into a room and I can’t take my eyes off of you. When you smile, I can’t but help to smile too. You have this amazing heart and I’m one of the lucky who gets to see it everyday. There isn’t anything about you that I would change. Even that feisty personality that constantly puts me in my place.” Everyone giggled softly, even Nick and Melissa. “I’m half a man without you Mel. You make me whole. I love you.”
When Nick finished, tears were flowing from her eyes. She took a deep breath and then started. “Nick, when we first met, I wasn’t in a good place. I had given up on ever finding love. Then you entered my life and changed all of that. You loved me the best way, unconditionally. Every time something happened there you were by my side. Not once did you give up on our love, on us.” She wiped away a strayed tear. “You are my rock Nick; I couldn’t have gotten through any of this without you. I may be your Angel, but you Nick, you are my guardian angel.”
“Nick, take the ring and place it on Melissa’s finger and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”
Nick placed the ring on her finger. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
“Melissa, take the ring and place it on Nick’s finger and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”
Melissa gently placed the ring on his finger and looked up at him. “With this ring, I thee wed.”
“Nick, do you take Melissa to be your lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, till death do you part?” The priest asked.
“I do.” He said with a huge grin.
“Melissa, do you take Nick to be your lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, till death do you part?”
Through tears, Melissa smiled. “I do.”
“What is joined today, may nothing tear it apart. By the power invested by me, I pronounce you, man and wife. Nick, you may kiss your bride.”
Nick placed his hands on the sides of her face, leaned in and kissed her softly and slowly. Everyone cheered as they couple kissed.
“Let me introduce everyone to Mr. and Mrs. Nickolas Carter.” Everyone stood up and started clapping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The reception was at a magnificent ballroom. It was beautifully decorated to match Melissa’s wedding colors. Towards the front of the giant room were a dance floor and a small stage.
“Since I’m the best man, I like to make a toast to the happy couple.” Brian stated standing up. “I’m so happy to be here on this amazing day. To see my brother marry the woman who holds his heart. I hope you two have many years of love and happiness. To Nick and Mel.”
“TO NICK AND MEL.” Everyone said and then drank from their glasses.
“It’s time for the first dance as husband and wife.” Julie said smiling at them. Melissa and Nick headed over to the dance floor.
“I have a wedding present for you.” Nick said before joining the guys on the stage in the beautiful ballroom. Everyone else joined Melissa on the dance floor.
“This is dedicated to my wife. I love you Mel.”
“People tell me, you stay where you belong
But all my life I've tried
To prove them wrong
They say I'm looking for
Something that can't be found
They say I'm missing out
That my feet don't touch the ground”
”But there are moments
When you can't deny what's true
Just an ordinary day
Like when I met you”
”It's funny how life can take new meaning
You came and changed what I believe in
The world on the outside is trying to pull me in
But they can't touch me
'Cause I got you
I got you, oh yeah”
”I want to thank you
For all of the things you've done
And most for choosing me
To be the one”
”It's funny how life can take new meaning
You came and changed what I believe in
The world on the outside is trying to pull me in
But they can't touch me
'Cause I got you”
”And it hits me when I reach for you
That I'm afraid you won't be there
Maybe I am in too deep
But I don't care”
”(I’m right where I belong)
I got you
Yeah
I want to prove them wrong
I've got you yeah
You can't deny what's true no
They can't touch me, yeah yeah”
”I got you
I got you
I got you baby”
”You can't deny what's true
No, they can't touch me
'Cause I got you”
Everyone clapped once they finished the amazing song. Nick came down from
the stage and walked over to his bride. He wrapped her in his arms and just
smiled at her.
“I got you.”
