Her aunt took her hand, and she bit her tongue trying to hold back her tears. “It’s breathtaking. It’s so beautiful.”
Bethany squeezed her hand. “Yes, it is, but don’t get emotional right now. Save that for when you see your bride.”
Almost on cue, Kris’s limo pulled up behind hers. She couldn’t wait to see Kris, but the plan required her to walk down the aisle with her aunt first. She could see movement behind the tinted windows, but couldn’t make out any faces. She sighed and turned back towards the gathering. The music began and everyone stood to face her.
Her aunt took her hand and led her down the aisle. The smiling familiar faces were welcoming. She squeezed her aunt’s hand tight as she made her way towards the gazebo where Skylar, Allie, and Jay were already standing. Jay took a course online to get ordained so that he could officiate the wedding. They didn’t want to leave him out since Allie and Skylar were in the wedding, and Erin and Liz organized the wedding and made sure everything was on schedule.
Skylar looked beautiful in a strapless black dress with a floor sweeping skirt. Allie was just as stunning in a black slim fitting feminine suit with a crisp white shirt underneath. The top few buttons were undone. She also wore black high heels. It was the first time Jenna had seen Allie in anything besides sneakers or sandals.
She started down the aisle smiling at as many people as she could. It was hard to believe everyone was there to celebrate their wedding. Brian was there along with Dr. Stevenson and Linda from the hospital. Amelia and Stacy were there. Cynthia was near the front holding the baby. Several familiar faces, the names of which she couldn’t remember, were mixed in the crowd. At the front, Erin and Liz stood. Erin had tears in her eyes and Liz had a huge warm smile. When her eyes met Erin’s, the corners of her eyes moistened. They had Jax with them.
When she reached the gazebo, she gave Allie a hug and a kiss. She turned to Skylar and hugged her, squeezing her tight. She kissed her on the cheek.
“It’s not too late to run,” Skylar whispered.
“Not a chance.”
Her heart caught in her chest when she heard a car door close and the collective movement of everyone turning to look behind them.
“I think you’re going to need this.” Allie handed her a handkerchief.
Jenna dabbed the corners of her eyes and took a deep breath. She turned slow wanting to remember this moment for the rest of her life. Kris had her mother on one side and her father on the other. She looked amazing. Jenna clenched the handkerchief in her hand as more tears formed, but she couldn’t move. The tears blurred her vision as they welled up before falling down her cheeks. Kris moved towards her like a blurry mirage. She dabbed her eyes again to clear her vision. By that time, Kris was making her way up the gazebo after kissing her parents.
Kris took her hand and squeezed it. “I love you,” she whispered in Jenna’s ear.
“I love you too,” Jenna said. She moved in to kiss Kris.
Jay cleared his throat. “Not so fast. You’ll have to wait until after the ceremony for that.”
Jenna wiped Kris’s tears and turned to face Jay while everyone sat down.
Jay smiled at the two of them before beginning. “We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two separate lives. Jenna and Kris are fortunate to have found each other and discovered the profound love they have for one another. They are ready to commit themselves to each other for the rest of their lives. I’ve known Kris for eight years now and Jenna for three. I’m happy, as I know everyone else here today is, that these two have decided to enter into the sanctity of marriage hand-in-hand, together. From this day forward, their lives will forever be connected.
“I remember the night Kris met Jenna at the hospital after cutting her finger, which of course she tried to blame me for. I guess that makes me responsible for bringing these two together. Kris knew that day that she was connected to Jenna and was determined to find a way to make Jenna realize it too. She didn’t know much about Jenna, but she knew she was special, that there was something different about her. We all laughed it off and wished her good luck, but we are here today because Kris was right. Jenna is special. She makes Kris smile, makes her laugh, makes her happy and feel loved. She’s the kind of person that you enjoy having around, someone you can count on for anything, anywhere, any time. I’m honored they’ve asked me to officiate their wedding ceremony. Let’s begin.”
Jay put his hands on their shoulders. “Would you please face each other and join hands?”
Jenna turned towards Kris and took both of her hands in hers. She searched Kris’s eyes looking for any hint of doubt, but there was none. Only joy and tears of happiness that matched her own. She swallowed hard and pushed down any fear and self-doubt she had about Kris’s love for her. There was nothing to worry about.
Jay continued. “These hands that you hold on your wedding day are the hands of your best friend. Strong, but loving and patient. She will love you with passion and cherish you from this day forward, forever. She will walk alongside you, but will allow you to take the lead when she needs you to. When you need her to lead, she will step up and guide you. Together you will work to build a future that includes you both. She will comfort you when you need it the most like no one else can. She will lift your spirits when you are down and be your support when you are weak. She will protect you when you’re afraid and will console you when you mourn. She will wipe away the tears you shed, whether they are caused by grief or happiness. She is the one who will stand by you no matter what obstacles life throws your way. She is the one you will reach for when you feel the slightest hint of despair. These hands are the ones that will still reach for you even after they are aged and weathered after many long years of being by your side with the same gentle touch as today.”
Jenna and Kris smiled through their tears and wiped them from each other’s eyes. They looked to Jay to continue.
“Do you, Jenna, take Kristen to be your wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and sorrow, to share the good times and misfortune, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others and holding only to her forevermore?”
Jenna looked into Kris’s eyes. “I do.”
“Do you, Kris, take Jenna to be your wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and sorrow, to share the good times and misfortune, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others and holding only to her forevermore?”
Kris’s upper lip trembled. “I do.”
“I believe the two of you have written additional vows. Jenna, please go first.”
Jenna took a deep breath and unfolded the paper Skylar handed her. She wanted to memorize her vows, but she knew she would be too nervous and she was right. Her hands shook as she unfolded the last crease.
“Kris, you are the love of my life, the only true love I’ve ever known or will ever know. I wish I could say it was love at first sight for me because that sounds more romantic than the truth. The truth is, when I met you that day in the emergency room, I had no idea I would be standing here today. I was never close-minded, but my heart was off limits, disconnected. I didn’t know what true unconditional love was. I didn’t know that it could exist between two strangers that were thrown together by fate. The next time we met, I left knowing that I needed more. I needed something more from you, something more between us. It didn’t take me long to fall for you. How could I not? You’re beautiful, kind, intelligent, witty, compassionate. Should I go on?”
Kris nodded her head and there were a few snickers from behind them.
“Really?” Jenna asked.
“No, no it’s okay as long as you throw sexy in there too.”
“Okay, and sexy as well.” She winked at Kris. “What I didn’t expect, was to fall madly, deeply in love with you with my entire heart and soul. Thank you for opening my heart and allowing me into y
ours. I know it hasn’t always been easy, and I know we still have a lifetime of ups and downs, but I know I can get through anything with you by my side. Today, I promise to love you forever, and to be a constant force by your side through the triumphs and challenges we have yet to experience. I promise to love you and only you, and to remain faithful to you. I vow to uphold the promises I have made to you, and to love and adore you even more than today with each sunrise and sunset for the rest of our long life together.”
“Kris, it’s your turn,” Jay said.
Kris took the handkerchief and the slip of paper with her vows written on it from Allie. She wiped her eyes. The paper shook beneath her trembling fingers as she held it tight in her hands.
“Jenna, you are so special to me. You are my rock, my anchor, my best friend, and my soul mate. From the moment I met you, my life has had meaning. You are the most gentle, kind, loving, warm, angelic person in the world. You’ve inspired me to be a better, more generous and loving person. You have always believed in me when I haven’t believed in myself. You lift me up when I’m down. You give me unconditional love, a love that no one else has ever given me before. You amaze me day after day how you maintain your strength and positivity in life.
“You have such a gift of being able to save lives and heal families. I know your grandmother Grace was so proud of you for the amazing woman you’ve become. You carry on her legacy through your actions every day. You are just like her with a heart full of compassion and love, yet a tough independent woman who will fight to the end of time to protect those you love.
“Thank you for standing by my side through thick and thin, through all the stress that we endured over the years. Thank you for being my best friend and listening, giving me a shoulder to cry on. Thank you for making me feel beautiful, wanted, and loved every day.
“Today I promise to be faithful and honest, stand by your side through the end of time as we grow old together as partners in love throughout eternity. I promise to love you forever. I promise to be with you by your side no matter what. I will always support you. I promise to kiss you every night. I promise to make love to you every chance we get and to hold your hand every night as we fall asleep.”
Jenna looked back at the few who were whistling and winked. “Can I get a copy of those vows, just for the record?”
Kris folded the paper and pretended to stuff it down into the top of her dress. “Maybe I should put an escape clause in there somewhere first.”
“Okay, okay. I don’t want to push my luck. Please, continue. I can’t wait to hear what else you have.”
Kris unfolded the paper again. “Nothing else as exciting as that, just more about our future.”
Jenna nodded for her to continue.
“I vow to always protect you, stand up for you, and love you unconditionally. I vow to love you and be by your side forever as your best friend and soul mate.
“I wish more than anything in the world that I could stop time and hold onto this moment forever. I never want to be without you a single day. I never thought in a million years I would be lucky enough to find someone so special who really gets me and loves me for who I am. I love you now more than ever, and I know I am the luckiest person in the world.
“I want to love you, take care of you, and make wonderful memories together. I want to live the rest of my life in your arms being loved by you. Thank you for choosing to walk this crazy journey called life with me.”
Jenna took the handkerchief from Kris to wipe her tears. “I love you,” she whispered.
Jay spoke again. “Now, it’s time to exchange rings. Jenna, place the wedding band you have chosen for Kris on her left hand.”
Skylar came forward and handed the band to Jenna. She slipped the smooth band onto Kris’s finger and held her hand in both of hers. Her fingers curled around the ring resting on Kris’s finger.
“Holding Kris’s hand, please repeat after me, with this ring, I thee wed.”
After a deep breath, Jenna repeated, “With this ring, I thee wed.” Tears came. She knew they would as she held Kris’s hand and stared into her eyes. Eyes that reflected the same emotional joy and elation she felt. She repeated the words after Jay, halfway through wondering why they chose such a long verse. “This ring signifies my love and devotion for you. I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment of my love and faithfulness. I commit my heart and soul to you. This ring has no beginning and it has no end. May its presence on your hand always remind you of my eternal love. I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day.”
She smiled and wiped her tears when she finished. Using her thumb, she wiped away Kris’s tears.
“Kris, place the wedding band you have chosen for Jenna on her left hand.”
Allie passed the ring to Kris. Jenna saw Allie had tears too.
Kris slid the band onto Jenna’s hand. Kris squeezed her hand tight. They connected like pieces of a puzzle and always had. She looked down at the wedding band on Kris’s hand. This is it. This is real. This is happening.
“Holding Jenna’s hand, please repeat after me, with this ring, I thee wed.”
Jenna tuned Jay out and focused on Kris. Her part was over and she had made it through without losing it, but listening to Kris repeat the verse and knowing in her heart that she meant every word threatened to change that. Her heart pounded. She bit down on the inside of her cheek trying to keep her emotions in check. Tears continued to well up despite her efforts and it was having an affect on Kris too. Kris was having a hard time getting the words out, but pushed through to the end.
“Jenna, please remove Kris’s engagement ring from her right hand.”
Jenna slipped her fingers over the engagement ring on Kris’s finger. She remembered picking it out at the jewelry store, the same store that Kim had brought to her attention. Her mind flashed back to the hospital when she proposed after Kris had woken up. She swallowed hard as the tears that she thought had dried up resurfaced again. She grabbed Kris’s wrist with her other hand to steady her trembling grasp. The ring had been through a lot the past few months and it was a trying time, but she knew if they could get through that, they could get through anything together.
“You okay?” Kris asked.
Jenna nodded. She tried slipping the engagement ring off, but it caught on Kris’s knuckle. She had thin, delicate fingers. She had inherited her father’s large knuckles. It made sizing the rings difficult, and it was making the task of removing the ring almost impossible at the moment.
“Having a little technical difficulty everyone,” Jay commented.
“Let me see if I can get it,” Kris said.
Jenna laughed. Of course, the ring would be hard to remove. Just another obstacle to overcome, but they would overcome it just like all the others. Kris continued to twist and turn it on her finger.
Jay leaned forward and whispered. “Do we need to skip this part?”
Kris shook her head and whispered back. “No, I’m getting this ring off one way or the other even if I end up in the emergency room again. I do know a sexy doctor.”
“You better be talking about me. I can get it off.” Jenna turned to everyone. “Does anyone here have any strong fishing line?”
Mumbles erupted and there were a few odd stares. In the back row in the last seat she saw someone who caused her to do a double take. Her heart skipped a beat, and she smiled through the mixed emotions running through her mind. Her mother smiled back at her and nodded her approval. Jenna scanned the crowd one further time, but there was no sign of her father. She wasn’t surprised. She wasn’t sure she wanted him there anyway, and from the stories her aunt had told her the drinking had become worse. He was almost intolerable to be around now. Maybe that was part of the reason her mother had decided to come. Whatever the reason, she was happy to see her there. She debated whether to tell Kris, but before she could make up her mind Stacy ran up to her.
Stacy was out of breath. “I go
t this from a guy fishing by the lake. I hope this is enough.” She handed several inches of line to Jenna. “This is the first time I’ve ever heard of someone requesting this at a wedding. Sounds a little kinky to me. Didn’t know you had it in you.”
Jenna took the line and straightened it out. “You’d be surprised.” She smiled at Kris.
“Well now, I would love to hear some of those stories later. Good luck.” Stacy made her way back to her seat.
Jenna pushed one end of the fishing line underneath Kris’s ring and pulled enough through to grab onto later. She began making tight wraps with the line with each pass resting snug against the previous one, compressing Kris’s finger in the process. She suppressed a laugh. Of course, it would have to be Stacy that came up with the line to remove the engagement ring from Kris’s finger. After all, she did have a history with it the last time Kris had it off.
“You know, you didn’t have to go through all this trouble if you were having second thoughts,” Jenna said.
“I’m not having second thoughts at all. I’ve never doubted how much I want this. Don’t lie, you know you’re enjoying coming to my rescue once again.”
“Hmmm, maybe a little.”
“Have you done this before?”
“No, you’re my first.”
“Well, that’s comforting. Where did you learn this trick?”
“Online. It works by compressing your finger and soft tissue so the ring can pass over it…hopefully.” Jenna had the line wrapped tight past Kris’s knuckle and was continuing up.
“Online? All that education you’ve gone through and you picked this skill up online?”
Jenna was near the fingertip now, just below the nail. She did a few final wraps around the end to hold it in place below the fingernail. “It’s time to see if this works. I had to wrap it pretty tight. It doesn’t hurt too bad does it?”
Jenna's Future (Dr. Jenna Harper Series Book 3) Page 15
