Date: Day 29 Year 76
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Wedding & Reception Location: Prainha Beach Resort
Rio de Janiero, Brazil |
Bridal PartyMaid of Honour: Delilah Song
Bridesmaids: Lexie Smith, Eléonore Ziesmann, Faith Bass Flower girls: Najma Jakeman, Ayu Baker, Emilia van Loon |
GroomsmenBest Man: Gabriel Jones
Groomsmen: Niels van Loon, Jasper Harris, Lorenzo Barthel Ring Bearer: Charlie (Rico's golden retriever) |
The Long Awaited Moment
"Okay. Ready." Cecilia said with a deep breath taken. They were a tad late already, but finally, everything was in place. Faith surprise had taken her aback, bringing tears to her eyes. The make up artist had rushed to quickly fix her make up again.
She could see the decorated part of the private beach section already from afar, filled with their beloved ones, friends and family, a little group waiting in front of her. She had to hold onto Hayden's arm a little tighter already, seeing how many had followed their invite, trying to hold herself together. She could see her siblings, her Mom, his family, their friends... barely anyone was missing. And how adorable their nieces looked like in their dresses!
A squeal left her throat when she spotted Charlie, carrying his bowtie. Could there be any cuter sight? Her heart just melted. The dog came running instantly to welcome her, and she quickly gave him a little ruffle behind the ears while hunkering down to prevent him from jumping her in her dress.
A squeal left her throat when she spotted Charlie, carrying his bowtie. Could there be any cuter sight? Her heart just melted. The dog came running instantly to welcome her, and she quickly gave him a little ruffle behind the ears while hunkering down to prevent him from jumping her in her dress.
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/4/3/13435654/85579.jpg?95)
As Rico stood at the altar, a cocktail of emotions threaded through him. It was a wonder he was still standing on his feet. He’d heard so many horror stories of brides leaving their grooms at the altar, or of cold feet getting the best of them when it came time for the I Do’s. Rico glanced at his watch. What was taking the bridal party so long? He cast a worried glance in his groomsmen’s direction, but they only smiled at him.
At last, the processional began, Rico released a sigh of relief.. The bridesmaids walked down the aisle, each of them beautifully garbed in purple. They were followed by Charlie as the ring-bearer and the flower girls. Rico beamed at them. Between Emilia, Najma, Ayu and Charlie, there was definitely an overload of adorability.
Charlie walked alongside Emi, and every time his tail wagged, Emi looked back to see who kept touching her. Rico laughed softly as Najma took charge, taking Emi’s hand to lead to the right as they made it to the altar.
At last, the processional began, Rico released a sigh of relief.. The bridesmaids walked down the aisle, each of them beautifully garbed in purple. They were followed by Charlie as the ring-bearer and the flower girls. Rico beamed at them. Between Emilia, Najma, Ayu and Charlie, there was definitely an overload of adorability.
Charlie walked alongside Emi, and every time his tail wagged, Emi looked back to see who kept touching her. Rico laughed softly as Najma took charge, taking Emi’s hand to lead to the right as they made it to the altar.
It was this moment, when she could see Rico for the very first time, standing in front waiting for her, glancing to his watch impatiently. He looked nervous, she recognized, feeling how her heart melted just a little more. Did he really doubt she'd attend? Loving she glanced at him from her hidden spot behind the last chair row, till Hay cleared his throat, giving her the sign.
When the music changed, Rico’s attention was drawn to the beginning of the aisle. Ceci now stood there, radiating beauty. Rico’s heart stopped and for a moment, he had to remind himself to breathe. Kobe, did this stunning young woman really want to marry him? From the moment Ceci got into position, their eyes met and all of her nerves melted away. Even from the distance, she could read in his eyes what he felt for her in this very moment, pulling at her heartstrings. Tears sprung to her eyes, and she had to bit her trembling lip down, to not break into them. Never had she expected anything to feel as overwhelming as this wave of love washing over her in this very moment. Right there, was the love of her life waiting for her, to promise her a lifetime together.
Rico, himself, actually had to hold back tears of joy as she drew nearer to him. Once she arrived at the altar, she pecked her brother's cheek, her smile thanking him more as any word probably would have been able to, taken she'd bring it out in her high emotion. Rico smiled, nodding gratefully to Hayden. As Hayden released her, Rico was speechless. “... beautiful,” was all he could manage. Once Ceci felt Rico's hand closing around hers, his lips pressing against it, she just... felt home. And blessed, to have found the one to her, her forever.
Throughout the ceremony, she held tightly to his hand, giving or receiving a little squeeze once in a while, connected with a loving gaze to the side. Oh how his eyes sparkled in the golden evening light. If hers did just the same? Once the time for their vows had come, she handed Lilah her bouquet, so Rico could take both of her hands. She felt like her heart would jump out of her chest each moment, knowing these were the last moments before they'd be husband and wife. But she wasn't prepared to the effect his words had on her.
When the music changed, Rico’s attention was drawn to the beginning of the aisle. Ceci now stood there, radiating beauty. Rico’s heart stopped and for a moment, he had to remind himself to breathe. Kobe, did this stunning young woman really want to marry him? From the moment Ceci got into position, their eyes met and all of her nerves melted away. Even from the distance, she could read in his eyes what he felt for her in this very moment, pulling at her heartstrings. Tears sprung to her eyes, and she had to bit her trembling lip down, to not break into them. Never had she expected anything to feel as overwhelming as this wave of love washing over her in this very moment. Right there, was the love of her life waiting for her, to promise her a lifetime together.
Rico, himself, actually had to hold back tears of joy as she drew nearer to him. Once she arrived at the altar, she pecked her brother's cheek, her smile thanking him more as any word probably would have been able to, taken she'd bring it out in her high emotion. Rico smiled, nodding gratefully to Hayden. As Hayden released her, Rico was speechless. “... beautiful,” was all he could manage. Once Ceci felt Rico's hand closing around hers, his lips pressing against it, she just... felt home. And blessed, to have found the one to her, her forever.
Throughout the ceremony, she held tightly to his hand, giving or receiving a little squeeze once in a while, connected with a loving gaze to the side. Oh how his eyes sparkled in the golden evening light. If hers did just the same? Once the time for their vows had come, she handed Lilah her bouquet, so Rico could take both of her hands. She felt like her heart would jump out of her chest each moment, knowing these were the last moments before they'd be husband and wife. But she wasn't prepared to the effect his words had on her.
“I’ve always said that the Fates brought us together. That on that New Years day 6 years ago, you were destined to cross my path. Everyday I’m more and more grateful for having met you. You’ve been my lifeline, my reason for waking up every morning. We’ve had our share of difficulties--together and apart-and no doubt we’d face more as a married couple, but I promise to stand by you in good times and in bad times. I promise to take care of you, in sickness and in health and to support you in the fulfillment of all your dreams. I will love you until the very end. You are my destiny.”
He was proud he’d managed to keep his composure throughout his vows, but when it was time for Ceci’s voice, he nearly lost it. Once more, Ceci had to fight her tears and the lump building in her throat while listening. Oh how she wanted to fall around his neck and hold onto him, kiss him, and never let go again. But somehow, a mystery to herself, she stayed in place. After all, she had to promise him, too. With a tremulous voice, she mustered all the composure she could gather, speaking her vow.
"When we met, I thought I saw something familiar in your eyes. I thought it was a familiar kind of pain, but maybe, it was just what you've seen so much earlier than me. That we are meant to be. You came into my life when I needed you the most, and you've stuck with me through the good and the bad times, and Kobe knows, we had our good share of it indeed. You brought the smile into my life, over and over again. You are my other half, my soulmate, my spouse.
And I know, I didn't make it easy on you at first baby, cause... Perhaps behind all this fright and insecurities, I knew it as well. I knew you'd go so, so deep, that I never would be able to be without you again. That you are my forever. And while it scared me at first, I do know now, that I'm truly blessed with having found the love of my life. I know, we just got started, and I'm looking forward to share this adventure called life with you. So today, I promise you to love you through the good and the bad times, in joy as well as in sorrow, till my very last breath."
After the I Do’s, he gently held her face between his hands and pressed his lips to hers. As many times as they’d kissed in the past six years, there was certainly something special about this one. At last, they were joined in matrimony. Husband and wife. Joined together… forever. And with that long awaited kiss, it was sealed. She was Mrs Barthel. She was his.