51 The Wedding

*A month later*

(Athena POV)

It has been a month since everything happened and I'm feeling very good. Throughout the month, the whole pack threw an engagement party for me and Storm and it was perfect. My parents and Storm's dad, Gabriel, planned the whole thing. I admit they did a good job.

Diamond had her wedding. She didn't want a big wedding so we only had a small ceremony and now she is married to Daniel. Daniel asked Storm to be his best man and he gladly accepted it. It was a good thing we walked down the aisle together because it certainly helped us practice. Jered also gave Daniel the big brother talk and Daniel was nearly scared shitless. I obviously had to hit Jered hard in the back of the head for doing it though.

I am now nine weeks pregnant and Storm and I couldn't be happier. We decided to change Storm's old room into a nursey. Yeah I know that everything is going fast but we do have to be prepared before it's too late. My mom especially wanted everything prepared. She literally bought everything that was needed in the nursery and I'm pretty sure when the baby is born there will be more stuff. I am actually terrified of what she will do to spoil the baby. Her and Storm has their heart set on the baby being a boy.

Let's see what else happened? Oh apparently my dad got injured in his back when he was rescuing Mom from the people of Blade's pack a month ago and now he appointed Storm to be in charge with some pack stuff. I guess you can say he is kind of like an "Alpha in training". My dad placed Storm in charge of stuff when he wasn't able to do it himself so he is charge sometimes. I'm so happy my dad is treating him better as a future son-in-law son instead of an enemy.

Now, I don't think I'm missing anything so let's get to the good part. TODAY IS MY WEDDING DAY! Yup I'm getting married today. Right now I'm in my old room in my parents house and everyone is trying to get me ready. No not trying, practically forcing me to get ready. They had woken me up early and literally pushed me into the shower with freezing cold water so I could wake up. They were being unbelievable.

After I had taken a shower, they did my hair which took about an hour to do. It took so long because they wanted it to be perfect. They did a half up ringlets wedding hairstyle then added little cherry blossom flowers in it. I admit it looked gorgeous but damn did my butt hurt for sitting down for that long.

After the hair, they tried putting makeup on me. That is where I drew the line. Makeup really irritates my skin so that will be a hell no. Instead I just put some light lipstick. The girls looked at me and they couldn't help but just look at me in awe. I liked their reaction, but it was still weird. "Um guys can I go out on my dress now." They snapped out of it and let me go put on my wedding dress.

I went into the bathroom and put on my wedding dress. My wedding dress is a simple lace tulle bohemian beach wedding dress with half sleeves sweep train backless wedding dress. My mother had it custom made for me. I would have gone for any dress but she wanted it to be special like me. I looked at myself in the mirror and I couldn't help but be amazed at how I looked. 'Wow mother did an amazing job. You look hot. Mate is going to cry seeing you.' Angel said out of nowhere. I laughed and nodded.

I walked out of the bathroom in my dress and everyone was stunned. My mom even started to cry. "Mom don't cry." I said as I went and hugged her. "I can't help it. My baby is growing up." she said as she wiped her tears away. I chuckled a little and she went and got something from her bag. She took out a box and walked back to me. "Mom what's this?" I asked as I pointed to the box in her hand. "Consider it your 'something borrowed'" she answered and handed me the box.

I opened the box and find that inside contains a beautiful and gorgeous bridal crown with quality black rhinestones are paved on an alloy crown. It looked like the crown was made of silver trigs. It was gorgeous. I smiled at my mom and gave her a big hug. She grabbed the crown and attached it to my greyish white veil and gently place it on my head. My mom had the biggest smile on her face and I smiled back at her. Everybody else just nearly started to cry.

Then there was a knock on the door. The door opened slightly and Mr. Dreyer's head popped in. "It's time guys." he said and then he closed the door. I looked back at my mom and she said "Let's get you married". I chuckled a little and nodded.

Everybody lined up in the order they are supposed to go and we walked out of the house and we strolled through the woods to the cliff. The cherry blossoms were falling and everything was looking magical. Once we were close I could see the people sitting in their seats and the groomsmen were waiting for their bridesmaid at the entry path of the cliff.

I took a deep breath when the musicians started to play. One by one the groomsmen and bridesmaids walked down the path to the gazebo at the edge of the cliff where Storm was standing with Jered,who will be performing the ceremony. It wasn't until the final people which were Diamond and Daniel walked down the path that my mom and dad stood next me. My dad looked at me with teary eyes and said that I looked beautiful and held out his arm for me to take. I held onto his arm and my mom held onto my other arm and we stood in the pathway. Everybody stood up and the musicians started to play the song the slow John Stoddart version of Isn't She Lovely.

I was facing down a little as I walked with mom and dad but when I looked up, I see Storm in his stunning dark grey tuxedo squatted down covering his mouth looking at me in disbelief as some tears flowed down his face. Jered patted Storm's back with a smile on his face as if cheering him on. It was funny.

As we got closer to Storm, he stood up from squatting and wiped the tears from his face. Once we got to the front, Jered began to speak. "Everybody may now be seated" he said and everybody sat. Jered then continued. "We're all here today to celebrate the relationship of Athena and Storm and to be witnesses and supporters of the commitment they share with one another. Together we're a group of the most important people in their lives and they've brought us here to publically recognize that we've all played some special part in the love they share today. Speaking of important people, there were none more important in influencing the lives of Athena and Storm than their parents. With that being said, who gives Athena away in marriage to this man?"

"Her mother and I" my dad answered Jered's question. They both let go of me and give a hug and kiss and then gives my hand to Storm. They both go and sit down and I hand Diamond my bouquet. Storm and I face each other, holding while and having big smiles on our faces. Then Jered continues on.

"Marriage gives permanence and structure to a couple's love. It's a way to tell one another that no matter how much you snore or how much you spent while out at the shopping mall, we're still in this together. It's more permanent than the scars that Storm has delt with and has more staying power than Athena's cute little attitude that she's had since they first met. Marriage is telling the person you love that you're not going anywhere and that's a powerful commitment for two people to make to one another"

"A good marriage must be built on the foundation of this commitment. In marriage the "little" things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, "I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is standing together and facing the world. It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right partner — it is being the right partner."

"The road that has brought Athena and Storm here today hasn't been easy. It's been filled with challenges that they weren't necessarily prepared for. But together they've taken each one on and have used those experiences to strengthen, not weaken their love for one another. Now I would like to ask Ian to come up for the special reading he has prepared."

Uncle Ian got up from his seat and walked up to the front and he started to read from his paper that he has in his hand. "Love is like magic, and it always will be, For love still remains life's sweet mystery. Love works in ways that are wondrous and strange, And there's nothing in life that love cannot change! Love can transform the most commonplace Into beauty and splendor and sweetness and grace. Love is unselfish, understanding and kind, For it sees with its heart, and not with its mind. Love is the answer that everyone seeks; Love is the language that every heart speaks. Love can't be bought, it is priceless and free. Love, like pure magic, is life's sweet mystery."

After the reading, everyone clapped softly and Uncle Ian went back to his seat and sat down. Jered then continued on with the ceremony. "In the Bible, first Corinthians chapter 13, verses four through eight tells us:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...Now it is time for the vows. So ladies first."

I took a deep and started to say my vows. "Storm, what can I say to you that I have not already said? There are no words that could ever fully express my love for you. Today I am ready, willing, and excited to become your wife. I am so happy and grateful that you have been placed into my life. I truly believe that you were specially chosen just for me. I could not have asked for a better life companion. You are my soul mate."

"I promise to always love, honor, and respect you for as long as I live. I will carry you in my heart. I will lift you up spiritually and always be there for you emotionally and physically. I appreciate you for who you are and who you have caused me to be. From this day forward, Let us make life decisions together. Let us be quick to love and slow to anger. Let us be understanding. Let us direct ourselves and guide ourselves in our marriage and in our walk, as our paths combine. I am now and will forever be yours through whatever life brings us. I will be faithful to you and give you my trust. There is so much more I could say but I am going to spend the rest of my life showing you what you mean to me."

Everybody made an awe sound and I slightly chuckled. "Now for groom." Jered said. Storm looked at Jered and gave him a slight nod and faced me. "Athena, all throughout my childhood, I have been beaten and tortured to the point that I didn't even want to live anymore, but that changed the day I met you. You saw me hung up to a tree getting beaten to death and you didn't hesitate to stop them from killing me. That day you gave me a purpose to live. I wanted to be with you no matter what. I had promised myself on that day that I would find you in the future."

"Then that day came. When I saw you again and found out you were my mate, you have no idea how happy I was. To actually fulfill my promise to myself to find you again made my heart go crazy. The day after, you defended me in front of your father without any hesitation. You didn't care if he didn't like me or my family. You still accepted me for me and not what your father thought of me and my family. Even after you found out I was half vampire. I was scared that you would reject me then and there, but no. Instead you stayed right by my side.

"Athena, you have honestly no idea how much you make me happy. I was in a really dark world before I met you, but when I did, you brought light back into my life and you gave it meaning. Like I said before, you are my angel to my demon and last month when you technically did die, you have no idea how I felt. Everything around was just dark and I was freezing everything I touched. I was beyond mad and sad, but it wasn't towards you. It was towards Blade and he got what he deserved."

"Anyways that day, I felt like my whole world just vanished before my eyes. In that moment, I didn't know how I was going to live without you, but thanks to my mother's spirit you are here with me and I couldn't be more happier. I get to spend my life with the woman I love more than this whole world and soon start a family. Everyday you ask me how did you get so lucky to have me in your life, but that's where you are wrong. It is I who got lucky to have you be apart of my life now and forever. I vow to listen, for as long as it takes for you to feel heard. I vow to watch in awe as you kick ass and take names. I vow to be your unrelenting cheer squad on the days it feels too much. I vow that I will love you to the moon and back. You are my whole world and I will never stop reminding you."

Wow okay. Was not expecting that to be that beautiful. Everybody is practically in tears and I'm so close to just balling my eyes out. Same with Jered. "Okay I don't think we need to go further on with that and I'm not even going to ask the audience if they reject this marriage because so help me God their throats will be slit in a second. Anyways now may we have the rings." Jered said and we all chuckled a little and me and Storm turned away from each other to grab the rings.

Diamond handed me the wedding ring and turned back and Storm had my wedding ring in his hands. "Okay I will not ask you to repeat after me because you guys basically said it in your vows so I will just ask the question. Do you two take each other?" Jered then continued and asked. "I do" Storm and I both said in unison. He slid the ring on my finger and I slid his ring onto his finger. "Now by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Go on and kiss her dude."

We both chuckled and Storm pulled me into a soft long kiss. Everybody began to cheer and when we pulled away from each other we couldn't stop smiling. We both faced the crowd hand and hand and we walked back down the aisle together. Best day ever!