Ch.68

With my new powers, I teleported Cynthia to where we first met by the cave on Mt. Coronet. There I had a small dinner set up which Leo and Gardevoir were keeping warm and fresh. We arrived with Leo keeping the surroundings warm and Gardevoir keeping the wind from bothering us. 

Cynthia and I enjoyed the dinner, though at this point Cynthia was giving me a narrowed-eyed look like she was suspecting something. I withdrew Leo and Gardevoir before teleporting us to the hotel room where we spent our first night together as a couple. I had booked it in advance, we arrived there, and outside on the patio was set up a small dessert table with champagne. 

"Lucas… what is going on?" Cynthia says as I pull out her seat for the dessert and champagne. 

"Can't we have a special date to celebrate your new position?" I say trying to play it off. Cynthia just stares at me with a suspicious look while sipping her champagne. 

"Sure…" Cynthia says before smiling at the taste.

We then had more small talk, as I pushed my time to ask her back to make her less suspicious. Then as the night became late, I told Cynthia to look up in the night sky as I signaled the staff to set off the fire worlds. The fireworks spelled out 'Will you marry me' as I got one on knee with her turning to look at me. Cynthia smiled widely before nodding her head and grabbing my face to kiss me. 

"Yes, yes!" Cynthia says laughing happily as I put the ring on her finger. 

We then spend the rest of the night together. The following morning we have breakfast before Cynthia makes a bunch of calls to tell her friends and family. I call my friends and Dad letting him know about it too. I asked Lance to be my best man too. 

In the following months, our house was finished being built along with the other facilities we requested for our Pokémon. We also finalized the wedding details and sent out the invitations. The wedding would be held at her Family's estate, along with the reception. Cynthia and I would then head to our own home and I could teleport us anywhere we wanted. 

A year after we got engaged, our house was finally finished. With the house itself had five bedrooms, two of which were master bedrooms. Seven bathrooms, one for each bedroom, and two half baths in the downstairs. A large kitchen and dining room that could fit a dozen people. Along with a family room, the house was even large enough for Leo to walk around comfortably. 

The outside was the more expensive part, as in the center of the backyard was a very large manmade Lake which we got filled for our two Milotics. In the back right of the yard, was a smaller lake made of Lava for Leo. In the back left was the larger mountain range for Mamoswine and Garchomp. While the rest of the yard was an open plain with a few dozen large trees littering it. 

The week of the wedding came when Cynthia and I went out with our Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. After we had our parties, we headed back home and then the weekend came along with the wedding. 

Unlike in my past life, there was no main religion people followed, other than the belief that Arceus was the only god. However, it was not really a religion, the world was more agnostic or atheist. So our wedding was more of a traditional one, just with no mention of religion in the speech or vows. 

"Please be seated… Thank you," Professor Oak says as he is our Officiant for the wedding. 

"Friends, family, and loved ones, we come together today, in the sight of the divine and of you as witnesses to join Lucas Brinton and Cynthia Clark in marriage. We gather around them now in this wonderful place, and we look on with love and hope as these two begin their new life together as one," Professor Oak continues once everyone is ready. 

"Marriage is a sacred institution in our culture. It's a tradition of partnership, trust, and dependence on one another to navigate the sometimes stormy seas of life. People have said that marriage requires things like work, commitment, and like sacrifice, and certainly, all of those things are true. No matter what it looks like in the end, however, a healthy marriage always needs a solid foundation," Professor Oak says starting his speech. 

"It begins with love, to be sure, but what does that mean? People say they love chocolate, is that the same as the love we need for a solid marriage? Of course not. The love we need comes from being willing to make those sacrifices. The love we need comes from being committed to working through everything together, and maintaining open communications - even when it is difficult. The love we need makes the work it takes to maintain it all worth it," Professor Oak continues. 

"On top of that foundation of love - a mixture of work, sacrifice, and commitment - we can build things like trust and intimacy, and all of the beautiful things that make a marriage worthwhile," Professor Oak finishes while smiling at us both and everyone is smiling to us too. 

"Lucas Brinton and Cynthia Clark, are you ready to proclaim that foundation of love for one another in the sight of the heavens and these witnesses?" Professor Oak then says turning to us both, as we smile and nod to him. 

"Lucas, do you take Cynthia to be your lawfully wedded wife? Will you honor and cherish her; love, trust, and commit to her, through joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life may throw at you both until death do you part?" Professor Oak says while looking at me. 

"I do," I say smiling at Cynthia. 

"Cynthia, do you take Lucas to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you honor and cherish him; love, trust, and commit to him, through joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life may throw at you both until death do you part?" Professor Oak then turns to Cynthia. 

"I do," Cynthia says smiling at me too. 

"At this time, Lucas and Cynthia will exchange rings. The wedding ring is a symbol of binding. A symbol of attachment and belonging, not of possession, but of partnership," Professor Oak says as my Dad hands me my ring for Cynthia and Cynthia's best friend hands her, the ring for me. 

"I promise to love you, to protect and care for you, and to be patient and understanding,

to support you, and to always be faithful to you. I will be your friend and companion, and I will share my life with you, through good times and bad times, as long as we both shall live," I say in my vows and then slide the ring onto Cynthia's finger. 

"In your eyes, I have found my home. In your heart, I have found my love. In your soul, I have found my mate. With you, I am whole, full, alive. You make me laugh. You let me cry. You are my breath, my every heartbeat. I am yours. You are mine. Of this we are certain. You are lodged in my heart. The small key is lost. You must stay there forever," Cynthia says to me and puts the ring on my finger now. 

"Lucas and Cynthia, having proclaimed your love and commitment to one another in the eyes of these loved ones, and with the power vested in me by the Universal Life Church and the Pokémon League, I am so happy to pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss!" Professor Oak says as we kiss and everyone stands up clapping for us. 

"Thank you all so much for joining us in this special moment in Lucas's and Cynthia's life! Lucas and Cynthia have asked that you join them for a reception soon to be held here. Thank you all once again," Professor Oak says as we hold each other's hands with the staff clearing the area and setting up the reception quickly. 

The reception lasted a few hours. Everyone seemed to have a great time, dancing, drinking, and eating. Then Lance stood up and grabbed the mic the band was using to sing. Once he had everyone's attention he turned to smile at me and Cynthia. 

"Good afternoon everyone, for those of you who don't know me, my name's Lance and after all these years it's nice that Lucas has finally admitted that I'm the best man!" Lance says getting a few chuckles as I roll my eyes. 

"I hope you've all had a lovely time so far and continue to have a fantastic time as the day and evening go by. I'd also like to apologize in advance if I, in any way, ruin that in the next five minutes," Lance says then takes out a small piece of paper for a speech he wrote. 

"Talking of five minutes, it's often said that the best man's speech is the worst five minutes of the groom's life. I'm also told that the worst five minutes of Cynthia's life comes later on when all the guests have gone home!" Lance says smirking at us as everyone laughs even Cynthia, while I shake my head at him in pretend annoyance. 

"I know from personal experience that it's a difficult task choosing the best man, I'm still not sure about my choice four years on Lucas?! But with Lucas, like most things in life, it became more difficult as time went on his first choice was his funniest friend but unfortunately, he said no, so then he thought he'd choose his cleverest friend but again, unfortunately, the offer was declined. At the third attempt he turned to his most handsome friend but sadly it was a no yet again and at this point, as you can imagine Lucas was getting pretty desperate that's when my phone rang! And, to be honest, hearing Lucas's quivering little voice on the phone I decided I couldn't possibly turn him down for a fourth time!" Lance says as I groan with everyone laughing. 

"As part of my job today I get the task of saying a few words about today's main man I can honestly say that he's one of the most handsome, most funny men you'll ever meet and I'm proud to call him my friend, " Lance continues. 

"Now, I was asked by Lucas and Cynthia to be careful with any content that may be a little risqué and, in particular, remove any innuendos so I just wanted to reassure you both that I've been through it carefully and vetted it but if I do come across anything I've missed I'll whip it out as quickly as I can!" Lance says. 

"In all seriousness, I've known Steve now for around 10 years since I met him during our League Tournament. I'd like to point out that several times over the first few years we still had a few friendly bouts and he is still somehow ahead of me," Lance says while smiling at me.

"Now because most of the stories I could tell about Lucas over the years would no doubt incriminate myself, again I decided to be careful about what I would say so I definitely won't be telling you about the good old times. So instead, I'll tell you that by looking at Lucas not a lot has changed really, although unlike most people he's actually continued to grow as a trainer pushing past the limit. And over those years I think it's fair to say we've got into a few scrapes and one way or another we've always been there for each other when things have been tough I'm proud to call you my friend and long may it continue!" Lance says holding up his drink to me which I return to him. 

"So if I could ask you all to join me in a toast, TO THE HAPPY COUPLE, THE BRIDE AND GROOM, LUCAS AND CYNTHIA!!" Lance says as everyone joins him in cheering for us. 

The rest of the night was not that much more eventful and it came to an end. Cynthia and I then headed to our own home as everyone headed to the hotel in town. There Cynthia and I didn't get much more rest as we enjoyed the rest of the night together.