Written by: Amy.
“You ready, precious,” Lexie’s father asked waiting at the double doors that led into the church.
“Yeah, daddy, I am,” replied Lexie talking a deep breath.
“I’m proud of you, honey. I know it might have took awhile to realize, but I’m really happy you two kids found each other,” stated her father pulling the veil over her face. Lexie just smiled as the tears sprang to the corners of her eyes. She took her father’s arm as Nick and Kevin opened the doors.
Jasmine, Lexie’s little cousin was the first out. She sprinkled rose petals along the aisle as everyone oohed and ahhed at her. Next was Justin, AJ’s little cousin. He followed Jasmine and sat down next to her in the first pew right beside Denise. AJ stood at the end of the walkway and played with the hem of his jacket as he had done whenever he got nervous or excited. He took a deep breath and blew out his anxiety. Next was Mel, Nikki, Faye, and Amy. They walked down the aisle with their respective groomsmen and separated. Last but not least was Jacquie and Howie.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” JQ whispered to Howie.
“I know... Who knew we’d ever be walking down the aisle of Lexie and AJ’s wedding...”
“Together,” JQ added.
Howie squeezed her arm. “Together.”
As they parted at the end of the walkway, the wedding march began to play. All attention was drawn to the back of the church. AJ stared in awe as the vision of white approached him. She looked more beautiful than he ever thought possible. Any doubts or worries either of them had quickly faded away. He could see the beaming smile beneath her veil and returned the smile.
“Who gives this woman’s hand?” asked the priest.
“I do,” replied her father placing her hand into AJ’s. “Take good care of her son.”
“I plan on it, sir,” AJ said still staring at Lexie in awe.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here this day in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of Alexandra Covington and Alexander McLean in holy matrimony. The union of these two people in heart, body, and mind is intended by their creator for their mutual joy. For the help and comfort given one another in both prosperity and adversity. Marriage therefore, is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and deliberately unto this holy union Alexandra Covington and Alexander McLean now come to be joined. If anyone can show just cause why they may not be married then speak now or forever hold your peace,” no one spoke and the priest continued in a jubilant voice “Alexandra Covington, will you have Alexander McLean to be you husband...to love, comfort, honor and keep him and forsaking all others be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”
Lex turned to AJ. “I do.”
“Alexander McLean, will you have Alexandra Covington to be your wife...to love, comfort, honor and keep her and forsaking all others be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”
AJ squeezed Lexie’s hand, “I do.”
“Let us pray. O, gracious and eternal lord, look with favor upon Alexander and Alexandra. Give them the wisdom in the ordering of their lives. And make their life together a sign that unity may overcome estrangement, and joy conquer despair. Amen. The rings please,” said the priest.
Justin walked over to Howie and Howie removed the rings from the white pillow. Lex handed Jacquie her bouquet and turned her attention to AJ.
“I, Alexander, take you, Lexie, to be my wife,” he stated slipping the ring on her finger. He went to continue but she place a finger to his lips.
“To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish....”
“Until death do us part,” they finished together as she slipped the ring onto his finger. They held hands as the priest place his over their own.
“Bless, o lord, these rings to be a sign of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other.”
“We give these rings as a symbol of our vows with all that we are, all that we have and all that we will be,” they stated together smiling into each others eyes.
“Now that AJ and Lexie have given themselves to each other by their solemn vows and with the joining of hands and the exchanging of rings I declare by the power vested in me by the state of Florida that I can now pronounce them husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” said the priest as AJ lifted up the veil. Lexie had tears streaming down her cheeks and AJ wiped them away with his thumbs. He slowly bent down and gave her a passionate kiss with more emotions than they could ever express in words. They parted and turned around to face the attendees.
The priest lifted his hands. “I now present you with Mr. and Mrs. Alexander McLean.”
____________________________________________________
The reception was in a beautiful garden. It was filled with all sorts of awe inspiring flowers. There were 25 white tables, seating eight people each. The garden was huge with many places to walk around. There was a place for dancing near the tables. The look of the garden was classic and elegant.
It was bright and sunny outside, with a touch of wind which made for perfect weather. It was a gorgeous wedding and they were in the middle of speeches. JQ, Howie, and Nick were speaking.
“Lexie and AJ, you two have been through a lot together, and we would like to present you with a video we made for you,” JQ said as Howie and Nick rolled out a rather big TV. Nick gave a devilish smile. “Enjoy,” he said as he turned on the tape.
“I’m afraid to watch it,” AJ joked.
Nick chuckled. “I would be too.”
Everyone loved the tape. Throughout it there were lots of laughter and some tears. Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy it, even if there were times some people glared at
others. The video was filled with stories, comments, and clips. At the end of the video JQ, Howie, and Nick did like a music video sort of thing, using 98 degrees’ “I Will Still Love You.” When the song was toward the end you heard Howie’s voice saying his poem. The last shot was AJ saying, “You are truly my better half,” and kissing Lexie.
When the video ended you couldn’t find a dry eye in the garden. Lexie gave AJ a passionate kiss. Then, the two of them ran up and gave Nick, JQ, and Howie big hugs.
“Thank you so much!” Lexie said, “That was wonderful!”
“You guys did a great job... Thank you.. I’m just happy you didn’t put anything in there to get my arrested,” AJ joked.
Eventually, the speeches ended and most everyone headed to the dance floor. JQ and Howie were sitting next to each other at the head table.
“Beautiful wedding,” Howie commented.
JQ nodded. “Yeah. They really love each other... Is it me or was Nikki a little too overemotional? I know people cry at weddings, but wow!”
"I noticed... She did go a overboard,” he agreed, “How about Nick? He wouldn’t stop fidgeting after the first 10 minutes!”
"I know!” JQ agreed, “He was worse than the kids.”
“Did Kevin tell you what Nick tried to do to fix his ushering problem?” Howie asked.
JQ shook her head. “No, but I have feeling it wasn’t too bright.”
“In the words of Kevin, ‘First he seats a whole bunch of people on the wrong side of the room. Then, forgetting that there are other ushers who know what the hell they’re doing, he tells everyone to get up and switch sides!’”
JQ laughed. “Are you serious???”
Howie nodded laughing. “That’s exactly what he said!”
JQ looked over at the dance floor to get a glimpse of Nick who was dancing with his girlfriend of two months, Elizabeth. “Look at all these couples dancing,” JQ complained bitterly, “It’s disgusting...”
Howie nodded. “Tell me about it. Everyone’s got someone... Lex and AJ... Kevin and Jennifer... Nick and Liz... Brian and Leighanne... ”
“Scott and Nikki... Mel and Derek... Faye and David... Amy and Brandon... Laura and John,” JQ added, “And look at all of them... All happy and lovey-dovey. Enough to make a person sick.”
Howie sighed. “I tell you, it seems like everyone has someone--”
“But me,” they said together.
Howie and JQ gazed at each other. Before anyone could interrupt, Howie mustered up the courage to say what he had wanted to for awhile, but JQ spoke first. She gave an uneasy chuckle. “Everyone seems to think we’re perfect for each other, but us.”
Howie’s big brown eyes turned solemn. “That’s not true.”
JQ’s eyes quickly lit up. “It’s not?” she asked a little too quickly.
Howie took a deep breath. “JQ there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for awhile, but I never had the guts to say... But I’m going to say it and I’m crossing my fingers you feel the same way... I really enjoy spending time with you. You’re the only one who can really see right through me. Spending the last eight months with you has flown by and I don’t know somewhere along the line... I just love being with you. I love the way you are. I love the way you make me feel---”
“I love you,” JQ blurted out. Howie seemed a little startled by her bluntness. “I’m sorry for just blurting it out like that, but I just had to say it. I’ve truly fallen in love with you.”
“Damn,” Howie said.
JQ looked startled and hurt. That wasn’t the reaction she expected. “What?”
“I wanted to say it first,” he replied with a huge smile.
JQ chuckled and let out a relieved, happy smile. She was glowing. “Well you know me,” she said leaning closer to him, “I have that competitive edge.”
Howie leaned close enough so that their noses were touching. “One of things I love best about you... You keep me on my toes,” he replied before leaning over and giving her a deep, passionate kiss.
Howie pulled away from the kiss. “Oh wait,” he said.
JQ looked at him confused. “What?”
Howie smiled. “I love you, too.”
JQ chuckled as she bent over and melted her lips with his.
Nick was dancing with his girlfriend when he saw Howie and JQ kissing. He shook his head and smiled. “Well it’s about damn time!”
JQ smiled at Howie as a country song came on. She stood up beaming. “Come on,” she said grabbing his hands, “Lets dance.”
Howie shook his head. “I don’t know how to dance country.”
“I’m from a small country town. It’s in my roots. Come on,” she pleaded, “I’ll teach you.”
“I don’t think so... I’ll make a complete fool of myself.”
“Please...” she begged with puppy dog eyes.
Howie sighed and smiled. “You’re lucky I love you,” he said getting up.
JQ gave him a peck on the lips. “Yes I am.”
“Hey look,” Lexie said to AJ as they danced to the country song. She pointed to JQ, who was giving Howie a kiss on the lips before they went out to the dance floor.
AJ laughed. “It was only a matter of time,” he replied, “Look at Howie dance!”
Lexie laughed. “Look at yourself! You don’t know what the hell you’re doing!”
“Do I ever?” AJ asked, then he pulled Lexie close to him, “The only time I was sure of what I was doing is when I said, ‘I do,’ at the alter. I knew I loved you and that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Lexie smiled and kissed him on the lips. “I love you,” she said as she gazed in AJ’s eyes, “But I know you were nervous right before the wedding.”
“How did you know?”
“Because I saw you fiddling with your jacket when I was walking down the aisle,” she replied, “I wasn’t surprised. I knew you would be eventually.”
AJ smiled. “Okay, I was a little nervous,” he admitted, “But the moment I saw you walking down that aisle there wasn’t a doubt in my mind.”
Lexie smiled. “I was so scared in the bridal room. You’re always so sure of everything. I wanted you to be there with me, holding my hand and assuring me that everything was going to be okay.”
“I wanted to be there for you,” he replied, “But I’m here now, and I’m never going to leave... You’re stuck with me.”
Lexie chuckled. “I guess spending the next forty years with you won’t be that bad,” she teased.
“Forty years? That’s it? Let’s just make in an even ‘forever.’”
Lexie smiled. “Alright, I think I can handle forever,” she agreed, “So what do you think ‘forever’ has in store for us?”
"What happens in every fairytale romance,” AJ whispered in her ear, “We’ll live happily ever after.”