~*~ A Promise Kept ~*~

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join Alexander James McLean…."

Andi giggled realizing that Father Mike hadn’t been told any differently by her mother that AJ wasn’t there.

Seth hissed, "I’m NOT HIM!! FIX IT!"

"Father Mike, this is Seth…I told you about him," whispered Andi. "And take out the song just before his vows."

Father Mike reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen. Making a few corrections, he was ready to proceed. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join Richard Seth Carson and Andrea Renee Dreammaker in holy matrimony, which is an…."

The minister’s voice droned in her head but Andi’s mind wasn’t on the words he was saying. Her attention had been distracted by the sound of a car stopping and doors slamming. She wanted to turn and look but there wasn’t anything she could do. Her back was to the parking lot and it would be way too obvious for her to look. Her heart was in her throat though wondering if it was Alex.

"….If any here can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let them now speak, or else hereafter forever hold their peace."

From behind the congregation of family and friends, a familiar voice rang out, "I can show just cause."

All eyes turned to the voice to see five men dressed in suits and tuxes making their way down the aisle and Andi’s heart soared.

"Alex!" she whispered as tears uncontrollably began to fall.

From nowhere, five goons stepped to block AJ and the others from reaching the front. Fortunately, Marcus, Carlos, and Raoul were with them and helped AJ get through to the gazebo where he came face to face with Seth who was now trying to block the way.

"What in the hell do you want interrupting MY wedding?" hissed Seth.

"I’m here to give just cause why you shouldn’t marry Andi." Looking past Seth to Mr. Powell who was standing with Andi now, "I have the proof, Mr. Powell."

"What proof?" demanded Seth. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Mr. Powell spoke. "I told Alex that if he could prove that you were hiding something, doing something illegal, I would not hold Andi to the promise that I made of her marrying you."

Andi tried to step around to AJ but Seth pushed her back and AJ grabbed him. "DO NOT EVER touch her like that again," warned AJ as Marcus stepped up behind him.

"It’s too late. The service has started. Andi is going to be MY wife," shot Seth triumphantly.

"No, it’s NOT too late," said Mr. Powell.

Andi managed to get around Seth this time thanks to Marcus and threw her arms around AJ who hugged her tight. He looked into her eyes, "You look so beautiful, princess."

"Alex, what do you have?" asked Belinda as she and Andi’s father stepped up.

AJ continued to hold Andi by his side as he glared at Seth. "Maybe YOU should tell Andi and her grandfather what you did with the videos and pictures you made of her."

"Videos? Pictures?" asked David, Andi’s father.

"Seth made videos and took pictures of Andi having sex with his friends," started AJ. "But what Andi doesn’t know is exactly what happened after she and the guy were done. She doesn’t know that she was drugged and then when she passed out, Seth joined them and had sex with the guy."

All eyes turned to Seth in disbelief as he said defensively, "You can’t prove that!"

"No, I didn’t see you drug her but I have the proof that the video exists," said AJ as Kevin stepped up and pulled out the tape. "I DO know what someone who is high on drugs looks like and I know Andi…she wouldn’t voluntarily do drugs. Kevin is holding the tape that a friend of ours purchased in Sweden and in that tape, Andi is featured several times along with other girls, having sex with guys that I could point out to you in the crowd now, one of them is your best man, Seth. The picture on the front, it doesn’t show Andi’s face, but her tat that’s on her lower back is VERY visible. I don’t think there’s any mistake who the girl is and I know for a fact that Andi did NOT agree to having the tape made or having it sold!"

Mr. Powell took the tape from Kevin and looked at the picture AJ was referring to. Then he looked at Seth, anger flashing across his normally calm countenance. "He’s right…there’s NO mistaking who the girl is. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Seth shrank back. "I…I…"

Andi’s temper flashed as she glowered at Seth. "You WHAT? You bastard! No wonder you panicked this morning when I said Alex was in Sweden!! How could you? And what drugs were you slipping me?"

"Xstacy," whispered Seth.

Andi tried to step to him to slap him but AJ had a good hold on her having known what her temper was going to do. "Don’t, Princess. It’s over and he’s NOT worth it."

"Alex is right," said Mr. Powell. "This wedding is NOT going to take place."

"Whoa! Grandfather, don’t cancel it….not completely," said Andi. Turning to look up at AJ, she asked, "You’re dressed. Does that…."

"Do you still want to do it?" asked AJ hopefully.

Andi nodded her head excitedly.

"Mr. Powell, before I left for Sweden, I proposed to Andi and she accepted. This wedding was planned for US…not her and Seth. If you will give your blessing, we’d like to get married now."

Father Mike spoke up, "You need a marriage license."

AJ reached in his pocket and produced one. "Right here, and Howie has the wedding bands."

Mr. Powell looked from the minister to his granddaughter who was holding on to AJ’s arms as he held her close. "You have my blessings."

All of Andi’s brothers, Tabitha, and Howie, Kevin, Nick, and Brian cheered, "YES!"

Mr. Powell laughed, "Your own cheering section at a wedding?! Andrea, Alex, there’s no way I could have said no. You two have both proven just how determined you are to be together. And the joy that lit your eyes a month ago, Andrea, is back."

"Let’s get on with the show," said AJ happily. Turning to his ‘brothers’, he motioned for them to take their places and he turned to the minister. "Father, I’m not Catholic but…"

"No problem. The love is what makes the wedding and it’s quite obvious that THIS union is one of love and respect. If you’re ready, we can get started. I assume you want the ceremony we discussed?"

Andi nodded her head, "Yes sir."

Howie had taken his place beside AJ after Seth was gone and Tabitha was now helping Andi get her makeup straight from where her tears had made her mascara run. Ready now, she turned to take her place and AJ took her hand in his.

With his other hand, AJ reached up to caress her cheek. Softly, he said, "As beautiful as always…my beautiful princess."

Andi smiled as she put her hand on his. His touch melted her. "Always your princess," she whispered standing on her toes to kiss him.

"Uh, AJ, that’s AFTER the ceremony," cracked Howie.

Father Mike asked, "Are we ready now?"

Andi blushed as AJ said, "Most definitely.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered…"

"Hold on," interrupted Andi.

Confused, AJ looked at her as the others sat in shocked silence. "What’s wrong, Andi? I thought…"

Andi smiled, "Nothing’s MAJORLY wrong…just this." She reached up to take his sunglasses off. "You don’t need a disguise to marry me. I love seeing your eyes…they were what I noticed first, what hooked me. I can see your soul in your eyes, the man you truly are…not the man that performs on stage. I can see your love…the same love I feel for you."

A deep sigh spread through the congregation and Father Mike continued with the ceremony as AJ and Andi stared into each other’s eyes. The ceremony was a combination of a Catholic service and a Native American ceremony. Andi helped AJ through that part of it and would giggle when he made a mistake but it didn’t matter. They were together and they were in love…that was all that mattered to them.

Time for their vows, Father Mike stopped and AJ said, "Andi, the song the guys are gonna do has a special meaning for us. Please, listen to the words."

Andi nodded her head and turned to watch as the guys got ready. AJ wrapped his arms around Andi from behind and held her close to him as the music began.

Andi had to wipe her tears again and AJ turned her to face him once more. "Andrea, our relationship hasn’t exactly been the most traditional but there is NO doubt in my heart that YOU are the woman I love completely. It’s going to be hard, like the song says, with me being on tour and off recording, and there are going to be women throwing themselves at me or screaming my name. And there will be times when we don’t see each other for several weeks at a time but know this…I love YOU, until my dying breath. It will be YOU that I call every night…faithfully. It will be YOU that I come home to at the end of each tour…faithfully…I promise you."

Andi could see the love in his eyes and hear the sincerity in his words. Tenderly, she reached to wipe the tears that were streaming down his cheeks. "I knew all this when you asked me to marry you, Alex, and it’s a part of the man that I love. The last two weeks has shown me what it’s like to be apart but this…you coming home to me…I know in my heart that it’s going to work. And I know that if you promise me, you will move heaven and earth to make it happen."

Father Mike went on with the vows.

"I, Alexander, take thee, Andrea, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith."

As the ceremony came to an end, Father Mike said, "Look graciously upon Alex and Andrea, that they may love, honor, and cherish each other, and so live together in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom, and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and a place of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. You may kiss your bride."

AJ grinned. "THIS is what I’ve been waiting for," and he put his hands on the sides of Andi’s face pulling her close to him. He leaned in to her, his lips touching hers in a sweet kiss. Time slipped away along with everyone that surrounded them…at that moment, no one else on the earth existed to the couple.

Pulling apart, Father Mike beamed, "May I present to you for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. And Mrs. Alexander James McLean."

Learning the Truth        Index