All is Found - Chapter 54: Chapter 54

The week leading up to the wedding was hectic. There wasn't a lot of things left for Thea and I do to in terms of planning though which was nice. But since my friends were in staying in Boston for the wedding, my house was a revolving door of people coming in and out. Nikki actually opted to stay with Malia for most of the week and Thea stayed at Lindsey's. Most nights we were up late writing. This is the first time we have had time off together and we wanted to make the most of it.
A lot of sleepless nights lead to me finally telling everyone to get out the day before the wedding. I didn't want to see anybody. I just wanted some time to myself. Thea and I planned on not seeing each other the day of the wedding until we walk down the aisle. Thankfully, they all listened and left me alone for the day. Well everyone except Pat. He brought me dinner and it was a nice quiet night for the two of us.
He knew my feelings were all over the place. I had a lot of emotions about the wedding. So many that I made an emergency call to Doctor Blake because I felt myself starting to panic and spin out. She talked me through my panic attack and I took my anti-anxiety medication which helped me calm down.
Waking up this morning felt bittersweet. I know the front three seats of my side will be empty and it made me want to dissolve into a puddle of tears. I laid in bed for a little longer then I should have before rolling over to find a bouquet of marigolds. I smiled through the tears that were already threating to fall and picked up the card that sat next to them. I know you are missing them a lot today; I hope these bring a smile to your face. I can't wait to see you later. ~T
I took a deep breath and finally got out of bed to start getting ready. Alyssa, Nikki, Malia and myself are driving to the venue together while Thea is getting a ride with Lindsey and Scarlett. We are coming home tomorrow and leaving for our honeymoon tomorrow night. I am mostly packed and just have a few last minute things left to throw in my suitcase. We decided to go to Europe for our honeymoon and we are splitting our time in Lake Como, Italy and Santorini, Greece.
But before we can skip out and get some much wanted alone time, we need to get through today. Once I finished my shower, I finished packing everything I would need for today. I walked downstairs to find Malia sitting at the table with a large hot Dunkin coffee waiting for me. I kissed her temple and sat down to start drinking the coffee.
"Have I ever told you that you're my favorite?" I hummed as took another sip of the perfect cup of coffee.
"I heard that." I heard Nikki say from somewhere behind me in the kitchen.
I brushed her off as Malia pushed a box of donuts in front of me. I gave her another smile before diving into a chocolate frosted one. Alyssa joined us a few minutes later and asked if I was ready to go. Once I finished the donut I said yes and we started to load up the car. It didn't take long and before I knew it we were on the road to the venue. The weather is on our side today with a beautiful sunny day.
It took us just under two hours to get to Cape Cod. When we pulled up to the venue Emily met us outside and ushered us to my bridal suit. Once I was settled, my hair dresser came in and started to style my hair. After my hair was done my makeup artist started on my face. It didn't take long because I didn't want to wear a lot of makeup today. I'm probably going to end up crying most of it off anyway so whats the point.
Once I was all glammed up my team moved to work on Nikki and Alyssa. Both women are wearing navy blue bridesmaids dresses. The top portion of both dresses is lacy with a high slit and they have pockets. The only differences in the dresses is Alyssa's dress has a higher neck line that is in the shape of a U while Nikki's is a V neck cut. Malia and Lindsey are both wearing suits.
(Alyssa^)
(Nikki^)
While they were getting glammed, I sent Malia to Thea's bridal suite with her wedding present. At first I didn't really know what I should get her. Then one day Todd from Looney Tune Records gave me a called and asked if I was around to sign some more albums. I said yes right away and went to the record shop while Thea was at a doctor's appointment. I spent most of my day in the record shop signing. When I was done I asked Todd if he got any new original presses in. When he came back with an original press of Fleetwood Macs album Fleetwood Mac, I knew that that was going to be Thea's wedding present. Then with a lot and I mean a lot of help from Toby and the label I was able to get the record signed by the original members of the band.
I know I'm going to owe him a lot of favors when I get back from my honeymoon but I know it will be worth it to see Thea's face. I asked Malia to record her reaction because I wasn't going to get to see it myself in person.
Just as I finished eating a little something for lunch there was a knock on the door. Alyssa opened it and peaked her head outside. A few seconds later Alyssa opened the door and in walked Lindsey. Lindsey was already dress in her maroon colored suit and her hair was pulled back in a tight pony tail. She looked absolutely amazing and my jaw dropped a bit.
"Let me tell you, I haven't seen Thea cry so hard in a long time when she opened your gift and saw your note. Malia got it all on video and I can't wait for you to see it later. But I come barring your gift. You guys have the same mind I swear." Lindsey said and handed me the wrapped present.
Her comment and the shape of the gift lead me to believe that Thea got me a record also. I picked up the note that was taped to the front and opened it up. I know how much this album means to you, so I had Todd do some digging. Hope you like this original. ~T. I put the card down on the floor and carefully unwrapped the present. Of course I happened to open the present up-side-down. so I flipped it over and saw the cover. Thea got me an original press of Paramores' Riot! album and it was signed by Hayley Williams.
I almost cried. She almost got me. I used to have this album on repeat growing up. If I didn't have it playing then Asher usually had it on. Paramore definitely influenced me a lot with my music style and sound. I remember going to Warped Tour with my mom and Asher and getting to see them live for the first time. It was something I'll never forget.
When I looked up I saw that Lindsey was recording me and I gave her a smile before running my hand over the album.
"Thank you Thea." I said. Lindsey stopped the recording and hung out with me for a few minutes before another knock on the door came. Before anybody could answer it Scarlett popped her head inside looking around. When she found Lindsey she stepped through the door before closing it behind her.
"I was looking for you because we need to finish taking pictures." Scarlett said. Scarlett looked amazing in a black jump suit that framed her body perfectly.
"Right, I will see you downstairs soon Ash." Lindsey said.
The pair left the room shortly after and I got my own cue to start getting dressed. Nikki helped me into my dress and then my shoes. Once I was done I waited until both Alyssa and Nikki were ready before walking with Emily downstairs. Once I got down the stairs Pat was waiting for me. I gave him a bright smile and pulled him into a tight hug.
"How are you doing hon?" He asked taking a look at me.
"I remembered to take my anti-anxiety medicine before we left this morning so right now I'm okay. I just want to get to the ceremony so I can see Thea in her dress." I answered.
"It will come soon enough, don't you worry. You look absolutely breathtaking Ashlyn. You're lucky you are walking down first so you can stand and stare at Thea without having to worry about falling over." Pat said and wrapped his arm around mine so we could follow Emily.
Once we walked outside I didn't have enough time to answer him. All of the seats were set up overlooking the cape and everything looked like a dream. Pat walked me along to where Emily wanted me. For the next half an hour we took photos all around the grounds of the venue. As we were wrapping up Emily had me stand near the corner of the building. When I went to question it I heard Thea's voice.
"Ashlyn?" She asked.
"Thea?" I asked and reached my hand around the corner of the building. Thea's hand met mine and I relaxed against the wall.
"How are you doing?" I asked and intertwined our fingers together.
"Well I haven't thrown up yet. I can't wait to see you walk down that aisle baby." Thea said and squeezed my hand. Tears started to form in my eyes and I wanted so badly to turn the corner and look at her.
"I want to see you so bad right now." I said and felt the first tear of the day fall from my eye.
"I know baby, soon. We came this far, we can last a little bit longer." Thea said trying to push through the break in her voice.
"We should get going guys, your guests have arrived and we almost ready to start the ceremony." Emily said.
Thea and I didn't get to say anything else to each other as our hands slipped out of each other's. Emily escorted Thea back to her suite and then came back a few minutes later to get me. Both Alyssa and Nikki met me once I walked through the door and gave me tight hugs. I was able to drink a glass of water before Emily and Pat walked into the suite. It was finally time.
Pat walked me to the back door of the venue which leads out to the area the ceremony is taking place. I got to watch as our bridesmaids walked down the aisle to take their place at the altar. Once they were in place, Emily looked at me and I nodded when I was ready. Pat held tight to my arm as I heard the wedding march start to play.
The doors opened up and Pat and I walked down the aisle together. I tried not to focus on anybody else around me as we walked to the altar. When we got to the top Pat kissed my cheek and gave me away before taking his seat in the second row. I turned around to face our wedding guest and I couldn't help but get misty eyed when I saw the front row of both sides of seating with three empty chairs. Pictures sat on each chair, one for my mom, my brother and sister. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to give Alyssa a smile before turning back to the aisle.
I took one more breath and then the doors opened again. Thea walked out of the doors holding onto Rory's arm. The closer Thea got the more tears started to pour from my eyes. Thea looks like an angel. Her blonde hair is down in waves and she is wearing a thin flower crown on her head. Her dress is pure white. The top is all lace with thin straps holding it up and her dress flows nicely behind her with a small train.
Finally Thea walked all the way up the aisle and Rory gave her away. I reached out and took Thea's hands in mine and I finally felt complete. As everyone settled in their seats behind us I reached out and wiped away the tears that fell down Thea's cheeks. Once they were mostly gone I turned my attention to the minster waiting to start.
It didn't take long for me to tone him out when I looked back at Thea. Her green eyes are shining bright from the tears and all I wanted to do was pull her into me. After a few readings it was finally time for us to say our vows. We opted to say our own and Thea is going to read her first. Lindsey handed Thea a few index cards and Thea let go of both of my hands to hold them steady.
"To the woman who changed my life forever. Ashlyn; I love you with every fiber of my being. I didn't think it would be possible for me to find love again after my Allison passed away. She died in a car accident on the bridge where we met. Her car hit a patch of black ice and just as she got her car under control from the fish tail a drunk driver plowed into her car. Ever since I got the call that she was gone, I avoided that bridge for the life of me. I didn't want to go near it. The anniversary of her death was coming up and something inside called me to go to the bridge that night. I think it was her calling me to you." Thea said and looked up at me. I wiped away a tear that fell from her cheek as she flipped to her next card.
"From the beginning I knew you were special. I always wanted to be around you and see you. Being by your side during the trial showed me how strong you are and you've only gotten stronger every day. After we were shot, I knew that if I woke up, that I never wanted to wake up without you by my side. I pray every day to any god or spirit listening to thank them for putting me on the bridge that night so we could meet." Thea flipped to the next card in her stack but handed them back to Lindsey. Thea took my hands in hers and her eyes locked on mine.
"I promise to love you every day for the rest of our lives, in sickness and in help, for richer or poorer, no matter if we are separated for work or we are just listening to a record in the living room. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you." Thea finished and gave me a smile.
I wiped away the last of my own tears and squeezed Thea's hands. I needed a second to collect myself so my voice doesn't crack.
"That's kind of hard to follow." I started and chuckled. Our guests let out a few little laughs and it gave me that extra second to clear my throat and speak.
"Themis, that night on the bridge right before you pulled me back over, I thought you were an angel. With the lighting from the bridge and your blonde hair I thought I saw a halo above your head. I had the Grim Reaper standing in front of me holding out his hand to take me away from this Earth but you held tightly to my other hand. With the last bit of strength I had I managed to get my hand out of your grasp to jump but you pulled me over the railing when I tried.
"The first couple of days at your house I called you my angel. You took me in, a complete stranger and let me stay with you for however long I needed and asked for nothing in return. Your heart is to pure for this world. I don't know how I got lucky enough for you to trust me with it."
I needed to pause because I couldn't see with all the tears coming from my eyes. Thea helped me wipe them away as they fell and I gave her a smile. Once I could see her again I started.
"You're the sun to my moon. Whenever I'm having a bad day you're always there with flowers, a shoulder to cry on, a glass of whiskey and depending on the day sometimes, it's all three. I never thought I would ever find someone who loves me for all my faults but here we are. I promise to protect your heart at all costs, physically and emotionally. I promise to stand by your side till the end of time. In sickness and health, for richer or poorer. For all the days we are given to spend together." I finished up with a smile on my face.
The minister gave us a second to collect ourselves and I wiped the last of the tears off my face. I just wanted to lean in and give Thea kiss already but we still had a few more steps to get through first. Once we were okay the minister asked for the rings. Thea went with an Emerald cut diamond engagement ring set in platinum so for her wedding band she went with Emerald cut diamonds that go around the ring held in place by platinum. My engagement ring is a round cut diamond with smaller diamonds set in the band. My wedding ring is made of equal sized diamonds around the whole ring. Both sets of rings cost a small fortune.
(Thea^)
(Ashlyn^)
The minister continued on with the ceremony and Thea said her vows first before slipping the wedding band around my finger. Before I could do anything Thea pulled my left hand up and kissed the wedding ring. I couldn't help my smile at her actions. I barely heard the minister start speaking again instructing me what to say. Alyssa pressed Thea's wedding band into the palm of my hand and it made me focus again. I finished my speaking part and slid the ring on Thea's hand and followed her actions.
"And now by the power vested in me and the state of Massachusetts I now pronounce you wives, you made kiss your" I didn't even hear him say bride as Thea's lips collided with mine.
Everything behind us disappeared and I finally got to kiss my wife. Wife.