Chapter 13
I’m getting married to Michael today. Who would’ve known? Who would’ve known my dad wanted me to marry him anyway? I’m still shocked about yesterday’s events. The thing that hurts me most is that Alice won’t be going to my wedding like I’ve always dreamed. It’s in the past now. I can’t do anything.
As my new helped helped me tie my corset, I looked in the mirror and examined my outfit. I look okay. My hair is pulled up into a high bun, pins and head bands in my hair. I’m wearing my mother’s wedding dress. It’s so beautiful. I’m glad she let me wear it.
“Ms. Leah, you look beautiful,” Rebekah, my new helped smiled.
“Thanks, but Rebekah, please call me Leah. You don’t have to call me ‘Miss.’”
“My apologies.”
“It’s okay,” I sighed.
“Is Robert dressed? Please go to him.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said and went off. This is the only reason I want Alice back. I hate being called “miss” or “ma’am.”
“Leah?” My mother asked as she walked in. “Leah, you look gorgeous!” She smiled and hugged me.
“Thanks, mother,” I hugged her.
My dad walked in the room and smiled, “you look just like your mother,” he hugged me.
“Awwh, thanks. I am wearing her wedding dress,” I laughed.
“This day came so quick, didn’t it, Horatio?” My mother asked.
“It sure did,” he nodded.
“Are you nervous?” My mother asked me while studying my face. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“Ya know, I always dreamed Alice would come to my wedding. But now she can’t come.”
“I understand. If you want her to come, we can-”
“It’s okay, Mother. Thanks, though.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Is it time for me to go yet?”
“As a matter of fact, it is,” my dad said and opened the door for my mother and I.
“Mother, where will Michael and I go after we’re married?”
“On your honeymoon of course” she laughed.
“No, I mean, where will we stay? Surely, we can’t stay here.”
“Oh. You will reside in the guest chambers.”
“The guest chambers?”
“Yes. The one on Beach Larenz.”
“Beach Larenz?!” I gasped.
“You’re giving it to us?”
“Yes, of course. You only deserve the best. Now enough of this moving away talk,” she whispered as we entered the chapel.
My heart began to pound, “mother, I’m nervous,” I whispered to her.
“It’s only natural. Wait here for your father. I’m going to sit down. Take deep breaths and when you get up on that altar, imagine that it’s just you and Michael up there,” she smiled, kissed my forehead and went in the sanctuary to sit down.
Michael is waiting up that on the altar for me. I’m so nervous.
“Are you ready?” My father whispered.
I turned around and hugged him tight, “I’m so nervous, daddy,” I whispered to him.
“I can tell,” he chuckled.
After we embraced, my little cousin pushed past us. She must be the flower girl. A guard opened the door for her and she went in the sanctuary and began to throw the flowers on the walkway. Everyone applauded for her.
“You’re next, babygirl,” my dad smiled.
I pressed my lips together. My hands began to sweat. I just want to be up there with Michael, so I won’t be so nervous anymore.
The guards opened both doors and the audience stood.
I smiled as my dad and I began to walk towards the altar. Everyone began to applaud. As I looked at Michael, all my nervousness seemed to drift away. He smiled his gorgeous smile which only made me blush. We finally got to the altar. My dad and I embraced one another again before he went to sit down with my mother. I stood across from Michael and held his hands.
“You look gorgeous,” he mouthed.
“Thank you,” I blushed. As the minister spoke, my heart began to pound again because of all the people staring at me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
“Don’t anyone object to this marriage?” I heard the minister ask the audience. No one said anything or stood up. “Then you are asked to forever hold your peace,” he said before he continued.
I looked at Michael and he smiled. “I love you,” I mouthed.
“I love you too,” he mouthed back.
“Michael Joseph Jackson, do you take Princess Leah Olivia Vanholt to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, ’til death do you both part?” The minister asked Michael.
“I do,” Michael nodded.
“And do you, Princess Leah Olivia Vanholt, take Michael Joseph Jackson to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, ’til death do you part?” The minister asked me.
“I do.”
The minister nodded with a smile. “Now, do the two of you have any vows you would like to say to one another?”
“I do,” Michael said.
“Go ahead,” the minister nodded.
“Leah, when we first met, you’ve gotta admit, it was the strangest way possible,” everyone laughed. “But when I saw you, I knew you were different. That mask might’ve hid your face, but it didn’t hide your emotions very well. I guess I was the only one who noticed. After that night, I got to know who you really were. Which was the most gorgeous, funniest, and funnest woman I have ever met. Yeah, you were raised to be lady-like and to act like a princess should act. But most people must not know that other side of you that I have experienced. The way your hazel eyes light up when you smile, the way your nose flares up when you’re mad, which is very cute, by the way.” Everyone laughed while I blushed. “What I’m saying is, I love everything about you and I’m so happy to call you my wife,” he smiled.
Everyone applauded and my mom cried. I wiped away a couple of tears that managed to escape my eyes. I don’t have any vows, but I’m going to try to say what’s from my heart.
“Princess Leah?” The minister asked.
“Um, I really don’t have any vows, but I’m going to say what’s from my heart the best way I can, so be patient with me,” I pushed a curl behind my ear and held Michael’s hands again as I looked in his eyes. “Michael, you’re absolutely right When we first met, it was indeed the strangest way ever. But that night that I met you, for some odd reason, I knew I could be myself with you. I guess I was being too much of myself when I fell in the pond that night.” Everyone burst into laughter including Michael. “But still, you accepted me. If it had been anyone else, I would have been scolded for not being lady-like. But you, you just laughed with me. It was odd that night, but when I look back on that, I realize that was quite funny. Funny because I fell in the pond on my engagement night in my new dress, funny because you didn’t scold me, and funny because you actually saw the real me. Something that’s extremely rare for anyone to see, including my parents. But I let you see me, out of all people. Michael, I love you. Your smile always makes my day. I was super nervous this morning, but when I walked in her and noticed your assuring smile, all nervousness left me. You’re the one, Michael. I knew that for quite a while, but you’re the one,” I said as several tears rolled down my cheeks.
Everyone applauded. Michael wiped the tears from my face and hugged me.
“That was beautiful,” the minister smiled. “Now, Michael, you may kiss your bride. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Joseph Jackson,” Michael smiled and kissed my lips. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back. Everyone stood up and cheered loudly. Michael backed away and held my hand as we walked down the aisle.
When we walked out the building, a chariot awaited to take us to our new house. We got in and the chariot began to take us to our destination. Michael closed all the curtains and kissed me passionately.
“How does it feel to be Mrs. Michael Joseph Jackson?” He smiled.
“It feels amazing,” I smiled and pulled him in for another kiss…
The End