Chapter 28: A New Day

David waited with giddy anticipation as the bridal music began. The guests were on their feet, holding their collective breath, their eyes riveted to the spot where the bride-to-be would make her long-awaited appearance. Feeling like a kid on Christmas morning, he could barely contain his excitement. Only a few more moments before Jasmine would come walking down the aisle and into his arms. He’d literally dreamed about this moment and as the bridesmaids entered, he glanced quickly at the note she’d sent him right before the ceremony. He smiled. The feeling was mutual.

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What a journey, thought Jasmine, walking down the aisle on her father’s arm. The day had been filled with frenzied activity and last minute preparations and yet Jasmine had never been more content.  Even though there were a few butterflies in her stomach, she remembered a time when even the thought of a day like today had her running scared. But besides the expected nerves, she felt joy like she’d never felt and more peace than she would have imagined. It’s really happening, she thought. They had come full circle and now David was there waiting, his eyes locked on her like she was the only person in the world. Tears of gratitude sprang to her eyes as she thought about all they’d gone through to get to this point.

They reached the altar and her father kissed her on the cheek as he gave her away. David took her hand and they faced the minister as their nuptials began.

“Dearly beloved…” began the minister.  The ceremony continued and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room as the two recited the vows they’d written for this day, for this moment.

David reached out and took Jasmine’s hands in his. “I love you. I’ve loved you from the first time I saw you and I haven’t looked back since. I am so grateful for this journey that God has allowed us to share and I look forward to so much more. I’m so thankful for your love and your trust in me, for your trust in God and his plans for us. From this day on, I promise to honor and cherish you. I promise to protect you and to always give my best to you. I promise to spend my life making you happy and loving you with all my heart."

Jasmine exhaled a shaky breath and began: “David, I can’t believe I’m standing here in front of you right now. I had no idea how radically my life would be changed when we met five years ago but now I see that God had an amazing plan all along. Thank you for showing me God’s love in an incredible way. As your wife, I promise to love and cherish you for the rest of my life. I promise to always stand beside you and to never let fear get in the way of my love for you. I promise to honor and serve you for as long as I live.”

Neither one of them heard much after that until, finally, the moment they’d been waiting for arrived.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride,” said the minister. 

You don’t have to tell me twice, thought David as he kissed his brand new wife. He’d wanted to do that from the moment he’d seen her. She looked absolutely breathtaking and now she was his.

“We did it, baby,” he whispered.

She gazed at him for a long moment and he saw the same joy he felt reflected in her eyes. “We did. I love you.”

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The happy couple couldn’t have imagined a more perfect evening for their big day. Pale shades of orange and red signaled the beginning of sunset and a balmy ocean scent filled the air. Beautiful candle chandeliers and yellow tulips, Jasmine’s favorite flower, greeted them as they entered the gorgeously decorated reception tent.

Jasmine’s father was the first to approach them. “Welcome to the family, David!” he said, grabbing him in a bear hug.

“Uh, thanks,” David managed to croak out.

“Woah, Dad, careful!” Jasmine teased. “I’d like to hang on to him for a little while before you break him.”

Her father laughed. “He can handle it.” He looked at them for a moment. “Congratulations, you two. I’m so proud of you.”

“You had a lot to do with this, you know. If it wasn’t for you I might have missed out on the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” she said. Her voice was filled with appreciation as she fought tears. “Thanks so much. Love you,” she said, kissing his cheek.

A short time later David led Jasmine to the dance floor.

“Ready for our first dance, Mrs. Archuleta?” he asked, pulling her into his arms.

“I certainly am. As a matter of fact I’ve been waiting my whole life,” beamed Jasmine. “And,  I have a surprise for you. A big one.”

“Oh, really?” David raised an eyebrow. “How big?”

Jasmine shrugged nonchalantly. “Well…judge for yourself.”

She draped her arms around his neck and nodded towards the stage as the band started playing their song. 

They’d chosen “To Make You Feel My Love” by Adele. They were both huge fans and that song especially captured their feelings for each other. David looked towards the stage and was shocked to see Adele herself walk out. 

“I’d like to dedicate this to David and Jasmine. Congratulations! I wish you the best.” She smiled graciously as she prepared to serenade the happy couple.

David was almost speechless. “How?”

Jasmine’s face lit up with satisfaction. “You’re not the only one with connections, you know,” she teased.

“Wow, yeah, I’d say this is pretty big. Thanks, baby,” he said as they began to sway to the music. “I knew there was a reason I married you.”

He chuckled as Jasmine poked him in his side. “Alright, alright! I married you because you have the most adorable button nose I’ve ever seen.” He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the nose.

“Hmm…” She pretended to ponder his answer. “That’s good but, try again.”

“Okay,” said David with a glint in his eyes. “ I said ‘I do’ because that was all I could say after seeing how incredibly sexy you look in that dress. You even wore your hair up and you know how I feel about that.” His tone was serious as their eyes met.  “How about that?”

Feeling heat rising up her neck, Jasmine cleared her throat. “Yes, sir, I’d say that was acceptable,” she quipped, snuggling against him.

David tightened his arms around her. “I love you so much. You’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

She stroked his cheek. “Me, too, so I guess we’re even.”

“I guess we are,” he said, grinning. With that, he covered her lips with a kiss.

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Red petals blanketed the sand as David and Jasmine’s guests sent them off in a shower of roses. Family and friends yelled well-wishes and the newly married couple quickly made their way to the white vintage Rolls Royce that awaited them. As the car pulled away they waved goodbye.

“Alone at last,” David said. He pulled Jasmine into his arms and kissed her with a passion and abandon that signaled this new phase of their relationship. No longer embarrassed by the feelings that his nearness aroused in her, she kissed him back just as eagerly. Time seemed to stand still as they reveled in this new closeness they now shared.

“I didn’t think it was possible to love you more, but somehow I do,” said David, holding her close. “I can’t explain it.”

“I feel the same way,” Jasmine replied as the car came to a stop in front of their home.

The driver opened the door. David stepped out and extended his hand to Jasmine. “Are you ready for this new adventure?”

“I’ve never been more ready.” As she said the words, she knew that it was true. The fear she’d once felt was only a memory and she looked to their future with hope and excitement.

“Well, there’s only one thing left to do,” said David.

“What?”

Without a word David swept her up in his arms. “David!” Jasmine exclaimed in delighted surprise. He grinned and began walking up the stairs to the front door.

“What kind of husband would I be if I didn’t carry you over the threshold? Besides, we have an appointment to keep.”

Jasmine grinned mischievously. “Ah, yes. The cooking lesson.”

“Yep and I don’t intend to be late.” He opened the door and stopped, looking at her with tenderness in his eyes.

As she gazed at the love of her life, Jasmine was overwhelmed with joy and anticipation of the life they would share.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” she chided, stealing a kiss.

David smiled. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

He carried his new bride over the threshold and into a new beginning.

{The End}