Reverend William Bender started the service by saying, “We have come here today in the presence of these witnesses and before Almighty God to unite in HOLY MATRIMONY, this man and woman: Travis Samuel McBride and Sara Ann Madden.”
Another surprise, not only did they play ‘Here Comes the Bride’ when she walked down the aisle, but she was also having the typical American wedding service. Sara smiled, squeezing Travis’ hand and he squeezed back. Sara tried to keep her mind on the minister’s words, but before Sara knew it, Reverend Bender was saying to Travis. “Then repeat after me:
I, Travis, take thee Sara
To be my lawful wedded wife
To have and to hold from this day forward,
For better or worse
For richer, for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish
And forsaking all others to be faithful
‘Till death do us part.”
Travis repeated his part without any trouble. His voice was clear and crisp as he looked at Sara, his words were said slowly and loudly for all to hear.
Before Sara knew it, it was her turn. Her mouth was so dry, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to say a word when it was her turn to speak.
“Do you Sara Ann, take this man, Travis, to be your lawful wedded husband, to love and to cherish for so long as you both shall live,” said Reverend Bender.
Sara turned to say, ‘I DO’, and had to repeat the words twice, before the minister could hear her. The service was over before she realized it, and the minister was pronouncing them husband and wife. Sara waited expectantly for her kiss, the one that would start her new life with this good-looking stranger.
Her first kiss as Mrs. Travis McBride was short and quick, more like a peck than a kiss. Sara was slightly disappointed, but when she looked up, and saw the room full of people were watching them, she decided it was for the best.
Reverend Bender lifted his hand up. “Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Travis McBride.”
Travis led her to the back of the church to sit in the last pew. After they sat down, Sara kept staring at the beautiful ring that now rested on her finger, as it was so breathtaking, she couldn’t quit looking at it. Travis and Sara’s wedding was the thirteenth service today, some say it was an unlucky number, but to Sara’s parents, 13 was their lucky number, maybe it would now be lucky for her also.
Because Allen was afraid that they were going to be late, he increased their pace to the church. As Kayla hurried down the hall to keep up with Allen, she noticed how her dress felt against her body, making her feel as she was Cinderella. She thought of all the women who would be meeting their future husbands for the first time, and in front of all these strangers, including the man they were about to marry. She bet most of the brides were scared. They were asking questions such as: Will they come to love their new husbands? Will this marriage work? Should they go through with this wedding?
She knew she already loved her future husband, and their marriage was going to work out for them because of their love for each other. She didn’t even have to worry about the wedding night, which she was sure many of the other brides were thinking of, especially the ones who were virgins. Her mind kept going on nonstop, thinking about Alex, the babies in their future and her new home on a different planet.
Suddenly Allen stopped walking, jerking Kayla to stop, causing her to look up. She had been so lost in her thoughts she was surprised to see that they had already arrived at the doors of the church.
Allen looked through the window of the doors and noticed that the previous wedding was through, then waited until the couple sat down and Alex took his place.
“You’re lucky you weren’t the previous wedding, especially if you are superstitious.” Allen glanced at her and then explained. “It was the thirteen wedding today.”
Kayla shudder. “Yes, I wouldn’t want anything to spoil my day, as I’m superstitious and always stay away from black cats and ladders.”
Allen laughed, “Are you ready?”
“Yes, let’s get this show on the road.” Kayla looked at Allen and winked.
Allen opened the doors and the music started playing. Before they could take a step down the aisle, a man approached them from the last pew.
“Kayla, I’m Alex’s father, Kevin Gordon. Would you mind if I walked you down the aisle?” His eyes watched her closely as he waited for her answer.
She smiled sweetly at him. “I would be honored, and I want to thank you for letting Alex return to Earth for me, as he means the world to me.”
“I understand, because he means the world to his mother and me too.” He took hold of her hand and placed it on his arm before they proceeded down the aisle together.
Alex watched as his father spoke to Kayla, making him wonder if there was a problem of some kind. Did his father change his mind about letting them get married? He’d tried to talk him out of marrying Kayla, saying if she loved him enough, she would do anything for him, including leaving her world for his.
Alex explained to his father, that she loved him very much, but this had been too much of a surprise for her to make the decision in a split second. Not many people wouldn’t have a problem making the decision to leave everything behind and marry someone from a different world.
His father argued that many women had already accepted to marry one of the men, proving him wrong. Alex claimed that most of the women on this trip were leaving Earth for a better life on their planet, some were even blackmailed to come, as the situation they were in on Earth was far worse than marrying a stranger from a different planet.
Kevin wanted to argue some more, but knew his son was right. Over the years, he’d heard horrible stories of what the lives of some of the women were like before they were bought to the ship, going to a strange planet was far better than abuse or even death. Finally, he gave his approval for his son to retrieve Kayla and bring her back.
His frighten eyes look at Kayla and she winked at him, letting him know everything was all right, and he quickly related. When Kayla and Kevin began walking towards Alex, his expression change and began grinning from ear to ear.
Kayla stared at Alex who was dressed in a black tuxedo and a smile on his face as she walked down the aisle towards him. Thinking how much she loved him and how she hadn’t realized how much he meant to her until it was almost too late, made her shudder. Kayla smiled; she was so glad things had worked out for the two of them.
When Kayla and Kevin reached Alex, he grabbed her hand from his father, as if he was afraid, she would get away from him.
His father laughed, “She is all yours, son.” Kevin Gordon walked to the front row and sat down beside his wife, Emily. When Kevin noticed his wife had tears in her eyes, he smiled at her, taking her hand in his, giving it a light squeeze.
Sara kept looking at Travis, who was now her husband for better or worse. She mustn’t think of him as an alien, but as a man whose kisses were like magic. To her, an alien was an awful creature like the ones she seen in the movies, one who killed and scared everyone.
He had talked her into marrying him by kissing her, as they were magical to her. He glanced over and saw her staring at him; she blushed and turned away from him to look where the next bride stood.
Sara’s mouth fell open as she instantly recognized the next bride as her friend, Kayla, shocked to see someone she knew here, especially a good friend. Sara placed her hand on Travis’ arm. “Travis, the bride is a friend of mine,” she whispered to him.
“Who in the world, would ever guess you would meet someone you knew here of all places. Alex, the groom, is a friend of mine.” Travis whispered back.
Kayla didn’t look as scared as Sara had felt. Her friend had mentioned that Alex had asked her to marry him, and wondered if Kayla had known Alex was from another planet before she agreed to marry him. She will have to ask her later about it.
The minister watched Kayla as she leaned over and lightly kissed Alex on the lips, and smiled at the couple before speaking. “I can tell you already know each other, because your love for each other shows on your faces. This is rare and unique event because all the other couples here today are strangers to each other.” He then proceeded with their wedding service.
Kayla and Alex had decided to write their own wedding vows. When the time came for Alex to say his vows, he spoke directly to Kayla.
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“I, Alex, take thee Kayla to be my lawful wedded wife. You are my soul mate, my forever after love. You are the other half of my being; I will love you always and always.” Tears shone in Alex’s eyes as he spoke.
When Kayla said her vows to Alex, she too had tears in her eyes by the time she finished. Their words were from their heart and their vows brought tears to some of the other newlywed couples, because everyone could hear the love, they had for each other. All the other newlyweds were hoping they too would come to love their new spouse at much as Kayla already loved hers.
“Alex, you may kiss your bride.” Reverend Bender announced.
Alex gave Kayla a short lovely kiss.
Kayla looked at Alex and smiled, but abruptly her expression changed from a smile to a strange look, her coloring quickly changed to pasty white, fear covered her face, then suddenly her body went limp and she started to fall to the floor.
Alex quickly reached out to grab her before she hit the floor, then looked helplessly around for help as he slowly lowered her to the floor.
Dr. Miller was beside him before Alex could blink. “Kayla, can you hear me?” He asked, but there wasn’t any response from her. Someone handed Dr. Miller a wet washcloth and he wiped Kayla’s face. “Kayla, can you hear me?” he repeated.
Slowly Kayla opened her eyes, “What happened? Why am I on the floor?”
“Sweetheart you fainted. How do you feel?” Alex looked frighten.
Kayla glanced around her and saw everyone staring at her, she blushed, embarrassed with all the attention on her. “Alex, I feel fine now, I think it was just all the excitement of the moment. Please get me out of here.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t my kiss that caused you to faint?” Alex asked jokingly as he helped her to stand.
Kayla laughed, “I think you may be right.” She continued to hold on to Alex as she regained her balance.
“I want to see you in my office first in the morning.” Dr. Miller said with concern.
Alex continued to help Kayla as they slowly made their way down the aisle, sitting with Travis and Sara. Alex started to introduce Kayla to Travis and Sara, but Sara stood before he could and the two girls embraced before he could say anything.
When his eyes opened widely and his mouth dropped open, Travis’ hand pushed Alex’s chin up, closing the gap, and then explained to him about the girls being old friends.
“Kayla, are you okay?” Sara asked with concern.
“I believe so. I feel fine, maybe I fainted because of all the excitement and the fact I didn’t eat breakfast this morning.”
“Yes, I bet that was why you fainted.” Sara squeezed her hand.
“Ladies sit down. This next wedding is about to start. You’re plenty of time to visit later.” Travis said as he watched the door opening to let the next bride into the chapel.
Dr. Miller took Maggie’s hand into his. “Are you ready for this?” He was holding his breath in anticipation of her answer.
Maggie smiled, “As ready as I’ll ever be.” She smiled and gave him a reassuring wink.
Slowly they began making their way down the hall. Maggie could hear the wedding music in the distant and it became louder as they got closer to the church. When they arrived at the church, Dr. Miller looked through the window before he opened the doors.
Maggie saw the church was full of other brides and grooms sitting in the rows in their wedding clothes. She glanced towards the front of the church and saw Matt wearing a white tuxedo and a nervous expression on his face, making her smile, but it faded slightly as his sensual eyes fell upon hers. “Oh, what have I gotten myself into.”
Sara saw the next bride as she entered the church, shocked to see it was Maggie, she touched Travis’ arm again. “Travis, I can’t believe it, the bride, Maggie, is Kayla’s and my friend.” She whispered to him.
Travis smiled, “Matt is a friend of ours also, what a strange coincidence.”
“I wonder if I will know any of the other brides.”
“You’ll find out at the reception.”
Maggie kept saying over and over, “Yes, I can do this. Yes, I can do this.” Matt smiled at her as she walked toward him, and it sent shivers down her spine. Before she knew it, she was standing beside Matt.
Matt took Maggie’s hand as Dr. Miller brought it towards him, which was warm and dry, and his touch comforted her, while at the same time it sent a tingling sensation all the way down to her toes. She took in a quick breath, slowly letting it out, trying to calm the nervous feeling in the pit of her stomach.
He was so handsome that she couldn’t quit looking at him. He’s even more handsome than Jack was, Maggie thought to herself. How could she be comparing the two? She was a terrible person to be thinking that way, as Jack had been her husband for years, while Matt was a total stranger to her.
The minister was already speaking before Maggie’s brain finally started to work. “Matt and Maggie, you are about to enter this special covenant and to pledge and vow to one another your fidelity and commitment. You will find that your lives will be sweetened and enriched by your vows binding you as husband and wife.”
Her mind started wondering if she should be doing this. What was the right option for her? Here she was marrying a total stranger and didn’t know anything about him. What if he was abusive to her and Ryan? Where would she go if she had to leave him? She had so many questions, but no answers. Finally, she forced her brain to quit thinking and listen to the minister again. Soon it was time for her to recite her wedding vows.
The minister asks, “Maggie, do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?”
She looked at Matt, then she looked at the minister and then back to Matt. She was scared, this was such an important step, and she needed some reassurance. Fear knotted her throat, preventing her from speaking.
Matt seemed to sense her fear, he smiled and nodded his head at her, as if to say, yes this is the right thing to do.
Could she really go through with this wedding? The thought of marrying again tore at her insides.
The church was quiet, not one person made a sound as they waited to hear her answer, especially Matt. Maggie looked into Matt eyes and they saw he was pleading with her to say “Yes.” Before Maggie could say a word, she felt a small tug at her sleeve, when she looked down, she saw Cole standing there next to her.
“Please say yes. I want you to marry my daddy and be my new mother,” he begged her, his sad eyes calling to her heart.
Maggie looked back up at Matt, smiled, and in a voice without any hesitation and loud enough for even the people in the back row to hear, she said. “I do.”
She heard several sighs of relief around her, as well as one from Matt. Quietly she heard the words “Thank you” whispered from Matt and she smiled at him.
The rest of the ceremony finished without any more delays and soon the minister announced, “Matthew you may now kiss your wife.”
Maggie couldn’t believe the feelings she felt when his lips finally touched hers for the first time. Her stomach jumped into her throat and her heart started pounding heavily. She was shocked at her response to Matt’s kiss. She thought all her feeling had died with Jack, but despite her fears, she felt a hot and excited feeling run through her veins. Could she learn to love this man after all?
The minister concluded with saying, “May I now introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Adams.” The audience stood up and began clapping, causing Maggie blushed shyly, as she knew they hadn’t done that for the last bride.
Matt and Maggie walked with their two boys beside them down the aisle to the back of the church to sit with the others. Travis introduced the men, while Sara introduced the women. He explained to the ladies, that when they were growing up the guys had been known as the three musketeers, as you hardly saw one without the other two. As they waited for the next wedding to start, Alex told the girls, that the groom was also friend of theirs.
Allen’s comment, ‘Let’s get this show on the road’, made Brianne laugh, to her this was definitely a show. As they hurried towards the church, Brianne looked at everything, trying to soak everything in to keep her mind off what was going to happen when they reached the end of this journey.
As they came to door of the church, Allen removed his hand from Brianne’s arm and looked through the window to see if the last wedding was finished yet. They waited a few minutes before he opened the two doors and then they proceeded into the church. They slowly proceeded down the aisle, as the music ‘Here Comes the Bride’ played in the background.
Brianne looked to find her sister as soon as they entered the church and smiled when she saw Amy was sitting on the front row watching her. Then Brianne looked at the groom, she gasped and immediately stopped walking.
Allen looked over at her and wondered if she had suddenly changed her mind about marrying Luke. Allen waited patiently beside her, not forcing her to continue, nor did he say anything to her. He didn’t know where he should do, so he looked for his wife. When he found her watching them, he smiled as seeing her seemed to comfort him.
The room seemed to have a hush over it, not one person said a single word, not even one body twitched. One look at Luke, you saw the look of despair on his face, his hands were clinched together, his shoulders hunched forward and his eyes were trained on the floor in front of him.
“My God, he is better looking than his photos.” Brianne whispered.
Allen laughed, as all of the different things she could have said, this certainly wasn’t what he expected.
Slowly Brianne started them walking towards the front of the church again. You could feel the whole audience of the church let out the breath they seemed to be holding. When Luke heard the sound, he looked up and his face slowly relaxed, and he began smiling as they continued towards him.
Before Brianne knew it, she was holding Luke’s hand. He gripped her hand firmly in his, with a gentle hold, and it felt good to her. She tried not to think of what those hands would do tonight to her body by keeping her mind on the ceremony and away from tonight’s activity. Brianne kept looking over at Luke, as she couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off him, he was so breathtakingly handsome. Soon she heard the minister say, “Luke, you now may kiss your bride.” She held her breath. Could she stand to be kissed by him in front of all these strangers?
Luke took her into his arms, “Thank you for marrying me.” He whispered to her, then gave her their first kiss. In fact, it was the first kiss she had ever experienced from a man other than her father. She had never told anyone that she had never been kissed before, not her girlfriends, not even her own sister.
One would assume a woman her age would had experienced such an event before, but Brianne hadn’t dated much, and what dates she did have, she had never let them kiss her. Her mother always told her not to let them, because kissing could lead to sex. She didn’t understand how a simple kiss could lead to sex, but she obeyed her mother anyway.
Brianne enjoyed her first kiss with her new husband so much that she wanted more of them as she felt a warm glow hit her at her womanly core, now understanding what her mother had meant.
After the kiss, the minister introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Luke Baker. Luke took her hand and walked her down the aisle to the last row of the church to sit with the other three couples. Introductions were quickly made before the next wedding got under way.
Matt told Brianne how Alex would try to follow the older boys whenever they would venture off. Most of the time Alex’s mother would make him stay with her, but as he became older, he was seen more and more often with the older boys.
They still had three wedding left and people were starting to get restless, especially the young children. Some of the people had been there for all the weddings, while others had arrived in time for their own service. The next two weddings proceeded quickly and then the minister said the next wedding was a host couple who was renewing their wedding vows.
They were married here twelve years ago on this date, it had been the bride’s second marriage, she had been 33 and had two young daughters from her first marriage, and it had been the 29-year-old groom’s first.
Some people thought their marriage wouldn’t last because he was four years younger than she was, but it had, even though they had their share of rough times that happens during most marriages. The bride wanted to renew her vows to show her husband that she would marry him all over again if given the choice.
This wedding gave the new brides encouragement to see a couple who was still in love after twelve years of marriage since divorce was a common occurrence on Earth. After their ‘I do’ were said, Reverend Bender announced cake and punch would be served in the reception hall for all.
Each couple had their own little cake to cut and there was laughter and silly antics from all. Pictures were taken during the ceremonies and during the reception, which would be keepsakes of their special day for the couples to keep. Nerves were on edge, each in their own thoughts about the wedding night, and their future with this person they had just married.
There was dancing for all, the first dance was just for the newlyweds, and then everyone took turns dancing with the different brides. The last dance was saved for the new husbands and wives. The song was a slow romantic one to help the set the mood for the wedding night for the nervous and excited newlyweds.