ALISHA'S P.O.V

Sometimes in life when we look back at where we're coming from, it's just a little bit funny, really. Maybe at some point, something so terrible happened and we  couldnt for the life of us see how we were going to pick ourselves back up and move on without it happening but sometimes, I feel its important to remember that whatever we went through in those dark times  was just a bad phase  and be thankful for the good times we've got now.

For me, imagine Suzan had split up Jayden and I or when Jayden went away, he just didn't come back like he said he would. If any of those did happen, Im sure I wouldnt be hearing wedding bells or making my way down the aisle with my mother or Zarha, Alessia and Anne holding my train or even Jayden waiting for me at the end, looking at me like it was the first time we'd met even after eight years of being together and apart at the same time. Me, busy with school and him with work somehow, we'd managed to make it work and work, it did.

Over the years that led to this, I was insecure about our relationship, whether hed be able to wait for me or whether he'd lose interest and find someone who wasn't too busy chasing her dreams to have time for him.

As I walked down the aisle, I couldnt help but replay all the memories I had with Jayden till this day, most of them, happy. Just like I had always dreamed of, I was getting married on a white sand beach with all the people I love more than anything in the world, looking as happy as I felt but most of all, getting married to the man I love the most. The man who stood by me through thick and thin and loved me every step of the way, the one who made all the bad choices I had made seem so insignificant because I made the right choice with him. I made the right  choice loving him and choosing to love him for the rest of my days and not looking back. As we walked in, my hand in my mothers, organ started to play and it felt all the more real. I was getting married.

As we walked down,  Jaydens eyes found mine and just in that moment, everything and everyone else seemed to have disappeared till I got to him and we stood in front of eachother, ready to take one of the biggest steps of our lives. Together. And from the look in his eyes, he was in it till the end.

Gently, he took my hands in his as he was asked to say his vows, something shone in his eyes.

"Alisha, eight years ago I met you and I can proudly say that was the best thing that had ever  happened to me. Every moment Ive spent with and away from you made me love you more and i know Ive said it so many times but I cant imagine my life   without you in it. And im so proud of everything youve accomplished and i want to see you do so much more because I know that you can do so much more. I promise to stand by you and support each and every one of your dreams and support you any way I can and to love you infinitely even when you feel you least deserve it. I know Im not perfect but I want to do this with you. You and only you.  I want to wake up to the sound of your voice and the silly smiles you give. I want to take your problems and make sure you never have to face them alone. I choose you. Over and over again  and I'll keep choosing you. I want to do life with you over and over again, hand in hand. Till the end. I love you."

Tears were already rolling down my cheeks as i smiled up at the love of my life.

JAYDENS P.O.V

"When I first met you, I was afraid to touch you. When I touched you, I was afraid to know you. When I knew you, I was afraid to kiss you. When I kissed you, I was afraid to love you and now that I love you, Im afraid to  lose you. You brought out in me, what I ever knew existed so how could I ever possibly want it with someone else? I dont really have anything more to say than this. I love you and im not going anywhere. Its me and you, hand in hand, against the World. Forever." 

That was it. That was all I needed to hear. That she was staying. Forever. 

That was all I needed. I saw my future in her. All the things we could be. All the things we could do together. I wanted that with her and no one else. The sunday mornings, the laughs, the kids, the pets, the small disagreements, the sick days, the late days. All of it. 

I would go through every single thing, both the good and the bad all over again if itd lead to this everytime and I know our story isnt over but Im more than ready for everything that life had to throw at us because we would face it. Together. Hand in hand. Forever and I wouldnt have had it any other way. Looking at her, I cant help but thank God for giving her to me. Ego be damned, Alisha is my life and I would be nothing but a shell without her. She completes me in way no one ever will and captivates my soul in ways no other person ever will. And that was more than enough for me.

***

KAITLYN'S P.O.V.

Happiness.

One thing I feel every parent wants for their child is for them to be happy. Theres something fulfilling about watching those little bundles joy that once relied on you for everything grow up and live their own lives. This, here, put me in a lot of crying fits. My baby girl. My Alisha was getting married. To no one other than Jayden, the love of her life. The man who would do just about anything for her and loves her to a fault.

My daughter had never been one to want to be defined by the identity of a man. She always worked hard for whatever came her way and lived a life she wanted to. She didnt want to live in anyones shadows, instead, she wanted to be the one to cast the shadow. She made her own identity. And that, she did get. She had a man who loved every inch of her and was willing to support her make sure she never gave up on her dreams.

As the reverend blessed the newly wed couple, and gave the "You may now kiss the bride" command, as if he had been waiting for that moment all his life. The one where he was finally complete. I couldnt help but smile. I had grown to love that boy so much. Like the son I never had. The way he had grown to love my daughter and taken Alessia and I as if we were his own family.

And speaking of his family, Jade West, Jaydens mother beside me also couldn't keep her eyes off the two of them.

"You raised a wonderful son, Jade." I said and gave her a smile. She smiled back and gave me a hug. "Your beautiful daughter brought out the very best in him. There was a time I was worried that Jayden would never find happiness and move on from what happened but Alisha made it possible. I knew she was special from the first day she stepped into my house all those years ago when she was still in high school doing that biology project. You raised an amazing, strong woman. Thank you."

"And thank you."

Speaking of the biology project, the teacher who paired them what seemed like ages ago was in the crowd, clapping enthusiastically beside his wife and small kids seated beside him. Alisha and Jayden had specially requested that he be present at their wedding. I bet for sure he didnt know, that small act of refusing to let Alisha do a project on her own led to this grand event if today.

That was just one of the funniest things in life. That  was, you never knew. Even the smallest of actions could have great impact.

I watched as Alessia was in tears sitting along with other the bridesmaids, Zarha, Anne and Talia. They looked so happy for her, especially Alessia who was in tears watching the newly married couple. Even Kevin who happened to be Jaydens best man, has a shine in his eyes on seeing them. Susan and Todd even were jumpy to congratulate them.

All the cheers and happiness resonated as it was time for Alisha to toss the bouquet. Closing her eyes as she did in her beautiful royal blue wedding gown, looking so happy as she tossed it. Only for it to be caught by Talia.

One glance at them and I knew they would all be fine. All of them.