#apollogrant

I felt like my heart was going to bust out of my chest as I walked down the aisle towards Caleb. All the waiting. All the time I was uncertain. It all led to that walk towards the rest of my life.

“You look radiant.” Caleb whispered to me as we faced each other.

“You look like I want to take that suit off you.” I whispered back to him.

I wondered where our priest was, turns out he missed his flight and would be doing the ceremony via speaker on Annalise’s phone. I blame Apollo for that.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…well. You’re gathered there. I’m stuck in the airport. But I digress. We here to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony..”

Five minutes later…

“I have been thinking this past month what I want to say to you today. I kept thinking of how this really all started because I wanted you to bare my child.” He paused “Back then, I wanted to keep it professional, so to speak. I had no intention of things going this way. No intention of falling for you. You were a complete surprise to me.” Caleb told me softly.

I stood there, listening and trying not to ruin my makeup. Listening to my future husband say his vows to me is a moment I waited for since the moment I understood what romantic love is.

“It is weird, my life before I fell in love with you kind of feels like this haze to me. Almost like it wasn’t real. You have changed things for me. I truly mean that. My views on my existence. My purpose. I no longer ask myself why I am still here. I no longer want someone to drive a stake through my heart so I can fade to nothing.” Caleb told me quietly.

My heart broke, thinking he used to feel that way. I grasped his hands, squeezing them with mine. I mouthed “I love you” to him as I felt tears welling up in my eyes.

“I do not feel that way anymore.” He assured me “I want to spend the rest of your life with you. I will do everything in my power to make you not only happy, but to feel loved every single day. That is my vow not only to you, but to any children we have. I will protect you. Take care of you when you need it. I will be with you until the end, no matter what.”

I wanted to cry so badly. I thought words like that were only spoken in those hallmark movies on TV. But they were said to me. They are real.

“I’m not really sure how to follow that up.” I said, laughing slightly to distract myself from ugly crying. “You know, there was a time in my life when I never thought I’d find someone. I didn’t really talk about those thoughts with anyone, but I had them.” I admitted.

Caleb nodded and I took a steadying breath. “Even though we weren’t close, you’ve been around during some of my darkest times. I always somehow knew I could go to you if I had a problem. You even put up with me calling you Dr. Cullen when I was drunk.” I joked, which received some laughs from my brother and Aubree.

“I know I can trust you to protect me and to love me. To take care of me…when I allow it, I am kind of stubborn.” I admitted, I could see Naya slapping her hand over Apollo’s mouth out of the corner of my eye. I bit my lip so I didn’t start laughing and redirected my focus totally on Caleb.

“You awakened a passion inside of me that I didn’t know existed. I’m not just talking about a physical type of passion but it’s a passion to love you. I miss you so much when I’m not with you. I can even feel it when you enter a room. I can’t put this all into words as good as you.  Just please know that I love you Caleb and I will until my last breath.”

There was a brief moment of total silence where Caleb and I just looked at each other. It was like we were the only two beings in the world in that moment.

“I can’t wait to officially start our life together and to see what the future brings us.” I said, ending my vows.

“Beautiful. Now it’s time to exchange the rings.” The priest said from the phone. I almost forgot about him.

Five minutes later…

Josie and Lucky seem to be adjusting well to the new house, especially Josie. She’s a moving pro by this point.

“I just think that a bigger table might be more useful for when we have guests.” Caleb told me at dinner. Well, my dinner.

I sighed “You remember how long it took me to pick out this table…” I stated. Hours. It took hours. I’ve learned over the years that I can be very picky.

“That was the longest three hours of my undead life.” Caleb commented softly.

“What was that?” I asked him, asking like I didn’t hear him while I stabbed a piece of food with my fork.

Caleb laughed nervously “This table will do.”

I’m guessing he didn’t want me dragging him back to the furniture store.

Caleb decided to have his own piece of cake and go help Maira with her homework.

“So, what’s up?” I asked her after we got back from the bathroom because we both had to pee. Champagne goes right through me.

“I think I might be pregnant.” Aubree told me.

“You…don’t look too excited with the idea.” I stated, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s not really a good time in my career for this.” She confided in me “But, I’m not even sure yet. So maybe I’m just jumping to conclusions.”

“I have the feeling August doesn’t know about this.” I commented.

“He doesn’t. I don’t want to say anything until I know for sure. He really wants kids so I don’t want to get his hopes up or for him to seeing how I’m feeling about the idea.” Aubree explained.

“You’ll have to tell him though if you find out you are. It’ll be okay. These things happen for a reason. Maybe you’re more ready than you think you are or maybe it’s just not your time yet. It’ll be all good.” I assured her.

Caleb and I took a picture with our siblings as the weather turned once again. I was worried about the tired bags forming under Apollo’s eyes. He explained he’s just really tired. Traveling with a toddler is not easy.

“Finally. I get to dance with my wife.” Caleb whispered to me, pulling me to him forcefully but not enough to hurt me. It just caught me off guard a bit, but in a thrilling way.

“Ready for our honeymoon?” Caleb asked me after pulling me back up from a dip.

“You bet I am.” I assured him. “Is it a long trip there?”

Caleb smirked “You are sneaky.”

“What? It was a legitimate question to ask.” I replied innocently.

“Hmm….I know you are still trying to figure out where I am taking you but I suppose I will give you this. Yes, it is a long trip. We are heading to another hemisphere.” Caleb said slowly, watching me like he was seeing wheels turning behind my eyes.

“I see.” I said quietly, thinking of what that could mean he’s taking us.

“You can nap on the plane. You will need you rest for later.” Caleb whispered into my ear before placing a feather light kiss on it.

My bridal party consists of Aubree, my maid of honor, along with Naya, Rahmi and Lilith. Caleb’s groomsmen are Apollo, as his best man, August, Annalise and Lurch (Annalise’s butler). Then we have AJ as our ring bearer, though he already threw the little pillow in a toilet and Rahmi’s daughter, Maira, as our flower girl.

I can’t wait to see Caleb waiting for me at the end of the aisle. I’ve been looking forward to this for some long but I kind of just want it to done with too, so I can finally be married to him.

A hour and a half later….

“I can’t believe you changed your mind on your dress.” Naya told me while finishing zipping up my dress.

“I couldn’t help it. I saw this one online and just fell in love with it.” I explained to her as there was a knock at the door.

“I really wish Mom and Dad were here to see this.” Apollo told me after hugging me. I wish that too, but I feel like there here – somehow.

“You got all your something borrowed, something yada yada?” Apollo asked me.

I laughed a little. “Yes. Something new, the dress. Something borrowed, I have on a pair of Lilith’s shoes. Something old are the earrings I’m wearing, they were Mom’s. Something blue is my underwear.”

“You know, I’m sorry I asked.” Apollo said blankly after making a face at me.

“You did ask…”I told him.

“Yeah, but I’m not one of the girls. I’m your brother.” Apollo said before moving to stand by me, he slung his arm over my shoulder. “You look pretty. Now let’s get you married before something happens.”

I was very happy to see Aubree had already arrived. It’s hard to believe we’ve been friends since the first week of high school.

I also got to talk to Lilith for a little bit and let her know that I’m not upset with her for what happened at the club, while also thanking her for throwing the party.

The party couldn’t be complete without having my little brother there. Naya got to come too, which made me happy. They left AJ a trusted babysitter in one of the many spare rooms connected to the ballroom. Of course, I had to go get my nephew cuddles.

There was a DJ on duty but he seemed to wonder away from his booth a lot. Regardless, people still seemed to enjoy the music.

“I think it’s about time to eat, I’m starving.” I told Caleb as we looked at all our guests.

“Go get your plate first then I will let everyone know it is time to eat.” Caleb told me.

“Caleb…” I started to argue but Caleb gave me a look that said he wasn’t going to change his mind. This time, I let him have his way. I really was that hungry.

To my surprise, Ukupanipo showed up at the party. Was he invited? I assume so. Other than flirting with me at one time, he has always behaved himself. Turns out he knows Apollo as well. Which makes sense, they both live in Sulani and they’re both mermen.

Time came for the toast and Caleb insisted on making it, sans a glass. Since he doesn’t touch alcohol. Instead, he held up his thumb like Bob Dole.

“Thank you all for coming tonight to help Vera and myself celebrate our engagement and upcoming nuptials. Having our families and friends here, supporting us, means more than either of us can express.” Caleb told our guests.

We posed for pictures taken by the same person who did our engagement photos.

We ended the night with dancing along side family and friends. The night shockingly went well. For some reason, I expected something bad to happen. Maybe I’m a bit paranoid.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

some shots just don’t make the story. 

Yeah, I don’t know what was said XD. But she’s been very moody since she was a teen.

he stole my chickens. Jerk.

?? I don’t know. She got struck by lighting then slipped and fell inside??

...yeah

AJ spam! I couldn’t use these because well....he was too big in them ha.

she draws inspiration from odd places....

“And then her one true love shanked her through the stomach with his fingers. The end.”