The Wedding March

Z Note:  Apologies! Sorry for the delay.  Life Happens.  Writer's Block. Mehhhh!!  What can I say~  I had wanted to get this up for Valentine's Day, but unfortunately - it wasn't in the cards.  This one is a doozy.  It's quite a bit longer than the other chapters, there was a lot I wanted to cover.~
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Chapter 7 - Put a Ring On It

Monday evening when London came home from work, he decided that he and Kiera needed a night out. They had been working so hard, and he knew there were things that they needed to talk about for the wedding.  A date night was just what they needed. They both had work in the morning, but then, they always seemed to have work.  London had been looking into taking a day off when the preparations for the wedding were done... just so they could get married.
When Kiera came home, he asked her if she'd like to go out to dinner.
"London, that would be fantastic.  Just let me get cleaned up and changed and I'm all yours." Keira smiled.
"Kiera, you have no idea how happy it makes me to have you say that... all mine!!" He gave her a wicked grin and dipped her over his arm, kissing her.  

When she was standing right side up and on her feet again, she found herself giggling. She pulled him closer and kissed him herself, "I'll be quick." she whispered against his lips. Then she turned and made her way to the bathroom for a shower.
London watched her go with a huge smile on his face.  He was a lucky man.  A very lucky man.  And with that thought he made his way to their room to get changed.

~♥~

When they arrived downtown, London took Kiera's hand and helped her from the cab.
"Kiera.  I know I tell you all the time how beautiful I think you are, but you look amazing in that dress!"

"Oh really?  Do you like it? " Kiera smiled and played a little. Posing and batting her eyelashes.  "April made it for me a while back.  I love it. It's one of the reasons I was so excited when she offered to make my wedding dress."
At the mention of the wedding, London took her hands and smiled warmly.  "And that's one dress I can't wait to see you in Kiera."  He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them.  "Let's head inside and talk more over dinner."  Looping her arm through his, Kiera let London lead the way.  

After dinner, they decided to head to The Blue Velvet Night Club to have a drink before heading home.  Inside the two found a table near the fireplace.  They had spent the evening enjoying each others company. They talked about work, life, and of course the Wedding. When they started comparing schedules, Kiera was more than a little disappointed that it looked as though the Wedding wouldn't take place again this week.  She had Sunday off and she had thought it would have been a perfect day.  April was coming by soon with "The Dress" - it was nearly finished!! Plus, most of their friends were off work that day as well, so they would have been able to make it.  Kiera didn't particularly want or need a big Wedding, but she did want a celebration with the people who meant the most to them.  It wasn't everyday that you married your soulmate.

"Kiera, I've been thinking.  We have no way of knowing when our schedules are going to connect again, so I was talking to Geoffrey, my main supervisor.  He's agreed to give me the time off.  I was thinking this weekend. And since you have Sunday off already... what do you think?  Will you marry me Sunday?" 

"Really London!! This Sunday!! That's fantastic!  I'll talk to April tomorrow and make sure the dress will be ready.  I guess we'll have to go over the guest list one last time tonight... so that we can start making calls tomorrow...  OH! and the Pianist, Bartender and Caterer .. I'll need to talk to them too!!  I mean, everyone knew we were going to be having this wedding on short notice." Kiera was so excited, she was practically vibrating, her words flying fast and furious.
The two decided to make their way home.  Arm in arm they walked home, drinking in the beautiful evening. Talking all the while about what was really important.  The Wedding would happen.  No matter who managed to attend.  No matter whether they were able to hire a caterer ...  This Sunday, they would be married.  This Sunday they became a family.

~♥~

Kiera somehow managed to find more than 24 hours in a day.  Or that's how it seemed. She spent Tuesday at work, even managing to get another promotion - which worked in her favor.  She now got home a little earlier in the day, which meant she could get together with April, (her friend who was designing and creating her wedding dress) and Liv, who was a caterer.
Liv, would be able to make it on Sunday. She would handle the preparation of all the food for the event... with one exception. The Wedding Cake.
She felt terrible about it, but she was not a patisserie.  And the woman who usually handled such things was on maternity leave.
No worries though!  Kiera told her it would be fine, she take care of the cake.  

April was sure the dress was nearly finished.  She just needed Kiera too try it on. Just some last minute alterations.
"It really is lovely Kiera.  I can't wait for you to see it.  I went with an old Hollywood/Goddess look.  I think you're really going to love it.  I'll bring it over tomorrow after work for the fitting.
"Oh April!  I can't wait to see it." Kiera exclaimed.  Then she got a dreamy look in her eye. "I can't wait for London to see it." 

The two women exchanged looks and smiled.  They really didn't think it'd matter what Kiera was wearing that day, or what the food tasted like.  London was only going to "see' Kiera. "Hmph!" April huffed.  "Well, I hope the dress at least makes it onto a hanger after the wedding ceremony."  All three women giggled.

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Wednesday after work.  April arrived with the dress.  They had a couple hours before London got home from work, so the two ladies quickly got to work.  April went into the bedroom and carefully removed the dress from the garment bag, laying it out the bed. Kiera went ahead to the bathroom to touch up her make-up and arrange her hair the way she would be wearing it for the wedding, when she tried on the dress she wanted to get the full effect.
When she walked into the bedroom and saw dress, she almost started to cry.  It was so beautiful!  She looked at April, her eyes brimming with tears.  She was about to start gushing to April about how grateful she was - but April wasn't having it.  
"Quickly Kiera.  We can't waste anytime, I may need the full two hours before London gets home." Kiera smiled and wiped her eyes.  She gave the woman a quick hug before she undressed and slipped into the gown.

As Kiera put on the dress and turned to look in the mirror.  April couldn't help admiring her work.  The dress was a stunning creation of draped silk and crystal beading... and Kiera was gorgeous in it.  It was a perfect match.  Mentally she gave herself a pat on the back. "Well Kiera, I don't think there's much to be done.  I think it looks perfect on you. What do you think?"

As Kiera looked at herself she was overcome with happiness.  She gently ran her gloved hands over the gown.  The details were amazing.  
The silk was so soft and light, it was like she was wrapped in nothing at all!  And the beading!!  So delicate... Again Kiera felt herself wanting to cry, but she stopped herself.  It wouldn't do to stain the dress at all.  
"April...  This is beautiful.  More than beautiful!  I'm overwhelmed.  It's perfect." 

The two women smiled at each other. 

Kiera turned in the mirror, grinning like a fool.  This was her WEDDING dress.  She was getting married.  She was already so full of joy at the 'idea' of marrying London in 4 days... 4 DAYS!! O_O  that she wondered how she was going to keep it together until then.
"Well I think I just need to finish the hem a little.  Tighten some of the bead work.  But all in all.... I'd say you are going to be the most beautiful bride Willow Creek has ever seen. " April said, winking a Kiera.
They were chatting about where April had gotten the inspiration for the gown when they heard the front door open, and London calling out "I'm Home!  Kiera are you here?"
"Don't come in the bedroom!!" April and Kiera yelled in unison.  Then laughing at themselves.
Kiera took the gown off and changed into her normal everyday clothes... she suddenly felt very under dressed.

April slipped the gown back into the garment bag.  The two hugged, Kiera squeezing the dear woman, "Thank you SO much April."
The moment London saw April coming out of the bedroom, he knew what she and Kiera had been doing.  He smiled at her "Hello April.  How's the dress coming along?"
April smiled smugly at London, walking up to him and patting his shoulder.  "The dress has been upgraded to a 'gown' ... and you, London Grier, are going to have an extremely beautiful bride on Sunday."

As April made her exit, Kiera came around the corner.  London thought, "she's always beautiful."  He embraced his fiancee, stroked her cheek, and kissed her gently.  "I can't wait for Sunday." He said to her.  

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Thursday and Friday came and went in a blur.  Kiera's work at the museum kept her busy. On her lunch breaks she managed to make a few calls.  The arrangements had been made, the company they were renting the wedding supplies from would be at the house early Saturday to start setting up.  The Florist would be coming by on Saturday as well. Kiera wasn't able to hire a Pianist, but she was able to get a Violinist... which she was happy about.  The bartender would arrive on Sunday, just after the ceremony started. And to top it off...  it looked like quite a number of the people she and London had invited, were going to be attending!  

AND London got a promotion!
He had been working exceptionally hard, kinda as a Thank You to make up for asking for the extra time off.  The firm seemed to really think a lot of London.  Not only did they give him a promotion, but they also gave him the whole weekend off!  Now he could help Kiera with the preparations!

So Saturday morning, Kiera went off to work.  Her last day as a single woman!

London greeted the men and women who came to set up the wedding arch, seating .. and the flowers.
He wasn't an expert, but when they were finished... he was pretty pleased with how everything looked.

In the early afternoon, Kiera came home.  Alice had insisted that she take the afternoon to finish the preparations. She

had even given Kiera a ride home, and stopped in to get a glimpse of the wedding area.Alice was over the moon about the wedding.  She had met London on several occasions and liked him.  She was convinced that Kiera's mother and father would have loved the young man. Alice was looking forward to coming to the ceremony. In her small way, she wanted to represent Kiera's family - since she was the only one that would be in attendance they had known her parents.

Kiera wasted no time and got to work making the wedding cake.  She had made a couple practise runs earlier in the week. But this one would be the real deal.  She took her time, double checked all her steps, all the ingredients.  The decorating was the most stressful, but in a way, it was like painting.  In the end she was happy with the elegant little cake.

When everyone had left, and the cake was finished and placed carefully in the refrigerator - Kiera and London headed outside.  

They sat on one of the benches and cuddled .. enjoying the view of where they would become husband and wife.  Tomorrow afternoon their backyard would be filled with activity.  They talked about the craziness of this past week.  About how the people they had come to know here in Willow Creek, and in neighboring Oasis Springs - had rallied around them... making all of this, possible.

The two looked at each other and knew they were thinking the same thing.  

They were blessed.  

They had found one an other.  

They were deeply in love.  

They were young and healthy. 

They were becoming very successful in their work.  Successful enough to start expanding the house again - maybe even adding to their family, sooner than they had thought possible. 

And they were both eager for Sunday to finally arrive.

~♥~

Sunday morning arrived bright and clear.  The two love birds went about getting ready. London made himself presentable and went out to answer the knock on the door. April had arrived, gown in hand, she smiled at London and made her way to the bedroom to help Kiera get ready.  

London headed to the back yard.  

Just before 12 noon, Liv the caterer arrived along with the Violinist. 

An hour later some of the guests began to arrive.

London greeted everyone.  Accepting handshakes and even some hugs.  Everyone was thrilled for the young couple.

At 2:00pm London stood under the floral arch, in utter bewilderment at just how beautiful Kiera looked in her Wedding gown. 

  

He couldn't help but give her a little kiss.

 

"Kiera.  I had no idea when I decided to move to Willow Creek to start my career, that I would meet such an amazing, talented, beautiful woman.  

You have completely changed what I believed I wanted my life to be.  I have had to redefine what true happiness is, since meeting and falling in love with you.  

You are my light, my world, my everything.  

You make everyday bright and beautiful.  

I love you so much, and I am blessed that you have chosen me to build a life and family together.

I will honor and protect you and our love, for the rest of my life."

"London.  When I left Lucky Palms to come here... I had nothing.  

No money.  No family.  No idea of what my life would become.

I was living day to day, trying to make something, from nothing.

And then I met you, and everything just seemed to fall into place.

Somehow, with you, life just seems to be more.  

It has become more joyful.  

It has become more exciting.

It is full of more Love,

and more Hope.

I am grateful every moment of everyday that you are in my life.

That you asked me to be yours for the rest of our lives.

I Love you London,

and I will honor and protect you and our Love for the rest of my life."

And with those words, Kiera Stokes and London Grier became husband and wife.

Don Lothario, the one person at the wedding, that could NOT understand the need to commit to someone else at all - was so moved, he couldn't sit down.  >_<  

As the ceremony came to an end and the party started, the guests approached the happy couple to congratulate them and wish them a life full of happiness.  Kiera and London could barely contain themselves. They were finally married!  

And now their Legacy could truly begin . . .

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^_^
First come Love...

Then comes marriage....

Hope you liked this part~

Wizard of Roz...  OUT!