Finding Truth Behind Legends
by Wizardtho
A/N: First, there is a link at the bottom of the page for the wedding inspirations (rings, clothes, cake, etc.). Please check it out. Second, I can not take credit for most of the ceremony wording (Ahanu's words during the ceremony). I found one very similar to what is written here on the interweb, on a public page, and tweaked it for my own use. Everything else is all from my very twisted mind.
Chapter 52:
I gasp as my hand covers my mouth; I don’t even hear my dad until he’s touching my shoulder. “Bells? Is everything okay?”
My hand still over my mouth, I mumble out, “I…”
I look from his eyes back to the tests, which both read plainly PREGNANT. My eyes meet his again, my hand drops from my mouth to my stomach, and I whisper out in wonder, “I’m… pregnant?”
Dad laughs, then pulls me into a hug. When he pulls back and holds me at arm’s length, he offers, “Looks like I better get you down that aisle, kiddo. You don’t feel sick, do you? Does Taha know about this?”
I shake my head to clear my mind, then answer my father, “No, I haven’t felt sick… just super hungry, like the other imprints when pregnant. Lily brought the tests for me to take. I didn’t even think it was a possibility until after Zander had already dragged Taha away when we got back from our hunt. He doesn’t know yet.”
Dad takes a breath before saying, “Take a second and gain your bearings, Bells. I know I don’t need to ask this, because I see the love you have for each other, but are you sure you want to get married?”
I laugh out loud, kiss my father’s cheek, then promise as I meet his eyes, “I’m 1000% sure I want to marry Taha, Dad… but thanks for checking. I was a bit shocked that the tests actually came out positive, that’s all. I just need to trust that the ancestors had a reason for letting it happen now.”
I let out a deep breath, pick my bouquet up from next to the tests, and hold my hand out for my Dad. He takes it, then nods, “It’s time. Let’s get you to your man.”
When we reach the treeline in the backyard, Dad wraps my right hand around his left arm and whispers to me, “I love you, Isabella Marie, and I’m so proud of the woman you’ve grown to be. I hope you know that.”
I nod and answer in a choked whisper, “I know, and I love you, too. It helps that I had an amazing Dad as a role model.”
He kisses my temple, pats my hand on his arm, then leads me through the woods and over the small bridge to my mate.
When we reach the picnic island, I smile widely at the scene in front of me. The cleared part of the island has been turned into a fun party spot. Strings of lights span overhead of the entire small clearing. There are 4 rows of 4 decorated picnic tables, mostly packed with people, and I see food tables set up near the trees on the far side of the picnic tables. Then there’s nearly half the clearing that’s empty, save for the strings of lights above, which must be for mingling and dancing.
Lily reaches me quickly with Kai, stands him in front of me, then says as she tightens the ribbons holding the wedding bands Taha picked for us, “Remember to walk to the music like we practiced. Don’t start until the music starts, and I’ll be there at the front waiting for you.”
Kai nods, “I will, Mama. Daddy says I got this.”
Lily chuckles in response, “Yes, you’ve got this.”
Lily kisses her son, winks at me, and walks off. After a second, Kai turns his head and blushes as he says, “You’re pretty, Auntie Bella.”
I chuckle and lean down to kiss the top of his head, “Thank you. You look handsome tonight.” He’s wearing a mini version of Taha’s shirt, the top couple of buttons open, and a pair of cream linen pants.
He blushes even more, but before he can respond, soft instrumental music floats through the entire small clearing. He turns and starts walking slowly forward, then when he gets to the center of the picnic table groupings, he turns and walks up through the opening there. Dad pats my hand while whispering, “We’re up.”
I smile up at him; anticipation builds in the pit of my stomach as he guides me down the invisible aisle.
When we turn and start through the center of the tables, Taha comes into sight, and all the love I feel for him seems like it’s trying to burst out from my chest. I smile as my eyes water slightly, and receive a breathtaking smile in return.
I can’t take my eyes from Taha’s as we finish our walk toward him. My dad shakes his hand, taking my bouquet before setting both of my hands in Taha’s. I notice that the sky is a brilliant array of colors as Ahanu starts to speak.
“We gather tonight for a celebration. A celebration of love, commitment, friendship, family, and two people who are promising themselves to each other forever. By your presence, you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other, and you support their decision to commit themselves to a lifelong relationship.”
I smile at Taha, who smiles back as Ahanu continues his speech, “Deep abiding affection -the magical and compelling shared impulse that makes us seek each others’ company- is among the greatest gifts one can experience. Any of us who has been fortunate enough to find and express the kind of loving devotion that we are celebrating here today knows that it is an awesome and beautiful thing. At this time, I would like to share 3 suggestions with both of you."
At our nods, Ahanu offers, "My first suggestion is this… Be constantly grateful for this precious person who has chosen to make a life with you. My second suggestion is this… Be generous with compliments; be attentive and helpful. The world can be a tough place, and any of us can be subject to rough handling. Each of you can -by your tenderness toward each other, kind words, and thoughtful actions- make your marriage and your home an uplifting refuge. Last, but perhaps most importantly… Make truth the unfailing bedrock of your lives together. A happy, loving marriage is built on trust and respect. That trust and respect can only be sustained if you are both deeply committed to always being open and truthful in every exchange, no matter how small. My hope for you is this… That you have many long years to delight in each other’s company, to feel gratitude for your great fortune in having found each other. To make a home together that is at once sheltering and welcoming, to each do meaningful, productive work at home and in the world, and to love and be loved by the friends and family who have come here today to support you.”
I’m truly touched by Ahanu’s words. It seems Taha is too, as we both smile at Ahanu before looking at each other again. “Isabella and Taha, do you present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?”
Taha and I smile at each other before saying, “We do.”
Ahanu asks, “Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share responsibility for the growth and enrichment of your life together?”
We both answer in unison, “We do.”
Ahanu nods while saying, “Then please recite your vows.”
I take a breath before saying in a clear, but slightly shaky voice as I look into Taha’s eyes, “Today I promise you that though the world may change, and though we may change with it, I will always love you, always treasure you, and will share all that I am with you. I am proud, from this day forward, to be called your wife.”
Taha’s eyes water and his breathing hitches slightly before he states a bit shakily, “Today I promise you that though the world may change, and though we may change with it, I will always love you, always treasure you, and will share all that I am with you. I am proud, from this day forward, to be called your husband.”
Little Kai holds the pillow up to me with a huge smile, so I kiss his cheek and untie our rings from the pillow as Ahanu states, “For thousands of years, men and women have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. Let these rings be a sign that your love has a past, a present, and a future.”
Once I hand Taha my band, Ahanu says, “Isabella, place Taha’s ring on his finger and repeat after me… I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you to be my husband, my partner, and my best friend until the end of my days.”
A sense of rightness settles inside me as I slip Taha’s ring on his finger. Tears fill my eyes as joy fills my heart.
Seeing my band settle against my engagement ring, I look from my ring to my mate, who looks like he’s ready to cry. I mouth silently, “I love you,” which makes his smile grow as Ahanu speaks a final time.
“The love already shared by your hearts has been strengthened by the vows you have taken and the rings you have now exchanged. Isabella and Taha, we have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage. In the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today, and in accordance with the laws of the state of Montana, it is my honor and delight to declare you, from this day forth, to be husband and wife.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.”
Taha’s smile turns into a smirk as he pulls me to him, then dips me as he nearly kisses me senseless. There are laughs, whistles, catcalls, and animal calls of celebration heard throughout the clearing before Taha gently rights me and pulls back from the kiss.
I can’t help but laugh and shake my head at his antics, then place another -much smaller- kiss on his lips before we turn and face our friends and family.
Ahanu calls happily, “Friends and family, I am honored to be able to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Aki!”
Chapter 52:
I gasp as my hand covers my mouth; I don’t even hear my dad until he’s touching my shoulder. “Bells? Is everything okay?”
My hand still over my mouth, I mumble out, “I…”
I look from his eyes back to the tests, which both read plainly PREGNANT. My eyes meet his again, my hand drops from my mouth to my stomach, and I whisper out in wonder, “I’m… pregnant?”
Dad laughs, then pulls me into a hug. When he pulls back and holds me at arm’s length, he offers, “Looks like I better get you down that aisle, kiddo. You don’t feel sick, do you? Does Taha know about this?”
I shake my head to clear my mind, then answer my father, “No, I haven’t felt sick… just super hungry, like the other imprints when pregnant. Lily brought the tests for me to take. I didn’t even think it was a possibility until after Zander had already dragged Taha away when we got back from our hunt. He doesn’t know yet.”
Dad takes a breath before saying, “Take a second and gain your bearings, Bells. I know I don’t need to ask this, because I see the love you have for each other, but are you sure you want to get married?”
I laugh out loud, kiss my father’s cheek, then promise as I meet his eyes, “I’m 1000% sure I want to marry Taha, Dad… but thanks for checking. I was a bit shocked that the tests actually came out positive, that’s all. I just need to trust that the ancestors had a reason for letting it happen now.”
I let out a deep breath, pick my bouquet up from next to the tests, and hold my hand out for my Dad. He takes it, then nods, “It’s time. Let’s get you to your man.”
When we reach the treeline in the backyard, Dad wraps my right hand around his left arm and whispers to me, “I love you, Isabella Marie, and I’m so proud of the woman you’ve grown to be. I hope you know that.”
I nod and answer in a choked whisper, “I know, and I love you, too. It helps that I had an amazing Dad as a role model.”
He kisses my temple, pats my hand on his arm, then leads me through the woods and over the small bridge to my mate.
When we reach the picnic island, I smile widely at the scene in front of me. The cleared part of the island has been turned into a fun party spot. Strings of lights span overhead of the entire small clearing. There are 4 rows of 4 decorated picnic tables, mostly packed with people, and I see food tables set up near the trees on the far side of the picnic tables. Then there’s nearly half the clearing that’s empty, save for the strings of lights above, which must be for mingling and dancing.
Lily reaches me quickly with Kai, stands him in front of me, then says as she tightens the ribbons holding the wedding bands Taha picked for us, “Remember to walk to the music like we practiced. Don’t start until the music starts, and I’ll be there at the front waiting for you.”
Kai nods, “I will, Mama. Daddy says I got this.”
Lily chuckles in response, “Yes, you’ve got this.”
Lily kisses her son, winks at me, and walks off. After a second, Kai turns his head and blushes as he says, “You’re pretty, Auntie Bella.”
I chuckle and lean down to kiss the top of his head, “Thank you. You look handsome tonight.” He’s wearing a mini version of Taha’s shirt, the top couple of buttons open, and a pair of cream linen pants.
He blushes even more, but before he can respond, soft instrumental music floats through the entire small clearing. He turns and starts walking slowly forward, then when he gets to the center of the picnic table groupings, he turns and walks up through the opening there. Dad pats my hand while whispering, “We’re up.”
I smile up at him; anticipation builds in the pit of my stomach as he guides me down the invisible aisle.
When we turn and start through the center of the tables, Taha comes into sight, and all the love I feel for him seems like it’s trying to burst out from my chest. I smile as my eyes water slightly, and receive a breathtaking smile in return.
I can’t take my eyes from Taha’s as we finish our walk toward him. My dad shakes his hand, taking my bouquet before setting both of my hands in Taha’s. I notice that the sky is a brilliant array of colors as Ahanu starts to speak.
“We gather tonight for a celebration. A celebration of love, commitment, friendship, family, and two people who are promising themselves to each other forever. By your presence, you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other, and you support their decision to commit themselves to a lifelong relationship.”
I smile at Taha, who smiles back as Ahanu continues his speech, “Deep abiding affection -the magical and compelling shared impulse that makes us seek each others’ company- is among the greatest gifts one can experience. Any of us who has been fortunate enough to find and express the kind of loving devotion that we are celebrating here today knows that it is an awesome and beautiful thing. At this time, I would like to share 3 suggestions with both of you."
At our nods, Ahanu offers, "My first suggestion is this… Be constantly grateful for this precious person who has chosen to make a life with you. My second suggestion is this… Be generous with compliments; be attentive and helpful. The world can be a tough place, and any of us can be subject to rough handling. Each of you can -by your tenderness toward each other, kind words, and thoughtful actions- make your marriage and your home an uplifting refuge. Last, but perhaps most importantly… Make truth the unfailing bedrock of your lives together. A happy, loving marriage is built on trust and respect. That trust and respect can only be sustained if you are both deeply committed to always being open and truthful in every exchange, no matter how small. My hope for you is this… That you have many long years to delight in each other’s company, to feel gratitude for your great fortune in having found each other. To make a home together that is at once sheltering and welcoming, to each do meaningful, productive work at home and in the world, and to love and be loved by the friends and family who have come here today to support you.”
I’m truly touched by Ahanu’s words. It seems Taha is too, as we both smile at Ahanu before looking at each other again. “Isabella and Taha, do you present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?”
Taha and I smile at each other before saying, “We do.”
Ahanu asks, “Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share responsibility for the growth and enrichment of your life together?”
We both answer in unison, “We do.”
Ahanu nods while saying, “Then please recite your vows.”
I take a breath before saying in a clear, but slightly shaky voice as I look into Taha’s eyes, “Today I promise you that though the world may change, and though we may change with it, I will always love you, always treasure you, and will share all that I am with you. I am proud, from this day forward, to be called your wife.”
Taha’s eyes water and his breathing hitches slightly before he states a bit shakily, “Today I promise you that though the world may change, and though we may change with it, I will always love you, always treasure you, and will share all that I am with you. I am proud, from this day forward, to be called your husband.”
Little Kai holds the pillow up to me with a huge smile, so I kiss his cheek and untie our rings from the pillow as Ahanu states, “For thousands of years, men and women have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. Let these rings be a sign that your love has a past, a present, and a future.”
Once I hand Taha my band, Ahanu says, “Isabella, place Taha’s ring on his finger and repeat after me… I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you to be my husband, my partner, and my best friend until the end of my days.”
A sense of rightness settles inside me as I slip Taha’s ring on his finger. Tears fill my eyes as joy fills my heart.
Seeing my band settle against my engagement ring, I look from my ring to my mate, who looks like he’s ready to cry. I mouth silently, “I love you,” which makes his smile grow as Ahanu speaks a final time.
“The love already shared by your hearts has been strengthened by the vows you have taken and the rings you have now exchanged. Isabella and Taha, we have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage. In the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today, and in accordance with the laws of the state of Montana, it is my honor and delight to declare you, from this day forth, to be husband and wife.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.”
Taha’s smile turns into a smirk as he pulls me to him, then dips me as he nearly kisses me senseless. There are laughs, whistles, catcalls, and animal calls of celebration heard throughout the clearing before Taha gently rights me and pulls back from the kiss.
I can’t help but laugh and shake my head at his antics, then place another -much smaller- kiss on his lips before we turn and face our friends and family.
Ahanu calls happily, “Friends and family, I am honored to be able to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Aki!”