Memories and Promises, Chapter 5

Eva stood in front of a jasmine-covered trellis, nervously shifting her weight back and forth on her feet as she waited for Gwen and trying her best not to look as anxious as she felt. They had discovered the trellis several months ago while touring the garden and Gwen decided it was where she wanted to have the ceremony; she also asked the garden management for the jasmine, which they gladly obliged to.

Gwen had wanted to have the wedding somewhere outdoors and in a very natural environment, where they could smell the earth and feel the breeze on their faces. Eva was perfectly fine with that and, in turn, she wanted a religious officant to preside over the wedding; neither Eva nor Gwen was particularly religious, but Eva felt that marriage was a sacrament between two people that should be honored. Gwen gladly agreed, mirroring Eva's sentiments.

She looked out at the faces of the people who had come to the ceremony. In attendance were friends and family. Eva's parents were sitting on one side, along with some of her friends from the gym and old field hockey teammates from high school and UToronto. Gwen's mother and brother were sitting on the other side, along with some of her artist friends.

There were also some old friends from the Total Drama series, including Geoff and Bridgette, and Cody and Sierra. Geoff and Bridgette married right out of high school, but marital life saw them though to finishing school. Geoff's taste for parties and entertainment had led him to become a nightclub owner and event planner while Bridgette became a marine biologist and veterinarian. They had two kids with another on the way. With some mediation from Gwen, Bridgette apologized to Eva for voting her off the island those years ago and Eva finally forgave her; they were much friendlier with each other now, and Eva was actually glad to see her today.

Cody attended Stanford University in California, where he was one of the most popular students. After graduating, he founded in his own software company that was on the rise; some described him as the next Larry Ellison. Sierra became a website design consultant, and had her life turned upside-down after a routine physical to the doctor during college revealed she had a tumor the size of walnut pressing against her brain, which accounted for her obsessive fan-girl personality. After the doctors removed it, she was still a fan of Cody, but without the stalker tendencies so she was sane enough for Cody to feel comfortable enough around her, get to know her better without her gushing all over him, and eventually marry her. Cody had actually insisted on playing the keyboard for the wedding music, and Gwen and Eva were happy enough to avoid the cost of hiring someone else to do it.

Harold and Lashawna rekindled their relationship during college and married after graduating. Harold's many skills and Lashawna's leadership skills led them to become partnered motivational speakers. They quickly became high-in-demand which led to a book deal and several tours to speak at seminars in several major cities across North America. Lashawna and Gwen had stayed good friends after the show and during school, and Lashawna was more than happy to attend her best friend's wedding; she was even more thrilled when Gwen asked her to hold on to the wedding rings for them.

The officiant took his spot at the trellis and Cody starting playing the opening music; Eva swallowed as she realized it was time.

Everyone stood up from their seats and turned their attention to the back waiting for the bride. As a lone figure appeared at the back of area, Eva's breath caught in her throat and for a moment she forgot how nervous she was.

There, solitary and beautiful, came Gwen. She was draped in a white dress with lace sleeves. Around her neck was a sapphire set in silver and with a fine sterling chain. Her raven hair almost shined in the sunlight. She seemed to glide across the carpet. In her hands she held a bouquet of midnight-blue roses.

She looked like an angel.

Gwen smiled at Eva when she saw her. The bigger girl looked very impressive in her navy blue pantsuit. The suit had a kind of elegance which, combined with Eva's strong body, gave her a femininely debonair look that Gwen adored.

Eva took Gwen's hand as she arrived at the front. "You look so beautiful," she whispered to her bride.

Gwen smiled and blushed. "So do you," she responded softly.

Eva smiled back as they took their place in front of the officiant, facing each other and holding hands.

"Please be seated," the officiant announced as he opened his book. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to today to witness the joyful union of Gwen and Eva in holy matrimony…"

Most of the ceremony was a blur to both women as the officiant droned on about life, love, and commitment; they were too lost in their separate thoughts as they gazed at each other, Eva's amber eyes looking into Gwen's deeper darker ones. Fortunately they came back to reality as he came to the important part.

"And now, the couple has written their own vows." He turned to Eva. "Eva, have you something to say to Gwen?"

"Gwen, I…um," Eva trailed off as she almost forgot what she wrote. But Gwen gave her hands a comforting squeeze and a smile. Eva smiled back and spoke from the bottom of her heart. "Gwen, you know me; I'm a woman of action, not words. But what I do have to say is with nothing but love and devotion. I know how strong I am, but when I'm with you I really feel like I can do anything. You're my best friend and one true love. I promise to always love and protect you, and I will never make you feel like you are or have to be alone. I love you more than anything."

The officiant turned to Gwen, who was visibly overcome by Eva's words. "Gwen, have you something to say to Eva?"

"Eva," Gwen said, her eyes shining and voice of emotion, "the greatest masters of art could not create anything depicting how I feel for you. I know I have always been guarded about who I let into my life; it took me a while to realize just how I felt about you, but I have never been so happy to get let someone in as I have with you. I trust and respect you, I will share laughs and tears with you, and will always be there to comfort and care for you, to be there when you need me the most through good times and bad. I love you with all my heart." Eva could only look at Gwen with complete adoration at these words, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks.

"May we have the rings, please," the officiant said and Lashawna handed each bride the other's ring. "Repeat after me, Eva. I, Eva, take you Gwen, to be my wife, to have and to hold, to love and cherish in sickness and health for all of our days to come. I give you this ring as a sign of my eternal love and commitment."

"I, Eva, take you Gwen, to be my wife, to have and to hold, to love and cherish in sickness and health for all of our days to come. I give you this ring as a sign of my eternal love and commitment," Eva repeated as she slowly, reverently slid the ring on to Gwen's finger.

The officiant turned to Gwen. "Gwen, repeat after me. I, Gwen, take you Eva, to be my wife, to have and to hold, to love and cherish in sickness and health for all of our days to come. I give you this ring as a sign of my eternal love and commitment."

"I, Gwen, take you Eva, to be my wife, to have and to hold, to love and cherish in sickness and health for all of our days to come. I give you this ring as a sign of my eternal love and commitment," Gwen reiterated in awe as she lovingly slid the ring on to Eva's finger.

"Ladies, by the power vested in me by the province of Ontario, I now pronounce you wife and wife; you may kiss…oh," he trailed off with a smile as they didn't let him finish. Gwen and Eva just stepped forth and let their lips come together. It started out as slow and tender, but became deeper and much more passionate as they wrapped their arms around each other. The audience responded with cheering, whistling, and hollering.

The brides left the trellis as Cody struck up his keyboard again, and the audience's cheers got louder as Eva scooped Gwen up and carried her down the aisle while everyone showered them with rose petals.

After years of being together, with only a few words, a dream had finally come true…