Never Let Go

Chapter 7- Incredible

~*Amanda's Point Of View*~

.::Two Months Later::.

I took a deep breath and looked towards the altar where Ashley already stood. I locked eyes with him and mouthed 'I Love You'. He mouthed 'I Love You' back. I took another deep breath and sighed impatiently.

I tapped my foot lightly, waiting for the music to start. I heard the opening chords to the song being played. Taking one more deep breath I began my long journey down the aisle. I kept my eyes on Ashley the entire time.

When I finally reached the altar, I turned to face Ashley. He mouthed 'I Love You' and I smiled at him. I then turned to face the pastor and waited impatiently for him to begin.

After what seemed like an eternity of waiting the pastor finally spoke.

"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to bring this man and this woman together in holy matrimony." I stole another look at Ashley only to find him looking at me as well.

"Stephanie and Orlando, if you will please come forward so that we may begin the ceremony." I sighed an almost inaudible sigh and looked back towards the pastor.

.:: Near The End Of The Ceremony::.

"Orlando do you take Stephanie to be your wife?"

"I do."

"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?"

"I do."

"And do you Stephanie take Orlando to be your husband?"

"I do."

"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?"

"I do."

"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this woman in marriage."

"Andy, you came into my life three years ago and changed it so that it would never be the same. Two years ago you swept me off my feet and since then my heart hasn't been the same. I love you with all of my heart and promise all of my love to you forever." Stephanie said as she slipped a white gold Celtic designed band onto Andy's left ring finger.

" I was never really alive until I met you and I was never truly in love until I fell in love with you. Since the day you stole my heart I've seemingly floated around in a dreamy sort of state. If this really is a dream then I hope to never wake up, because the pain of a life without you would be to great." Andy said slipping an identical white gold band onto Stephanie's left ring finger.

I stole a tearful glance in Ashley's direction as he did so.

"Stephanie and Orlando as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other. " They joined hands and turned to face the pastor as he said all of this.

"In as much as you, Orlando and you Stephanie, have consented together in the union of matrimony and you have pledged your faith each to the other in the presence of God and this company, now by the authority vested in me as a minister, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The pastor said, a smile playing on his lips.

"You may kiss the Bride." Stephanie and Andy then shared a short and simple kiss.

"Ladies and gentlemen now resent to you Mr. and Mrs. Bloom"

Stephanie and Andy turned to face their friends and family. The pianist started the wedding march and the bridal party exited the church.

~*Ashley’s Point Of View*~

Two hours later we found ourselves at the reception. I was currently sitting at a table by myself, watching Amanda dance and laugh, just having a good time in general. I know that she still loved me it was the in love with me part that I wasn’t so sure of. She seemed to be doing fine without me. I was happy that she was doing so well but at the same time I wished that she still needed me the way that I needed her.

"Here you go sweetie, I thought that you could use a glass of champagne." I turned when I heard Allison’s voice. I smiled at her warmly and accepted the glass of champagne that she had brought me.

" Are you having a good time?" I asked as she sat in the chair next to mine. She laced her fingers through mine before answering.

"I’d be having a better time if you didn’t look so sad. What’s wrong Ashley?"

"I don’t know. Weddings just always depress me. They remind me that I’m not the one so in love that I’m getting married. It just depresses me that’s all."

"Do you want to get married?"

"Someday."

"Then we will…someday. I love you Ashley." She said, giving me a small kiss on the lips.

"Do you want to dance?" I asked standing up.

"Sure." I lead her over to the dance floor and pulled her close. I wrapped my arms around her waist and she wrapped her arms around my neck.

~*Amanda’s Point Of View*~

I watched in disgust as he pulled her closer to him.

"Looks like the green eyed monster bit you." Jacob said, sneaking up on me.

"Did not. I’m not jealous. He can dance with whomever he wants to."

"Sure. You keep telling yourself that and maybe one day it will come true. Dance with me?" He pulled me to him and we began to dance to ‘I Will Love You’.

"It’s our song. Well, was our song." I said with a hint of laughter. He laughed a bit to and pulled me closer.

"Don’t worry about Ashley, he’ll come around. In the meantime just try and have some fun, ok?" I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder.

After the song finished Jacob and I stopped dancing, I took his hand into mine and dragged him outside. The reception had been held in the ballroom of a five-star hotel on the beach. Jacob and I started walking along the beach.

"Why, of all girls, did he have to pick her?" I asked.

"I mean what is so damn special about her, huh?"

"I don’t know. I mean it certainly isn’t her charming personality."

"Or her looks." I chimed in.

"I mean her nose is like, colossal. It takes up a third of her face."

"All jokes aside though, what is so great about her? I mean honestly, why was it so easy for him to just get over me and fall in love with someone else?"

"Are you kidding me? Why do you care anyways? It's not like you want to be with him or anything."

"You're right. I don't care. He can be with whomever he wants. Hell, he can get back together with Shelli for all I care. I don't need him anyways."

"Uh huh. Sure Amanda." I shivered a bit. We had stopped walking and now we were watching the sunset.

"Can we change the subject?"

"I guess. What do you want to talk about?"

"I don't know, how are you and Janie."

"On a break, again. I swear we take more breaks than a 240lb man does on a two mile run."

" I'm sorry, but I mean you guys will get back together though. You always do."

"I know. I'm just getting sick of it. The past couple of times we've gone on a break its been her who needs the break. I'm beginning to think that she doesn't want to be with me anymore."

"Then why not propose to her."

"What? How the fuck does that make sense?"

"It makes perfect sense. If she loves you and I mean really truly is in love with you, then she'll say yes. If she's not then she'll say no and you guys could end it for good. No more playing."

"That actually does make sense. What if she really loves me but isn't ready to get married yet?"

"Are you ready to?"

"Yeah, I've been ready."

"Then chances are, she's ready too."

"Maybe I will do that. I'd love to get married to her."

"Well, then there ya go." I shivered again and began rubbing my arms up and down trying to get back some of the heat in my arms.

"Do you want my jacket?" He asked as he took it off.

"But then you'll be cold."

"No I won't, I'll be fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes. I'm positive. Now take my jacket." Then he put his jacket around my shoulders along with his arm.

We walked back towards the hotel in silence. Once inside we went over to our table and sat down. Stephanie was preparing to throw her bouquet.

"Why don't you go try to catch it?"

"I don't want to."

"Yes you do. Go on. You know you want to."

"Ugh, fine. But you have to agree to try and catch the garter."

"Deal." I laughed and went to stand with the rest of the women that had attended the wedding and waited impatiently for Stephanie to throw the garter.

I didn't even really attempt to catch it. I held out my hand, in a way that sort of mocked the whole thing, and the bouquet fell into my hands. I quickly gripped it and ran back to my table before anyone could do anything.

When they realized that I had gotten to the table without much of a fight they all groaned. Jacob and I laughed and I set the bouquet on the table.

Someone put a chair in the middle of the dance floor and led Stephanie over to it. Andy walked over and kneeled on the floor infront of her.

"Now its time for the garter toss." The DJ announced once Andy had taken Stephanie's garter off.

Andy turned around and prepared to toss the garter into the sea of awaiting men, Jacob being one of them.

He stood in the same manner I did but didn't seem to have as much luck. Ashley caught the garter.

Andy led me over to the chair the Stephanie had been previously sitting in and Ashley kneeled infront of me. As he slid the garter up my leg I looked at anything but his eyes. I was afraid of what I might find.

"Now if we could have the happy couple step forward for the traditional dance." The DJ announced, as he started playing 'Don't Wanna Miss A Thing'. I tensed up slightly but relaxed once I was in Ashley's arms.

"It's our song." He whispered, pulling me even closer. I put my head on his shoulder and tried to keep from crying.

He held me close and softly sang to me the entire time. I never wanted that moment to end. Unfortunately, like all good things, it did come to an end.

When the last chords echoed through the room we pulled away from eachother.

I thanked him for the dance and walked back to the table I was sitting at with Jake.

"You drove here right?"

"Yeah."

"Will you take me home?" I asked fighting tears.

"Sure." He gave me a sympathetic smile and stood up. He took my hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"I want to say good-bye to Andy and Steph real quick."

"Sure." We walked over to Andy and Steph who were currently dancing. I tapped Andy on the shoulder to get their attention.

"I just wanted to let you guys know that we're leaving."

"Oh, alright. Well, then I guess we'll see you tomorrow morning?" Steph asked.

"Yeah, 7:30. I love you guys. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks Manda. Give Aurora a kiss for me?" Andy asked giving me a hug.

"Sure. See you guys tomorrow."

"Congrats guys." Jacob said. They smiled and we turned to leave.

Once we were in his car I started crying.

"Oh Manda." Jake took me on his arms and simply held me while I cried.

" It'll be ok. It'll all work out."

"I know, I just wish that everything was ok now." He smiled, kissed me on the cheek and began driving back to my apartment.

"Walk me up?" I asked once we arrived at my complex.

"Of course."

I unlocked my door to let us in. I went into the kitchen to check the answering machine.

"Sales people. Ugh." I walked out of the kitchen and back into the living room.

"I'm going to go change so make yourself at home." Jacob nodded and I headed upstairs. I changed into pair of jeans and a t-shirt and the hurried back downstairs.

"I'm gonna go get Aurora real quick. I'll be right back." Jacob nodded gain and I went next door to retrieve my daughter from Miss Simmons.

"Thank you for watching her."

"Anytime dear. Good night."

"Night Miss Simons. Thanks again." I said and then went back to my apartment.

Aurora was sleeping so I took her up to her room and put her in her crib, After making sure she was set I went back downstairs to join Jake.

He'd put 'Pearl Harbor' in.

"I love this movie." I commented as I plopped down on the couch right next to Jake.

" I know. That's why we're watching it." I smiled and curled up next to him and he wrapped his arm around me. We fell asleep just like that.

Chapter 8- I Don't Know

Home

Chapters