Her Betrothed Prince CHAPTER 16 by Jennifer Brunner (motivational novels for students txt) 📕

Chapter 16
Landon’s P.O.V.
***
My hands shook as I tried doing my tie. I was frustrated, nervous, and most of all anxious to get married.
Well the words nervous and anxious were basically the same thing so I guess I could replace one of them with the word scared.
I don’t know why. I love Symphony and today is the best day of my life so far. I really did want to get married. I guess it’s just my insecurities. I feel like I won’t be able to protect her or I won’t be good enough for her.
“Colin?!” I called out frantically, tugging at the tie. “Fix this damn tie.” I said when he appeared in my room holding out my shoes.
He smiled. “Cold feet?” He said a smile spreading with his English accent filling the air.
“Oh shut it!” If he weren’t like my brother and best friend he would have been fired because he always smart remarks that I never ask for. “How much time do I have left?”
He checked his watch and chuckled. “Seven minutes, nineteen seconds.”
“Crap!” I threw on my shoes and tied them tightly. Colin tousled my hair a little. I grabbed my jacket and walked out the door sliding it on as I walked.
As I ran down the stairs I smiled at the passing guests. I stepped out into the garden not too far from where Symphony and I had our first real conversation.
It was all set up nicely and the guests took seats.
We had people on the balcony with a couple baskets of yellow jonquil and white rose petals ready to sprinkle when she walked down the aisle.
It never occurred to me that we didn’t have a dress rehearsal. Our schedule was so cramped and everything was being thrown off.
My dad walked up to me and took me into an embrace. “I can’t believe you are getting married.”
I smiled at him, “You are the one who set it all up. Thanks to you my life is perfect.” My brows furrowed together and I gulped down a breath. “Have you seen Mom?”
He looked heavenward then back at me. “I think she is in the room with Symphony getting dressed.”
“Will you go get her? It’s almost time to go down the aisle.”
He patted me on the shoulder as he went to leave then he turned around. “I’m proud of you for standing up to Mr. Scavoch yesterday. You did good.”
I gave a hearty laugh and caused everyone to look at me. “He had it coming and I think Symphony handled him better than I did. I just hated that he brought up M—you know who.” I caught myself.
As soon as my dad scurried away Anna came up to me with a little boy in her arms and a man with two girls at his waist.
“Landon, this is my husband, David. And these are your to-be brother and sisters, Hannah, Leona, and Hunter.” She pointed out which twin was which but I still got confused. “Guys this is Landon, Sun-Ray’s hubby-to-be.”
I laughed at the nickname. “Why didn’t I think of that? ‘Sun-Ray’. Hmm, it has a nice ring to it. Thanks Anna.”
“Don’t go calln’ her that ‘front of her face now, ya hear? She hates it as much as I hate bein’ called ‘Anna’. Call me ‘Ma’ or ‘Symphony’s-Long-Lost-Ma’. Anything but Anna.”
“Why do you not like being called Anna?” I asked in confusion.
“Well, I don’t mind it comin’ from other folks, but when its my baby’s—oh heck no!”
“But I’m not your kid.”
She sighed dramatically. “Just call me anything other than Anna.”
My mom popped up a few moments later. “Ready?”
“Mom you are late by like ten minutes. What took so long?” I cried out like a little boy.
“Symphony had some problems with her hair. It’s all good now.” We walked down the aisle as the music started. Once my mom got to her seat I circled around to stand in my place and waited for my bride to come out.
Lisa and Trey came out with their arms linked and smiles planted on their faces.
I wondered if Symphony knew what was going on between them.
I laughed to myself. When Trey reached my side I nudged him, “So when are you and Lisa getting married?”
“What are you talking about?” He replied as the song switched and the house doors closed and everyone stood.
“We’ll talk later.” I closed my eyes and counted to five. When I opened them the doors reopened and a vision of an angel descended in front of all of us.
Her dress clung tightly to her upper body then furled out at the waist line to the bottom into a ton of layers made of sheer white cloth. Her thick auburn hair had yellow and white daffodils pinned into her bun at the base of her neck. A few stray curls fell loose around her face and out of the bun to frame her face perfectly.
Her eyes had a misty shade of yellow eye shadow under them to bring out the color in them; her lids were an emerald green with gray accents to the corner to give her a smoky eye effect. Her lips matched her light skin complexion but were slightly glossy and I couldn’t help but let a grin spread across my face.
It seemed like forever until she and Colin reached my side and she took my hand. Slowly but surely it happened. Colin took place next to Judith, Anna, and my parents.
The priest cleared his throat. “Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony….” I listened to his every lingering word as if I wouldn’t hear any other words for the rest of my life. “Into this holy union Landon Taylor and Symphony Ray Jacobs now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else forever hold your peace.”
There was a short silence then he continued.
Almost an hour passed and it was the end of the ceremony. The words that followed stung into my brain.
“Defend them from every enemy. Lead them into all peace. Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts, a mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their foreheads. Bless them in their work and in their companionship; in their sleeping and in their waking; in their joys and in their sorrows; in their life and in their death. Finally, in your mercy, bring them to that table where your saints feast forever in your heavenly home; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen.”
“Amen” Our friends and family repeated.
My life was complete with her by my side as the last words were spoken and we hugged our guests on the way inside. The bubbles blew and people cheered as I kissed Symphony. We headed into the large family dining hall to eat and have fun.
We all were served and it was time for Lisa and Trey’s speeches.
Trey went first, “Well for those who do not know me, I am Trey. I am a friend of Symphony’s and it has been that way since I can remember. I have just recently become friends with Landon and I must say, the Lord could not have picked a better man for us.” He smiled at Symphony and the crowd laughed. “I love you guys and I don’t mean to take the night away from you when I ask this question to Lisa. I just think it is the best time.” He slowly walked over to her, “Lisa Marie Darulo, will you marry me?”
Symphony sprayed out the water she was drinking and choked. I patted her back like I was burping Xavier. “I-I thought you were gay?!” She said with a nervous chuckle.
“Um,” He squinted his eyes. “Surprise?”
She stood and hugged him but all eyes were on Lisa, waiting anxiously for her answer. Tears slid down her face as she nodded. “Yes.” She answered in a muggy voice. Lisa threw herself into Trey’s arms. “I love you.”
The crowd cheered and Lisa apologized to Symphony and I. “We didn’t mean to take the spotlight away. I didn’t even know this was going to happen.” She cleared her throat. “I guess it is my turn. Wow.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “How am I supposed to follow that up? Well uh… Let me start by saying I love you guys.
“When I first moved here from California I didn’t know what to do. I met Symphony in first grade. She was the typical popular girl and she had all the friends. At first she ignored me but then I started being friends with Trey, who at the time was her boyfriend,” People laughed. Anna’s face lit up at the memory. “She didn’t like me because Trey wouldn’t talk to her when he was with me. Then one day she called a truce and was the bigger person. She always has been. We became best friends and when her and Trey broke up after dating for like three times on and off again I was there. For all the break ups and heart aches as she was there for me. You know, the typical elementary school junk…
“And any who… when it got hard and she and her family dealt with the loss and pain of the car crash it was like I was going through the same thing. Trey and I had helped her remember when she had no one else to teach her.
“I went through a stage in my life not too long ago when I was a partier and I was a teen achoholic. I drank on school property. I lost my parents trust and most of my friends. Symphony was the only one there for me. Even Trey had bailed at one point.
She met Landon and it all seemed great. Then when we found out she had cancer… it tore everyone’s hearts apart. Symphony, you never deserved anything you got. But now, now you have everything you worked hard for. You got a man who loves you and will die for you. I guess I got that too. Too bad he is your seconds.” She laughed through the tears.
“I was and still am honored to be called your Maid of Honor, Symph.” She laughed and whipped away tears. “Now I ask you this: Will you be mine?”
“Of course.” Symphony hugged her tightly.
I whipped off the tears that were dripping to the tip of her nose. “Okay… what about me?” Everyone let out chuckles.
“Um, oh yeah!” She threw her hand that wasn’t holding the microphone in her hand into the air.