Author’s Note: The song is "Amazed" by Lonestar. Parts of the wedding vows are adapted from an Apache wedding prayer. Isabel is mine...wait...that’s my dreams talking...never mind me...hehe

***

Song of Songs 2:14
"My dove, hiding in the clefts of the rock, in the coverts of the cliff, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet and your face is beautiful."

***

"She’s not coming, is she?" Those were the first words Alex spoke as Max entered the room.

"Now, why would you say that?" asked Max. "I just came in to make sure you were ready to go. We’re almost ready to start."

Alex sighed. "Oh...I guess I’m getting a bit nervous now that the moment is here. I keep expecting someone to come in and yell, "Surprise! You’re on Candid Camera!'"

"I thought women were the ones that got cold feet," said Michael as he walked through the door. "What’s the deal Whitman?"

Alex smiled and turned. "I’m not getting cold feet, you goon." He smoothed his tuxedo jacket for the hundredth time before speaking again. "I’m just... slightly nervous."

Max and Michael grinned at each other. "Believe me, Alex, Isabel is just as nervous as you. Everything will be fine."

Alex laughed again. "I really don’t think she could possibly be as nervous as me."

***

The camera flashed as Diane Evans took a picture of Isabel. "Lovely, she said as she studied Isabel. She looked nothing like the fierce lawyer she had become. She looked like a princess.

Isabel looked up from the bouquet she had in her hand. "He’s not here, is he?" she said.

"What?" asked Diane. "You can’t mean Alex. Of course he’s here."

"If he’s here, then why haven’t I seen him? Why hasn’t he come to calm me down?"

"Don’t you know it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding?" asked Amy Deluca as she poked her head in the door.

Isabel grinned weakly. "I guess so...this is so overwhelming."

Diane moved over beside Isabel and hugged her. Isabel dropped her flowers to the ground and wrapped her arms tightly around her mother. "Everything is going to be fine, Isabel...it’s going to be perfect."

"I know, I know," said Isabel as she stepped back. "It’s just...this all seems too perfect. I keep thinking someone’s gonna pinch me in a minute, and I’m gonna wake up."

***

Alex fidgeted as he surveyed the small gathering. Max put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring look. Michael smirked at him and made choking motions with his hands. Alex smiled and checked the back of the room again. He saw someone motion, then his band began to play.

Alex took a deep breath as "The Wedding March" started. He smiled as the two little pixies, Claudia and Nicole, walked down the aisle, strewing flowers. He turned to look down the aisle as Isabel and Phillip Evans came into view at the back of the church. His breath caught in his throat as he saw Isabel in her shining white gown. He’d seen it on her before, when she was modeling it for everyone, but today it seemed to be even more spectacular than normal.

Everyone stood and Isabel and Phillip began their walk down the aisle. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as Alex watched them make their way toward him. As he studied Isabel’s smiling face, a song began to play in his head.

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away...

Isabel noticed him staring at her and blushed lightly. He smiled widely. It never ceased to amaze him that his gaze could affect Isabel so, especially after all their time together. As he watched her, Isabel mouthed "I love you." Alex’s grin got even bigger as he mouthed the words back.

I’ve never been this close to anyone or anything.
I can hear your thoughts; I can see your dreams.
I don’t know how you do what you do
I’m so in love with you.
It just keeps getting better.
I want to spend the rest of my life, with you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do, baby I’m amazed by you...

A memory of Isabel flashed into his head. It was a memory from all the way back in the fifth grade: Isabel talking to him at the science fair. He could vividly remember those flashes of the girl inside that she let slip from time to time back then. If only she hadn’t taken up with Gracie and...

"Oh well, she’s definitely let the girl inside out now," thought Alex as Isabel climbed the steps and reached the altar. Phillip smiled proudly as he stepped back and took his seat. Alex resisted the urge to kiss Isabel right then as they turned.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these two people in the bonds of holy matrimony," began the minister. His words were lost as Alex studied the beautiful creature beside him. He still could not believe that she was here to marry him. This whole day still seemed a bit like a dream.

The smell of your skin, the taste of your kiss.
The way you whisper in the dark.
Your hair all around me; baby you surround me.
And touch every place in my heart...

Alex was so entranced with Isabel that he missed his cue. Max nudged his arm, and he jumped. Isabel smiled as he sheepishly took her hand. Alex looked into her eyes and recited the words that he had long since committed to memory.

"Isabel. From the first moment I saw you, you captured my heart. The day your defenses loosened was the day my life began. You made me realize that, sometimes, dreams do come true. I pledge to be your companion, your confidant, your partner in crime. Most of all, I pledge my undying love."

And though it feels like the first time, every time
I want to spend the whole night, in your eyes...

Isabel’s voice trembled as she began to speak. "Alex. I never thought that someone could see past the outside, but you proved me wrong. Time and time again, you have reminded me that there is something more for me than I wanted to believe possible. You have brought out a part of me that I may never have known existed. I pledge to show you the same burning and intense love in the future that I feel for you now. I pledge to be your companion, your confidant, your partner in crime. Most of all, I pledge my undying love."

"Do you have the ring?" asked the minister. Alex extended his hand, and Max placed the shining diamond ring into his palm.

He slid it onto Isabel’s finger. "With this ring, I thee wed. Now you will feel no rain, for I will shelter you. You will feel no cold, for I will warm you. There will be no more loneliness, for I am your companion."

Isabel’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she slid her ring onto Alex’s finger, and repeated the vows. They clasped hands as the minister spoke. "You may kiss the bride."

I don’t know how you do what you do.
I’m so in love with you.
It just keeps getting better.
I want to spend the rest of my life, with you by my side
Forever and ever.
Every little thing that you do, baby I’m amazed by you...

Alex lifted the veil and leaned in. As their lips met, Isabel threw her arms around him. Alex slid his arms around her waist and drew her to him tightly. They stayed in that position for what seemed like eternity, basking in the moment.

As they separated, Alex stared into Isabel’s eyes and said, "I love you Isabel. You will always be my princess."

The tears that had threatened began to flow freely. "I love you too, Alex. You will always be my prince." They turned to their family as the minister finished the ceremony.

"Now, you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. Go now and enter into the days of your togetherness."

Every little thing that you do
I’m so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life
With you by my side, forever and ever...

The reception passed in a blur. Claudia caught the bouquet. Nicole caught the garter. Everyone had shared a laugh over that. They had laughed again when Isabel smeared cake all over Alex’s face. They’d laughed harder when he did the same to her.

Now, the cake had been removed, and the pictures had been taken. The only thing left was the run to the car. All the friends and family had gathered outside, ready to launch a shower of birdseed at a moments notice. As Alex and Isabel walked slowly toward the door, he felt as if he was dreaming. For the millionth time, the looked at the image of beauty beside him and wondered how he could have been so lucky.

Every little thing that you do
Baby I’m amazed by you...

They barely noticed the birdseed as it rained upon them. They dashed for the car, and quickly jumped inside. Alex leaned in to kiss Isabel once more before starting the car. They waved to everyone and then pulled away.

The tin cans tied to the back bumper of the car rattled loudly against the pavement as they drove. Isabel pulled one of the condoms that was hanging from the rearview mirror down and studied it. "What’s this for?" she asked, an innocent look on her face.

Alex grinned at her. "Oh, I think you already know the answer to that," he said mischievously. After a moment, he turned to her again. "If you don’t know, then I’ll have to teach you once we get to Hawaii."

Isabel socked him on the arm. "You pervert!" She laughed and looked back at the road. "Sometimes I wonder why I married you."

Alex looked at her. "You know my breathtaking good looks drew you in," he said, eyes twinkling. "That and all the money my band is destined to make when they hit it big."

Isabel put her hand on her chest and looked shocked. "You’ve discovered my plan. Whatever will I do now?"

Alex looked at her. "I guess we’ll have to think of something during the honeymoon."

Isabel smiled. "Yeah, I guess we’ll have to. I can’t have you knowing the intricate details of my nefarious plots now can I?"

A silence fell between them as Alex exited at the airport. They dropped their baggage with a porter and rushed into the terminal. After an extended trip through security, they set about finding which gate their flight departed from.

Every little thing that you do
Baby I’m amazed by you...

As they sat in their seats, waiting for departure, Alex looked over to his new bride. An overwhelming sense of giddiness filled him, and he leaned over and kissed her again. She smiled and clasped his hand. Alex kept his eyes on her as the plane taxied out to the runway. He admired her smile, her laugh, her twinkling eyes. She noticed him watching her and looked at him.

"What?"

Alex just smiled and shook his head. "Nothing, Isabel. I’m just sitting here and counting my lucky stars."

Isabel blushed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Amazing," thought Alex as he watched her. Then he laid back his head, said a prayer of thanks, and closed his eyes as the plane took off, carrying them to the first part of their new life together.

Back to Area 51 (Section I)