Chapter 21

Tina and Bette spent the next few weeks preparing for the big day. They decided to have the ceremony at the Holiday Inn Hotel in San Francisco and spend the rest of the week on their honeymoon there. The ceremony was scheduled to take place on the Saturday afternoon at three. Alice, Bette, Dana, Shane and Tina drove up the Friday night. Their immediate family joined them early the Saturday morning. Saturday morning arrived and Tina spent the greater part of the morning in the bathroom. She was so nervous that nothing was able to stay on her stomach. Alice decided to take her to the beach to calm her nerves a bit. Bette stayed back to greet the few invited guests and to ensure that everything was ready in time. The caterers, the interior designers and the disk jockey were all on time and setting up. Tina and Alice were late coming back and Bette became nervous.

Where the ***** did Alice take her? Why arent they back as yet? Bette fumed.

Sweetie, dont worry, its still early they have time. Kathy tried to calm Bette.

Mom, its almost two and the ceremony is at three. Dont tell me not to worry. You dont know Alice.

Elizabeth Ann Porter. Sit. You need to calm down. Even if you think that Alice will mess things up, have faith in Tina. They will be here. Relax.

Bette was able to calm down, Im scared mom. What if Tina wakes up one morning and realises that I am not the one she wants to spend the rest of her life with? Bette sighed, What if that happens to me?

When I met your father I never thought that we would last the first year yet alone be still be married today and happily I might add. Kathy walked over to Bette and held her, Sweetie its ok to be scared and its perfectly natural to have doubts. But I see you and I see Tina and the way you two are together. Kathy paused for a moment then continued, What you two share only few can be privileged to experience in a lifetime. Kathy hugged Bette and as they were breaking the hold, Alice and Tina walked in. Kathy looked in the direction, I think I should leave you two alone now.

They went up to their room to get ready and were down in the hall just in time to start. Bette and Melvin waited at the bottom of the aisle and then the song From this moment by Shania Twain started to play. Melvin took Bettes hand in his and began to walk down the aisle. As they reached the altar, Melvin gave Bette a kiss and walked to his seat. Bette stood waiting then Randy did the same with Tina. When Randy and Tina reached the altar, Randy took Tinas hand and placed it in Bettes. He whispered to then as he walked off, Take care of and love each other. Tina and Bette both looked at each other and responded, We will. Timmy followed closely behind carrying the rings.

I do swear that I’ll always be there.
I’d give anything, and everything. And I will always care.
Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow.
For better for worse, I will love you
With every beat of my heart.

From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on

From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love I’d give my last breath
From this moment on

I give my hand to you with all my heart
I can’t wait to live my life with you, I can’t wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn’t give
From this moment on

You’re the reason I believe in love
And you’re the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn’t give
From this moment on
I will love you as long as I live
From this moment on

Bette and Tina turned to the rabbi. The rabbi started, Family and friends, we are gathered here to celebrate the union of Elizabeth and Christina.., she continued, .. so now we will have the blessing of the rings and exchange the vows you have written.

The rabbi took the rings, blessed them and placed one in Bettes hand. Bette took the ring and placed it on Tinas finger and said, her voice breaking already, With this ring I commit my life and soul to you. Let it be a symbol of my eternal love and devotion to you as my friend, life partner, and my sole mate. I promise to love you unconditionally with all my heart. I promise to honour and respect your decisions and feelings and trust your judgment. I promise to be there for you in good times, to be the one to encourage you and to praise you. I promise to be there in bad times too, to be the listening ear, the understanding heart, and the comfort to your soul. When the world is cold and heartless, I can forgive you if you take it out on me. I love you for all that is good in you and I love you despite of your faults. I promise to be loyal, trustworthy and truthful. I promise to care for you, cherish what we have and never take you for granted. I promise to carry you when you can go no farther, to be your strength. I can’t promise you that I will never leave, because death is something I can’t control. But I can promise you a longer than life companionship in me. I promise with all my heart and soul to love in every way. When Bette was through with saying her vows, the rabbi placed the other ring in Tinas hand. Tina then placed the ring on Bettes finger and repeated the vows. Both women were overwhelmed with emotions and allowed the tears to flow freely. When the ceremony was over they walked down the aisle hand in hand. After the ceremony everyone proceeded to the private dining room for the reception. They were all seated at their respective tables. Bette waited for everyone to settle before standing to make a brief speech. She stood and knocked the champagne glass gently to get everyones attention. Good day everyone. I know you all would like to eat so I promise I wont be long. On behalf of my wife and I, I just want to thank all of you for coming. This is truly a happy day for Tina and I and we are glad that we can share it with you all. Some of you may not know this, but Tina didnt like me very much when we first met. Tina chuckled, But I guess in time my charm rubbed off on her and here we are. To my beautiful wife, you are my life and my love for you grows each day, to Randy and Hazel, thank you for bringing Tina into this world and Alice, for pushing me to take that job at GameTech. Thank you all again for being here, Bette looked at Tina, You wanna say anything?

Yeah.

Well my wife has something to say so I will give the floor to her.

Tina stood up, Well, I dont have much to say, Bette pretty much summed it up nicely. I have just one thing to add though, and that is, Tinas voice cracked a bit when she looked down at Bette, Bette, my beautiful wife, I love you more than I ever thought possible, you have my heart always. She looked at Melvin and Kathy, Thank you for Bette. So now on behalf of my wife and I, we invite you to eat to your hearts delight, drink to your hearts delight and dance to your hearts delight.

Everyone ate and chatted and when they were done, the area was cleared for the couples first dance. Bette and Tina walked to the center of the dance floor. The disk jockey was asked by Bette to play the song Dance of love by Dan Hill, the song they first danced to when the feelings for each other surfaced. They held each other neither saying anything. Tina pulled away so her eyes made four with Bettes. I am so happy right know I could just burst.

Bette smiled, I know what you mean. She kissed Tina gently on the lips, I love you.

I love you.