Haley's Adventure Part One
It was a beautifully devine day for a wedding. The sun was warm. The air was cool. Bobbi, Rayanne, Helayna, Amar, and of course Sadie :) were able to attend. It was, indeed, a perfect day for the Maroulis family. Haley and Carl were overjoyed knowing this was the very beginning of their eternal life together.
Carl looked into Haley's eyes. He loved her so very much. Everything that he had ever wanted in a woman was standing before him. He knew this was it. The one. That special person to spend the rest of his life with. He wouldn't change anything for the world, "I, Carl Cooke, take you, Haley Maroulis, to be my wife, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the woman you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us."
Haley's big blue eyes began to fill with tears of happiness, "Oh Carl."
Carl began again, "Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you, For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. And where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lord do with me and more if anything but death parts you from me. I love you Haley."
For a minute, Haley stood there focusing on Carl. She knew everyone was watching her, waiting patiently for her to pledge her vows, but she couldn't keep her eyes off of her husband to be. He meant so much to her. Words couldn't describe the way she felt about him. She knew more than anything, at that moment, that she would spend the rest of her existance with the man standing in front of her now.
And so she began, "I, Haley Maroulis, take you, Carl Cooke, to be my husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day foward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow.
Haley leaned in a bit towards Carl as she finalized her vows, "I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."
Haley, then placed the wedding band on Carl's ring finger, as he did the same to her. They stood there, smiling at each other for about ten seconds, then made it official.
They were now, husband and wife.
As the two newlyweds passionately kissed, everyone began to clap and cheer. It was, indeed, a perfect day for a wedding.
After the ceremony, Bobbi called everyone over. She was making a toast.
"Haley," Bobbi began, "I want you to know how happy I am for you and Carl. Without the both of you, I wouldn't be where I am now, and have who I have now,"
Haley smiled at her sister knowing exactly what she was talking about.
Bobbi continued, "You have been nothing but the best to me, and now it's my turn. To wish you the best. The longest, happiest, healthiest relationship ever known to.....anyone. You two deserve it. More than anything. Haley.......," Bobbi paused, "I want you to know something. Something from the bottom of my heart. You're not only my sister, but you're my best friend. And I know you always will be."
Haley noticed the tears in Bobbi's eyes. She reached over and squeezed her older sister as tight as she could squeeze a pregnant woman. (Yes, yes, Bobbi is pregnant again! Billy and her are expecting a baby very soon.) Haley whispered in her sister's ear, "I'm so proud of you, Bobbi. I love you so much!"
The friends and family continued to toast to their future, making them laugh, making them cry, and just making them feel like the luckiest people on the face of the Earth.
"Remember, Carl. You promised you would be nice," Haley said knowing better than that.
"I'll be nice. I always keep my promises."
Carl then shoved the cake inside of her mouth getting it all over her left cheek.
"Carl!" Haley yelled laughing, "You promised!"
"Well I don't think that's a good sign, then Haley. We haven't even been married an hour, and already, I'm breaking promises. I think you might want to reconsider this whole marriage thing." Carl giggled as he wiped the cake crumbs off of his wife's face.
"How about you kiss me and we call it even," Haley said smiling as she pulled him close to her.
"I think I like this idea better," Carl said, then continued to kiss her some more.
Towards the end of the night, it was time for the guests to leave.
"First of all," Carl said making a last toast, "I want to thank everyone for coming today. It really meant a lot to the both of us, having you all here on this special day. Really......And second of all, ya'll need to leave now, before I kick your butts out. It's time for the honeymoon!!!"
They all laughed, as they said their goodbyes.
As they climbed into the limo, ready, more than anything, to get started on their honeymoon, Haley felt an unbelievably satisfying feeling inside of her. She had always been happy with Carl, the entire time she was with him, but this......this was different. She knew this was 'true happiness'. She felt so very lucky to be cherished with this gift, yet she felt so extremely terrified that it was going to go away.
"Hey," Carl said softly noticing the blank expression on Haley's face. He took her hand.
"Hey," Haley smiled, snapping out of her daze.
"I love you," Carl said squeezing her hand tighter.
"I love you too, Carl. More than you know."