Strength Of The World

On the morning of September twenty second, Peyton woke up to a clear blue sky and sunshine. She smiled as she stretched in bed, today was the day she was finally marrying Zack. She heard a four month old Lincoln stirring in his crib, so she knew it was time to get up. She went into the bathroom to brush her teeth, and walked into the nursery, where Val was standing in front of the crib holding her godson. “Look there’s mommy! It’s mommy and daddy’s wedding day! Finally!” Val told the baby excitedly, who just smiled at her. Peyton laughed at her best friend and sat in the glider. “I can’t believe it’s finally happening. I’ve been waiting for this day for as long as I can remember.” Val laid the baby down on the changing table and laughed, “I think we’ve all been waiting for this day. You guys are perfect together. You always have been. Jimmy called it a long time ago.” Peyton smiled, thinking of when Jimmy used to call her Mrs. Vengeance when she was in high school. “He used to always say he was going to be the best man.” She chuckled, looking at the picture the guys gave her. Val finished changing the baby and passed him to his mom. “I haven’t fed him yet, but he’s been changed and he’s happy.” Peyton smiled and stood up. “Okay big guy, let’s go see if the rest of your crazy aunts are awake and get you a bottle.”

After feeding the baby and a quick breakfast with the girls, they headed to the venue, along with her mom and Zack’s mom. They were getting married at an old vineyard, under a beautiful willow tree. Peyton had yet to see the place completely decorated, but she was sure their wedding planner did a great job. One by one, she watched all of her bridesmaids get their hair and makeup done. Val was obviously her matron of honor, followed by Zack’s sister Zina, Michelle, and Lacey. Zack’s brother was his best man, followed by Brian, Matt, and Johnny. Once it was Peyton’s turn to get ready, Val went to go check on the boys’ progress. The makeup artist gave Peyton a slight smoky eye, with nude lipstick, and her hair was curled slightly and pulled into a messy low bun, to show off the back of her dress. Michelle looked at the clock and smiled, “Peyton, it’s time to put on your dress.” The girls were all standing in front of her, wearing beautiful plum dresses, their hair curled and the front pieces pulled back. “Okay.” She sighed. “Let’s do this. Mom, your ready?” She asked Becky, who nodded. She walked into the changing room and looked at her dress. It was absolutely stunning: a lace mermaid gown with long sleeves and a huge keyhole back with four buttons at the top of her butt. She smiled softly, stepping out of her clothes and into her dress, slipping her arms into the sleeves and zipping up the lower part, then walked into the main area to stand in front of the mirror. “Peyton, you look beautiful sweetheart.” Maria Baker gasped as she entered the room. Peyton smiled softly at her future mother in law through the mirror, while her mom buttoned the two buttons at the top. Just then, there was a knock on the door, and a head full of spiky brown hair poked through, “Brother of the bride, reporting for duty.” Brian grinned. “Whoa Chell. You look smokin.” He said, wiggling his eyebrows at his wife. “Do not touch my bridesmaid, Brian.” Peyton said with a laugh. Once Brian turned his attention to his sister, his smile widened. “Peanut you look gorgeous!” He said, pulling her into a hug. “Okay, here’s the pep talk. Do you need to get out of here? Cause I have a car waiting for you. Johnny said he would be the getaway driver.” He joked. Peyton laughed and shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere Bri. I’m ready for this.” Brian pulled her into another hug, and she felt him kiss her head. “I’m so happy for you, little sister. Even though everyone knew you were going to marry Zack eventually.” “That’s exactly what Val said.” Peyton said with a laugh, smoothing out Brian’s jacket. “Okay, I hate to break up the brother-sister moment, but our groomsman has to get back to the groom, it’s wedding time.” The wedding coordinator said with a smile. Peyton smiled nervously before telling Brian she would see him in a few, and after a quick kiss on Michelle’s cheek, he walked out the door, headed toward her future husband.

When the music started playing, Zack and the guys walked down to the end of the aisle to stand next to the officiant, who happened to be Peyton’s uncle Charlie. One by one, the bridesmaids walked through the double doors at the end of the aisle to stand under the tree. Once Val was in her place, Zack took a deep breath, ready to see his bride. He looked over at Lincoln, who was sleeping in his grandmother’s arms, and smiled softly. He loved that kid and his mom more than life, and he was so glad everything worked out for them like it was supposed to. The music changed to a different song, and when the double doors opened, Zack’s breath caught in his throat. As Peyton and Daniel started walking toward him, he felt his eyes filling with tears. He didn’t even care that he looked like a bitch right now, his girl was absolutely gorgeous in her wedding dress, just like he knew she would be. She smiled brightly at him, and pretty soon she was standing in front of them. When Daniel gave her away, he shook Zack’s hand and pulled him into a hug, “I’m so proud of you son. Take good care of my girl.” “You know I will, Dan.” Was his reply. Charlie said a few words about Peyton and Zack, and their long-standing relationship before announcing the couple had written their own vows. Zack started with his: “Peyton, I have loved you from the very first time I saw you, that short, skinny little tomboy who did any and every thing Brian did.” The guests chuckled as he continued, “You are beautiful. You are strong. You are courageous. And you’re a little bit goofy.” He chuckled, “You acknowledge my strengths and you accept my faults. You make me want to be a better person every day. I vow to honor you and respect you. To support you and encourage you. I promise to dream with you, to celebrate you, and to stand beside you no matter what life brings. I vow to love you, unconditionally and wholeheartedly until I take my last breath. You are my very best friend, the love of my life, and I am the luckiest man on the planet because you’re mine” Peyton smiled softly at him, wiping stray tears that had fallen from her eyes before she began her vows. “Not many people can say they truly married the love of their life, but I can. We were kids when we first met. I used to fantasize about this exact moment for years, and now I finally get to say I do. I remember that first day I saw you, practicing in the Sanders’ garage. You thought you were such a badass with your black nail polish and your ridiculous eyeliner.” She said, making him laugh, “But the second you looked at me and smiled, I was
hooked. You are my rock and my protector. You are
my calm in this world of crazy, and no matter where we
go or what we do, you are my home. I promise
to stand beside you, to respect you, and to always be down for a game of Battleship at two am.” She chuckled, “I vow to cherish you, to take care of you, and to tell you if I think your music sucks, but come on. That’s never going to happen.” Zack laughed loudly and kissed the top her hand. “You are my first love and my last love, and I promise to forever be the girl that fell in love with the boy at the rock show.” The couple quickly exchanged rings and said I do, and Charlie spoke. “By the power vested in me by the great state of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Zacky V, kiss your bride.” Zack grinned and pulled Peyton and kissed her with a passion that she had never seen from him before. When they ended the kiss he pressed his forehead against hers and whispered an ‘I love you’ to her. “Ladies and gentlemen, Mister and Mrs. Zack Baker!” Everyone stood and cheered as Zack and Peyton walked back down the aisle. Once they got past the double doors Zack pulled her in for another hungry kiss. “You look fucking gorgeous babe.” He said breathlessly. “You don’t look so bad yourself there, mister Baker.” She grinnned.

Once everyone had taken pictures and the photographer said she was done, it was time for the reception. The DJ introduced them and had them go to the middle of the floor for their first dance. Peyton looked around the reception area, which was inside a barn, a billion twinkling lights hanging from every area, and flowers everywhere. It was exactly how she pictured it in her mind. As they were standing there waiting for the song to come on, she heard a voice that she recognized as her own, “You better not be recording this!” Peyton gasped and looked up at Zack, knowing exactly what was going on. She remembered this day like it was yesterday. “Peyton stop complaining and start playing.” Jimmy’s voice came through the speakers. After a few more seconds, the sounds of a piano came through the speakers, Peyton’s voice singing a version of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis. Peyton’s eyes filled with tears as she laid her head on her husband’s chest and they moved to the music. Soon the song was over, and one last time everyone heard Jimmy’s voice, “Happy wedding day, Bakers! I knew you guys would tie the knot!” Peyton chuckled and wiped the tears from her eyes before giving her husband one more kiss. They walked to their seats, ready to eat, drink, and have a good time. Lincoln was currently being held by his uncle Brian, but was immediately scooped into his mother’s arms as soon as she reached the table. “Hey.” He pouted, “I was holding him.” Peyton laughed and rolled her eyes, “you can hold him later, crybaby. So, whose idea was it to use that song?” She asked the group, who all looked at Matt. “I was in the studio cleaning up the other day, and I came across this CD. It said ‘Zack and Peyton’s first dance song’ on the outside. I thought you knew about it.” He shrugged. Peyton smiled softly. “Jimmy knew this entire time. We recorded that song when I was in college.” Zack wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed the side of her head, “He did always call you Mrs. Vengeance.” He said, making their friends laugh. They all sat together and ate their dinner. Pretty soon, Peyton’s parents came to get Lincoln to take him home, giving the newlyweds hugs and promises to send them pictures of their son constantly while they were on their honeymoon in Mexico. Peyton hadn’t wanted to go, but Zack had talked her into going for five days instead of a week, knowing he would miss Linc as much as she would.

Peyton and Zack drank and danced the night away with their friends. At one point Zack was dancing with Michelle, and Peyton was talking to Dan and Tal, when Johnny approached her. “Excuse me, Mrs. Baker,” He joked, clearing his throat, “I believe you owe me a dance.” Peyton smiled at her best friend and nodded. “I promise I won’t ruin your shoes this time.” Johnny laughed loudly and led her to the dance floor, where they had their usual ‘worst dance moves’ competition. Pretty soon it was time for Zack and Peyton to head to their hotel, and after tons of hugs and promises to keep them posted on Lincoln, they were in the limo. Peyton sighed happily and leaned into Zack, “This was the best day ever.” “It was, but you know what’s going to be even better?” He asked. “What?” “Our wedding night.” He joked, wiggling his eyebrows. Peyton threw her head back and laughed, “Wait until you see the new underwear I bought.” Zack groaned and leaned his head back against the headrest. “You’re killing me woman.” Peyton kissed her husband’s cheek and smiled. “I love you, husband.” “I love you too, wifey. Let’s go have a honeymoon.” Zack grabbed her hand and helped her out of the limo and led her into the hotel. Their wedding day was a day that they would never forget, and Zack was right, the night was even better.

Notes

ONE MORE CHAPTER! I can’t believe it! I’ll have to think about doing a sequel, maybe once I finish my other story!

Also, I’m sorry for any typos. My toddler likes to wreak havoc while I’m writing haha.