28 Blind Dates: After the Costumes (Part 5)

And the Two Shall Become One

It’s a gorgeous sunny day in Mt. Komorebi, but Merlin’s eyes aren’t on the skies. They are on his beautiful bride Jalisa as she steps out of their cottage and crosses the bridge on her way to stand by his side.

This is the day that they’ve been waiting and planning for since the Blind Date Challenge ended…their wedding day. Neither of them can believe that it’s finally here.

Jalisa joins him at the wedding arch and grabs his hands. Her palms are sweating, alerting him to the nerves that she’s been trying to hide all morning.

They’ve decided to just speak from the heart, so there are no prewritten vows. Jalisa clears her throat and begins…

Jalisa:  My friends and family called me crazy when I decided to join the challenge. They didn’t believe that it was possible to fall in love with someone you have never seen. But we proved them wrong. From the moment I first heard your voice, I felt a connection to you…a connection that weaved its way through the impossible and into my soul. I have dreamed of this day all of my life. And now you stand before me, my knight in shining armor. You couldn’t have chosen a better costume and I couldn’t have chosen a better companion. I vow my heart to you and promise to love you now and forever as we join as one.

Merlin can feel himself becoming emotional, something that he often tries to hide…but this time, he lets it run free as he begins his vows.

Merlin: I love you, Jalisa.  And you’re right; we proved everyone wrong…including maybe ourselves. There was a time during the challenge when you questioned my feelings for you. I will regret that moment for the rest of my life as I constantly work to erase any doubts that you felt that day and every day we’re together. I’m here, standing before you to let you know that I love you, I love you, *with emphasis* I love you. I did then, and I do now from the very bottom of my heart. You are funny, intelligent, sexy, and incredibly gorgeous.

Jalisa smiles, and her eyes fill with tears.

Merlin: *continues* I am a fortunate man, and I’m invincible with you by my side. I want to make babies with you, I want to grow old with you, and when the day comes that the Watcher sees fit to separate us through death…I look forward to finding you in our next lifetime and falling in love with you all over again.  I  vow my heart and my love to you, Jalisa… now and forever!

Merlin and Jalisa exchange rings and kiss as husband and wife.

Introducing Mr. Merlin Brown and Mrs. Jalisa Wells-Brown.

Inside, Chef Seki has prepared a celebratory dinner for the newlywed couple.  It is the dish that he is best known for, Yosenabe. Jalisa and Merlin sit at the Kotatsu while Chef Seki serves their meal.

Jalisa loves it from her first bite, but one look at Merlin, and she can tell that something is wrong. Merlin’s stomach instantly begins to churn as he bites into what he suspects is meat. He realizes that he forgot to mention to Chef Seki that he’s vegetarian.

Jalisa: You okay?

Merlin doesn’t want to ruin Jalisa’s dinner, but he decides to be honest.

Merlin: I believe there’s meat in this dish.

Jalisa: Oh no…are you feeling okay?

Merlin does his best to ignore the discomfort.

Merlin: I’m not going to let anything ruin this day for us.

Chef Seki takes Merlin’s bowl away as soon as he realizes. He apologizes profusely and offers to prepare something else immediately.  Merlin lets him know that there’s no need to apologize and turns down the offer for another meal. He has something else in mind decides food.

Jalisa finishes everything in her bowl. It was delicious and made her miss the days when Chef Green was around to cook for her every day.

After everything has been cleared away…

Jalisa: Are you sure you don’t want something else to eat?

Merlin: I’m sure that I want to woohoo with my wife right now.

Merlin gets up and leads the way up to their room. Jalisa can’t get up there fast enough.

In the bedroom, they take their time undressing and just hold one another for a while in a very slow dance. Jalisa whispers three words into Merlin’s ear that sends his pulse into a race against hers.

Jalisa: Let’s make babies…

BDC: After the Costumes Summaries | read from the beginning