Suddenly, she’s there – standing next to her father. He whispers something quietly to her, and she smiles that smile that won my heart on day 1. My eyes begin to sting from trying to hold back tears. Finally, my bride is here – and she takes my breath away. Merlin takes her arm…
Melisa: I don’t think this is how we’re supposed to do it.
Merlin: *emotional* I think I may need you to hold me up this time.
Melisa: Okay, daddy.
Our eyes lock, and they step forward. Everything else in the room disappears. There is only her, and again I’ve forgotten how to breathe as she moves closer. Finally, she and Merlin stop at the wedding arch. Merlin begins to release her arm, but first, he pauses to say a few last words directed to me.
Merlin: You be good to my daughter.
Kai: Always, I promise!
Melisa: *slightly panicked* Daddy! I forgot my bouquet – upstairs.
Merlin: Don’t worry. I’ll send someone to get it for you.
He finally steps away.
Someone gives Me-Me her bouquet, but I’m too lost in the moment to pay attention to who it is. She turns to me.
Melisa: Hi!
Kai: Hi. You look unbelievable!
Melisa: So do you.
Pastor Eleanor steps up to recite a few scriptures and other words to bless the union. My eyes never leave Me-Me’s. I become one with the deep grey tone.
Pastor Eleanor: The bride and groom have prepared their own vows. We will give them this moment to share them. Kai, you may begin.
Pastor Eleanor steps off to the side, giving Me-Me and me room to speak.
Kai: Um…Me-Me, I didn’t exactly prepare anything ahead of time. I hope you don’t mind if I just speak directly from my heart.
She nods, and I clear my throat and begin.
Kai: I’m sorry I didn’t write anything down. I – I just wasn’t sure how to say how much I love you. But I knew that it would come to me when I saw you today. *slight chuckle* Let’s hope that I was right.
A few of the guests giggle at the small bit of humor.
Kai: When I think about you – I tend to think about all the things we need in this world to survive. We need air, water, shelter, the sun, food – I could go on and on. But I need one more thing – and that’s you. I swear that as long as I have you by my side – I could survive without those other things. You are my air, water, shelter, food, and my sun.
There are a few awws coming from the guests.
Kai: I faced some of my darkest moments soon after meeting you. But you taught me how to smile again. You became my family then – this, us standing here right now, just makes it official. The day my Pop-pop died, you showed up and were there for me. I remember you started naming the stars. I would have remained there to hear the names of every last one of them – even if it took a million years. And I vow to you that I will stay by your side until the day that you finish naming every star, every constellation, every galaxy, every planet, and everything else that ever existed in the heavens. I need you. I love you, and I will never leave you until death breaks us apart. This is my promise to you.
Me-Me releases a deep sigh and fans her eyes to stop the tears welling up.
Melisa: I don’t know what to say after that. I had something prepared, but I don’t see how it could ever compare to that.
Me-Me tosses her bouquet, which apparently is where she stored her vows, off to the side.
Melisa: Nothing left to do but speak from my heart too. *places her hand on her chest* I remember that day as well. And I must confess, I didn’t know the names of every star that I named towards the end there. I made some names up because I didn’t want that night to end, and I didn’t want to leave your side. When you face dark moments – I’m facing them too, because you are a part of me. And I know that if the situation was reversed, I could count on you to do the same things for me.
Kai: Definitely
Melisa: I’m excited to begin this life with you. We’re two imperfect sims, looking to build an imperfect life together, but the keyword is together – and it doesn’t get any more perfect than that! I love you more and more each day, and I look forward to watching that love grow over the years. And as long as you’re willing to listen, I’ll get started learning the names of every star. But, I’ll only tell you the name of one new one a day, so you’ll never get tired of me.
Kai: I never would.
Melisa: I know, but just in case. *pause* I vow my life to you and look forward to a lifelong journey of love with you. I promise to be by your side until the day I die.
We exchange rings.
Pastor Eleanor: *off to the side* I guess that’s it then, folks. I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.
Pastor Eleanor: Allow me to introduce Mr. Kai and Mrs. Melisa Banks!
I can hear our guests’ cheers, sniffles, and clapping, but my eyes do not leave Melisa’s – my wife, my everything.
We make our way up the aisle. Our guests begin to stand and throw rice. I guess that’s a tradition, but I was afraid to get some of it in my eyes.
The rest of the evening is pretty much a blur. We sit down and eat for a while. We share a slice of cake and then somehow end up on the dance floor. I still don’t know why people go through all of this – we’re done with the important part. I’m ready for our wedding night.
But I guess being out on the floor and showing off my gorgeous wife is nice. She seems to enjoy the attention, and I want to do what I need to do to make this one of the best days of her life. However, I hope this is only the beginning of our best days.
It’s late when everyone begins to say one last congrats and disperse. I’m almost dead on my feet by the time we finish with all the hugs and goodbyes. There’s a big stack of gifts for Me-Me and me to open whenever we get to it, but Ma insists that we open hers now.
Kai: What did you get that’s so urgent, ma?
Prosperity: Open it, Kai. It’s something passed down from your gran.
Kai: Okay, let’s see it then.
I open the gift and see a tiny well-wrapped seed inside this big box. It’s slightly underwhelming. Why is ma making a big deal of it?
Prosperity: *reading my mind* It’s not just a seed. It’s a money tree seed. My auntie Michelle gave my mom one for her birthday. Ma grew it. Then when I left for Sulani, she gave me a seed from the tree’s fruit. I never planted it, though, so I want you to have it and pass a seed down to your children. It’s to ensure that every generation of our family will have a secure future.
Kai: *disbelief* A money tree, ma? Simoleans don’t grow on trees.
Prosperity: Maybe not, but the fruit on this tree is worth a ton of money. Just plant it – you’ll see.
Kai: Okay
Prosperity: I’m serious, Kai! Don’t be like me. There’s no telling how much money I missed out on over the years from not planting this tree.
Kai: I know, ma. I’ll plant it as soon as we get back home. I promise!
Prosperity: You’d better!
I’m still not convinced that this tree will secure our family’s future, but it’s nice to have a gift that originated with gran. I appreciate receiving it for that reason alone.
Finally – our wedding night and the moment I’ve been waiting for all day. I take my wife in my arms and move her over to the bed. Maybe we can plant some seeds that I know will secure our future. I don’t know if it’ll happen for us this soon, but having this extra practice for when the time comes to think about making babies won’t hurt. In fact, it feels incredible.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
Thanks for reading! Please hit the “like” button if you’ve enjoyed what you read! Keep scrolling if you’d like to leave a comment. 🥰
Bonus wedding pictures:
