When I found you... Chapter 33(Jaevon Fanfic)

The sun was lazily coming up above the light blue sky as the wind blew gently through the open French windows of the living room where a couple was sitting on a couch, contentedly enjoying a cup of coffee. Devon moved closer to James, resting her head on his chest.

“Jaime, can’t we have the wedding in a month? There’s a lot to prepare and things to do even just for a simple wedding we’ve agreed to, two weeks could barely be enough for preparations, let alone making a wedding dress.”

“No, I want it within two weeks. I’ll put an entire staff of assistants to help you.” James said flatly. Devon sighed and faced her husband-to-be.

“Fine, I’ll agree to your concessions, but there’s only one thing I ask… I want it to be held in a Church in Cebu where my parents got married.” Devon offered to compromise.

“Anywhere you want, my love,” James agreed, placing a soft kiss on her temple, “as long as the wedding will take place in two weeks.”

Two days after James proposed, they arrived at Tagaytay where Devon’s grandma and sister lived. James announced his intention of asking Devon’s hand in marriage. Chloe squealed with delight and hugged her sister. Devon’s grandma was in tears and kissed her grandchild and her fiancé on the cheek. They stayed there for a night and told them of their plans.

James took Devon to Australia to visit his parents. Upon hearing the wonderful news, Mrs. Force can’t help but cry with happiness. Mr. Force hugged his son and his soon to be daughter-in-law.

“I’ve been waiting for this for more than two years. My preparations were not put to waste.”

“What preparations?” James asked puzzled.

Mrs. Force looked at Devon and smiled lovingly at her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

“Remember the day I have taken you to a boutique? It was two years ago. I’ve taken note of all the things you wanted for your wedding.” Mrs. Force announced gaily. “You don’t have to worry for your wedding dress. I’ll just have to ask Kristoff to make some alterations, that’s if you still prefer the same gown.”

“Oh… I don’t know what to say.” Devon said, teary-eyed. “Mom, thank you.”

Devon hugged her soon-to-be mother-in-law and the two immediately started planning for the big day.

One week before the big day, Devon went to Cebu together with her entourage. Devon stayed with her sister and grandmother in the house of her parents while her entourage and her in-laws are staying in a hotel. She made her sister as her maid of honor and her friends became her bridesmaids. Despite the hustle and bustle of preparing a wedding, Devon had never lost her cool. Devon had spent every single minute of the week on their wedding with only the help of her family and friends and the competent staff James had provided for her. Somehow she’d managed to do all the preparations as well as make arrangements for the catering, music to be used, order flowers from the florist, get the gowns and suits for the entourage and go over the wedding recital.

Two days before the wedding, everything was ready. They spent the remaining days together going around Cebu. Devon showed him her favorite spots in the place where she was born and where her childhood memories were made and treasured.

Everything was perfect. Devon felt contentment and bliss with the way things are happening.

Sitting at the back of the church, silently holding each other’s hands, Devon and James felt a quiet joy of serenity and love settling in their hearts.

They savored the last hours they have, for they won’t be seeing each other until the wedding ceremony. James felt strongly against it, but Devon pacified him by telling him that it will just be for a day and that she will be his forever.

In the dim light of the room, James kept on turning on the bed. He seemed restless. He was with her just a few hours ago but he missed her already. He can’t take anymore of the suspense that he got up from the bed, taking his jacket and went outside…

Devon came out from the bathroom when she heard her phone rang. She immediately answered it when she saw it was James.

“James, is something wrong? Why are you calling this late?”

“Look out from your window.”

Devon was baffled but she obeyed him without question.

“What are you doing here?” Devon asked surprised, looking down at the man standing just below her window.

“I came to see you. Will you open the door so I can come in?”

Devon put down her phone and went downstairs, making sure that her sister and grandmother were soundly asleep. James stood in front of the house, waiting for Devon to open the door.

The door opened and James was ushered in.

“What’s wrong? What are you doing at this hour?” Devon asked him again.

Instead of answering, James pulled her roughly against him. He hugged her so tight that Devon was finding it hard to breathe. But, Devon didn’t complain, hugging him back, she just let him be and listened to the fast beating of his heart.

After an eternity later, James slackened his hold on hers and cupped her face.

“I missed you.” James said and kissed her on the lips. Devon kissed him back with all the longing she’s feeling.

After a long drugging kiss, James tore his mouth from hers and transferred his mouth near her ear, trying to steady the fast beating of his heart and leashing his rampaging desire for her.

“I can’t wait for you to be mine… permanently.” James whispered fiercely.

“I’m all yours for the taking.” Devon said with a smile in her voice, hiding her face on his neck.

James groaned and took her mouth for another erotic kiss.

Idly brushing his fingers on her arm, James brushed a kiss on her temple. They were seated on the sofa of the living room. He was lying on his back upon the couch while Devon was lying atop him, her head resting on his chest.

Now that she’s in his arms, James felt a languorous peace and joyous contentment. He kissed the top of her head and he felt Devon snuggle closer to him. He smiled and lazily traced with his fingers the lovely contours of her back and hip.

“Sleep now, my love.” James whispered lovingly. “I’ll leave once you’re asleep.”

“I love you, Jaime.” Devon whispered sleepily.

“I love you more…”

At the first light of dawn, Devon went back to her room. It has been two hours since James left. Sleep seemed to evade her that she chose not to go back to sleep. She sat by the bed, looking at her wedding gown. She bent down her head and prayed. With hands clasped tightly together, she spoke words of gratitude to God for all the wonderful things that has been happening to her, most of all for the man she’s about to commit herself to forever.

Shoving the tiny studs into the front of his tuxedo shirt, James turned around when he heard someone knock on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me. Ryan.” The man said, sounding a little alarmed.

“Get inside.” James permitted, a little puzzled by the tone of Ryan’s voice.

Ryan came in looking rather worried and can’t seem to look straight into his eyes.

“Is something wrong?”

“James, I saw Devon hauling her two luggage inside the taxi with her sister and grandmother.”

“What? You’re kidding me. I was with Devon last night till dawn. She won’t do such thing.” James said chuckling.

But then, Brett came rushing in the room, panting like he had been running for hours.

“James, I have bad news.” Brett said, panting. “Fretzie called and said that Devon is missing.”

Dread came over him. James was speechless and just stood there looking at his two friends.

Before James could react, Ivan came inside the room, looking as harassed as Brett.

“James,” Ivan said, sounding serious. “Devon called me. She’s crying…”

Before Ivan could finish, James ran to the door, fear and panic came rushing through him.

No…

No, she can’t be…

James reached the elevator and pushed the button repeatedly. A hotel maid came to his side and calmly said, “Sir, someone said that the elevator is busted. The maintenance is currently fixing it, if you-…”

The maid didn’t finish what she was about to say because James just cursed aloud and ran to the stairs. Running four floors down, James was out of breath when he reached the hotel lobby.

Just as he called the valet, rather rudely for his car to be brought around who was standing by the entrance as if waiting for someone, James realized that he didn’t have his car keys.

“Damn! Where’re my keys?! Where’s my damn keys?!” James cursed vehemently.

Instead of going back to get his car keys, he just asked the valet for a taxi.

“I’m sorry to inform you, sir. There are no taxis available at the moment. There has been an accident a mile back down the road. All vehicles can’t get through. It might take fifteen minutes to get a taxi.” The valet calmly informed him.

“Bullshit! Damn! Why now?! Damn! Damn! Damn!” James cursed nonstop while running back to his room to get his car keys.

When he reached the stairs, he heard the sound of the elevator opening.

Oh, it’s fixed! James thought happily thanking the heavens for small mercy. People rushed out from the elevator and the maid he talked to earlier was the last one to get out. When the maid saw him, her eyes widened in alarm and gave him a nervous smile, scurrying hurriedly away from him.

James didn’t ponder on the maid’s strange behavior and just swiftly got into the elevator, pushing the button. When the elevator was about to close just an inch apart, James saw a taxi stop in front of the hotel. James didn’t immediately register what he saw and when he did, he was already on the third floor. He cursed again, frightening the old couple beside him. The old man protectively moved her wife away from James, looking at him threateningly.

This is supposed to be my wedding day…

Why is this happening to me?

Where are you Devon? James thought, despairingly.

He was thankful when the elevator opened. He ran towards the room and stopped on his tracks when he heard loud guffaws inside his room. He banged the door open and saw his three friends stiffened with their laughter plastered on their faces. James’ ire heightened and erupted cursing his friends which caused the three men to laugh uproariously. Ryan was on the floor, holding his stomach, dying with laughter. Ivan leaned to the wall, pointing at James while laughing hard. Brett kept banging his hand on his lap, almost teary-eyed with laughter.

James realized he was duped. He uttered a litany of profanities that made the three doubled over with laughter.

James sat down on the couch, feeling exhausted and drained. He waited for the laughter to die down and just look at his friends, torn between anger and laughter. He was relieved that Devon was not leaving him. And he has never felt more exhausted than he is now.

“Dude, you should have seen your face!” Brett exclaimed, wiping the teary mirth from his eyes.

“Yeah, you look hilarious.” Ryan seconded and dissolved to another fits of laughter.

“You were so fast like a devil was on your heels!” Ivan said, coming towards James, still laughing.

“You’ve planned all this, didn’t you?” James asked with narrowed eyes. “You even connived with two hotel staff, am I right?”

His three friends looked at each other and laughed out loud.

“You know, I could kick your asses for this. But, I’m too happy to even consider hurting any of you. You should be thankful.” James drawled, looking at the three of them with a meaningful look.

“We know, we know.” Ivan said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve created pranks on you. This will be your last bachelor hours. At least you have something to remember in the future.” Ivan said chuckling.

The trio stood up and went to the door, looking at James, smiling wickedly.

“We’ll leave you for a while.” Brett said.

“I’m sure you need some time to relax from the… uhm… shall we say, unpleasant, suspense intermission.” Ryan spoke chuckling, following Brett out of the room.

“You better get ready or your bride will be the one to wait for you on the altar.” Ivan added and closed the door behind him.

James stared at the closed door and shook his head at his friends’ humorous entertainment. He closed his eyes and listened to his steady breathing. In half an hour, he’ll be married.

He can’t wait.

I PROMISE YOU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C96dZPUnc8

It's in the silences,
the words you never say
I see it in your eyes,
it always starts the same way

James stepped out in front of a smiling crowd and stood before his father in a church perfumed with lavished bouquets of white roses tied with grayish-blue satin ribbons and aglow with candlelight. Ardor and admiration settled within him, a sense of quiet joy, as he waited for the woman who captured his heart and made him live again.

It seems like everyone we know,
is breaking up
Does anybody ever stay in love, anymore?

He watched as Chloe walked down the aisle towards him, looking beautiful and serene as if she sensed the unequivocal goodness of what was about to happen.

The organ music raise to a crescendo and James felt as if his heart would burst at the site he beheld in front of him. Walking down that aisle towards him in a flowing swirl of white satin and silk with a cloud of veil trailing down her back was the woman he had laughed and cried with. She walked with grace through the candlelit aisle and the rose petals beneath her feet, her face glowing with profound love and in her eyes is the vow of a lifetime happiness they could share together and the promise of his unborn children and all the love she has for him.

I promise you,
from the bottom of my heart
I will love you till death do us part

James reached for Devon’s hand and took it firmly in his, and then they faced the altar, committing themselves to each other for eternity. They saw James smile down upon his beautiful bride and they knew he had said something to her, but only Devon heard his softly spoken, “Hello, Mrs. Force.” James led her to the altar, to her place beside him, the place that would be hers for all eternity.

The priest smiled and looked at the lovely couple.

“Dear friends, we are gathered here today to witness the sacred union of James Force and Devon Gutierrez…”

I promise you as a lover and a friend
I will love you like I never love again
With everything I am

At the front row, Ivan gazed at his wife lovingly; Brett and Fretzie smiled softly at each other. Ryan looked at the couple at the altar and smiled. The scene before them brought handkerchiefs to eyes before the couple even began to say their vows.

James stood and took Devon’s hand, saying his vows of commitment and love, he gazed lovingly at his bride, baring his all for everyone to see.

I see you look at me,
when you think I'm not aware
You're searching for clues,
of just how deep my feelings are

“I, James Force, take you Devon Gutierrez, to be my lawful wedded wife, to cherish and love today, tomorrow and forever. To thee I will give my trust and honor, to love thee faithfully for better and for worst. I vow to share your laughter and your tears, your hopes and your fears, to hold you and comfort you as long as I live. With every beat of my heart and with every breath of my being, I vow to love only thee for the rest of my life.” James vowed with tenderness and love. He put the ring on her finger and said, “With this ring I thee wed, and all I possess I endow to thee. In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, ‘til death do us part.”

How do you prove the sky is blue, the oceans wide?
All I know is how I feel,
when I look into your eyes

With eyes swimming in tears, Devon gazed at his husband as he slid the ring on her finger.

Looking at him admiringly, Devon said her vows, making her voice sound firm and sure.

There are no guarantees
That's what you always say to me
But late at night I feel the tremble in your touch
Oh what I'm trying to say to you

“I, Devon Gutierrez, take you James Force, to be my lawful wedded husband, to cherish and love today, tomorrow and forever. To thee I give my loyalty and support, to love and treasure thee unconditionally. I vow to put thee in the highest place of honor and respect, to stand as thy pillar of support and shoulder of strength, to cherish and care for thee as long as I live.” Devon promised, looking at his husband with love. And she put the ring on his finger, promising to be forever his, she said, “With this ring I thee wed, and all I possess I endow to thee. In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, ‘til death do us part.”

what I'm trying to say to you,
I never said to anyone I Promise

Holding each other’s hands, they said the avowals of love in unison, “My love for thee will never perish, and it will only increase as days passed. To thee I vow my love for thine will always be true. And I will be forever yours.”

I promise you,
from the bottom of my heart
I will love you till death do us part
I promise you as a lover and a friend
I will love you like I never love again
With everything I am

At last they were pronounced man and wife. James claimed his right to kiss his bride. The crowd burst into a loud of applause.

"Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come;
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom." – Sonnet 116