Rhonda's View

It was time for the garter and bouquet toss. I sat down in the chair as Howie proceeded to use his teeth to remove my garter and he took longer than he normally does. I couldn't believe that he was doing that in front of 350 people.

Howie stood up and looked around at the guys standing behind him.
The DJ shouted, "One, Two, Three!" Howie tossed the garter behind him and AJ leaped in front of everyone, knocking a few people down, to get the garter.
The DJ called all of the single ladies onto the floor. I looked around and noticed that Amber and Missy weren't there yet. "Hey there are two girls missing! We're not going to start without them," the DJ said. "Missy and Amber!! Calling Missy and Amber to the dance floor."
Missy and Amber finally made it to the dance floor with drinks in their hands. "Okay, we're here!" she shouted.
I turned around to prepare to throw my bouquet. Howie was looking and pointing to where I should throw it. I turned back around to find my target.
"Ready – One, Two, Three!" I turned around and threw the bouquet directly at Amber. Good thing Missy knew what was going on cause she took Amber's drink out of her hand. Amber caught the bouquet and looked up at Howie and I laughing at her.
"Well – it looks like you're next," Howie said.
"Well it's not me that you have to convince!" Amber shot back. We all turned to AJ who was trying to put the garter on his head.

The DJ interrupted us, "Now its time for the guy to put the garter on the girl. You know, for every inch you get it up her leg, its ten years good luck for the newlyweds."
"No problem," AJ said. "I'm used to it. I bet you guys get at least 80 years good luck from me and Amber!"
Amber sat down in the chair. "Are you sure you can put a garter on? You're used to taking it off you know."
AJ just winked at her. "Don't worry, I know exactly what I'm doing." AJ proceeded to slide the garter up Amber's leg. It got to the point that Amber began to blush worse than Howie.
"Hey watch the hands!" she yelled at him.
"Wait a minute – there's something up here!" he said.

Amber's View

"What the hell are you doing?!" I whispered not believing that AJ would act like this at a wedding and in front of so many people we didn't know.
"Wait, I think I've got it."
"Got what?"
"This," he said. AJ appeared from under my dress holding a ring in his hands. "You know the night I told your family that you made me want to get married I wasn't kidding. I realized how much I loved you and our daughter and I want us to be a real family – till death do us part." He rose up to one knee. "Amber, will you marry me?"
Tears started to stream down my eyes as I shook me head yes - I was crying too much to speak.
"What was that answer again?" AJ asked.
"Yes!!! Yes I will marry you!" I finally managed to get out kissing him firmly on the lips.
AJ stood up and turned to Rhonda and Howie. "She said yes!"
"I know we heard her," Rhonda said.
"You knew about this?" I said turning to them.
"Well you knew about my dog and didn't tell me…so now I figure we're even."
"That's not the same," but I knew I could never be mad at anything tonight. Especially anyone who helped plan the most perfect night of my life. AJ held out his hand to me as the music started to play again. "May I have this dance future Mrs. McLean?"
'Yes you may," I said as he led me out to the dance floor.
"I picked this song out just for us," he said as we started to dance. I could hear him singing along with the music as though the words were written just for me and I felt shivers going down my spine.

I swear
By the moon and the stars in the skies
And I swear
Like the shadow that's by your side

I see the questions in your eyes
I know what's weighing on your mind
You can be sure
I know my part

Cause I stand beside you through the years
You'll only cry those happy tears
And though I make mistakes
I'll never break your heart

And I swear
By the moon and the stars in the skies
I'll be there
I swear
Like the shadow that's by your side
I'll be there

For better or worse
Till death do us part
I'll love you
With every beat of my heart

And I swear
Ooh, ooh, ooh

As the song ended we just stood there holding each other in our arms neither one wanting to let go first. Just as I was about to suggest we go and show off my huge rock to Rhonda and Missy AJ got this look on his face. "Oh shit I forgot to do something," he said.
"What?" I wondered.
"Hey Kev, you got your cell phone on you?" AJ asked Kevin who was dancing with his wife.
"Yeah sure – here ya go." Kevin handed the cell phone to AJ and then went back to concentrating on his wife.
"Who are you calling?" I asked wondering who was so important that he would choose this particular moment to interrupt. AJ put his finger up for me to be quiet.
"Hello? Oh hi Mrs. Jackson this is AJ could I please speak to your husband?"
"AJ what are you doing?!"
"Hello Mr. Jackson – this is AJ. Yeah Amber and Arrianna are doing fine. Listen I just called to ask for your permission to marry your daughter." I don't know what my father said but I could tell by AJ's face that it was something good. "Good sir and thank you – because she already said yes." He hung up the phone and handed it back to Kevin. "Now where were we?"
"Right here," I said as I kissed him and pulled him over to where my friends were waiting to congratulate us.