306a/n: Hey guys. So this is the final chapter of the story. I made it twenty three so you can review and please review so I know how many people are going to keep reading Paris. I hope this meets all of the expectations you guys had for the wedding. I tried and I'm glad that I could finally get a chapter up for you. I hope you like it and please review so I know if I should put the first chapter of Paris this week.
Please review.
Thanks,
Kylie
Always and Forever
Hermione awoke and felt like she was going to vomit. Not the best feeling to have on the day you're supposed to get married. She rolled over in the large bed that she had all to herself and hugged the empty space there. Ron would have been there if they were like a normal young couple that wasn't getting married. They would be in their own apartment together and she wouldn't be nervous about getting married, moving to Paris and practically starting over. It was all a lot to take in. She took a deep breath and thought of the events that had gone on in the past weeks.
She and Ginny had cried their eyes out, watched chick flicks and talked about how different things were going to be and how much they would miss each other. It really was the end of an era.
Harry and Ginny were now officially engaged. He had proposed to her on Christmas in front of her family. They were getting married in summer after Ginny graduated.
And then there was the house.
Instead of storing everything in the house while they were away they had taken most of it with them and the rest was moved to a storage facility and then they sold the house to Fred and Angelina. It was sudden and caused a lot of explaining to their parents but Ron and Hermione decided that they were going to spend the year, possibly longer in Paris. Hermione would come back to London one day a week to visit her bookshop and everyone could visit them while in Paris.
It had been really random how they decided to move. They had been lying on the floor in their apartment, it was one of the last nights there and Hermione had been thinking.
"Four months isn't really that long." She decided. "Nothing is really accomplished and it isn't even long enough to say that we actually lived in Paris."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked.
"Well I just think if we're going to Paris, we should move there." Ron sat up and looked at her.
"You want to move to Paris?" Ron asked, a little surprised but he seemed to like the idea.
"Well for a year at the least, maybe longer." Hermione said, smiling. "If you want to."
"I do." Ron said, smiling and nodding. "Yeah."
They had been trying to decide what to do with the house when Fred and Angelina announced that they were looking for more room as they were considering that in a few years they wanted to start a family. Papers had been signed and everything had been switched over before they told their parents.
Hermione hadn't realized until now how big a move this was. It was a whole new start, a whole new life, it was…it was marriage and for the first time when she thought about it, she wanted to vomit. She sat up and got out of bed walking around the room once to loose the nauseous feeling. It didn't work. She fell into a chair that was facing the large window in her room. She could see all of the hotel workers setting up the beach for her special day but she wasn't sure if she would make it down that aisle. She decided she needed air and a walk down on the beach would calm her nerves. Hermione headed to her suitcase to grab clothes; she needed to go before Ginny came to help her get ready.
xxx
Ron was sitting down by the water thinking. He had slipped out of his hotel room just as he heard Fred and George singing a song to tease him about the wedding. The song was definitely headed in the direction of his room if he hadn't of gotten out of there in time. Ron was too nervous about this whole life-changing move to deal with anyone, he supposed that this was the cold feet that George was talking about at his wedding was happening to him now. Ron had been so sure that this was the right move, proposing wanting to get married soon. Now he wasn't so sure that those were right at all. He was only 18 and not ready to be a husband…let alone in Paris where they were moving for the year. What had he gotten himself into? There was no way he could leave Hermione standing at the altar but he wasn't so sure he could be there at the altar when she came towards him.
He stood up from the sand and started walking along the water trying to figure out what he was suppose to do.
xxx
Hermione walked along the water with her jeans folded up so they wouldn't get wet from the crashing waves. She had on a t-shirt that she had just realized was Ron's favorite. The thought made her want to cry because she didn't know why she couldn't be happy about to marry him. It was her day, her special day. She'd dreamed about this since she was a little girl and the fantasy became more real when she and Ron finally got serious. But she had never imagined that afterwards she was supposed to embark on this scary new journey.
Fighting the urge to stop and cry she continued to walk. In the distance she saw the profile of a figure walking toward her. She tried to look down and pass unnoticed with her sunglasses covering her eyes but she was unmistakable to the only person who knew her better than she even did. It took her a second but she too figured out who had been approaching her.
She didn't say anything; instead she threw her arms around him and hugged him. The feeling of nausea went away, as did the overwhelming need to cry. She was safe. She felt comfortable. She was with Ron.
"I'm scared." She admitted in a small voice. She hated to sound vulnerable after keeping up such a cheerful attitude about the wedding and the move but there was no reason to start this marriage on feelings that were covered up by pride.
Ron knew this too.
"I know." He said, kissing the top of her head. "I am too."
Those three words made everything better. Hermione now knew that she would walk down that aisle, barefoot just like she had wanted and in the end she would be a wife in sickness and in health, forever and ever. It was comforting to think of this and even though there was still the big move and all the changes they would endure that scared the hell out of her she would go through with this because she was going to go through it with someone who was just as scared as her and could help her deal.
Ron kissed the top of her head again. He held her tightly and knew that whatever doubts he had before were gone. They were now stupid thoughts pushed to the back of his head. It was here in front of him, that was what his future was. He was ready for anything as long as she was there with him.
xxx
The ceremony would start at four, that's why Ginny yelled for only ten minutes before turning Hermione's hotel room into a mini spa. Every possible step was taken to get Hermione ready. Waxing, tweezing, plucking, exfoliating, moisturizing…and a lot of other stuff that all turned into one word, preparations. Ginny had claimed it was necessary even though it seemed pointless and some of it was painful. By the time that Fleur, Alison, Angelina, Alicia, Molly, and Ann had come into the room, Hermione was ready to tell Ginny what she could do with her damn tweezers.
Finally Hermione was ready for her dress. She took it to the bathroom and stepped into it, liking how her reflection in the mirror looked. She truly looked like a bride, a grown up woman who was ready to become a wife.
Everyone was waiting to see her but she wanted to take a moment to look at herself. Her brown hair was left down and curly around her shoulders, with a simple headpiece resting on her head. A few shells were placed around it to match the shells in the dress. The dress fit her, hugging every curve of her body. She was bursting with giddiness knowing that soon she would be exchanging vows and getting married. She was overwhelmed with excitement and nerves.
Finally ready, Hermione smiled and opened the bathroom door.
Ann and Molly were brought to tears in joy, Ginny had never stopped crying since she and Hermione had begun preparations, the two pregnant women couldn't help but cry and Fleur had to leave because she was getting teary-eyed but claimed that she had something in her eye.
Hermione tried not to cry as well but she was caught up in the moment and she was…she was actually getting married.
It was almost time.
Hermione paced anxiously as she waited for the ceremony to get started. She was alone in the room…or so she thought as she sat down in one of the chairs and put her feet up, lifting the glass of champagne that someone had brought her.
"Starting early?" Someone asked from behind her. Hermione coughed up champagne and after checking that none got on her dress she turned to see Harry standing there in the best man uniform with his hair sticking up at odd ends. Hermione laughed and ran to him with outstretched arms. It was good to see him and be able to talk to her best friend before she walked down the aisle.
"How're you feeling?" He asked her. "You look, beautiful."
"Thank you. I'm a nervous wreck but I'm excited too." Hermione said.
"I can't believe that you two are actually going to do this."
"You better believe it cuz it's really happening. I had to pinch myself earlier to double-check" Harry laughed.
"I knew it would happen." He told her. "You two are going to do fine and have two kids, Harry and Harriett. I even think they'll like living in Paris." Hermione laughed now.
"That's strange because the three kids I was planning on having were with Snape and we were going to live in Iceland." Hermione and Harry both laughed. "Do you think we'll be fine living in Paris?" Hermione asked seriously when the laughing stopped.
Harry nodded. "Oh yeah. You two are going to love it there. As soon as Ginny's out of school and I figure out a way to get switched over to France's team we'll be there too. We'll be there our whole lives and I won't learn a word of French." Even though Harry was joking around to make her feel better, it made Hermione a little sad to think that they were leaving Harry and Ginny.
"Promise that you and Ginny will always be there in our lives whether we live in Antarctica and you live in The Bahamas or something. I couldn't do this without my best friends."
"I promise." Harry said. "Mione, you're never going to get rid of me." Hermione smiled and rested her head on Harry's shoulder. They stayed like that for a minute in silence, before Harry had to go check on Ron. He gave his best friend a kiss before hugging her again and then he left.
As soon as Hermione relaxed and sat down with the tempting glass of champagne Ginny came into the room, she looked great in her dress and with her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.
"Are you ready for this?" Ginny asked. "I mean everything. If not we can always get outta here and be on the next portkey back to London. I promise that I'll convert my closet into a room for you to stay for a couple of years until you're really ready to do this." Ginny knew her so well and this morning Hermione would have taken her offer, no question, but she was ready now. She would not run away from her fears because at the end of the aisle was someone who would help her get past them.
"Gin, I'm really going to do this." Hermione said. "But if I faint before I get to the end of the aisle just tell them I say 'I do'."
"Whatever you want." Ginny said, her eyes tearing up. "Just as long as you're happy. Wow, I can't believe it, sis." Hermione smiled and reached over to hug Ginny.
"I'll be ok, right? We'll be ok, right? And you and Harry? It'll all be fine…right? I mean everything's changing and I'm getting married. Is this really happening?…" Hermione was talking so fast that it all became a mess of words. Ginny understood her though.
"Hermione." She interrupted. "Breathe." Hermione breathed. "Everything looks perfect out there. This is really happening and you look amazing. Calm down because in less than ten minutes you're walking down that aisle. I love you and you're going to do fine, today and in Paris. I promise."
"Oh Gin." Hermione reached out to hug Ginny again and was afraid to let go because this meant that it was actually happening.
When she finally did let go Ginny had tears running down her face.
"It was smart to use water proof mascara the second time around." Ginny noted, as she wiped away tears.
"Gin?" Hermione questioned.
"It's nothing." Ginny said. "I'm just really glad this is finally happening and now I'm scared." She held up her left hand and Hermione smiled knowingly at the diamond.
"So was I." Hermione said. "It's natural." Ginny smiled and hugged Hermione again.
"I hope so." She said.
Hermione sat down and told Ginny the story of what happened that morning to help Ginny get over her fears.
xxx
"Ready sweetie?" Hermione turned to see her father smiling at her, looking as if her was going to cry even though he had already done that when he first saw her. Hermione's heart jumped but she was ready. She turned to Ginny and gave Ginny's hand a squeeze.
"Yeah. I'm ready." She said, smiling.
It was all a blur as everyone turned to watch her walk down the aisle with her father escorting her. Her eyes remained focused on the smiling, red haired man that was standing at the end of the aisle.
"You look beautiful." Ron whispered as he took her hand and stood in front of the ministry official with her. They smiled at each other knowing that their lines were coming, the ones they had rehearsed and rehearsed to themselves, the ones that expressed their love of one another.
"Ronald and Hermione have chosen to write their own vows. Ronald if you will:" The ministry official said. Ron smiled at Hermione and instead of taking out the sheet of paper with his vows on it, he looked at Hermione.
"Hermione, I had vows this morning but they don't seem appropriate right now. I had so many versions of my vows and they all told you how much I loved you and were glad that you were in my life. You know that. What I want to do is tell you how I feel right now at this very moment. You're standing in front of me, looking beautiful like always but it's different because now you'll be my wife. I know that as long as you're here with me we'll be ok. Right now I want to do this and start a life with you." Hermione choked up fresh tears and Ron wiped them from her eyes and kissed her softly. "I love you." He said. "I vow that I'll always be there for support and encouragement, I'll always be there to start little fights with, and I'll always be there even when you don't need me." He slipped the wedding band around her finger.
"Hermione," The ministry official said. Hermione took a deep breath and began her vows.
"Ron, we started out as friends and slowly over the years as we grew our feelings for each other did too. You've always been there for me and the first time I kissed you, I knew that you were the one I wanted to be talking to on this day. I want to be there for you and I want to go places with you. I want a family with you. I know this is going to work and we'll see it through till the end. We've got this huge history together and I want to create a future together. I love you Ronald Weasley." She kissed his cheek where a few tears had fallen. "I vow to love you as long as I live." She slipped the wedding band on his finger.
They were lost in each other, ready to make this marriage work as the ministry official announced, "You may now kiss the bride!" Hermione went to take a step forward but the combination of bare feet and sand Hermione tripped and fell right into Ron's arms. He kissed her, his wife and then they smiled out at their friends and family.
They were married now.
xxx
After walking back up the aisle Ron and Hermione kissed once more while they waited to line up and say hello to their guests.
"Oh my god. You did it! You got married!" Ginny exclaimed running toward them and hugging them. Ron and Hermione hugged Ginny and then turned to see Harry smiling at them.
"Wow." Was all he said and came over to join in on the hugging.
They said hello to all of their guests and thanked them for coming. Next it was time for pictures…and a lot of them. Ron and Hermione together. The newlyweds and their families. The bride and her family, then with her new family. The groom with his family and then his new family. The bride and Ginny. The bride and Harry. The groom and Harry, The groom and Ginny. Harry and Ginny. The bride and all of her new sisters. The groom with his brothers and best man. The bride with her new niece and nephew. The bride and groom with their niece and nephew. Then a big family portrait and more of the bride and groom alone.
Finally it was time to go in for the first dance. The DJ that they had chosen had a list of all of their music and went to announce the wedding party.
"And now, give it up for the Maid of Honor, Ginny Weasley and the Best Man Harry Potter." Harry and Ginny walked down the rows of burning torches stuck in the sand. They took their seat at the table and then waited as the bride and groom were announced. "Let's all hear it for the newlyweds, Ron and Hermione Weasley. Ron and Hermione held each other's hands and walked past the torches and onto the section of sand that was made for dancing.
There were torches surrounding the area of the beach that was for the reception. The sun was starting to set and the torches would come in handy. In the center of the tables was the dancing area. The surrounding tables round tables with seashell centerpieces. Directly in front of them was a long table with an interesting pattern of shells stuck together to resemble a heart. That was where their family saw and they would join at the two chairs in the middle.
Music filled the speakers that were all around them. For their song, Ron and Hermione had chosen Love Will Keep Us Alive by the Eagles. Slowly they started moving to the music. Hermione sung the words softly and Ron smiled at her. He held his wife in his arms and danced with her.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too." She said back and moved closer to him. She smiled up at him as she moved with him, those extra dance lessons on the balcony has paid off.
The song ended with Ron dipping Hermione and pulling her back into his arms and kissing her. They smiled at each other as the DJ cut in again after the applauding had stopped.
"Ron and Hermione wanted to dedicate this next song to Harry and Ginny for always being there for them." He said as Keep Holding On by Avril Lavigne started playing. There were a few more dedications to their parents and then Ron's brother's and his wife, even Tonks and Lupin. Finally they got to the salsa song that they had dedicated to Neville and Luna. Ron and Hermione joined the crowd on the dance floor.
It was time for toasts so everyone had a seat. The food would be delivered after the Best Man and Maid of Honor made their toasts.
"I've known Ron and Hermione since we were eleven." Harry began. "I have witnesses that can testify to say that they didn't like each other very much at first." Everyone laughed, even Hermione who looked like she wanted to cry. "But by the time we were twelve there was something starting there. I've watched Hermione and Ron's love grow from petty fights, to full-blown rows, and then they were finally together. I still hear the occasional row once in a while but I know that they're meant to be. So to an everlasting marriage that is bound to be filled with lots of love and fighting. I love you guys." Harry held up his glass and everyone drank to Ron and Hermione. Ron stood up to hug Harry and then Hermione did the same, with tears pouring out of her eyes.
Ginny began her speech.
"I've never thought of my brother Ron as the sharpest one and neither did a lot of other people." Everyone laughed but Ron. "I can safely say that he's grown out of that stage when he made the decision to love Hermione. I have never seen him happier, more fun to be around, or even dedicated to something so passionately than when he's with Hermione.
"And Hermione has been my best friend since before she and Ron decided to get together. She was a very studious person and… pretty much a workaholic. But now she's happy and for the most part easy going. Basically the point I'm trying to get at is that these two bring out the best in each other and Hermione I'm so happy that you married my brother." Ginny had tears coming down her cheeks as Hermione stood up to hug her. Ron followed and thanked Ginny as well.
The night was coming to an end quickly. The cake had pretty much ended up on their faces everywhere but then again they enjoyed cake the most that way.
Everyone was having a great time dancing, laughing and being in the presence of the newly married couple. As the hour grew later Ron pulled Hermione away to another part of the beach, only lit by stars.
"How are you feeling?" He asked her. She seemed to be thinking.
"Happy. Really happy." She decided. "It happened. It really happened."
"Yeah, it did." Ron nodded. He took her hand and pulled her toward him. He then put his arms around her and held her tight. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers softly. "It's different." He said. "I can do that whenever I want."
"You could have before." Hermione said but she too knew that there was a difference. Ron nodded.
"Yeah but you're my wife now." Hermione smiled and felt giddy as he called her that.
"True…and you're my husband." She said, trying out the words. Ron smiled and leaned in to kiss her again. They stumbled on the sand again and both fell back. Hermione fell on Ron. "You're my husband now. It's you and me, this is the kind of forever commitment that is well…forever." She took a deep breath. "Are you really ready for this?" She asked. Ron kissed her again.
"Look inside your ring again. It says Always and Forever. I'm in it till forever…with you." Ron said. Tearing up again Hermione kissed him again and they turned to stare up at the stars in the sky. "This is how I want to spend forever." He whispered. "With you."
"Always." Hermione whispered, resting her head against his shoulder. With their fingers intertwined and the loud wedding music echoing in the dark they were with each other and now in a marriage. When they left for their honeymoon the next day or went off to Paris, they would always have each other and this moment under the stars.