73 Vows

Dan chuckled as he saw her reaction. Then he tilted his head a bit and gave her a warm smile.

He cleared his throat and began speaking. "Midori Xiu, I once believed that the universe conspired for us to meet more than seven years ago. I could still remember the taste of the miso soup from your bento like it was yesterday. However, when I lost you six years ago, I wondered how I offended the universe because my world crumbled." He sniffed, fighting his tears as he tried to continue. "All the time I spend looking for you, longing for you...I was made to believe that they were all in vain. However, as I laid my eyes on you again several weeks back, I knew that every second I had to endure without you by my side is all worth it."

Midori was smiling brightly, but tears start to well up in her eyes. Some guests were also affected.

After breathing deeply, he continued, "I promise to love and cherish you. I promise to show you how I appreciate every moment, every second with you. I promise to stick with you through thick and thin, even if these will describe our bodies throughout the years. I promise to be always on your side, even if you will turn against me. I promise to do everything to make you happy and to keep what we have all the days of our lives. I loved you when we were young. I still love you today, and I probably will keep on loving you in the days to come. Right now...I thank you for agreeing to be with me again, and for agreeing to be my wife. I cannot assure you that our life will always be blissful, but I will be with you, even if you don't want me to, so be prepared." His bright smile and tears were just at the tip of his iceberg happiness. It was so great that it was unfathomable.

Midori helped him wipe his tears as she was crying herself.

Since this was a surprise for her, Midori's vow was spontaneous, but definitely coming from the heart.

"Dan, you shook my world about seven or so years ago, when you took your first bite from my bento. My defenses shattered like glass when you drank from the same cup as I did. We were indeed silly as kids. As I think about it now, I am not to sure how we ended up eating my lunch together everyday back then, when you obviously have the resources to put up an exclusive restaurant on campus."

She chuckled, then they both laughed. Some guests giggled, others were shocked on their history.

"Verdan Zhou, even if our names mean the same thing, the grass may not always be greener on the other side. We had overcome a lot since then, and this time, it is still uncertain how we will go from here. However, I thank you for believing in us, for not giving up on me. I promise to be your wife for the rest of my life. I assure you that I don't plan to become a divorcee in this lifetime. I promise to always be true to you, except when I need to surprise you."

They both laughed.

"I love you. I promise to support you as your partner. I promise to make and keep our house a home, whether with children or none. I promise that I will try my best to be patient, to be understanding, to all your needs and wants, whether they are reasonable or otherwise. Since I will have the right, be prepared that I will always claim you as mine and only mine."

As the exchange of rings came, Manta stepped up to approach them looking like a dashing little man, with beige suit, thin blush tie, brown oxfords and a brown briefcase, all proportionate to his size. He adjusted his brown round sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, mimicking an adult.

He keyed in a set of numbers, and the briefcase was opened. "Boss, here are the goods." he declared, looking at Dan.

Midori laughed at the sight. Her nephew is so adorable and is so into it!

The wedding bands were composed of a rose gold twisted vine band along half of which small diamonds were embedded, with a small marquise cut diamond, with one edge protruding out from the band at the center for Midori, while Dan's is a simpler rose gold twisted band embedded between platinum matte bands to form an 8mm wedding band.

The officiant made them repeat these words as they exchanged rings.

"With this ring, I give you my heart. I promise from this day forward, you shall not walk alone. May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home."

The officiant then said, "May you two find in each other the love for which all men and women long for.May you grow in understanding and compassion.And may these two rings symbolize the spirit of undying love in your hearts."

Then, the moment they were all waiting for came.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Dan took Midori's waist with his right arm. Then he swept away the veil that was slightly covering her face as he cupped her cheek. He kissed her, gently and slowly for much longer than people expected.

Applause from the small audience was heard and the ceremony was done.