Setting Out (Epilogue)

In the end, Violet's parents didn't dis-own her. They couldn't do that to their little baby girl. Jasper went back to university (along with Violet) and trained to become a journalist. Violet became a lawyer. When their training was done and they graduated, they moved into a house that they bought together, not too far from Tim and Rose. It had four bedrooms, all with en-suites. It was a perfect family home. They had been engaged for more than five years and decided it was time to have a proper wedding and get married.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The organ started up and Violet's stomach dropped. She was nervous and her hands were sweaty from gripping the bouquet to her chest. She took a deep breath, linked arms with her father and they pushed through the doors. Everyone turned around to look at her, and she was blinded by camera flashes. The hall was full to the brim; some people were even standing up. She took a second to check the decorations and saw that the hall was beautifully done up. Her eyes flicked from the ceiling to the front of the alter, where her fiancee, hubby-to-be was standing.

A grin lit up his face and her heart soared. He looked so handsome in his suit, with his hair sticking up. He had refused to gel it down. Instead of Violet being angry, it had just reminded of another reason why she loved him so much, he had a lot of stubbornness. She remembered the image of herself she had seen in the mirror. She was wearing the most beautiful dress in the world. It was like it had been made personally for her. It was a white and a corset at the top then it flared out at her waist. There were little white and gold roses decorating it. Her hair was left down, waving to her waist, decorated with pretty little gold roses. She had looked insanely sensational.

The aisle was awfully long, Violet thought. She wanted to be standing next to the man that she loved, not being paraded to a room full of strangers. Finally it came to an end and she was at his side. Her father kissed her on the cheek lovingly and retreated to his seat in the front row, next to her mother. Violet turned to Jasper who took her hand and looked into her eyes. Violet couldn't help but beam at him before facing the Minister

"Violet Badeux and Jasper Brett, in presenting yourselves here today to be joined in marriage, you perform an act of faith. This faith can grow and develop and last, but only if you both decide to make it so. A lasting and growing love is not guaranteed by any ritual.
If you would have the foundation of your marriage be the devotion you have for one another, not just at this moment, but for all the days to come, then treasure the hopes and dreams that you bring here today. Establish that your love will never be blotted out by the common nor obscured by the ordinary in life. Faults will surface where now you find comfort, and admiration can be shattered by the routine of daily life.

Dedication, love, and joy can grow only when you nourish them together. Stand fast in that hope and confidence, having faith in your shared destiny just as strongly as you have faith in yourselves and in one another today. Only with this spirit can you forge a union that will strengthen and endure all the days of your lives."

"There was darkness for a long time and then there was light, and that light was you. Your love has given me wings, and our journey begins today. I pledge before this assembled company to be your husband from this day forward. Let us make of our two lives one life. I want you for today, tomorrow, and forever. I, Jasper Brett, take you, Violet Badeux, as my friend and love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know yet, in all the ways that life may find us."
Jasper placed the ring on Violet's finger.
"Violet, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God"

"I, Violet Badeux, take you, Jasper Brett, as my friend and love, beside me and apart from me, in laughter and in tears, in conflict and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself, loving what I know of you, trusting what I do not know yet, in all the ways that life may find us. I have dreamed my whole life of having someone as wonderful as you love me the way you do. I give myself to you as your wife, and I promise here to treasure for all of my days the love we celebrate today. Let us bring together our lives and find ourselves anew each day."
Violet placed the ring on Jasper's finger.

"Jasper, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God."

"With this statement made of love and trust, which we have just heard, I now wish you to greet Jasper and Violet as husband and wife.
May this day shine eternally in your lives.
May it add brilliance to every achievement and cast a divine light over any misfortune.
May you care for each other in all sadness.
May you give cheer to each other.
May you give vitality to each other in all undertakings.
May all that is virtuous, beautiful and honest, remain with you always."

The minister placed Violet's hand on top of Jasper's and bowed his head. Violet was crying. They turned to each other. Jasper wiped her tears off with his thumb and brought his mouth down on hers. The kiss was so sweet that Violet never wanted it to stop. But someone in the crowd coughed in embarrassment and she had to dis-entangle her hands from his hair.
Jasper rested his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes.
"I love you"
"Forever and always" she whispered back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*
"GAZELLE!" Violet called.
"Yes mummy?"
A little girl about five years old came running into the house. Her hair was twisted up into a loose bun and her cheeks were flushed. She had big deep purple eyes, bow lips, tanned skin and long chestnut brown hair. She was Jasper and Violet mixed into onto one. Violet fell in love with her little face every time.
"Where's your sister?" she asked while rubbing some dirt off her cheek.
"She's gone to the shop with daddy" gazelle smiled.
"For what?"

"SWEETS!" Gazelle shrieked and ran outside. Violet smiled. Her children were sugar mad. Her eldest was seven. Gem was beautiful. She had icy blue eyes, long brown hair, and full lips. She was another mix of both her parents, just with more outstanding features. Both Violet's kids were beautiful, and her and jasoer were so happy they had been blessed so much.
Speak of the devil she thought as Gem came running in. She had two carrier bags.
"Hi mum" she said and dumped the bags on the kitchen table. As Violet suspected, they were full of sweets. She hugged Gem then stood up when Jasper wrapped his arms round her waist.
"Hey babe" he whispered against her neck.
"Hi"

She turned around and kissed him, laughing when Gem squealed and ran out the room.
"How mature the kids are growing" Jasper chuckled sarcastically. Even though it had been nine years, Jasper still looked incredibly young for his twenty-nine years. So did Violet for that matter. They put it down to good genes. Violet couldn't believe how much her love for him had grown, and he told her it was the same for him. They had the perfect relationship. Jasper put his hands on Violet's round stomach.
"How little Malachi coming along?" he breathed. Violet laughed and covered his hand with hers.

"How many times? It might not be a boy Jas (pronounced Jazz)"
"I know it will be. It's about time" he laughed and kissed her forehead.
"Sexist freak" she swatted his arm. He shook his head and pulled her into a hug.
"Oh well. I have three gorgeous kids and the sexiest wife in this whole street. What more could I want?"
"A shower" Violet wrinkled her nose and shrieked as Jasper tickled her ribs.
"You're gonna get it now!" he called, as she ran outside. Her daughters looked up and joined in the laughter.
"Oh yh?!"
"Yeah! Tonight!" he winked. Violet grinned.
"Oooh! I can't wait!"
"And you say I'm the craving one?!"
Gem and Gazelle fell on Jasper and Violet slipped inside. She was exhausted, but she was grinning and chuckling to herself as she turned the TV on. Her life was perfect. Like Jasper said; what more could she want?