Chapter 1-
A twenty-two-year-old Henry stared at his reflection in his tall, bedroom mirror, dragging a brush through his shaggy, chocolate brown, hair, attempting to make it a bit neater. He was startled about how much had changed since he was a horrid, eleven-year-old. He was taller, stood up straighter, was very slim, had stubble dotted around his face and his mum and dad hadn't used their famous catchphrase, "Don't be horrid, Henry!", for quite some time.
Henry was no longer horrid like he was when he was a stupid kid, who didn't know any better, (however, when he looked back, he couldn't help chuckling as he remembered how he had, tricked the tooth fairy and dressed up as the Dark Avenger and had stolen everyone's, Halloween treats). Nowadays, he wasn't exactly perfect, but he was still a nice guy. The same couldn't be said for his younger brother, Peter, though. Peter was no longer "perfect" in Henry's eyes, throughout the last, eleven years, he had turned into a manipulative, conniving, lair, however, his parent's still favoured him over Henry. Henry couldn't see what they saw in Peter anymore, he was nineteen, still living with his parents and couldn't hold up a job, because of his horrible attitude, yet, mum still called him her "honey-bun". Henry was glad that he finally had his own flat and was away from his dysfunctional family, something he had wished he had done a long time before.
"Right, I think I'm ready," Henry muttered, straightening his navy blue tie. He hadn't worn a tie since secondary school, but he had decided that he wanted to look respectable for the love of his life.
That's right, Henry had finally found his soul mate. Her name was Heidi Erika Mcreed, she was the best selling author, who lived in a cosy cottage in the countryside. Henry met her when he was feeling low, when his hamster, Fang and Peter's cat, Fluffy had passed away when he was eighteen. (He admittedly, hadn't liked Fluffy so much, when he was younger, he even let her get lost one time, but when he had grown older he had started to like her more. Fang, though, was one of Henry's best pals who he would never, ever forget).
It had been the night that Fluffy had passed, Peter was grieving, his parents were sobbing, so Henry had excused himself, wanting to leave them some privacy. He had gone down the pub, bought a beer and sat at the bar, feeling overwhelmed and heartbroken. But then, he saw her and his heart instantly warmed.
"Are you alright, love?" She had asked, sitting on the stool, next to him, "you've been looking really down, ever since you came in."
Henry blinked, taken aback that she had spoken to him. It took him a couple of seconds before he came back to reality.
"Oh, yeah, sorry, We've lost our cat today. I lost my hamster a few weeks ago, too." He muttered.
"I'm so sorry! I lost my dog a few years ago, it's terrible to lose a pet."
Henry nodded, before saying, "I know, and I'm sorry about your dog." He then asked, "If you don't mind me asking, what is your name?"
Heidi had blushed, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Don't laugh." She said.
"I won't," Henry promised.
"My name is Heidi, Heidi Erika Mcreed. I hate it."
"I don't. I think it's pretty." Henry replied, smiling warmly.
"Aww, thank you. What's your name?" Heidi asked.
"Henry. Henry Ezra Johnson."
"I like that," Heidi replied.
They had spent the rest of the evening chatting together, about their lives, their families, their interests, hobbies, etc. And by the end of the night, they declared themselves, boyfriend and girlfriend.
And now, from today, they were going to be, husband and wife.
A knock on his bedroom door pulled him away from his memories. He turned to see, his best friend, Ralph, formally known as Rude Ralph, opening the door and proceeding to stand in the doorway, crossing one leg over the other. He was dressed in a grey suit with a bright red tie, a small beard coating his pale chin and a beaming smile on his lips. He had got married, only a few months ago, to a woman named, Robin, who coincidently turned out to be Heidi's best friend. Robin was a bit on the crazy side, but still loveable and sweet. She had definitely helped to pull Ralph out of a drinking phase.
"Are you ready, yet?" He asked.
"Yup, I think so," Henry said.
"Good, because the car is here, to take you to the church," Ralph replied, smiling.
"I'm so nervous," Henry replied, as they walked out of Henry's front door.
"Don't worry, I'm here for you. This will be the best day of your life, trust me." Ralph assured him.
Henry saw his dream car on the driveway in front of him, a white, stretched limo, that his little eleven-year-old self could only dream of. He couldn't believe it, any of it. It had all gone so fast, he felt that only yesterday, he was that little boy, who hated soppy love stories and dreamt of the near impossible. But now he was a grown man, on the way to his wedding, in his dream car.
The car pulled up outside the church. Henry immediately peered out of the window, watching his family and friends arrive. He saw Brian's car, followed by Graham and then his mum and dad's car, which made his stomach do a summersault.
"Worried about facing Peter, eh?" Ralph asked, placing a hand on Henry's shoulder.
"Uh-huh. I know he'll say something judgemental." Muttered Henry, folding his arms.
"Well, if he does, then ignore it. You two are grown adults now, Henry, you can't keep fighting like cat and dog for the rest of your lives."
Ralph was right, both Henry and Peter needed to put their childhood rivalry behind them, it was time to grow up.
Henry nodded, thanked the driver and got out of the limo, Ralph right behind him. He approached his family's car, straightening his suit and tie.
"Hello, Henry!" His mum called, holding out her arms to embrace him.
"Hi, mum," Henry said, hugging his mum in return, breathing in her familiar scent of blooming roses.
"I can't believe this day has come. Who would've thought it, all those years ago, when you where Horrid Henry?" His mum chuckled, "we are so proud of you, Henry."
Henry felt as if he had just been crowned king, his parent's had finally admitted that they were proud of him! He couldn't stop smiling.
"Hello, son." His dad said, embracing him, "are you a bit nervous?"
"A bit, but hey, Heidi is the love of my life, what could happen?" Henry shrugged.
"I still can't get over how sweet you two are together, you make a perfect couple." His mum cooed.
"Thank's mum."
Peter reluctantly got out of the car, his blue earphone still dug in his right ear. He gave Henry a small wave, wearing a grumpy lour across his face.
"Hi, Henry." He mumbled, clearly jealous.
"Hey, Peter." Henry smiled, warmly, deciding not to get agitated.
His mum gazed at her watch and almost gasped when she saw the time.
"You better go in, Henry, the wedding will be starting soon." She said.
Henry looked down at his watch and saw that his mum was right.
"Alright, I'll see you later! Wish me luck!" He called, running towards the church.
The music began, Henry's heart pounded in his chest, he felt so nervous. He was standing beside the vicar and his best man, Ralph. He looked down the aisle, watching as little Vera walked down the aisle, holding a bunch of red roses, looking adorable in her white dress and dinky shoes. Henry couldn't help smiling, giving her a small wave, which she returned. Thank goodness she didn't vomit anymore.
He then saw her, Heidi, coming towards him. Her brown hair was done up in a fancy top-knot, her vail trailed behind her and her pearl- white dress, swayed slightly as she glided down the aisle. She gave him a smile, shrugging her shoulders, before taking his hand, turning to face him.
"Dearly beloved," the vicar began, "we are gathered here today to join this man, Henry Ezra Johnson, and this woman, Heidi Erika Mcreed..."
As the vicar continued, Henry and Heidi stared at each other, smiling to no end, the rest of their lives were beginning here.
They said their values, shared a heavenly kiss and signed the book. They were officially married.
A new chapter was beginning for both of them, but no one said that it was going to be easy...in fact, easy was the opposite.
To be continued...
