Prologue

Melissa was a nervous weck. She paced back and forth; back and forth. SWISH! ... Her gown's train whipped around each turn like an alligator tail. SWISH! ... She clentched her ten-foot long veil and bouquet in one hand; the other had a corner of her gown. SWISH! ...

"Meli! Please calm down!" her childhood friend and considered sister complained. SWISH!

"What if he says no at the last moment!?" she cried. SWISH! "What if he realizes that doing the dishes is the deal breaker?"

"What the hell?"

"I'm serious Kate! He'll do the dishes out of love at first and then it'll turn into resentment and then he'll say: screw it! She not worth this!" SWISH!

"Are you kidding me?"

"NO!"

"That's it!" Kate stood up from her seat and grabbed her best friend by the arms and pushed her into the seat. "Look at me in the eyes before I bitch-slap you!" Melissa lifted her blue-green eyes to meet honey-brown ones. "You are five minutes from going down the aisle. If you don't believe me, believe your gut! Josh and you are meant to be together! Calm down and think rationally." Melissa nodded. "Do you remember your vows?" The youngest of the three flower girls came in, sucking her thumb.

"Meli?"

"What is it, Jessa?" the bride asked as the younger girl came over and gave her a hug. "Thank you. What was that for?"

"Don't be sad."

"I'm not sad I'm actually very happy."

"You will be."

"Why would I be sad?" Melissa pulse began to speed up and the six-year old's comment.

"I just saw cousin Josh get into his truck." Melissa shot out of the chair and ran out of the bridal parlor. She didn't register the bridesmaids shouting for her to stop. They followed after her; the sounds of heels clacking on the floor. Her heart was racing as she reached the sanctuary doors. It was getting hard for her to breathe. She threw the doors open and looked to the altar.

Eyes of shock and question fell upon her. The priest was nervously figditing with his robe. The groomsmen stood as still as statues – she stared at the empty spot; the spot that only one man could fill. The bridesmaids finally caught up with her. The forgotten bouquet that had been in her hand, crashed on the white carpet runner. Petals scattered everywhere. Tears glistened in her eyes as she fought to control her emotions but her tears spilled out, staining her pure dress with sadness.

She rushed up to the altar and stood in front of the priest, he lifted his head and forced himself to look into her tear-filled eyes.

"I am sorry, my child." He said as he tried to lay a hand on her shoulder, she jerked away and turned to the best man. She walked over to him,

"Jason… please…" She whispered. He hesitated for a moment before pulling a white envelope out of his coat pocket and handed it to her.

"He said to give this to you if he didn't show up…" Jason softly said. She slowly opened the letter and read it.

I did this to save you. Forgive Me.
- Joshua

A ring had been placed in the fold of the letter – her intended wedding band – she clenched the band in her fist. The priest gently tried to get her out of the sactuary but she refused to move. A scream escaped from her mouth and she fell to her knees, sobbing on the altar steps. Her mind tried in vain to rationalize what was going on but it fail. Nothing made sense. Choas filled the room. The wedding court created a barrier of safety for her against the well-meaning guests. She felt her body hyperventilate and fight for breath. Her head hit the floor as she passed out. The ring remain clutched in her hand.

Melissa bolted out of bed in a cold sweat,

"It was a dream, just a dream." She kept repeating to herself until she felt calmer. A silver chain spilled out of her nightshirt and her eyes fell upon the ring that was on the chain. The words 'Forgive Me' had been engraved into the interior of the band – the band that she had found with the letter. A roar climbed out of her throat and she threw her pillow across the room.

"No it wasn't! God-Damnit, it wasn't!" she yelled as she threw the other pillow and heard something break. Melissa forced herself to breathe as tears leaked out of the corners of her eyes. She watched them stain her sheets in the moonlight. A few moments later, she heard the quick patter of feet before her door opened.

"Mama? I was dreaming about Papa and then a noise woke me up." a meek voice whinned.

"It's ok, Steven. The lamp broke, that's all." He seemed unconvinced, "Come here." She patted her bed and the little boy joined her. He curled up next to her and she held him close to her. He listened to the comforting sound of his mother's heartbeats. He soon fell back alseep.

"So was I." She whispered into the darkness.