Tears stung Max's eyes she twirled her engagement ring on her finger. So what if it wasn't real, he gave it to her. She looked up as the veil was put over her face hiding the tears of joy.
"You ready Max." asked Jeb and he hooked his arm in hers as the oak double doors swung open. She took the first slow step to the rest of her life with Fang. She glanced around at the hundreds of Flock supporters here with cameras and smiles to witness the wedding on the decade. Her wedding to Fang, the man of her dreams was finally happening. She looked up at him and their eyes locked in place her heart doing a flip.
When they finally reached the isle Jeb kissed her forehead and whispered "You and the flock did great. I never would have believed that I would be giving away my little girl at her wedding." Tears spilled down his face as he watched Max walk up and give her bouquet to Nudge to hold resting her hands in Fang's. The priest cleared his throat to begin.
"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to witness the holy matrimony of Maximum Ride and Fang Ride." The priest boomed out into the over crowded church, but neither Fang nor Max heard anything he said. Their eyes were locked and even though the room was crowded they were the only two people in it. Gazzy had to kick the back of Fang's leg to get his attention.
"Max, you're my princess, my heart, my light at the end of the tunnel. Without you I would be dead. Without you I would be without love. I am glad to be able to call you mine after all we have been through. You are my best friend, my partner, my soul mate, and soon to be my wife." Fang said letting the words flow freely through his heart. He poured his soul into his vows in an effort to make them even a fraction of what he felt for Max.
"Fang, with you I see all I am and all I can be. You take away my pain and you protect me with your life. You are all I need to have in my life. You are my best friend, my partner, and with you I know my future is bright. I love you Fang." Max said in a half whisper her eyes never leaving Fangs.
"Do you Fang, take Max as your lawful wedded wife, forever to hold, through sickness and in health, for better or worse till death do you part?" The priest boomed over the awing crowd of people.
Fang smiles and looked at Max like she was the only one in the world. "I do."
"Do you Max, take Fang as your lawful wedded husband, forever to hold, through sickness and in health, for better or worse till death do you part?"
She looked at Fang tears spilling out of her eyes, "I do." Max said firmly. Fang pulled her close, dipped her and kissed her softly and passionately.
"I love you Max." He lifted her up twirled her then set her down. They turned toward the doors smiling.
"You ready?" he asked tearing his eyes away from her and toward the doors to late.
A gun shot rung around the chapel the director was standing there with a gun in his hand. Everything went in slow motion as Max's body crumpled to the floor un moving. Fangs eyes went wide he sank down beside her.
"Max wake up..." Fang pleads, he can't help but to let out a cry as he pulled her crumpled body into his arms. Her ivory dress was soaked through with her blood as her eyes stared at him the life leaving them. She lifted a bloody hand toward his face. He grabs it and holds it to him. Everyone fades out and it becomes just them again as her heart beat fades slowly her breathing becoming shallow.
"I-I am…s-sorry." She manages to choke out laying her head against his chest while her eyes close. Fang looks down at his angel quickly dying in his arms as tears hit her cheek.
"Please don't leave me Max." He whispers his stone heart breaking at the thought of losing her. His voice was breaking with worry and love for the woman he held in his arms.
"I l-lo-love y-you." She whispered to Fang with her last breath going limp in his arms her head against his chest. Fang couldn't say I love you back in time, in fact he couldn't say or do anything except sit there holding onto Max as he watched the light of his life go out.