About twenty five yards ahead of me, I see him standing flawlessly. Dropping my jaw, I grip the tiny bouquet of thornless, yellow roses with both hands and begin to descend down the aisle. No fancy music, no happy, bubbly family members. Just Jasper and the priest, at least I think. A few nuns scurry to the other side of the steeple and are gone as I focus my attention to what lies in front of me: my husband and my future, basically my entire life. What I really try to focus on is walking in a straight line down the aisle. I've never worn high heeled shoes and I can't help but thinking I'll fall on my face in the next five minutes or so. Why am I so nervous? Oh wait; I'm getting married to the love of my life: Jasper Owen Callahan. It takes maybe ten minutes for me to reach the alter but I made sure not to fall in my dress. I look up at Jasper slightly before we begin. We both look good, considering the both of us bathed since this morning. He looks amazing in his dark pleated pants, new white tuxedo shirt, brown suspenders, newsies hat and his beautiful silver pocket watch. I wonder why we haven't started yet as I realize I look to the priest and smile, apparently he's gotten wrapped in the moment too. With that he starts his little wedding speech thing, though redacts some parts since no one's is technically here; except Sketch and Davey, who basically snuck up on us last minute. I think they followed us but I saw them turn away that night at the park, maybe a few days ago? A week? I got a little upset but Sketch said we needed witnesses to get married so I guess that's why they're here. At least the room isn't filled with a few dozen sweaty newsboys. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, I just don't prefer it.
I try to loose myself in Jasper's eyes, but how can I do it without tearing up? I can't even look him in the eyes knowing I'd cry a lot. Taking small glimpses of his face then, looking down at the roses, twirling them carelessly. I catch him biting his lip once and give him a smile. I wasn't really paying attention at all until the vows caught me off guard. Waiting for the: I, Ella take you Jasper. That never happened, well, not in that way. I forgot, we made up our own vows, and I really hope mine isn't that idiotic or weird, though I'm pretty sure I couldn't change it last second. Jasper catches me off guard as he caresses my hand as I look up at him.
"You look nice," he mouths to me. I smile at him and nod.
"You do to," I say, hopping the rouge wasn't too much. I never used make up that was home made, but I've never used make up at all. I just know how to make homemade perfume from flowers all by experimenting. Hype and Sketch told me how to make and use the rouge so at least I had an idea what it was. For special occasions, Sketch says and I don't blame her, the stuff to make it is a bit pricey. So yes, I taught them how to make perfume from flowers, they taught me how to make rouge. Not a bad trade at all. Tired of standing after half an hour or so, we finally get to the vows. My mouth starts hurting from smiling too much and at any second I'm about to cry. But I don't, Jasper cries for both of us.
"Ella," Jasper starts saying his vows, he looks in my sparkling eyes as I smile at him, whisking my attention from the flowers to his face. "I love you for your beauty, your intelligence, your kindness...and for the way you always know how to make me feel so special. So on top of all the other vows that I will make to you on our wedding day, I also vow to always appreciate how lucky I am to have someone who makes me feel the way you do and to continue to try as hard as I can to make you feel as special as you make me feel, forever and ever, and I can't wait to sell even more papes." I blush as he said the word papes, the preacher obviously surprised Jasper used slang in his vow but it doesn't matter, I loved every minute of it. I hear a squeal that wasn't from Jasper or I and we know its Sketch, I take a second to look over to them as Sketch is giggling red, happy for us as she dives herself further into Davey's chest. His arms around her, he smiles at Jasper knowing he did well. I turn back to face him as he does the same and I start.
"Jasper," I address him as I loom deep into his eyes. "You have been my best friend, mentor, playmate, confidant and my greatest challenge. But most importantly, you are the love of my life and you make me happier than I could ever imagine and more loved than I ever thought possible... You have made me a better person, as our love for one another is reflected in the way I live my life. So I am truly blessed to be a part of your life, which as of today becomes our life together. I love you a lot, and I always will."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the preacher exclaims enthusiastically. "Jasper, you may kiss your bride." Who is he talking too, I think. There are only five people in the room. My thoughts are instantly erased as Jasper goes in for the kiss, our one and only wedding kiss. I've had plenty of kisses with him before, but this one just felt different in a good way. For I believe the first time ever, I see a hint of gold in his eyes. Diving right in, his lips are soft and he has this love struck look on his face that just makes me blush even harder. The warmth of his mouth sends a slight current through my body as I desperately wrap my arms around him, making this possibly the longest kiss in my life. Just like that, I realize the kiss is over, becoming more aware of my surroundings I take a slight step back forgetting about the heels I topple slightly like a child trying to walk. I blame the dress. Jasper smiles at me and picks me up bridal style and with that; he waltzes out of the steeple.