Disclaimer: I do not own The Fosters or any of the characters
Chapter 1. End of the World
Light bounced off the chandeliers of the church, and the fragrance of lilies filled air. Soft music played, setting the mood. Brandon looked into his bride's eyes. She looked radiant. Her eyes sparkled with emotion as she slowly began to repeat her vows, imitating the minister's lyrical tones. He, however, was shaking like a leaf. This was supposed to be the happiest day of his life. The beginning of forever. So why did it feel like the end of his world? He knew why. Someone was missing.
Then, a glimmer of something caught his eye, and he glanced toward the back of the church. It was her. The girl he couldn't let go of. She'd come after all. What had distracted him from the ceremony was the shimmer of her blue formal dress. Brandon's breath caught in his throat at the sight of her, as he watched her leave the back wall of the immense room and sit down next to his moms, looking slightly out of place, but so breathtakingly lovely. Seeing her there, he felt a sense of grief. After today, she could never be his again. And that thought killed him inside.
Suddenly, Brandon knew that he couldn't go through with this wedding. Maybe he'd known it all along. But only now was he ready to face it. He was about to marry the wrong person, and he knew that if he went through with it, he'd regret it every single day of his life. The realization pierced his heart like a knife, and yet a sense of peace fell over him, knowing that maybe it wasn't too late to change his fate. He turned back to his fiance. "I'm sorry, Talya. I can't marry you," he said. "This is a mistake. I'm in love with someone else."
He turned and raced down the aisle toward her, time seeming to stand still, the world stopping around him. A hush filled the building as what was happening registered with the guests. He didn't stopped until he reached her. She stood up, and he pulled her into his arms. "No, Brandon," she protested. "Don't do this. Go back to Talya."
"Callie," he said, out of breath. "I only want you. It's you I love. No one else." He drew her closer, kissing her deeply. Callie returned the kiss enthusiastically. She pushed her forehead against Brandon's, and they looked into each other's eyes, smiling. Those chocolate brown eyes. He loved them so much. He wanted to look into them every morning and every night, for as long as he lived. He lifted her from the ground in a full embrace, twirling her around. Callie was the love of his life, and this was where she belonged. In his arms, and in his heart. And he'd never let her go again.
Brandon woke up in a cold sweat, horrified by his dream, or nightmare, rather. His heart felt like it would beat out of his chest. Then, it hit him like a ton of bricks. This wasn't just a dream. It was an epiphany. What the hell was he doing? He couldn't marry Talya. She wasn't the one for him. She couldn't hold a candle to Callie. Knowing he wasn't going back to sleep any time soon, he picked up his phone, and despite it being three in the morning, he dialed Callie's number, praying she'd answer.
To Be Continued