I stood there staring at myself in the mirror while Nudge, Ella, and my mom, Dr. Martinez, fervently hemmed the bottom of my white gown. Yes, I said white gown. Today is my wedding day. I know, I am surprised as well. The man that I will soon see at the alter is a man whom I love. He is funny, charming, and most of all he accepts me for who I am. Thing is, it isn't Fang.
He and I had this horrible falling out and haven't spoken since. In fact, no one in "the flock" has heard anything from him since that day. We are all convinced that he doesn't want anything to do with us. In fact, he doesn't even know that I am getting married. Even if I did know where to find him, I don't think I would have invited him. Something tells me he would not be accepting of the situation.
"Max, You know I love you and I support you in everything you choose, but are you sure that He is the right one? Are you positive that you are ready to tie yourself down?" my mother asked me. The truth is, I really am not sure, but I have been dating the guy since I was younger but I just don't know. It doesn't feel right. Most of the flock knew that thought. They knew that deep down I wasn't sure about marrying Sam. I didn't know if I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this guy. We had been dating for quite a while but part of me didn't want him. Part of me wanted the only person in the world who refused to speak to me... I pushed those thoughts aside though and reminded myself that I was going to go through with this. Sam would be my husband and I would forget about him...
"Yes, mom, I'm sure. I've been with him for quite a while. I want to do this. I trust him more than anyone in the world," I told her although I avoided her direct gaze. Nudge gave me this look like why-are-you-lying-to-your-own-mom. I ignored the stare on her face and turned my attention to the mirror to exam their job at fixing my wedding dress. I was glad that Nudge had grown up. Used too, at my little comment she would have said something about my lie, now at nineteen she kept her mouth shut. Not all the time of course, but she didn't talk our heads off like she used too. Life was so different now. We where all growing up. Iggy and Ella got married last month, so he became my brother in law.
"Okay, Max, honey, as long as your-" Dr. Martinez began. She was quickly silenced by a young women about my age bursting through the doors violently.
"Guests are arriving!" Thorn ran into the room gasping for breath. I smiled at her. Thorn was a newer member to our flock. When we were fifteen she ran into us over in France. She, like us, was a bird-hybrid. But something even more astonishing about her, she was approximately thirty seven minutes older than Fang, making them twins. Their hybrid blood came from the same bird and their human blood came from the same women. Fang went into shock and wouldn't talk to anyone for weeks when she first joined. I smiled at the memory. Since then Thorn and I had been attached at the hip, or wing, whichever you prefer. She now was my maid of honor. And was engaged to a guy named Ryan, also hybrid.
"That's what wedding guests do, the arrive." She scowled at my sarcastic comment. "We're almost done here anyway. All we have to do is apply my jewelry. How is Carlie's dress?"
"Everything is going well Sargent Sarcasm. Don't worry about it. Gaz and Ig are decorating the limo as we speak. Carlie's dress fits beautifully. It's all going according to plan!" Thorn rushed out with a smirk on her face. "Stop worrying about that stuff! It's your big day! I can handle it. Relax."
"Thorn, just because it's my big day, doesn't mean you have to do everything. I know you want to help, but for now you just need to relax. It's fine. I'm perfectly relaxed, and Angel can keep everything under control. Ryan is helping, too isn't he? Now that he's dressed, I think we have it under enough control for you to take a break. Honestly, it's okay. I don't need my maid-of-honor to look like she just ran a marathon in the Olympics! So, chill and take it easy for a minute." I smiled up at my best friend. I was so relieved when she had stayed after he left... I remember when he took off that day I ran straight to her, crying- i know its weird I don't really cry- and begged her to stay. She had told me that she would stay with me for eternity than be alone with her bratty brother for longer than a few hours. I had laughed at that. "Mom, hand me the jewelry." I asked snapping out of my reverie.
"Okay, baby. We're all here for you if you need us. And remember, no one will hate you if you back out or change your mind." She hugged me tight for just a moment then handed me the diamond earrings and necklace that she wore on her wedding day. I found it funny how she always knew my true feelings. Even when I didn't even know how I felt about something, she did. I smiled at my mother, glad that she was there with me and then Jeb, my sperm donor/father figure came into the room.
"Can I talk to Max alone please?" he asked. I pleaded with my eyes to our audience to stay with me. He had done so much to make me approve of him and yet he still made me just a little bit uncomfortable. They all nodded at the instruction of my mother and parted company.
"Yes..." I waited a minute then added "dad?" It took a lot but I managed it. The moment I said that I could see that his barely restrained tears broke free and fell across his face as he wrapped his arms tightly around me.
"I want you to know that no matter what I've done to you in the past, and might do or say to you now, I love you and I always will. You are my daughter, and it won't matter if you never call me dad again, and never forgive me. I will always love you, and you will always be my little girl, and you will always be in my heart, and you will always have a place to stay at my home if you ever decide you want too trust me again or need ANYTHING. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I love you, and I'm sorry." It took him a few minutes too choke out every syllable through his tears.
"I love you too Jeb, and I will try. I make no promises though. You hurt me a lot all those years ago. But it will be okay. And I-I forgive you."
Authors Note- Alright guys I know a lot of you have read this story before but i'm going through and fixing it. I hope you enjoy my new version of it and appreciate my effort to revise this ENTIRE thing. Read and review and tell me what you think :)
