"Sweetie! You look beautiful!" She smiles, reaching for my curled hair, newly cut and hardly reaching my shoulders. I smiled back, my teeth still slimy from getting my braces of three days before. As Martha continued to fumble with my veil, I began to day dream, my mind wandering.
"You should be so excited! You should be bubbling over with Joy!" My best friend and moral support, "I know your mother is smiling from heaven. She should be doing this."
I turned to face her, my hazel eyes piercing hers, just as a twinge of the past shot me again. My bubbling joy was hindered by the memories of that night. My older brother was on call that night and when he arrived, the navy 2015 Volkwagon Golf had flipped and two bodies were covered feet in front of the car. Their accident found a drunkard steering his car in the wrong direction on an icy highway slope. Supposedly an exit, was the entrance for this 27 year old man, he was going nearly eighty on the frosty winter day. My brother is the only one who knows the full truth besides me, and Martha. My Grandparents, the only other living relatives died that night also, killed upon impact, due to their fragileness.
"Martha, I just wish Gavin could be here," I said as the finally OK'd that I was presentable for the photoshoot. It wasn't nearly half done and I dreaded the last few hours, because I knew that Linda, my fiancee's mother would come and finish my outfit. I mean, I can't show my fiancee,my whol outfit now, right? It'll wait 'till later.
"Come on Mitch, it's time for pictures." I gave her a soft smileas she reached for my hand, the short and simple dress giving a little push as the wind blew past the opened door. It was nearly three, the sun had found its peak and the garden in the back of the plot fit the quaint yellow house. Martha was so kind to let us use her and her husbands property.
"Martha, I wish Gavin were here." I whispered as I saw my lovers family gathered. His mother was not quite fifty, but age didn't seem to effect her image. She had beautiful blonde hair like her family. Next to her was her husband, Dave, the only brunette. His youngest son, James, his only daughter Sara, and last, Luke. The blonde angel who was to become my husband that night.
Martha gave my hand a squeeze, I smiled back at her, and when I looked back to my new family, I culdn't help but give a lumped smile. My throat, hardly allowing any air through. I reached Luke and gave hm a hug. A welcome.
"Gorgeous. Look at you!" Linda said, reaching my direction, swaying me away from Luke before I could reach his embrace. Once I was free from her clutches, I gave a hug to Dave, out of respect, and rested my hand of both, James and Sara's shoulders. I smiled at the two teenagers, they returned it with a grin. Sara unresisting a hug as she flung her arms around my shoulders.
He reached his hand out, guiding me into his hug. The shattering blue eyes reaching mine. As I went in for a hug, Luke smiled. I expected him to say, You look stunning. But instead he whispered...
"Turn around." So I spun, and next to Martha, in an ironed navy suit stood Gavin. I don't remember what happened next. All I remember was I was in his arms, tears streaming down my face, my make up smeared now looking like a football players relflectors.
"You're here! Oh my... Gavin... You, you-"
"Yes, My little Crow, I made it." his chin creasing with the huge smile, dimples forming. This was my brother, now 33 and a Corporal in the US Navy. "The last thing I promised Dad was, that I would walk you down the aisle."
"And now you're here." I choked, glancing back to Luke.
"Yes, I am here." then he reverted his eyes to the man behind me, "And this is Luke!"
"I am so glad you could make it Gavin." He smiled, extending a hand for a handshake.
"Thank you for inviting me," My brother said smiling, joy glittering in his eyes, bringing him now into one of those Bro Hugs. "Remember Dude, You fuck my sister up, and there's Hell to raise."
I stepped back, hesitancy crawled into my eyes, I guess both men noticed because at once I was in a group hug.
"I would never do that Li'l Sis, this man holds more respect than any man I know in the army." He looked into my eyes knowing that they genuinely were joking. My mascara smeared from crying over Gavin's arrival and the memories of the car crash three years ago.
"Mitch, Come on let's clean you up." Martha said, returning back into the room we began in.
"You knew that was going to happen!" I squealed, punching her soflty, "and you didn't tell me! We could have spared an hour of make-up prep!"
"Yes and now we are going to do touch up's in less than ten minures for photos. Then I think Linda wants to do some work." I groaned. I hate the process it takes to look nice. Once it's done however, the spite left.
The Wedding March played. Everyone stood. I looked at the tall figure next to me, he had a good foot on me. His brown hair re-combed, his uniform re-ironed, his smile truly genuine. He didn't have a wife yet, or a girlfriend yet, it was too difficult for his position. I started down the aisle. There was a grand piano sitting left of the stage. My Man wasn't at the end of the aisle. I frowned, Gavin squeezed my hand. Once the song ended and we had reached the end of the aisle, then I realized, Luke was where I could alwyas find him, behind the Piano, making love to the piano keys. Okay I just kidding, he doesn't make love to the piano, but he is, always playing it. And I love him for it.
"We join here today on the warm summer's eve to join the hands of Luke Johnson and Michelle Brewick in the hands of marriage..."
We joined the candles into one, romantic I know, he talked about how we are always going to be there for eachother, I assumed so. And then, our preacher, Dave Overman got to the part I was waiting for. My blue eyed lover across from me, holding, more like engulfing my hands within his. The sky blue color scheme emphasizing the beauty in his eyes.
"Luke Johnson, do you take Michelle to be your lawfully wedded wife?" He smirked.
"I do."
"And do you, Michelle Brewick, take Luke to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I guess so..." I started, bringing my strict face into the greatest smile. "I do!"
"Then I pronounce you, Husband and Wife. You may kiss your bride." and at that instace I found my body pressed against his, the not-so-tall husband of mine leading me along what happened to be my first kiss. I nipped his lip, his tongue finding mine. We continued to gently press our lips together, my eyes closed in ecstasy. So this is love I thought. As if he read my mind, Luke whispered.
"Love, Honey, will be what we find tonight." and I giggled, anticipating now, what he thought could be better than this.
Our family gathered for the traditional cake cutting, bride-father dance or bride-brother dance, and the groom with his mother. Later he played his piano for us, and our lovely evening came to a close.
Except, the end is always the beginning, right?
_At this point I will end the wedding shot.