"It has been a while Nikki." Max smiled as he opened his arms for a hug. Not a second after he opened his arms, Nikki practically flung herself at him, nearly toppling the two of them to the ground.
"I didn't expect to see you here!" She exclaimed as she looked at him, still in his embrace. "How have you been? Doing big things? Life treating you well?"
"Well, nope, and I'm getting by." He quickly answered her questions. "Its strange to be back here like… like its surreal to see the gang after so long."
"Aww, feeling nostalgic?" She teased, flicking his nose before breaking free from the hug. "Don't tell me the years away from camp you've grown soft!"
"I haven't grown soft!" He defended himself, smile on his face. "Sure, the years have gone by, but I have not softened up." Putting his hands on his hips, he chuckled. "I would've never expected you to be wearing a dress!"
"Yeah… not my first choice of clothing." She rubbed the back of her head now. "If I could've, I would've worn something that allows me to move around faster." She groaned as she pointed at the black flats she wore. "These do not allow me to run."
"Have to admit though, you look wonderful." He complimented her overall beauty.
"Oh! Umm…" A light shade of red slowly appeared on her checks, probably because Max and flattery never went hand in hand. "You look dashing as well?" She nervously replied, soon playfully punching his shoulder.
"So, anyone else David invite that we knew?" Max asked, knowing he had met up with all of the former Camp Campbell campers.
"I saw a few." Nikki said as she walked away. "If you follow me, I can tell you who."
"Lead the way." Max replied, catching up to walk beside her.
A short walk later, they were with the small group around David.
"So you've already met S.K., pish and posh next to him are Sasha and Erin." Nikki's stare landed on the two ladies, a small amount of hostility could be felt.
"Hello Max." Sasha greeted him with a dainty bow. She wore a black dress with a white floral pattern.
"Wonderful to see you here." Erin simply waved at him. She wore a dress almost identical to Sasha's but dress itself was white with a black floral pattern.
"Buzz cut here is Pikemen." Nikki pointed to a man in a military uniform.
"Corporal Edward Pikemen." He put his hand out, his cover tucked lightly in his other hand. "United States Marine Corps."
"Hi again?" Max put his hand out, to be met with an iron-gripped handshake, barely managing to hide the pain he was in. Once the handshake was over, he exhaled, remembering the times Pikemen had tried to annex Camp Campbell and all its campers into the Wood Scouts.
"Ah Max, you're back!" David's enthusiastically walked over to him. "Its almost time to start the ceremony!"
"And you want me to get the others?"
"Exactly!" David cheerfully replied. "Just send them to the amphitheater, everything's already set up!"
"Will do." Max simply put his thumb up as the energetic groom rushed passed him. He now turned to Nikki. "You want to tag along?"
"Sure." She smiled, walking alongside him.
As they both exited the mess hall, Max took this short walk as a chance to ask her questions.
"So… what have you been up to all these years?"
"Nothing much, just a few courses here and there." She simply said. "Probably not as interesting as what you've probably been up to."
"What do you think I've been doing these last few years?" He looked at her.
"I dunno, running an illegal gambling ring?"
"Well I'm sorry to disappoint, but I've been quite busy with classes." He shrugged, simply saying. "I want to do something in law."
"Straightened yourself out after camp? I certainly never saw you as one to be interested in law." She asked, somewhat puzzled by his interest in law. After all, he was one of the biggest trouble-makers from camp, with Nikki and Neil every step along the way.
"I didn't either, but I got interested sometime along the way." Max told a half-truth.
He certainly hadn't straightened himself completely after his time at Camp Campbell had ended, and his interest in law didn't just come on a whim, rather it was a path he had to think days and nights about. Years of living in a house where your parents are almost never around, and when they are, barely acknowledge you. He could feel tension in his upper back as he continued to think about the years of neglect.
"Max? You O.K.?" Nikki asked, he hadn't realized he stopped walking.
"Uh… yeah? Just remembering the many adventures we had here." He lied once again.
"I feel that." She smiled, seemingly believing his lie. "Good times."
They continued to walk in silence until the former campers were in sight.
"Ooooo look!" She excitedly pointed at the larger group huddled by the bonfire pit.
"Yo, we have a message from David." He raised his voice, getting the attention of his peers.
"Wedding is about to start!" Nikki announced cheerfully. "He said the ceremony is happening by the amphitheater!" Nikki's eyes practically glowed with joy.
There was collective murmur of agreement, and the lot of them got up from around the bonfire pit and began to head towards the amphitheater.
"Nikki!" Neil, with Tabii tightly clung to him approached the two of them. "Long time no see!"
"Neil and Tabii!" Nikki hugged the two of them. "Still the cutest couple at Lilac High!"
"I know riiight." Tabii got even closer to Neil, looking up at him.
"You guys went to the same high school?"
"Nope. I saw Tabii's post on IG way back when." She looked at Max. "Its not like one of those cartoons where your best friends live close to each other and have all their adventures throughout the entirety of their lives." She rolled her eyes with a wide smile.
"Wouldn't that be cool." Neil chuckled, now walking in the direction of the amphitheater.
"Come on Max!" Nikki grabbed his arm, beginning to pull him. "If we don't hurry, all the good seats will be gone!"
"Yeah, yeah." Max began to walk with Nikki, who was still tugging his suit sleeve.
The group of alumni campers got to the site of where the ceremony was to be held. There were many white folding chairs set out, some filled with strangers, probably friends from the town that David used to frequently visit. The first row was reserved for family, which was practically empty. The next two rows were for the alumni campers, and the remaining rows were for friends of the families. There couldn't have been more than forty seats set out.
On the stage was a piano, with the Quartermaster as the pianist. The Quartermaster himself looked the same as he did when Max was a camper, and wore the same clothing as he always did, with a red bowtie. Next to the piano was the alter, with the officiant standing behind the podium, and in front of the podium was David, standing there, probably taking in this momentous day.
"This row!" Nikki pointed at the third row from the front, taking a seat at the first seat in said row. "It's close enough so we can hear everything, but far enough so we'd be in the middle!"
Max simply went along with what Nikki said, and took a seat next to her. Next to him sat Neil and his girlfriend.
"Still quite the shock that David is getting married." Neil said, nudging his shoulder.
"Its even more shocking that Gwen accepted his proposal." Max chuckled.
"Shush!" Nikki whispered. "There she comes!"
Turning back, he could see Gwen, her face covered by a veil, standing next to a balding man in a grey suit who he could only assume to be her father. The Quartermaster began to play the wedding tune. Everyone rose, and shortly after that, the two walked down the aisle. As she got closer, Max could notice small golden flowers embroidered into the wedding gown. Once the two of them got up to the podium, the officiant began to speak.
"Please be seated." The officiant announced, everyone taking their seats. "We all have the great honor and privilege to celebrate the relationship of David Sycamore and Gwendolyn Cooper." The officiant paused, giving a warm smile to them both. "Today we are not just friends and certainly not just wedding guests, no, for every one of you have played an important role in their lives." The officiant now turned to Gwens father "As the father of the bride, are you ready to give Gwendolyn away in marriage to this man?"
"I am." He announced, voice deep but raspy. He proceeded to hug Gwen, and then take his seat in the front row, which was noticeably empty.
"Marriage is the first and most important step in your lives. With this step, the two of you will start a life where you will not have to face your problems alone, whether those problems are paying the bills are the end of the month to running a summer camp together."
There was a collective chuckle from the crowd. Max himself grinned with amusement, remembering how his group raised hell at camp.
"Gwendolyn and David, though your love for one another your love for each other is clear, it is time for the vows, the promises that speak straight from the heart." The officiant looked at Gwen. "By tradition, the bride makes her vows first."
"Where do I begin?" Gwen nervously chuckled, her purple eyes staring into David's. "It's been ten years since I first met you, ten years of working here at Camp Campbell every summer, in those ten years, five years of us. Despite all my flaws and all of those times I tried to push you away, you always found some way to help me, when I felt lost, you had the map, and despite all the trouble I might have brought, you have stayed by my side through thick and thin." Her voice quivered with joy, and David's face got red. "I promise to stand by your side through success and through failure, to be the shoulder for you to cry on, and to be the one who can help you find respite from any and all issues that might plague you."
After a moment, David cleared his throat, and wiped a tear from his eye. "Gosh, that was beautiful, I don't know if my vows will top yours." He chuckled, his green eyes starting directly into hers. "Gwen, you are my better half. From being my C.B.F.L and to being the love of my life, these ten years that we have known each other has been the best thing that could've happened to me. I promise to love and cherish you every day, to be the one you can confide in, and to be the one whose embrace can help brighten up your world."
Once their vows had been completed, the officiant pulled out a small red pillow from the podium, on the podium were two identical rings. Both rings were gold with a thin silver band in the middle.
"It is time for David and Gwendolyn to exchange rings, a symbol of their commitment for one another." He now looked at groom. "David, please take Gwendolyn's hand and repeat after me."
As instructed, David took Gwen's hand with such care, and gave her a soft look of love, his other hand holding the wedding band.
"I give you this ring as a symbol of our love, for today and all days after this one." First the officiant spoke, then David repeated.
"Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day, and know my love is present even when I am not." Again, the officiant spoke, then David repeated. Soon the officiant gave a nod, David soon slipping the wedding band on her ring finger.
"Gwendolyn, please take David's hand and repeat after me." The officiant handed Gwen the wedding band meant for David. She took his hand and looked at him.
"I give you this ring as a symbol of our love, for today and all days after this one." First the officiant spoke, then Gwen repeated.
"Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day, and know my love is present even when I am not." The officiant repeated, and so did Gwen. Once the officiant gave her the nod, she slipped the wedding band onto his ring finger.
"Gwendolyn and David, you have professed your love by reciting your vows and symbolized your commitment by exchanging rings with one another, but there is one more affirmation that must be done before any celebration occurs."
Again, another few seconds of silence before the officiant began to speak again.
"Gwendolyn Cooper – do you take David Sycamore to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and to be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Gwen announced for all to hear.
"And do you, David Sycamore, take Gwendolyn Cooper to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and to be faithful to her as long as you both live?"
"I do." David announced with overwhelming joy.
"By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife, David, you may kiss the bride."
David proceeded to lift the veil, and before leaning in to kiss her, she pulled him in, kissing him.
All stood up to cheer and applaud for their union.
"May nothing stand in the way of your love!" Neil called out.
"Way to go David!" Max shouted out.
"Now you told yourself you wouldn't cry Nikki!" Nikki's voice cracked with happiness, eyes welling up with tears of joy.
"It is my great honor and privilege to be the first to present Mr. and Mrs. Sycamore!"
