"Are you ready honey?" I looked at my mother and then back at the mirror I had been staring into. I had never believed that at almost nine months pregnant I could look half this good. My hair was swept back into an elegant bun with a few carefully placed strands left hanging. The long white veil clipped onto the back of my head trailed onto the floor behind my silk dress.
"I'm ready," I said for the final time, standing up. The layers of material fell to the floor gracefully. My Mum gave me a kiss on the cheek, careful not to ruin my makeup, and opened the door for me.
"Mitchie! Oh my gosh you look beautiful! If I look half as good as that when I get married then I'll be pleased!" Caitlyn gushed.
"Thanks," I said nervously. Caitlyn looked lovely herself in a tight, rose pink dress that hugged her figure in all the right places. As my maid of honour, she had to look good.
"Well I'm going to take my seat," My Mum said, tears in her eyes. "The next time I talk to you you'll be Mrs Mitchie Gray!" I giggled, excited.
"I'll always be your little girl Mum. Even if I grew up a bit fast." I saw her eyes flicker to my stomach. Once they had got over the shock, my parents had been surprisingly alright with the whole pregnancy thing. They hadn't been too thrilled about me getting married at such a young age, but I agreed to wait until I was eighteen to marry Shane. Of course, they'd forgotten that I turned eighteen so soon and now I was only eighteen by a month.
"I love you Mitch, never forget that." I gave my Mum a tight hug and then she scurried out of the room before she could cry.
"Mitchie, your getting married!" Caitlyn squealed as soon as the door swung shut.
"I know!" I giggled. Before Caitlyn could speak, we heard the music begin in the next room.
"Ready?" She asked.
"Of course," I told her. Caitlyn grinned at me and handed my beautiful bouquet. I took it and then began the slow walk into the next room, the beautiful place we had chosen to get married in. Caitlyn carried the weight of my train for me and I held my head high.
As soon as I entered the room, I saw the thing my heart desired the most. My soon-to-be husband was standing at the front of the room and the moment I met his eyes, I wanted to run down the aisle and into his arms. I managed to continue walking at my slow pace but only because I knew I couldn't run in three inch heels.
Chloe, Lily, Hattie and Poppy walked down the aisle behind Caity in almost identical dresses. They threw soft rose petals and few drifted down in front of me. I could see Nate, the best man, watching us but he only had eyes for Caitlyn. Jason was sitting in the front row and couldn't take his eyes off of Chloe. The two of them had been official for about a month now and they looked so cute together.
I reached the front eventually and felt the weight of my train as Caitlyn allowed it to drop to the floor. Shane held out his hand for mine and together we stood in front of the huge audience of our friends and family members.
The vicar spoke for a few moments but I didn't hear a word he said. All I could think was that I was marrying the most wonderful person in the world, nineteen year old Shane Gray was going to be mine forever. Suddenly, it was time to saw the immortal words. I stared deep into Shane's eyes as he spoke, holding both of my hands in his. Then it was my turn and I managed to say the words without stumbling.
"I do," I said, tears of happiness in my eyes. My back ached and my stomach bulged out in front of me but I didn't notice. All I could see were the identical silver rings that Shane and I were sliding onto each others fingers.
"You may now kiss the bride," said the vicar with a soft smile. Shane took my hands in his and gave me a long, passionate kiss. Our friends and family cheered and I looked around with blurred eyesight.
The first person I was aware of was Caitlyn, dancing around in front of me. Then came my parents, my other bridesmaids and my family. People were hugging me and wishing me the best of luck as we moved slowly out into the beautiful gardens. Caitlyn soon disappeared to find Nate as did Chloe with Jason. As we were herded out into the glorious sunshine, Shane never let go of my hand.
We stood outside for about half an hour, chatting and drinking the drinks that the servants were handing out. I settled for a coke because I couldn't drink any alcohol with the baby due any day.
We were finally allowed back inside the building. It was a huge barn that had been renovated and was now an official wedding venue. Shane and I sat at the long table that had been placed along one wall. Caity and Nate sat to my left, Chloe and Jason on Shane's right. The rest of the guests filed in to their allotted seats.
We ate our starter, chicken caesar salad, and then the boys decided it was time for the speeches. Nate stood up, throwing me a sly glance, and banged a fork on his glass.
"Okay, everyone! I want to make a quick speech," I saw Caitlyn reading through the sheet of paper Nate had written out and laughing. I narrowed my eyes. "To start off, I would like to wish my brother and his new wife all the luck in the future," A few people cheered. "And also to say a few words.
"First of all, I want to congratulate Mitchie. Without her, Shane would still be the self obsessed jerk that he was three years ago. If he hadn't met Mitchie, he would still spend an hour every morning straightening his hair. When Mitchie walked into his life at Camp Rock that summer, nobody realised it would come this far this fast." I glanced at one of the front tables. My friends form Camp Rock- Peggy, Ella, Barron, Sander and even Tess- were listening eagerly. At the table full of Shane's family, Brown was smiling softly. "Everyone at Camp that summer knew that they were perfect for each other. Sure, they made a few mistakes, who doesn't? Shane and Mitchie are meant to be together and here they are. Shane is the best brother I could have. Now he's over the whole 'jerk' business, he's a decent guy. He cares about Mitchie more than he cares about his appearance, which is a serious achievement. It's thanks to you, Mitch, that I met Caitlyn so yet again, I am in your debt. Thank you Mitchie you are the best sister I could possibly hope for!" I blushed a bright red and looked down as people clapped and cheered.
The rest of dinner passed in a blur of speeches and food. I didn't know what we ate, I felt slightly light headed. I decided I was tired, after all I was supporting two lives.
It was suddenly time to dance. We didn't do the traditional first dance because of my stomach, we bullied Nate and Caitlyn into doing it instead. Shane and I sat on comfortable chairs watching as he squeezed me hand.
"How are you feeling, Mrs Gray?" he whispered to me. I grinned. That sounded so right!
"Exhausted but I've never been happier!" Shane smiled.
"Do you want to dance, just a little bit?"
"Sure!" I said happily as he pulled me to my feet. We bounced around a little bit and soon Hattie and Lily appeared to drag me into a group dance. I boogied with my bridesmaids for a few songs, laughing as they twirled around. Then came a slow song and Nate and Jason came to steal away Chloe and Caitlyn. Shane soon came to my side and took my hands. We swayed on the spot and he rested a hand on my stomach.
"How long do you think?" he asked me. I shrugged, feeling faint.
"Any day, you know that. I'd have got married ages ago but I did promise my parents it wouldn't happen until I was legally an adult."
"What a shame they forgot it was about a month until then…"
"Yeah, how sad." Sharp pain shot through my stomach and I doubled over in pain.
"Mitch?" Shane asked, instantly worried.
"I'm… fine," I said, my breathing spiked.
"Mitchie…?" Suddenly, a warm wet liquid trickled down my left leg.
"Shit!" I said loudly. A lot of heads turned our way.
"Mitchie, what's wrong?" Shane practically shouted.
"I think… I think my water just broke!"
xOx
"It's alright, you'll be fine!" Shane said again and again. I squeezed his hand so tightly I was surprised the bones didn't crack.
"That's it! I can see the head!" shouted the midwife. I screamed again.
"Push!" screamed everyone in the room. Caitlyn and Chloe were standing by the door. My Mum was standing on one side of me and my husband on the other. I pushed one final time and then everything went black.
xOx
"Mitch?"
My eyelids fluttered open to the bright white light of the hospital room. It took me about half a second to remember what had happened.
"Shane?" I panicked. "What-?"
"Shh!" Shane soothed me. "Would you like to see our daughter?" I nodded vigorously and felt something warm placed into my arms.
I looked down at my little baby girl for the first time and felt instant recognition. She had jet black hair, just like Shane but her eyes were the same shade of brown as mine. Her little mouth opened in an estimation of a smile and she seemed to fit perfectly into the crook of my arms.
"She's perfect," I breathed. Shane smiled at me.
"Just like you," he reminded me. I rolled my eyes and looked up. My Mum was standing nearest and my two friends were standing by the door, watching in awe.
"What do you want to call her?" My Mum asked after a moments silence. I looked down at my little baby for a moment then looked up at Shane.
"Whatever you decide is fine," he promised. I thought for a long time.
"Katie." I said finally. "Katie Chloe Gray, after my two best friends and the girls I hope will become her godmothers." I saw tears instantly spring to Caitlyn and Chloe's eyes.
"Of course we will!" Caitlyn said leaning across my daughter to give me a gentle hug. Chloe just nodded, wiping her tears discreetly.
For now, at least, I had my friends and family. I had my husband and my daughter, my friends were with me and everyone who was important to me was there. Life was great.
THE END
(Sorry if the whole giving birth thing wasn't very realistic, I'm not in the mood for writing long gory chapters and I'm only thirteen so I've never been there myself, duh)
That's the epilogue. I've had a few requests for a sequel and I'll write it as soon as I'm finished with Triple Identification. I missed this story so I wrote this. If you're reading my other story, I'm still working on chapter four of that- it should be up by Thursday at the latest.
I'll add an AN as chapter 11 when I post the sequel so nobody misses it.
Thank you to all of my faithful reviewers who have been reading every chapter of this within minutes of it coming out. I love you all!
~Spwarkle x