"You look absolutely gorgeous," my mother says as she gives me a hug. There's only a few minutes left before the wedding begins and I'm just a bundle of emotions. It takes everything I have in me not to cry and ruin the beautiful makeup that Christina and Coraline have done. My mother cries in my place, attaching the veil to my hair. I look at myself in the mirror and can't believe that it's me. My hair is in a curled bun with a few strands left to frame my face. My makeup makes me look flawless; it's more natural than the usual Dauntless style with only a few hints of color in the eyes and lips. The dress still looks just as perfect as it did when I first put it on, albeit with my stomach pushing forward a little more than before. But the way it's designed, I barely notice. The only jewelry I wear is black gold in my piercings and my engagement ring.
"Thanks, mom," my voice catches as I struggle not to start crying.
"I love you," she says, giving me a kiss before exiting the room. I take a deep breath and get ready. I'll probably be called soon.
"Alright, it's time," Coraline says as she comes to get me from the room. She looks stunning in her dress with her hair similarly done up. I hug her as I try to comprehend exactly how much we've gone through together.
"Your bouquet," she says with a smile and hands me the collection of orchids and lilies secured by white and black ribbon.
"Thank you." I want to thank her for the bouquet, for her planning, for her friendship, for everything.
"Anytime," she says with her customary smile and we finally exit the room together.
Everyone's already lined up and waiting to walk forward into the middle of the Pit. It's weird to see our two worlds together, mine on one half and Eric's on the other. Most of them are fighters, all shirtless just like he is supposed to be. I hear 'A River Flows in You' begin to play and the first pair moves forward: Lynn and Trent. I watch the pairs go one by one until the only ones left before me are Coraline and Four. It really did surprise me when Eric decided to have Four as his best man. They have grown closer since the attack, it seems. They're still as competitive as ever, but the hostility has left completely. I wonder if they could have always been this way, had they started off on better footing together. Coraline and Four start to walk and I wait for the change in the music that will signal my turn. I hear 'Falling Slowly' begin to play and I move forward. I wanted this song so much. Even if the lyrics won't be playing, it still speaks to me:
I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
It's the way it all started; we knew nothing about each other but fell into each other so fast. We lived as if our time had run out, only to find that we really would have a lifetime. And now, I slowly move down the aisle towards him to guarantee it. I move for the man I wanted to be mine: Eric.
I take in what's around me for the briefest moment. The black aisle that I tread on, the black chairs that everyone sits on; I still don't know how Dauntless has so many. The dark streamers and flowers that decorate the whole of the Pit; it took from eight in the morning yesterday until a few hours ago to set all this up. I see the smiling faces of Dauntless I don't know stare at me with nothing but congratulations in their eye. They're all in their best: tattoos and piercings brazenly showing, hair bright and wild. I do spot a dot of red in them; Jaya. She may be attempting an insult but I don't care. She doesn't matter today; this is my time.
I focus my attention completely on Eric. I see him, waiting for me at the end of this aisle that seems to go on for an eternity. His smile is as bright as the sun itself and it illuminates my path. I can see nothing but him now; I don't need to anyway. He's all that matters at this moment. I just have to reach him. I travel further up the aisle and I can't help but notice the familiar faces in the sides of my vision. Andrew and Natalie in a grey suit and dress respectively, smiling and bowing as I pass. Johanna Reyes beside them in a red and yellow dress that makes her look absolutely beautiful. Cara is next to her in a blue dress, beaming. Then Jack Kang is next to her in a black and white suit, all smiles. Next to him is Harrison, shirtless like many others in attendance and grinning like the boy he is at heart. I pass the next row where Alex and Uriah are; they're both close friends, but closer to me than they are to Eric. Uriah whistles as I pass by and I have to stop myself from laughing. I come to the last row and there's my mother on one side and Varro is on the other. My mother looks wonderful in her loose blue dress and is still shedding tears from earlier. Varro is in tight Dauntless black, his eyes shining with a grin on his face. Eric was right to ask him to stand in place of a parent. He is family and I'm so happy to have him here.
I finally reach the raised platform that Eric is on go up the steps to join him. We stand under the black arch decorated with more orchids and lilies. Our groomsmen and bridesmaids flank us on either side, lined up so that they curve down the steps. Tori is beside us, smiling in her long black dress. Eric and I look at each other and we each smile, waiting for Tori to have everyone sit. He really looks so amazing right now; I'm fairly sure he had his tattoos retouched for today, because they're practically jumping off his skin and they look more mesmerizing than usual. His piercings are all black gold, matching the ones I wear. He may not look too different from usual, but he still looks like a god to me.
"Take your seats." I'm surprised at how quiet everyone's stayed. There's some whispering going on, but it is, for the most part, silent. I would never have expected such a thing from Dauntless. I hand my bouquet to Coraline and take Eric's hands. They're so warm and strong; toughened by months at the gym. The fingers long, easily enclosing mine. They feel like they were made to go together with mine.
"Welcome everyone to the union of two of our bravest Dauntless, Audrey and Eric," Tori says, "They've amassed the courage to take the next step in life and join in matrimony. It takes bravery to pledge yourself to a person and know that they'll forever hold a part of you with them. And that bravery is fueled by love. A love that burns in your heart stronger than any fire man has ever seen. As they come together, they'll each let go of their pasts as individuals. They'll also have to go through a future that will at times seem like heaven and others like trial by fire. Their first trial is here." At that, we're lead over to another platform that has been split in half by a pit of flames. Dauntless tradition has the couple jump over to represent how they'll overcome all trials together. I find myself sighing with relief that the flames are low, otherwise the bottom of my dress might catch.
"Ready?" Eric says with a smirk as we stand a few feet away from the flames. I nod and we take a running start together. At the last second, Eric lifts me up and jumps and we're over to the other side. I can't help but giggle at him; this isn't what we rehearsed, but I'm much happier with this. The guests erupt in cheer; they slowly die down as we walk back to the arch. I take these moments to relish in the fact that we're almost officially married. There's only two more steps after this.
"They'll also find that their love has to be treated like a fire. It has to be tended to and taken care of. Fed not by coals, but by action; by what you each do together each day. If neglected, it will burn itself out. If fed, it will grow and keep them warm even on the coldest of days. Now, they will make but a small shadow of this fire and spark a flame together." She brings forward a bowl full of coals and presents each of us with stones, just like the earliest of our ancestors once used. I know that the coals have been utterly soaked in lighting fluid, but I can't help but feel a little nervous; I don't believe in superstition, but it's supposed to be bad luck if you can't light it on the first try and I want everything to be perfect.
"On three," Eric says, his smile giving me reassurance, "One, two, three." We strike our stones at the same time, causing sparks to fly. The bowl is immediately engulfed in flames; we did it. I smile as I watch the flames dance. The bowl is moved out of the way and now there's only one thing left to do.
"Finally, the couple will now exchange vows and rings." Four takes the rings out of his pocket and gives them to us. They're black gold with fire etched into them. They may not contain jewels, but the flames match those of the engagement ring I wear. They're absolutely beautiful.
"I, Eric Matthews, hereby pledge myself to Audrey Kilbourn. I will love her and protect her. I will always stand by her and never back down in cowardice. I will face every day of our lives together with bravery and know that no matter what I am never alone for we are one." The warmth in his eyes is all the promise I need. My heart flutters beneath my chest as it takes in every word and spreads it to the rest of my body. He slides the metal band up my finger. Once on, I feel absolutely complete in every way. I am his now.
"I, Audrey Kilbourn, hereby pledge myself to Eric Matthews. I will love him and protect him. I will always stand by him and never back down in cowardice. I will face every day of our lives together with bravery and know that no matter what I am never alone for we are one." I speak through tears as I deliver my vows. I didn't want to, but I can't help it. I'm speaking words that have never been truer. I take Eric's hand and slide on his ring. I feel even more tears come, because this is it. We're officially husband and wife.
"I now declare you two husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Even Tori has some tears in her eyes now. She steps back as Eric and I close what little distance was between us. He laces his fingers with mine and kisses me; this is easily the best kiss I have ever received from him. Sweet and gentle yet somehow filled with passion. It takes me a moment to finally hear the applause of the guests who are all on their feet and finally sounding like true Dauntless. They're so loud I can barely hear 'Sweet Disposition' play for the recessional. I don't care, though, because Eric and I are heading back down the aisle, fingers still intertwined. I'm so happy that I find myself laughing as we go; I can't help but notice he is, too. Right when we reach the end, he takes me in his arms and kisses me one more time, eliciting louder cheers from the crowd. Then we disappear into the hall together to wait for the reception.
A/N: And they're officially Mr. and Mrs. Eric Matthews. Hooray! I love weddings :') Anyway, this one is a little shorter than usual, but I have some neglected homework to catch up on, but look forward to the reception! Also, poll for Eric's POV chapter will close on the 13th at 2pm so vote while you can ^_^