"Where could she be?" Reid asked himself. He was standing in front of a church full of people. His family, his friends. And his bride was nowhere to be found. A young lady went to the back of the church to look for Mattie. She didn't find her. Reid tried his best to hold it in, but a lone tear slipped down his cheek. No one knew that she was at another wedding. Her and Justin's wedding.
It was finally the day of the wedding. Mattie was at the church getting ready to marry Justin. She was in her wedding dress, waiting for the veil to be properly adjusted onto her head. Finally, an hour later, she was ready to be married. Just in time to, because the wedding was starting.
Piano music played. Mattie walked down the aisle, alone. No father to throw her away. No one to give her one last word of encouragement before she became a married woman. But, nonetheless, she walked down the aisle, her head held high. The crowd of Justin's friends and family and a few of her friends stared at her in awe. All of her family was currently at her would-be wedding with Reid. She felt another pang of guilt, and all she wanted to do was turn around and run out of that cathedral. But she couldn't.
She arrived at the altar, ready to be married.
The priest began the speech. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this couple in holy matrimony…"
He went on, telling the couple when to speak, when not to speak, when to say their vows, but now it was the moment of truth.
"…Mattie Bell Daniels, do you take this Austin Shawn Jacobs, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, being poor or wealthy, until death do you part?"
Mattie stared deeply into Justin's brown eyes, him staring back.
"I do," she said, trying to sound happy.
"And do you, Austin Shawn Jacobs, take this Mattie Bell Daniels, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, being poor or wealthy, until death do you part?"
"I do," he said with a real happy tone.
"Than I hereby pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride," the priest said. Justin lifted Mattie's veil and kissed her deeply. The crowd cheered as Mattie walked down the aisle with Justin. At the doors, she told any single woman to gather around her. She tossed back the bouquet of roses, causing it to land in Justin's Aunt Elle's arms. She blushed furiously as she held the bouquet. How ever, Mattie didn't see. She climbed into the back seat of a limo, and was off to start her life with Justin.
Later that night, Mattie was on a cruise ship that would take her and her new husband to Miami, Florida for their honeymoon. She was in the honeymoon cabin with Justin. He was pouring a glass of wine for himself and one for his new bride. He moseyed towards her; She giggled at the site of him. He handed her the glass, they did a little toast, and they shared their first drink of wine as a couple.
"So, miss Mattie Jacobs, what is our first order of business as husband and bride?" Justin asked.
"I don't know, Mister Austin Jacobs, what do you propose?"
"How about…" he stopped.
"How about he what?"
He leapt onto her and tickled her furiously. She had changed out of her wedding dress, so she didn't worry.
"Stop… it…" she giggled as he tickled her ribs.
"On one condition," he said.
"What?" she pleaded.
He stopped tickling her. "You let me take you now. I've been waiting three long years. I think I deserve a break, don't you?"
"Oh, I don't think you'll be getting anything from me tonight," she said seductively.
"And why not?" he asked. She rose off the bed.
"Because, you'll… have to catch me!" she exclaimed. She ran out of the room. Justin chased her through the hallways. She darted between the crowds. At the very front of the boat, she stopped. Justin caught up to her and put his arms around her waist.
"I love you," he whispered into her neck.
"I love you to," she whispered in return. He suddenly boosted her up onto his shoulder. She lightly pounded her fists into his back as he carried her.
"Put me down!" she commanded, trying to keep a straight face. She didn't succeed.
Justin carried her back down to the honeymoon cabin and put her back down onto the bed. "I caught you."
"I know. Hello, you carried me here!" Mattie giggled.
"I know," he said. He started to gently kiss her. She kissed back, not knowing what else to do.
"I love you," he whispered into her neck. In only a few seconds, their bodies were clothing free. They were about to make love for the first time as husband and wife. She expected to feel pain, but felt none. This surprised Justin when he saw the pleasure in her eyes.