Emma's Point of View

NINE MONTHS LATER

I stood in the faint light of the setting sun, the gentle breeze blowing the hair away from my face, the fabric of my dress shaping to my legs. So much had happened in the past year. So many good things; so many bad things, too.

I'd lost my father. God, how I missed him. It seemed to hit me especially hard today - it had been a little over a year since he'd passed. Some days were easier but today, well - I'd cried most of the morning. He'd always been my biggest supporter - well, until Will. He'd almost seamlessly stepped into that support role, although he'd really been there for much longer than I was giving him credit for.

I'd faced my phobias head on, and for the most part had defeated most of them. There wasn't much that just repulsed me to the point of obsession anymore. I'd even been able to help my Mother clean up after Kelsey when she had gotten sick at Christmas. Trish was busy with Drew - she'd found out she was pregnant with him just days after Daddy's death. I knew that Will would have helped if he could have been there, and as I thought of him, my eyes filled with tears.

Will. Somehow every memory I had now included him. He'd been my rock for so long . I wasn't sure about many things in my life, but I knew one thing: Will Schuester had been a key part of my life, and I wasn't sure I knew how to survive without him in it.

I heard the footsteps behind me and turned to see my sister-in-law behind me. "Em, it's time."

Leaning down to Kelsey, I straightened the burgundy sash around her waist. "Yes, I believe it is."

I watched as she held her mother's hand as they carefully maneuvered down the wooden steps with bare feet. As Kelsey began to drop the rose petals that perfectly matched her sash along the sand, I knew it was my cue.

As I stepped into the cool sand, the memory of Will and I walking along this very shore came back into my mind. A sunset picture captured of what was becoming our blooming love - a passionate kiss shared in a rickety shack. And now…?

"Emma…you're breathtaking."

I turned to see Will - his khaki pants rolled at the cuff, and his white pullover untucked. A small red rosebud was tacked to his collar. "Are you ready?"

His smile melted my heart, and as I took his hand, I nodded. "You have no idea."

Slowly, we walked hand in hand toward the small group who had gathered there. I was so proud of the improvement he had made since the accident he'd had. The doctors had said he wouldn't walk again; his limp was barely noticeable now. My mother beamed at us as we came to stand in front of the minister.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we come before you today to join these two in holy matrimony." His words faded out as I looked deep into Will's eyes. The love that I saw in them caused tears to form in my eyes, and I smiled as he took both of my hands in his.

"Emma," I heard his voice crack slightly as his eyes began shine, the unshed tears meeting the rim. "It was right here - this very place - that I knew I loved you and wanted to be with you for the rest of my life. You were my friend first; someone I could confide in and trust with my secrets. But, as I got to know you, I realized that you were my purpose in this life. You bring me so much joy in just your smile. You give me hope for tomorrow. You make me a better man just by giving your love to me, and for that I will always be grateful. I promise to you here in front of all these witnesses that, although I won't always be perfect - I will be your rock in times of trouble. I'll be your protector in times of danger. But most of all, I'll be your husband - loving, honoring, and caring for you until I leave this earth. I love you, Emma."

I could barely speak as the full impact of his words left me speechless. "Oh, my precious Will." I felt the tears streaming down my cheeks. He smiled and laughed at me as he pulled a tissue out of his pocket and patted my face dry. "How do I even start to express my feelings for you? For so long I lived my live in a self-induced captivity, afraid to get close to anything or anyone. I was content to live my life in my own little bubble. That was, until you waltzed in. I remember one night - this is going to sound silly - when I was leaving school and saw you were still there working late. You offered then to 'take a stab at one of my problems' - and then you smeared chalk dust on my nose."

I heard the laughter from the group that was gathered, and I turned to look at them for a moment before focusing all of my attention back to the man who stood before me.

"That was the day I knew that we were soul mates - mainly because I didn't flinch when you touched me. From that day, I knew that my life would be meaningless without you in it. Yes, we've had our ups and downs - our highs and lows - and even a couple of big time blowouts, but I cannot imagine going through the rest of this existence on earth without you by my side. I almost lost you once, and I never want to experience that feeling ever again. You are my life - my love - and my everything, and I promise to love you until I breathe my last."

As he slipped the antique golden band on my finger, he lifted it to his lips, sealing it there for all eternity. "With this ring, I thee wed."

I did the same, slipping the thick golden band onto his hand.

We both turned back to look at the minister. "By the power vested in me by the great state of North Carolina, I now pronounce you man and wife. Will, you may kiss your bride."

Before his lips met mine, he whispered into my ear. "I love you, Emma Schuester, and I will until the end of time."

Author's Note:

Well, there you have it. Life in Focus has come to a close. I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your encouragement, comments, and friendship while I was writing this story. Without you, I would have never made it all the way through.

I almost forgot - links to wedding attire are available on my profile. Will's not in a tux...I hope that's alright!

Thanks for reading. I hope to see many of you in a couple of weeks, when I start writing my new, currently untitled fic - it's going to be AU, so while it will still be Will and Emma, circumstances will be a little different.

With much love to all of you, ~Jilly