Before the vows started, Emma took a moment to appreciate the mountain's beauty around her. It was tall and proud today, just like every day. It seemed to want to talk to you, to tell you all the stories that it held. It must have experienced lots of secrets too.
Olivia and John were holding each other close, finding comfort in each other as a little bit tore inside them. Grandma was already dabbing at her eyes, and Grandpa's face was unsually grave. John Boy was standing beside Marcia. The two high school sweethearts had become just friends after they had graduated, but still remained close. Jason stood beside John Boy, tears in his eyes, his guitar in his hand.
Ben was standing to Emma's right with Jim Bob. Ben had always had a close relationship with Mary Ellen. Erin held Emma's hand. Her palm was sweaty, as Erin tended to get nervous a lot when she was tense. Jim Bob and Elizabeth huddled together. Jim Bob's face was dropping by the second, as the idea of his sister getting married was too much to bear. Emma stopped herself, only know realizing that she was extremely observant.
Reverend Fordwick turned to Curt. "Curtis, repeat after me. I Curtis David Willard,"
"I Curtis David Willard,"
"Take thee, Mary Ellen Walton,"
"Take thee, Mary Ellen Walton,"
"To be my wedded wife,"
"To be my wedded wife,"
"To have and to hold,"
"To have and to hold,"
"From this day forward,"
"From this day forward,"
"For, better, for worse,"
"For, better, for worse,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"In sickness and health, to love and to cherish,"
"In sickness and health, to love and to cherish,"
"Till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance,"
"Till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance,"
"And thereto I pledge thee myself to you."
"And thereto I pledge thee myself to you." Curt finished, looking at Mary Ellen tenderly. Mary Ellen smiled wide, happily and contently. Emma knew in that moment, no matter how hard she was crying, she may have been 'losing' a sister, but she was gaining a brother.
Reverend Fordwick smiled at Mary Ellen. "Mary Ellen, repeat after me. I Mary Ellen Walton,"
"I Mary Ellen Walton,"
"Take thee, Curtis David Willard,"
"Take thee, Curtis David Willard,"
"To be my wedded husband,"
"To be my wedded husband,"
"To have and to hold,"
"To have and to hold,"
"From this day forward,"
"From this day forward,"
"For, better, for worse,"
"For, better, for worse,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"For richer, for poorer,"
"In sickness and health, to love and to cherish,"
"In sickness and health, to love and to cherish,"
"Till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance,"
"Till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance,"
"And thereto I pledge thee myself to you."
"And thereto I pledge thee myself to you." Mary Ellen looked up at Curt, love the only thing shining in her eyes.
"With the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Emma held her breath as Curt and Mary Ellen kissed sweetly but not shortly. She blushed at the memory of her kiss with Ben, and without knowing it, her eyes wandered over to him. He smiled at her. Emma got slowly redder at the thought that he had already been staring at her that whole time.
As everyone sat around the fire, Emma helped Olivia and Grandma pour the steaming hot coffee into mugs. All of the friends had gone home already and the family were alone, happily having fun. Curt walked over to where Emma was standing alone. "Hi. I can't help but notice that you've been unusually quiet around me, when you are normally relaxed."
Emma smiled. Trust a doctor. "I guess I'm just sad because, this is immature, but, I feel like she's leaving us for you." She admitted painfully.
Curt held back his laugh tactfully. "I understand. My only sister Vanessa, she married last year... and it's hard to describe the indescribable feeling of not wanting your siblings to grow up and to stay young forever..."
Emma smiled. "Thank you for understanding." She wrapped her arms around her stomach as Mary Ellen kissed Curt's cheek.
"Hey, what are you talking about?" Mary Ellen smiled.
"Oh, we were just getting to know each other better, honey." Curt kissed her cheek.
As John walked over, his forehead crinkled as he smiled. "Take good care of my daughter."
"Daddy..." Mary Ellen rolled her eyes lovingly.
"I will, John. I love your daughter." Curt kissed her sweetly, holding Mary Ellen closer.