Justin

I once had a nightmare that Denise and I got married.  This was right at the end of our relationship, and she was blatantly hinting that I better be getting her a ring soon, and I realized that suicide was better than spending the rest of my life with her.  The worst thing she could do was kill me, and since I'd already decided that was death was the lesser of the two evils, breaking up wasn't as hard to do.  I will admit to breathing a sigh of relief when she put the Rocky Mountains in between us.

It was the nightmare that prodded me into breaking up with her the next day.  In my dream, we were at this huge church, as a matter of fact everything was huge and oddly proportioned, and there was this priest standing about twelve feet tall demanding that I recite vows.  I was going to have to love, cherish, take out the trash, have children with her, play racquetball and spend the rest of eternity with her.  Then I looked out the windows and realized I was in Hell and that the place was starting to burn down.  Denise was beside me, chanting at me to swear to be with her forever, or else.  I woke up in a sweat realizing that there was no way I would ever make that kind of commitment with her.

It was then with great relief that when I entered the church where Denise was getting married, I was merely a guest, and not the groom.  The lady on my arm was dressed in pale green, not white, and I was infinitely happier with her than I had ever been with Denise.  As the usher led us up the aisle to our seats, I couldn't help but wonder what if she was in white and I was the groom.  It was an absolutely absurd thought; there was no way I was ready to settle down and get married, but when she glanced up at me, and I could see the same thoughts in her eyes, I was honestly not overcome with the urge to run away as fast as I could.

We sat down on the pew, watching the people fill the church.  I recognized a couple of other congressmen, and several high-ranking military officials.  I could feel Jhondie's hand tighten ever so slightly as one walked right past us.  Senator Martin was on one of the senators that decided how much money went to different branches of the government, and he dealt with a lot of military people for deciding which one of their requests was going to get the money.  They were only here to do a little sucking up, not to look for transgenics.

"Recognize him?" I mouthed to Jhondie, seeing her still tense.  She shook her head slightly in the negative, but was still eyeing them.  I put my arm around her.  There wasn't anything to be worried about.  At least I hoped not.

I leaned over and whispered to her very quietly, "I think you should be more nervous about what's in your purse."  She immediately smiled, and from the way she started shaking, I knew she was trying to choke down laughter.  Right before we left, she scooped up the pictures that we had taken earlier out of the drawer I had thrown them in, and tossed them in her purse.  I asked her why she wanted to carry them along, and she said that she didn't want housekeeping to see them and decide to keep one, and she knew that if left in a suitcase, it was more possible that a parent might see them.  Keeping them on one of us was the safest bet.

Jhondie relaxed a little more after that.  Nobody was here to get her.  Her hair was down and as long as Dad didn't mention that she had something special on the back of her neck, there was no chance of one of these military types realizing who she was.  The chance of there being someone here that knew about Manticore was slim anyways, but I guess Jhondie was always going to be a little uncomfortable.  I couldn't blame her.  Sometimes when she slept she would have nightmares about Manticore.  The things she would say…it was hard to imagine anyone doing those kinds of things to children.

The church started filling up quickly, and as more people came in, Jhondie was more at ease.  The people filling the groom's side were a source of amusement.  All of them were walking around with that "I'm better than you" look, the women giving each other air-kisses and the men smiling superiorly.  Denise was going to fit in wonderfully there.  I knew a few of the people on the bride's side, a couple of cousins and an aunt and uncle.

"What the hell are you doing here?" a familiar voice asked.  I looked over my shoulder and saw Denise's cousin, Mick, standing there.  He was one of the few sane members in the family.  I think he's really the mailman's child.  I suggested that to him once, and he vehemently denied it.  He pointed out that the guy that ran the coffee shop down the street from his house was also blonde.  He started referring to the place as "Dad's Caffeine Joint" soon after.

I stood up, and gave Mick a quick hug.  "Just have to see this to believe it," I replied, grinning at him.  He knew what I meant.  He had been kind enough to keep me apprised of Denise's movements after we broke up.  That's why she wasn't quite able to run me down.

"No kidding, man," he said, shaking his head.  "She's got the poor guy totally roped in."  Mick's eyes lit onto Jhondie.  He immediately pushed past me, and slid into the pew.  "Tell me you're not with him and I shall know the true meaning of joy," he declared dramatically.  I rolled my eyes.

"Jhondie, this dimwit is Mick, Mick, this is my lovely girlfriend Jhondie," I introduced them.  "Mick thinks he's going to be an actor one day."

"That's so nice a person with a disability still has high goals," Jhondie replied sweetly.  Mick looked confused for a second.  "Doesn't it make it harder to read scripts when you only have one hand?" she asked, looking at the hand on her knee rather pointedly.  Mick moved it quickly, and then beamed at me.

"Now that's spicy!" he declared, bouncing up and licking the finger of the hand that had touched her.  "You, sir, are a lucky man!"  He winked at me, and then was off to go to the family section.  I sat back down, snickering.  Jhondie was not amused.

"He's harmless as Denise's relatives go," I explained.  "He's dramatic in front of relatives so that they'll think he's really related to them."  That got her to laugh.

"As long as he doesn't touch me again, we'll all be fine," she said.  Dad came back a minute later from talking with Mr. O'Malley outside.  The music changed slightly, and the ushers started bringing in the "honored guests".  My hand wrapped around Jhondie's and she smiled at me.  I love you, she mouthed.  I smiled back, and mouthed a single word to her.  Forever.

Jhondie

As much as I hated to admit it, the wedding was beautiful.  I mean, it was nothing short of stunning.  Denise's mother had obviously hired an incredible wedding consultant.  Everything was so perfect, right down to the little flower girl (Denise's niece from her oldest brother) who was absolutely adorable in her little peach-colored dress and the ring bearer (Justin didn't know him, thought he might be from the groom's clan) who was giving everyone a gap-toothed smile to everyone displaying his two missing front teeth.  Little kids are always so proud of losing their teeth.

The groom was rather nice looking, but his resemblance to Justin with blue eyes and dark hair was a little unnerving.  Still, he was the one she had decided to vent her twisted mind on, and that was fine by me since it meant she was going to leave Justin alone.  And as much as I really, really hated to admit it, Denise was an exquisite bride.  Her dress was off the shoulder with a very elaborate lace and pearl bodice, with the same lace patterns repeated in the skirt and the cathedral-length train.  It alone was beautiful, but with a beautiful woman in it, beaming her happiness and joy to all those that were assembled, it was a devastating combination.

It was the first formal wedding that I had ever been to.  Cheryl and Tyler had a justice-of-the-peace thing the day before they left for New York, and I had been a witness, but this was a whole different affair.  I couldn't help smiling a little as I had a totally whimsical thought about what my wedding would be like.  I knew Zack would have a heart attack if he ever heard me even thinking something like that, but I couldn't help it.  The setting was lovely, and everyone seemed so happy.  There were a several women in the crowd with tears in their eyes, and I understood how they could tear up when Bradley turned to Denise with a smile that said she was nothing short of a gift from the heavens to him.  And dammed if I didn't start crying when Justin looked at me with that exact same expression on his face.

He tightened his arm around me and handed me his handkerchief.  I was a little embarrassed, but there was something that said Justin was feeling the whole impact of the situation as much as I was.  It was easy to imagine my wedding with him as the groom.  I couldn't think of anyone I would rather have there, any more qualities in a man that I would want.  He was so perfect for me, even with his flaws and how much he aggravated me sometimes.

I almost started crying again when a singer came up and did a number.  Actually, that had most of the female guests in tears, and Denise had tears on her cheeks too.  There was something about hers that made them seem a little contrived though.  It was just enough to be seen, but not enough to ruin her makeup.  Didn't matter though as I listened to the words of the song, and thought of the man I was with.  I don't know about Denise and Bradley, but it seemed to fit Justin and I perfectly.

Can I touch you?

I can't believe that you are real

How did I ever find you?

You are the dream that saved my life

You are the reason I survived

Baby...

I never thought that I could love

Someone as much as I love you

I know it's crazy but it's true

I never thought that I could need

Someone as much as I need you

I Love You...

Can I hold you?

Girl your smile lights up the sky

You are too beautiful for the human eye

You are the dream that never dies

You are the fire that burns inside

Baby...

I never thought that I could love

Someone as much as I love you

I know it's crazy but it's true

I never thought that I could need

Someone as much as I need you

I Love You...

You are the sunshine in the sky

You are the sparkle in my eyes

I never thought that I could love

Someone as much as I need you

I know it's crazy but it's true

I never thought that I could need

Someone as much as I need you

I LOVE YOU.

They began reciting their vows and exchanging rings after the music ended.  They sounded sincere at least as they swore to love each other forever.  Even Denise did, but they looked a little scared too.  I guess it was heady stuff to make a commitment that was going to last the rest of your life.  Bradley had an odd expression, almost like he was going to pass out or something.  It reminded me…it reminded me a little of the way Zane looked when we had to cross this flimsy rope bridge a hundred feet above a raging river.  Excitement, terror and grim determination all mixed together.  I was willing to bet getting married was a lot like live munitions drills.  You did what you thought was right and hoped for the best.

Then it was over, and Bradley was kissing Denise, and then the minister introduced us to Mr. And Mrs. Bradley Marshall.  Everyone stood as the happy couple descended down the aisle, beaming at their guests.  Denise's smile faltered ever so slightly as she saw us, but then it picked back up again.  I hadn't done a thing to mess up her wedding, so I was quite pleased with myself.  As a matter of fact, I even smiled back at her.  She quickly looked away and at her other guests.

Justin leaned over right after they passed.  "Thank you for boring," he whispered in my ear.  I grinned.  There was still the reception to go.