a/n: This is the wedding. But before I let you read this, I need to give a disclaimer. The song in here is not mine. It's White on White by Danny Williams. I don't own it. It's a nice song and if anyone wants to hear it (because I know you haven't already because it's old) email me and I'll email it back to you.
Kai stood in front of the mirror, staring nervously at her reflection. She ran her hands over her waist, the satin material smooth under her fingers. The long sleeves started just below her shoulders and hugged her arms nicely. Around her neck was the necklace Yami had given her for Valentine's Day, the gold cartouches glittering when she moved. She stared at her reflection and exhaled slowly, raising her hands to her veil. She pulled it over her face, feeling it touch her nose lightly.
"This is it," she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. She closed her eyes as took a deep breath as she turned away from the mirror.
White on white,
Lace on satin,
Blue velvet ribbons on her bouquet…Carlos stood to the side as he waited for his best friend to come through the double doors. Yami stood before the alter, his hands in his pockets. He was trying his best not to look nervous, but the way he kept looking over his shoulder down the isle, waiting for Kai, showed his stomach was doing flips. As he looked at Yami, Carlos felt such a yearning to be in his place, to feel those butterflies as he waited for Kai. But all he could do was take a deep breath and look over his shoulder once more at the doors.
And then the music started and they opened.
White on white,
Lace on satin,
My little angel is getting married today…
Kai was standing there in the doorway, more beautiful than he had ever seen her. In her hands, she held a bouquet of roses of all different colors. Now, more than ever, Carlos wanted to be the one to lift her veil. How could he watch someone else do it in his place? How could he stand on the side and watch? He took another deep breath and turned back around, blinking tears from his eyes.
Here she comes in her wedding gown,
Looking like a queen,
She has been my only love,
Since she was thirteen…
The organ played the melody he had wanted to hear for so long, had been planning to hear. But not like this. Not having his love marry someone else. Now he would have to watch Kai kiss Yami when she should be kissing Carlos. He should be the one standing at the alter waiting for her. Waiting to put that ring on her finger. Wanting her to look at him with love in her eyes, like the way he looked at her. How was it possible that she hadn't figured it out? Was she really that dense? Or was she in denial? In either case, half of him wanted her to know so desperately, yet the other half wanted to keep her in the dark. She wasn't his anymore. He would never have a chance to tell her how he felt.
I've been dreaming of this day,
And how proud I'd be,
When she came walking down the isle,
And held out her hand to me…
The music stopped as Kai reached Yami and for a moment Carlos thought she glanced at him as she took the groom's hand. But when he blinked, Carlos realized he had imagined it. Her eyes were on Yami and Yami only. Never would Carlos be anything more than a friend to her. She would be married. He would have no say in what she did anymore. His time for taking care of her was over. She didn't need him anymore. She needed Yami. Carlos would forever be on the sidelines. Would he be able to take that? How could he go on, knowing the one he loved didn't love him? Would he ever meet someone he could love as much as her afterwards?
White on white,
Lace on satin,
Blue velvet ribbons on her bouquet,
White on white,
Lace on satin,
My little angel is getting married today…
Carlos looked up at the priest as he began reading. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the holy matrimony…" Carlos closed his eyes, not wanting to hear any more. He wanted to run from the room and catch the next plane back to Japan. He wanted never to think of Kai again, but then… all he wanted to think about was her. His whole life seemed to have revolved around her. There had been the connection… why couldn't she have felt it too?
I'll be waiting to kiss the bride,
When her name is new,
Standing oh so close to her,
Silently saying I do…
He felt as though he had been standing there for hours when he realized the priest had gotten to the vows. "Do you, Kai-Tara Lee, take Yami Kaltesh to be your lawfully wedded husband, through sickness and in heath…" The words stung Carlos like a thousand knives stabbing repeatedly into his heart. All he could do was stand there and listen as she said, "I do."
I'll be holding back my tears,
Till she's gone away,
'Cause she belongs to someone new,
When the organ starts to play…"Do you, Yami Kaltesh, take Kai-Tara Lee to be your lawfully wedded wife…"
Carlos felt someone touch his hand lightly and he looked over his shoulder to see Elaine giving him a sympathetic look. He turned away quickly; her sympathy would only make him feel worse. The last thing he wanted to do was cry now. Exhaling slowly, he tried to ignore the ache in his heart as he heard Yami say, "I do."
White on white,
Lace on satin,
Blue velvet ribbons on her bouquet,
White on white,
Lace on satin,
My little angel is getting married today…
"You may now kiss the bride."
Yami lifted the veil over Kai's head as she gazed adoringly up at him. He leaned in and kissed her gently and it was all Carlos could do not to break down and cry. All he could do was close his eyes and look away, his actions going unnoticed by everyone else in the church. She was gone. He could no longer come over any time he wanted. The tiny hope he had had of her suddenly looking at him and realizing he was the one she really loved had finally gone out. He felt so empty now. There was a hole that could never again be filled. He felt like someone had ripped his heart out and torn it to shreds.
The organ began to play again and the church erupted into applause as the new couple turned down the isle, smiling at each other. And all Carlos could do was stand there and watch. The guests had all stood up and were cheering, some of the girls throwing flower petals over Kai and Yami's heads. Elaine had also stood, but was the only other person not cheering for her friend. Her attention was on her brother and the fact that a tear had made its way down his cheek.
"Carlos," she muttered, turning him around. He dried his face and looked at her, his dark eyes full of pain. Elaine found tears welling up in her own eyes as she looked at him. She hated seeing him this way. And as much as she thought Kai and Yami were wonderful together, she couldn't help feeling that Kai would have been just as happy with Carlos. She would have loved to have had her as her sister-in-law. But that wasn't the case and all she could do was help Carlos through it.
She put an arm around his waist briefly, squeezing him lightly. Then they just watched Kai and Yami walk out of the church and listened to the applause. Joey and Tristan were yelling things that no one could really understand over the noise, Tea and Serenity were crying, Yugi and Bakura were punching the air and cheering, and Mai was merely clapping, though if anyone had bothered to look closer they would have seen that her eyes were slightly moist. As soon as Kai and Yami made their way out of the church, the rest of the gang hurried outside after them, Carlos and Elaine bringing up the rear.
My little angel is getting married today…Once they were outside, Kai turned back and announced that she was going to throw the bouquet. The men all covered their ears as shrieks and squeals erupted out of the girls as they ran around, trying to figure out the best position to catch the bouquet. Even Elaine perked up and joined in. Yami was laughing as Kai started bouncing up and down, trying to get the girls to pay attention. Finally, at a loud yell from Tristan, they all fell silent and got ready to jump.
"Okay!" Kai shouted, grinning widely. "Get ready!" She turned around and there were squeals again as she did. "One… two… three!" Kai threw the bouquet over her head and the girls all shrieked as they jumped up and down, reaching for it.
The guys and Kai were all laughing at the madness for a few seconds before Elaine finally shoved her hand into the air, holding the bouquet. Everyone cheered, including Carlos, as she stuck her face in the flowers and took a big sniff.
"The funny thing is," Elaine said, laughing. "Is that I'm the only one here without a boyfriend!"
Everyone laughed as Mai touched the Italian's shoulder. "I don't know," she said, smiling slyly. "I've noticed Bakura has been eyeing you quite a lot today."
Elaine blushed and glanced at Bakura, who was talking to Yugi. "Really? Well then I guess I have to do something about that, huh?" she said, grinning at Mai.
"Go at it sweetheart," Mai replied, chuckling.
Carlos watched his sister walk over to Bakura and Yugi and join in the conversation easily. He sighed, feeling left out, and turned around to find Mai standing by him.
"She's not the only fish in the sea you know," she said.
"It's not that simple," he replied.
"Nothing's ever that simple, sweetheart. It's called life. You'll get over her. Sure, it'll take a while, but it'll happen," Mai said.
Carlos shrugged and glanced over at Kai and Yami, who were leaning on the white convertible the gang had pitched in to buy for them as a wedding present. They looked like they had been married for years already. Carlos sighed as he turned back to Mai. "I know," he said.
"Well, if you're anything like Joey the cake at the reception will cheer you up," she said with a chuckle. Carlos smiled, appreciating her effort to make him feel better.
"Maybe it will," he said and Mai laughed.
"Men," she said. She gave him a wink before turning around and going over to where Joey and Tristan stood, conversing heavily about food.
My little angel is getting married today…a/n: Okay, I'm not sure if there is one or two more chapters after this, but this fic is very close to the end. (Finally lol) Keep reviewing and I'll post the finale!