Chapter Twenty-One
This chapter was written by Melissa.
Evangeline looked at Victor, sleeping in the chair next to her bed. It had been a week since he had shown up, devastated that Marty was marrying Todd. He had told her how his memories were stolen from him and he no longer knew who he was. Evangeline could relate to that, she had spent a decade asleep and although she knew who she was, everything and everyone around her had changed and moved on. She knew that today would be a rough day for her friend and she was determined to see him through it.
"What do you think you are doing?" Victor asked as he opened his eyes and saw Evangeline struggling to sit up in a seated position.
"I am getting out of bed," she said as she used all her focus to stand up.
Victor climbed out of the recliner and was at her side just as her legs began to buckle underneath her.
"Careful," he said as he supported her just in time.
"Thank you," she said. "Will you help me get changed?"
"Changed for what?" He asked.
"You're still going to the wedding, right?" She asked.
"Yes, Marty might change her mind."
"And if she doesn't?" Evangeline asked.
"Then I'll have closure, either way, I need to be there, but that still doesn't explain me needing to help you change."
"Well, I can hardly show up at the wedding, in my hospital gown," Evangeline stated.
"You're going with me as my date?" He asked her.
"Well, somebody needs to keep you out of trouble," she said as she winked at him.
"Thanks Van, you're the best friend, I've ever had." He said as he hugged her.
XOXOXO
"It's not too late to change your mind. I'll even help you make a run for it," Nora said as she applied the finishing touches to Marty's hair.
"I'm not going to change my mind. I know that you don't agree with my decision, but I'm really glad that you agreed to be my bridesmaid anyways.
"That's what friends are for and I just want you to be happy."
"Thank you," Marty said as she hugged her friend.
"How is Todd?" Marty asked as Vicki returned after checking on the groom.
"He says that he is fine, but I think that he is nervous that you'll change your mind. He sent me up here to make sure that Nora wasn't poisoning you against him. His words, not mine," Vicki said as she looked at Nora.
"I'm not going to change my mind, I think I'm ready. How do I look?" She asked her friends.
"You look beautiful and happier than I've seen you in a long time," Vicki and Nora agreed.
XOXOXO
Evangeline and Victor walked hand in hand into the church.
"What are you doing here?" Todd snarled as he stopped pacing.
"I came to see Marty make the biggest mistake of her life," Victor retorted as he smirked.
"You better not ruin this day for her," Todd warned.
"I've said everything that I need to say to her, but there's one thing that I need to say to you."
"What's that?" Todd asked.
"If you hurt her in any way, then I'll kill you, brother or not," Victor threatened.
"Victor, let's just take our seats," Evangeline stated.
"I'm not going to hurt her and we both know it. You have my memories, my feelings, you know me better than anyone else."
"So, what's your point?"
"My Point is that you, more than anyone else, knows exactly how much I love her and how much I hate myself for what I did. Can you honestly stand there and tell me that I would ever hurt her again?"
"I know how much you love her, but I also know that she presses buttons inside of you that shouldn't be pressed. Honestly, it's unlikely that you'll hurt her, but not impossible, so I have to let you know that I'm watching and you won't get away with hurting her again," Victor stated as he took his seat with Evangeline.
XOXOXO
Todd could feel the beads of sweat gathering as the wedding march began to play and then he saw Vicki who smiled at him, followed by Nora who glared at him. Then Cole, which had come as a surprise when he had agreed to give his mother away. Finally, his eyes rested on Marty and all the noise became silent as he became transfixed by her beauty. She had always been able to calm the storm that raged in him and today was no different. He was no longer nervous, or anxious, all the fear that she would run away was just gone.
She looked beautiful and happy, more radiant then she had ever looked in her long white dress. Her hair was pinned up just the way that he had liked it.
He looked at her for permission before taking her hand and she briefly nodded as her eyes rested on his.
They said their vows to one another and promised to love and to honor each other for the rest of their lives.
"With these words, I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride," Andrew stated.
Suddenly Marty cried out in pain as a puddle of water was suddenly getting his shoes wet.
"What happened? Are you okay?" He asked his new bride.
"My water just broke. I'm in labor," she stated.