Matt.
Well, the day is finally here. My little sister is all grown up and getting married. I'm standing with Arkarian and Ethan in Arkarian's dressing room. He looks great in his tuxedo, but he keeps fiddling with his shirt, then his hair, then asking if he looks okay. The poor guy is so nervous. I don't know why – it's obvious he and Isabel are destined for one another. She's hardly about to run off.
Ethan shoves a drink into his hand. Something strong, I think, by the way Arkarian sniffs it and wrinkles his nose before knocking it back. I pat his shoulder, shaking my head slightly.
"I think you're about ready to go. Good luck. I'm going to just check in with Isabel." I give him a thumbs up before exiting and heading down to Isabels room. I knock and call that it's me, just in case she's still getting dressed, but she shouts me in. I gasp as I open the door.
"Oh, Isabel, you look amazing." She turns and grins at me from where she's sat down, in front of the mirror. Neriah is just doing the finishing touches to her hair.
"You look gorgeous too, Neriah," She smiles at me, the same smile that makes me knees go all week. She comes over to me and kisses me sweetly on the cheek. Isabel stands up and turns. The dress is stunning – even I can appreciate that.
"I'll leave you guys alone. I'll call when they are ready for you, Isabel." Neriah exits swiftly and leaves me with my sister. I envelop her in a big hug, although she holds her face away from my suit so she doesn't smudge her make up. As she draws away, I grin at her.
"Who would have thought, Isa! You in a dress like that. Are you sure you aren't hiding hiking boots under there?" She sticks her tongue out me, poking her foot out of the front of her dress. She's even wearing heels! That's a rare occurrence on Isabel. You can't run fast enough in them is her usual excuse.
"I know, I know. But it's a special occasion." She smiles up at me and I know this is the happiest day of her life. I can see it right there, and feel it all around her. Her happiness is infectious.
"You do look amazing, Isa. You're going to give the poor man a heart attack looking like that."
She grins again. "Do you think so? Will he like it?" I think that she could turn up in a plastic bag and Arkarian would still love it, but I don't voice that.
"He will love it, Isa." I can't believe that this is my little baby sister stood in front of me. She's so grown up now. The months have flown by – she's nineteen now, but obviously has not aged a day since her eighteenth birthday. I feel overwhelmed with sadness for a moment.
"I just wish Mum was here," I can see the tears glistening in her eyes, and I wrap her back up in a hug. "It felt so wrong, alienating her from it all. She doesn't even know I'm getting married. It's supposed to be something she should be sharing with me."
I give her a quick squeeze and then let her go. "I wish I had some comfort for that, but you know this is how it must be. Besides, everyone here," I wave both my hands to emphasise that I mean all the Named and our connections, "Are your family, too."
I know she always wanted Mum to meet Arkarian, but his appearance has meant she hasn't really discussed even having a boyfriend with her. I know Mum has guessed (with encouragement from Jimmy) that she has someone and it is the reason she has been more distant and stays away so much now, but that's the extent of it. Once married, Isabel will be leaving Mum and Jimmy's house for good, saying she is moving in with her boyfriend. She has to slowly start to pull away, and eventually will have to stop circulating in the mortal world around Angel Falls, at least. People would recognise her and notice that she has stopped ageing. She should be able to get away with it for a few years, at least.
She looks back up at me, and smiles a sad smile. "Yeah, you're right. I still wouldn't change it for the world." The sadness leaves her eyes, and there is a soft knock at the door.
"They are ready for you, Isabel."
Ethan.
The ceremony was beautiful. I was the best man, and stood with Arkarian at the top of the aisle, in front of Kind Richard who generously offered to lead the ceremony. Arkarian was fidgeting, jumping from foot to foot, which got worse as the minutes ticket by.
As soon as the music started and Isabel appeared at the bottom of the aisle, the fidgeting stopped. Matt holds onto her arm – he's giving her away, in place of her absent father. Arkarian looks in complete and utter awe, and their eyes don't leave each others the whole way. Their vows, written by themselves, speak of caring for one another forever. I struggled through that point. It's been a few years, but my heart is still broken. More than broken, actually. Shattered into a thousand pieces. I'm not sure that it will ever fully recover. I love that my mentor and best friend are happy together, but there is a little part of me that wonders why I did not deserve the same fate.
Once the ceremony is over, we move onto the dinner. All the food is organised by Lord Penbarin, who did a spectacular job. There was far more than we could ever hope to eat, so we're all stuffed and feeling a little sleepy. It's time for speeches and Matt goes first, since he gave Isabel away.
"My little sis," He starts, smiling over at her, "I always knew you were destined for great things, but I always wondered if you would meet someone who was good enough to be your equal. In my eyes, you never would," She rolls her eyes at him, and Arkarian laughs, probably recalling some overprotective instance of his. "But you have – and what's more, he is one of the most incredible men I have ever met. You guys are perfect. If Mum was here, Isa, she would be so proud of you." She's tearing up, and she splays her hand over her heart for a moment as she looks at him. Next up is Arkarian, who stands up.
"My beautiful wife," he starts, taking her hand and smiling at her, "I spent 600 years thinking I was living until the day that I met you. You made my heart whole, and suddenly all that time made sense. I was waiting for you all along." She's struggling not to cry now. Their eyes are locked – there could be nobody else in this room. "You are my life, my heart and my soul. I would give anything to make sure you are always happy. I will love you until we take our last breaths on this earth, and then I will love you into the next realm." He puts his hand on the side of her face. I feel like I am being allowed to witness a private moment between them, rather than a wedding speech. "Thank you for making me the happiest man alive." He sits back down, and Isabel practically dives into his lap. He just manages to get his drink on the table before it gets sent flying. She kisses him, long and hard, and then rests her forehead against his. "I love you, too," she says. Then they tear their eyes apart and she blushes bright red, sliding back into her own seat, although their hands are locked together.
Now it's my turn, as best man. I stand up. "I met Arkarian when I was four years old. He nurtured me through some of the hardest years of my life , guiding and teaching me along the way. I owe a lot to him for making me the person that I am today." I turn to him and mouth a thanks, and he smiles, raising his glass to me. "And dear Isabel. She used to follow Matt and I around as kids, climbing through trees and copying everything we did. Nothing has changed." Everyone laughs then, and I feel a little more confidant. "I think it took them long enough to realise that being together was inevitable and not something that they could avoid. We have faced some of the worst and best times together, our group, and we all – mostly – came out of it stronger. There is one of us who is not here with us, who should be, so I want us to raise a glass for her." I swallow, and it feels like my throat is stuck, but I continue and raise my glass. "For Rochelle." Everyone raises their glasses and repeats it back to me 'For Rochelle'.
"She would have hated that, though. Sorry." My eyes flick upwards, just briefly. Those who knew her laugh, because it's true. She hated being the centre of attention. "Nobody deserves a happy future more than Isabel and Arkarian. You are two of the most wonderful people, and I wish you all the best in your life together." I take another drink and then sit back down. Lots of people are clapping.
Once the speeches are over, it's time for the first dance. I don't recognise the first song – it's something old and slow, but very beautiful, and I guess Arkarian chose it. He leads Isabel on the dance floor, and they have their first dance. It's not long before people are joining in and the music becomes more lively and upbeat. I remain sat down, and soon enough Isabel comes to join me. She kicks her shoes off as she sits down.
"Your speech was great, Ethan." She takes my hand and squeezes it. "Thank you. It must have been hard, but I think Rochelle would have liked that you mentioned her. It shows she's still one of us, even now." I squeeze her hand back, and think that she's right. She might have not liked being the centre of attention, but all she really wanted was to fit in and be trusted. She is an honoured memory now, and a legend among the Guard – she'll never be forgotten for the sacrifice that she made.
"Come and dance with me?" Isabel tries to pull me up, but I shake my head. She pulls harder, insisting. Suddenly someone behind me grabs me and forces me on my feet. I turn around and see Arkarian stood behind me, grinning. He certainly looks like the happiest man alive today. "If the lady tells you to dance, Ethan, you must dance. She's the bride today, after all!" I mock glare at him, but he's right, so I let Isabel lead me onto the dance floor. Before I know it, I'm actually enjoying the dancing. The party continues well into the night, although Isabel and Arkarian manage to slip away at some point without anyone noticing.