Hello, hello! I come bearing gifts; I hope you all enjoy this one! Thank you for the reviews and hope you guys continue to leave them!
Disclaimer: Moonlight and characters don't belong to me; I'm simply a fan having fun with the characters.
Beth pushed the double doors open ever so slightly and peered out through the crack. "Oh my goodness!" she all but squealed. She pulled back, stunned. "It's a full house," she breathed. She glanced behind her for reassurance but the girls were already out there and in place. It was just her and the gilded, full-length French mirrors. She smoothed out the big, puffy white dress she was wearing and tried not to feel so ridiculous in said dress. How she had gotten roped into wearing such a dress she didn't know… Well maybe because it's a wedding dress and you're getting married, you dope, she thought to herself. Yeah, that would explain it. She twirled slowly and studied her reflections from the multiple mirrors. She had to admit, it definitely didn't look as ridiculous as it felt. Especially considering how the rest of her look seemed to complement the dress. Her hair had been twisted and piled on top of her head casually, with a few curls tumbling out here and there. And underneath the mass of blond curls, a wispy white veil floated down, past her shoulders and just above her waist. Delicate strands of pearls hung from her ears and encircled her neck and wrist, glinting in the light. In short, she looked breathtaking. She couldn't even believe the figure in the mirror was herself.
Beth paced the room nervously, feeling like a caged animal. Was it normal for a bride to be this nervous on the big day? She stole another peek through the double doors, this time searching for… well, actually, she didn't know who she was looking for. Who was it that she was getting married to? It was so strange; she should know but she couldn't, for the life of her, remember who the groom was. Images of wedding dress fittings, conversations with wedding planners, and the rehearsal dinner flitted through her mind but she couldn't see his face, couldn't remember how he had proposed to her. How could she get married if she didn't know who her fiancé was? Desperately, Beth squinted at the figures at the end of the aisle. She had to know!
The faces were murky at first but gradually, Beth was able to make them out. Marissa, Julia, Bri, Carl? Then that would mean… and yes, there he was! Josh! Beth let the door fall closed. Of course! How could she have forgotten? She was marrying Josh, sweet, caring Josh.
She remembered the proposal now, remembered it as if he had asked her just yesterday.
"I want more than that Beth. I want you to marry me."
"Marry me, Beth."
And the ring, the ring! It had been beautiful, perfect. Proof of how well he knew her, of how much he wanted this. Oh yes. All the hours they had sat down together poring over magazines, catalogues, plans. Beth had never imagined a big wedding but Josh had insisted, had said every girl wanted a big wedding whether she knew it or not. So a big wedding it was.
Beth felt reassured, but still, she was uncharacteristically nervous. This was ridiculous! She was a reporter; she was used to crowds. She didn't, shouldn't, fear them. But she did. Or at least, she feared this particular crowd. Their excited chatter, their joyful expectations, were making a mess of her nerves. But still, she somehow knew when it was time. She adjusted her veil, took a deep breath, and let a mask of calm fall over her features before throwing the doors open. Instantly, the chatter subsided to a whisper as the sea of faces simultaneously turned to watch her. Despite her clammy hands and the sudden coldness that ran down her spine, Beth managed to make it down the aisle with cool, calculated steps.
Josh was waiting for her at the end and when she reached him, he smiled reassuringly at her. Beth smiled back, but inside, she felt her anxiety continue to build, like storm clouds that kept gathering and crowding into each other.
"Dearly beloved," the minister began. "We are gathered here today…"
Beth barely heard what he was saying. Her gaze and mind wandered among the guests, seeking out familiar faces. So many people! She knew some of the unknown faces were Josh's relatives but there were some that she thought she vaguely recognized from work though she couldn't be sure.
"…If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace," the minister intoned, looking up as he finished.
It was then that Beth saw Mick among the guests, in the front row. He was staring stoically ahead but when he felt her gaze, he turned and their eyes locked. Beth felt her throat constrict. He smiled tentatively at her but she wasn't fooled; she could see the accusation and confusion in his eyes. Why? they seemed to ask.
The coil of unease in her belly tightened, almost making her double over from its intensity. Then Mick's expression smoothed into indifference and she felt the emotion explode and flood her body. The air rushed out of her lungs and reflexively, Beth felt her lips part into an "O" as she struggled to breathe.
The minister continued without appearing to notice her discomfort. "Do you, Beth, take Josh Lindsey to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as you shall both live?"
He looked expectantly at her. Josh looked expectantly at her. A moment later, she felt Mick's gaze join theirs. And then everyone else's. "I…" Her voice faltered. Spots of light swam before her eyes and around her, the room began to waver.
"Miss Turner?" The minister looked at her uncertainly, then at Josh.
"Beth?" he asked worriedly. "Are you okay?"
Behind them, the crowd began to murmur. Beth felt her legs buckle beneath her. Oh no… In a flash, Mick was at her side. The room faded around them as he caught her fall and lifted her. "You're okay," he whispered.
Beth awoke with a gasp, her breaths coming out fast and labored. What had just happened? Surely it wasn't all a dream… it had felt so real! The dress, the nerves, Mick's closeness… it had to be real! She could still feel her head spinning slightly… Beth closed her eyes again and the spinning stilled but her heart was still racing erratically. Beth pressed a hand against her chest, frowning. She couldn't keep doing this, couldn't keep holding out on Josh. It wasn't fair to either of them. He deserved an answer. She deserved an answer. She sat up and swung her legs over her bed. And she would give him an answer; him and her both.