6.

"Just breathe," this is a matra I must keep repeating. It's all I can do to keep from fainting. Every girl dreams about her fairy tale wedding, and today my dream is about to come true, "just breathe." I remind myself one more time.

I open my eyes to check my reflection for the hundreth time. Everything's perfect (for the first time in the history of my life). My form fitting dress is white and elegant. My make-up flawless—probably because I'm not the one who applied it. my hair is molded into a twisted bun behind my head and my bangs from my face in a much neater fashion than they normally do. For the first time since my high school prom I see myself truly pretty.

The butterflies in my stomach beat their wings frantically. I want to squeal at the top of my lungs, "Just breathe," I whisper instead. I close my eyes again to inhale and exhale one deep breath. When my eyes reopen I find a second pair staring at me in the mirror.

I turn quickly, keeping my dress elevated so not to rip it, "Get out!" I hiss.

"You look beautiful," Will comments, his gaze surveying every inch of my body. He's all smiles, of course.

"I said get out," I cover his devouring eyes with one hand.

"Why?" he whines, removing my hand.

"Because," he raises a brow, "it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding." This time my eyes wonder, drinking in his image of blonde permanently tussled hair in a black tux with a lavender bow-tie; my favorite color.

"Well I had to take that risk," he exhales, "wow you're beautiful."

I can feel myself blushing. I reach out to grab his bow-tie, pretending to fix it out of a crooked position. "You don't look so bad yourself," I reply trying to keep my heartbeat steady. Just breathe, "Nice suit," I say.

"Oh you like it?" he flexes his arms and spins to give me the full affect, "I think my girlfriend picked it out for me."

"Oh well she has excellent taste," I applaud his modeling.

"Doesn't she?" he bows, "you know I always wanted one of these?" he admiring his outfit.

"A tux?" I question.

"Aren't we witty today?" he chuckles, "No, just a nice suit; something sophisticated and classy."



"Oh and I suppose you never wanted a nice bride to wear that suit for?" I cross my arms across my chest and cock my hip to the side.

"Sure I did," he takes a step closer, "and I was always hoping it'd be you. Now I know that it will be. I win."

"Win?"

"I always win."

"Really?"

… he cracks with laughter, "but he had a bad heart and sadly we can't win them all, Sweetheart."

"Well you can't," I say defensively.

"But I have!' he yells, speech normal again, "I already have!"

"I won you didn't I?" he runs a curious finger down the length of my arm, "and trust me, Beautiful, you're the one thing I could never stand to lose. I'd lose my mind if I ever lost you."

"Are you sure it won't just be in your back pocket?" I pull his fingers away from my skin, "that's where everything else you lose turns up. Keys, ID card, my phone number remember that—"

He suddenly moves in close for a kiss. I press a well manicured finger against his lips, "Uh uh. Not yet."

He grins, "I know I'm worth waiting for, Harley," he begins, my finger still pressed against his mouth, "but let's face it, we've done a lot worse."

"I want to save it," I run my fingers through a lock of his hair; "you've already broken one wedding tradition I can't have you go and break them all on me."

"I've never really been one for tradition," he argues, leaning forward again.

"Sorry Buddy," I lightly shove on his shoulder, "you're gonna have to save it too."

He frowns a bit, but that doesn't last long. "I suppose I should get going then?"

I nod, "I suppose you should."

"Don't forget your lines out there," he advises, turning toward the door he came through.

"I'll try not to," I giggle.

"Oh, Harley!" he says reaching for the knob.

"Yes?"

His eyes journey up and down my figure once more, "I love you," he says with a smirk.

"I love you too. Now go!" I rotate his frame to face the doorway. He reluctantly turns to the knob to exit. I back away once I'm sure he won't try any more tricks.

"Oh, and Harley!"

I sigh, "What?"

Will swoops in like an eagle landing on its prey, snatching my chin in one hand so I can't escape as he presses his lips against mine. There's no point in resisting anymore. He kisses me sweetly, gently releasing my face from his hand so that our lips are the only parts that meet. After several long and pleasant seconds he backs away.

"I win," he flashes me a grin before retreating at top speed.

I inhale, "Just breathe. "