Of Tears and Smiles

Rose looked around the corridor, a small frown on her face, her long beautiful red hair flowing neatly behind her and her gorgeous green eyes looking every which way. She was starting to get a little worried, since her fiancé was a little late.

It was the day of their wedding, and Rose, though she would've minded something much simpler, didn't want the man to suffer the wrath from her mother. Her gaze fell to the open doors of the church that led to the room in which she and Elmont would get married.

Though she loved the man dearly, and he would always have a place in her heart, she had doubts about his feelings for her. Somehow, she figured it had to deal with that boy, the cute one that always followed Elmont around like a puppy. But, for some reason, she found, she didn't so much mind if that was the case. She only wanted her fiancé to be happy, and if he was happy, then in turn she was as well.

It was not even a minute later when she saw a familiar man walking down the corridor and she nearly sighed in relief, though the relief went away as soon as she saw the boy trailing after Elmont. She also became more worried when she saw the sad smile on his face, his beautiful blue-green eyes looking at her with love and conviction and sympathy.

"Elmont..." Rose said softly, taking a few steps towards the man, and she looked at him in confusion and worry. "You're late, you know Mother will throw a fit..." she added, in hopes that her thoughts were wrong; but again, she wouldn't have minded if they weren't.

"I know, Rose," he started to say as his gaze shifted to the open doors, and he let a sigh fall between his lips, "I'm sorry."

Rose frowned and reached for his hands, gently taking them in her own. "Elmont, what's wrong?"

For a moment he looked as if he was fighting a war in his mind, guilt and pain etched in his expression. "There's something I need to say, but I can't do it here. I... I have to say it in front of everyone, and... I hope dearly that you will forgive me for it..." he lowered his head and Rose let a sad smile cross her lips, her suspicions confirmed as she looked between Elmont and the boy, Jack.

"It's okay..." she murmured before tugging his hand gently and she started to lead them through the doors. She glanced briefly behind her, offering the boy a small smile as he stood by the doors and watched them with pretty baby blue eyes.

Everyone's eyes were on them, as they both walked down the aisle. Confused murmurs spread through the room and Rose pulled Elmont up onto the alter, nodding encouragingly to him as he stared at her. "Rose... I... I really am sorry, but I can't go through with the marriage." Elmont started, a little deterred by the gasps and whispers that filled the room. "I... please, don't get me wrong, you're beautiful, and funny, and strong, and kind and loving; the perfect woman any man would want." She offered a smile at this, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes, though she wished she wouldn't cry in front of him. "But... not for me, and I hope you'll forgive me. I truly loved ever moment that I spent with you, these past two years, and I only hope that this doesn't ruin our friendship."

She saw Elmont take a shaky breath and she let out a choked chuckle, squeezing Elmont's hands slightly, "I understand, Elmont."

"W-what is... what is the meaning of this?" There was a shout from the people and Rose and Elmont turned to look at an older woman with faded red hair and furious green eyes.

"Please, Mother... sit down." Rose pleaded and added softly, "Let him finish."

"I'm sorry Mrs. Brooke... but I can not marry your daughter because... because I love another." At this, everyone became silent, and Elmont's loving gaze turned to Jack, who still stood at the back of the room, leaning against the doors of the church. "He's everything that I could ever hope for and I love him with all my heart. And... I wish... I wish I could've realized this sooner, because... because of me, because of this marriage... I hurt him and for that I am so... so sorry and I can't ever make up for that. But..." Elmont looked down a little and let a small smile come to his lips as he looked back up, seeing Jack in tears. "If... if he'll have me, I will do everything I can to make him happy."

"E-Elmont..." the name was nearly whispered, and said through tears, but almost everyone in the room heard it and they all turned to the boy as he pushed away from the doors and he took a shaky step forward, before all but running up to the man.

Elmont barely had enough time to think before he had an armful of Jack, and he hugged him tightly, spinning him around, letting out a breathy laugh, breathing in the others scent. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

Rose smiled, through her own tears, and she clapped her hands together, the tension breaking in the room. And she barely heard the whispered words from Jack, "I love you... Elmont..."

The priest though, seemed to be the most annoyed, other than Rose's mother and he sighed harshly. "So, is someone getting married today or not?" He crossed his arms, and Rose turned to him, smiling before looking to Elmont, who was not even paying attention to anyone but Jack.

She looked to the small pedestal beside her and grinned, her tears clearing up, and she grabbed the two beautiful silver rings before looking back at Elmont. "Elmont," she said, clear as day, and both Elmont and Jack turned to her.

Elmont blinked in confusion before looking down at her hands and he smiled, reaching out to grab the rings. "...Rose...?"

She nodded her head towards Jack, who looked the most confused out of everyone in the room, and spoke softly, "I'm just glad you're happy." She said finally and he only nodded before looking at Jack, pulling away from the boy and Jack looked up at him.

"Jack..." Elmont breathed out, gripping the rings tightly. "I know now that I love you more than anything in the world... you're everything I want and you make me so happy. And I... I want to make you happy too, and I never want to leave your side. So... if... if you'll have me... Jack... will you..." Elmont took in a shaky breath before letting it out, seeing tears crawling down Jack's cheeks once more. "Will you marry me?"

For a moment nothing was done or said, and then, Jack was nodding and he smiled happily at Elmont before hugging him and kissing him. "Yes... yes, I will." Jack said without a moments hesitation.

"Do you, Elmont, take Jack to love and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?" The priest asked and Elmont looked down at his beloved Jack, happiness and love swelling in his heart.

"I do." Elmont said lovingly and Jack blushed, smiling up at him.

"And do you, Jack, take Elmont-" before he could even finish hi sentence, Jack but in, nodding his eagerly, his hands gripping Elmont's tightly.

"I do." He said and the blushed a brighter shade of red when he heard some people laugh, including Elmont, and saw the priest give him a look of annoyance, though there was a hint of a smile on his face.

"Then you may now kiss." As soon as this was said, and the book was closed, Elmont was pulling Jack to him in a deep, loving kiss in which Jack didn't hesitate to participate in.

Cheers and claps sounded throughout the room and Elmont pulled back, positively beaming with happiness. "I love you, Jack." He cooed lovingly and Jack blushed, smiling.

"I love you, too, Elmont." He answered before turning his gaze to the two girls beside them, Rose and Isabelle, and he smiled at them, mouthing the words 'thank you'. Rose smiled back and nodded before looking to Isabelle, giggling when the other girl grinned at her.

It was then that two beautiful relationships were formed, and everyone lived happily ever after.

Well... almost everyone, the priest thought as he looked amusedly to a fuming mother.