6- Photograph

"Carmen Elisabeth Long, I love you, there really is nothing more to it, and I promise to honor, protect, and cherish you until the day I die."

Carmen looked at her very soon to be husband with a smile. She loved that vow, no cliché's, just true and to the point.

She chose to read a few lines of a sonnet by Elizabeth B. Browning-

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For ends of being and ideal grace.

Rest of the ceremony went on as usual, ending with the priest announcing them husband and wife.

Outside it was cold autumn day, the leaves in shades of red, orange and brown covered the earth, a lovely velvet carpet.

Chazz sat at table with a group of people he did not know, alone.

The ceremony felt odd- on the one hand it burned, and he felt like he never should have come, on the other hand, he came to support a person he held dear and seeing her felicity felt right.

On the way to his table, Chazz encountered a few folks he had not seen in ages- Syrus and Jaden, still best friends.

Seeing that made him envious- he had a friend like that, he lost her, they reconnected, and he was afraid that now he lost her again, this time forever.

She looked beautiful and radiant, a bright smile did not leave her face.

Carmen really took her mother's words in. Yes, she was right, today is a special day, one which will never repeat itself. Today is the day she is marrying the man she loves, a true, real, breathing love. And by god, it felt good. So why not celebrate it in the most extravagant manner? So yes, flower arrangements do matter, and hell feeding the guests is also a pretty important issue. In this same tone- why not invite a million people- as long as they are all friends and beloved ones.

She got her sunflowers, a charming bouquet of them. They represent exactly what she felt- warmth.

"Now my dear, where was it you said you are going to?" Mr. Long, a sweet man in his early sixties with a bushy moustache.

"Well, if someone would tell me, I'd love to share the information…" Carmen said, jokingly frowning at her husband.

"Well, wherever it is, you better take good care of her!"

"Now you remember to say that, Luke?" Carmen asked sarcastically.

After chatting with the Longs, the newly weds went over to the Truesdale family table, where Jaden- being with Syrus- was, and was he happy to see them. As usual Carmen was a bit more responsive to the massive affection, but was still herself and found it a little overwhelming.

Chazz wanted to go talk to her, say congratulations or something, but found it awkward. Then again, not approaching her may be the last and fatal blow to their relationship.

He inhaled and poked his grilled fish, attempting to make his inner turmoil unapparent.

With those unpleasant thoughts in mind, Chazz felt a hand on his shoulder. Expecting it to be Jaden wanting to hug him or something, Chazz spun quickly, yelling at the person not to touch him.

"Sorry… and people say I have problems!" it was Haley, what did she want?

"Yeah… umm, I thought you were someone else." What do you want?

"Carmen asked me to see if you were here, Mr. Manners, she wants a word."

She… wanted to talk to him?

Outside, far from everyone else, she stood, wrapped in a coat, waiting.

A few strands of her hair were twirling in the wind.

Chazz approached her, feeling nervous. What if she was going to ask him to leave her alone and never talk to her again?

Instead, he saw a smiling face looking back at him.

"Who ever thought the world will turn like this… funny."
"Look, Carr, I'm so,"
She cut him off. "No need to apologize. Truth is, when I first saw you again and we spoke, I was fairly disappointed. You were not being the Chazz I knew- tough, funny, ambitious. It was like you have achieved everything, and your everything was so shallow, the Chazz I knew would not want to laze around with his cheerleader girlfriend at a hotel all day. "

"That's why I realized you are the one I want. Because all this time I thought I had it all, but you see the reason I fell for Alexis to begin with was her strong attitude, and,"

"I understand. But I don't think I'm the one for you, maybe because I am a piece of the past, of the you you use to be, I remind you of that, but you need to find yourself and get back to your track, live your true dreams."

"Carmel you always know what to say."
"That's because I'm so great, and smart and blah blah, you may hail me now."

The two laughed, then hugged. A warm, friendly embrace.

After that they entered the hall. After a while of dancing, it was time to take pictures for the wedding album.

Of course there were many pictures of the happy couple, the maids of honor, the families in various ensembles.

Carmen pulled Chazz into a picture, which Jaden being Jaden jumped into, and Chazz being Chazz threw a piece of cake on Jaden's face, and a picture of that was taken as well.

The End