Stay and Receive My Love

Embry and I walked hand in hand down the aisle. When we reached the outside, I continued walking and he pulled me back. "Mrs. Call, I do declare that you are the most beautiful woman on the earth" he said in a fake southern accent.

"Mr. Call, I do believe that I have never seen a gentlemen more handsome in all my eighteen years, but I also do know that you have to say that to your wife otherwise she beats you up" I said breaking the accent to start giggling. He laughed loudly and leaned into my forehead.

"No, Lace, I really think that you are the most beautiful girl in the whole world. Your dress and your hair is perfect. However, this face…" he said placing his hand on my cheek. I batted it away.

"Embry if you are just going to ruin a perfectly romantic moment-" I was silenced with a kiss.

"I love you with every ounce of my being, Lacey Call" he said.

"Good, cuz you cost a lot an ounce, so you better be worth it."

"Now who's ruining the moment?" I threw my arms around his neck.

"I couldn't love you more if I wanted to. Embry Call you make me go weak at the knees when I see you and my stomach is always filled with butterflies. I have never felt safer or more right with anyone" I kissed him as he swung me around.

"Much better" We went through getting our pictures taken. All of Embry's grooms men, like him, were larger than life. My bridesmaid-subsequently were all dating their opposite men. Everyone looked lovely. When it was time for mine and Embry's first dance, the floor cleared. We swayed to the music while he hummed in my ear. We exchanged I love you's every few minutes or so. Then everyone came to join around us. I hadn't had so much fun in a long time. I was standing talking to one of the elders, when across the way Embry caught my eye. He was doing some version of the robot meets a disco move. I laughed until I almost cried. I danced my way over to him after excusing myself from the conversation. We danced for a good five songs so silly. We couldn't stop laughing.

I never understood what Embry saw in me. He was the single most handsome man I had ever seen. He was so sweet and thought of everything. He would make me laugh all the time. His friends just accepted me as part of the group. They all felt like family. I had never been so comfortable with anyone than I do with Embry. We tell each other everything. He always knows where I am and what I am doing. We don't go a more than a few hours without talking to one another. I realized I was staring at him when started calling my name.

"Lace- hello-Lacey- love of my life, come back to planet Embry…ahh there she is." Just then "Shake it" from Metrostation came on. He grabbed my hands and spun me around. The next thing I knew he had picked me up. How he was that strong was beyond me. After the song, the D.J. announced it was time for the father, daughter dance. Had no one informed him that I didn't have a father to dance with? I felt my face turn red, everyone was staring. They all knew- my father died not that it mattered to me. He wasn't in my life anyways. I felt someone take me in their arms. The heat that radiated from them made me assume it was Embry. I looked up and was surprised to see Sam.

"Lace, this is a brother-sister dance. Who needs a father when they have a Sam?" We danced slowly for the whole song. Fathers and daughters from the community all joined us. I saw Embry watching us from the sidelines smiling. Claire was dancing with Quil in the corner. She had his face in her hands and appeared to animatedly be telling him a story. The song ended and I kissed Sam on the cheek.

The next thing I knew I was in a circle with Kim, Emily, Rachel, Claire and some of my other friends. The song "Girls Just wanna Have fun" We let loose and danced like crazy. Claire spun around saying she was princess. She grabbed my hand and pulled me down to her. We danced on the floor.

"Wacey- you are the pwrettiest princess ever! Uncle Wembry loves you big time. Qwuil told me!" she told me excitedly. I spun her around. The party was coming to a close and I saw the guys talking in a corner. I saw Embry get mad and leave the room. I went to go after him but Emily held me back. He returned a few minutes later more calm but still upset.

"Lace- your going to go home with Emily tonight. I'll be back later."

"Embry- this is our wedding night honey" I tried to say patiently. I was used to him having to leave at random times for random reasons. However, this was our night.

"I know-"

"What is so important that you need to leave your wife on your first night together?"

"Lacey, I can't tell you yet"

"Embry-we've been through this, you can tell me anything. I have patient up until now. I haven't pushed this but I am your wife. God, Embry."

"I am sorry I will make it up to you."

"Whatever, I am not going to ruin a perfectly good day with this. I will be waiting at our home."

"No! You need to go to Emily's"

"Embry- I want-"

"Lacey, I need you to go to Emily's. Listen I love you- I will be back as soon as I can." He kissed me fiercely and then ran out the door. I was so shocked that I just looked at Emily. All the boys were gone as usual.

I sat on Emily's couch for hours. "Honey, why don't you take off that dress and come lay down. I am sure he'll be back soon." I merely shook my head.

"My husband is supposed to take off my wedding dress. Besides I can't sleep if I don't know if he is okay." Emily kissed my forehead. I sat there silently crying in my wedding dress on my friends couch on my wedding night. I slowly dozed off an hour later.