Author's Note: Well here it is! I was really excited about writing this chapter! This one is one hundred percent for my bestie and muse for Evy! So I hope she loves it! A HUGE THANK YOU to MacheSalas for the wonderful review! Seriously it made me smile! I hope that you love it! The song used in this chapter is Adele's To Make You Feel My Love, no copyright infringement intended. Also, the poem/story used is Oh! The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. Again, no copyright infringement intended. Now that, that is out of the way, as always, Read/Enjoy/Review!
Chapter Twelve: Two Becomes One
" I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; Love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person. Love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knee's when they walk into a room and smile at you."-Anonymous.
XXX
I've been scrubbed, massaged, and slathered with cream until my skin glows. Literally glows as I sit surrounded by my bridesmaids, all of us in identical black tracksuits. Amber, Laycie, Charlotte and Mark's all having the word Bridesmaid spelt out in Rhinestones across their shirts, while Brae's says Maid of Honor.
All of us relaxed and happy.
Even Brae.
Brae, who smiles as she snaps pictures, catching candid and personal shots before the 'professionals,' come in. She seems genuinely happy. So I'm happy. Seems crazy, I know, to tie my happiness to my best friend, on the biggest day of my life, but she is my best friend. The sister of my heart, and if she still had the dark circles under her eyes, I would be worried. But she doesn't. So I'm not worried.
" Hair and make up are on their way up," Charlotte says hanging up the phone, and I smile brightly.
" Forty five minutes," Braelyn calls out happily, stepping into the bridal suite in her gown, and the breath catches in my throat.
" Brae, your stunning," I say smiling up at her, and she does a quick spin in her Lapis colored one shoulder chiffon dress. And she really does. Her hair twisted beautifully back and held in place with shimmering rhinestone pins, and her make up is flawless. The same smokey make up that the rest of the bridal party decided on, except for Mark of course, only instead of the same peach toned lip gloss as everyone else, hers is red. A deep red that accentuates her large lips, and will have every guy, except for my guy of course, wishing to kiss them.
Maybe, that's a good thing.
" I'm nothing compared to what your going to be," Brae says sitting next to me, her hands finding mine.
" Whatever," I choke out, my voice starting to wobble.
" Stop it. Your beautiful, and your going to be even more beautiful if that's even possible, today," she murmurs, squeezing my hands gently.
" All I care about is Jared. As long as Jared's standing at the end of the aisle, that's all that matters," I say, grinning when the rest of the girls and Mark come out of the changing room, all dressed and looking amazing.
" We're going to the terrace, the photographer thought we'd like some candid's out there, you know, give you and Brae some time alone," Laycie says smiling warmly at me and I nod my head.
" Okay, so I know our make up is done perfectly, which is why this is the perfect time to do this, so we wont cry, or at least too much," I say pulling a large, wrapped gift from the armoire.
" Evy, what the hell is this?" Brae asks taking the gift in her lap, her eyes curious.
" Open it," I murmur watching her, and I cant help but smile when she rolls her eyes before tearing the pretty pink paper away, and then she just sits and stares. Her eyes welling up, and tears start rolling slowly down her cheeks, trailing down.
" Evy," she barely whispers, and I know I did good. That my gift has done what it was meant to do.
" I had, I had a really hard time grasping the fact that my parents, your parents, wouldn't be here for this. Wouldn't be here to see me get married. It was hard for me, to watch you on the day you got married, because I knew how much it killed you that they weren't there on your day. We've both had a really hard time without them. Do you remember what you told me, just a few years ago," I ask, sitting next to her.
" I told you I was afraid that I would forget what they looked like. That I would have to rely on pictures all the time to recall them," she murmurs, and I smile sadly.
" It's easy for me, really. To remember them. The way they would smile, or the light would catch their eyes, I can remember, because I've drawn them a million times. I don't ever want you to forget. Ever. So this is the best that I can do to help you. To help you remember, that we've been together. Always, together. From the time we were in strollers, until now, until the end. We will always, always, be together."
" We cant do this, we cant cry like this," she says, " We're going to ruin our make up."
" Well, it's a good thing that we have the make up artists on stand by huh?" I ask, and with a small sniffle we both break down, holding onto each other as we cry over what is to come, and what isn't here.
XXX
Butterflies fill my stomach, my heart galloping in my chest as I stand behind the wedding party. Brae fusses with the train of my Vera Wang one shoulder gown, gently straightening my mother's veil, and I smile.
" You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen in my life," Brae whispers to me, linking her arm with Shannon's. She looks over her shoulder at me one last time.
" Just breathe."
" Are you ready?" Mark whispers, linking his hand with mine and I smile nodding my head as the music swells.
Most would find it morbid, to walk down the aisle to November Rain, but not for me. I remember the first time I heard this song, I listened to it and watched my Mom and Dad dance in the kitchen, arms wrapped around each other, and I swore, if I ever did decide to attach my life to someone else's I would walk to him while this song played.
" I love you Mom, Dad," I whisper and then I start walking, slowly, feeling steadier than I thought I would. Yes, my heart still hammers in my chest, but it isn't nervousness. It's anticipation. Anticipation that in just a few minutes, my hand will be in Jared's, and after tonight I will belong to him. And he to me. Forever.
My hand finds Jared instinctively once I reach him, and everything falls into place as his beautiful eyes light up and he smiles at me. We mouth ' I love you' to one another before the ceremony begins.
" Jared and Evangeline have brought all of you here, their closest friends and families, so you can all bare witness to their promise to one another to love each other for the rest of their lives, to link with one another their lives. What they were without each other, to become what they will be together. They have also chosen to write their own vows. At this time Jared will begin," the minister speaks, and I smile, handing Braelyn my bouquet, letting Jared take my hands.
" Evangeline," Jared says, his voice steady as his eyes tear up and I can't help but feel my own eyes start to burn, " "I love you for your beauty, your intelligence, your kindness...and for the way you always know how to make me feel so special. I vow to always appreciate how lucky I am to have someone who makes me feel the way you do and to continue to try as hard as I can to make you feel as special as you make me feel, forever and ever."
His words make me cry, just a little as he slides the wedding ring onto my finger and I smile squeezing his hand tightly.
" Jared," I say, more like whisper, and I have to clear my throat, so I don't cry, " You have been my best friend, mentor, playmate, confidant, and my greatest challenge. But most importantly, you are the love of my life and you make me happier than I could ever imagine and more loved than I ever thought possible... You have made me a better person as our love for one another is reflected in the way I live my life. So I am truly blessed to be a part of your life, which as of today becomes our life together."
I slide Jared's platinum, diamond ring onto his finger, and it feels like everything else falls away. Like its just us, just me and Jared in this moment. Looking at each other, getting lost in each other.
" You may now kiss your bride," the minister says, and our lips meet to the sound of people cheering and laughing.
XXX
It amazes me, how different it feels to be married. I tried asking Braelyn, if she felt different after marrying Chase, and she tried to explain, but she just couldn't find the words, and now I understand why. It's an almost overwhelming feeling to know that Jared and I are linked together now. Forever.
Even as we sit together, side by side along with the rest of the wedding party, talking amongst ourselves, eating dinner, I feel content. Different, but content. Happy.
" Uhm, Evy, a minute," Brae says smiling as she crouches between Jared and I, and I nod turning to look at her.
" Okay, so I know you were like, really excited by the idea of me singing your first dance song, but I cant," Braelyn says hurriedly and I grin, ear to ear at her.
" You have to," I murmur to her.
" No, no really I can't. See, I thought I would be able to, but that was back when your guest list was barely a hundred people, but there's two hundred and thirty people here. I can't get up on that stage and sing in front of two hundred and thirty people," she pleads, and I laugh.
" You can, and you will, and you want to know why?" I ask, taking her hand in mine.
" Why?"
" Because you're my best friend, and you'll get over the nerves, and you'll do amazing," I tell her, " Just, breathe."
XXX
Braelyn's POV
I pace back and forth just outside of the reception, one hand pressed to my galloping heart, another to my stomach and I honestly feel like I'm going to be sick. I look around in panic as I realize there is nowhere to throw up discreetly, not out here in the beautiful gardens of the Villa San Michele.
" Oh please, please don't throw up," I plead with myself, hands shaking a little as I crouch down, holding my head in my hands.
" You okay?" a voice comes from the shadows, and I look up, heart plummeting into my stomach as Tyson stares down at me.
" Uhm, yeah. No. I don't know."
" Oh well, if you want I can get your husband for you," he spits out at me and I cringe.
" Ty, I.."
" Save it. You win okay? You finally paid me back, ten times over. Isn't that what you wanted?"
" What? Are you seriously that much of a narcissistic ass to think I got married as some sort of sick ploy to get back at you?" I demand standing to my feet.
" Well, what other reason would you have for not telling me? I mean, what better way to blind side a person than to do it when your in another wedding with them?"
" I didn't know! I didn't know you were in the wedding! I didn't tell you because really, it isn't any of your damn business. You lost the right to know my business when you broke my heart!"
" Your never going to let me off the hook for that are you! God, when are you going to get over it!"
" How can I? How can I get over it when I still fucking love you!" I slap my hand over my mouth as soon as the words escape it, and tears roll down my cheeks.
" What?" he asks stepping towards me, eyes masked in confusion and I step back.
" You'll be smart to step away from my wife," Chase's voice comes from behind me, and I whirl around, finding that he stands hands in his pocket watching us.
" Chase, I" I start but he comes to my side, taking my hand.
" Brae, I've been stupid, and we have a lot to talk about, but that can wait. Their waiting for you," he says and he takes my hand, sending a fiery look at Tyson before leading me back into the reception.
" Hello," I say into the microphone, cursing the fact that my hands are still shaking, " At this time, the Bride and Groom will join together for their first dance. Evy, Jared, this one's for you."
The music swells, and I take a deep breathe, trying to steady myself, and it comes quickly, the peace of the moment as I lose myself in the music, and the picture that Evy and Jared make standing in the center of the dance floor together.
XXX
Evangeline's POV
' When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case,
I could offer you a warm embrace,
To make you feel my love."
I smile up at Jared, Braelyn's beautiful voice filling the space, floating on the air as Jared holds me close, a smile on his lips as he stares down at me.
" Your so beautiful," Jared murmurs to me and I smile, shaking my head, lifting my face to kiss him.
' When the evening shadows and the stars appear,
And there is no one there to dry your tears,
I could hold you for a million years,
To make you feel my love.'
" Mmm, so what do you think the likelihood of us sneaking out of here early is?" Jared whispers in my ear as we dance across the floor and I giggle.
" Hmm, not very likely. Especially since Laycie and Amber have a bet going on who is going to catch the bouquet."
" A man can dream…"
' I know you haven't made your mind up yet,
But I would never do you wrong.
I've known it from the moment that we met,
No doubt in my mind where you belong.
I'd go hungry; I'd go black and blue,
I'd go crawling down the avenue,
No, there's nothing that I wouldn't do,
To make you feel my love.
The storms are raging on the rolling sea,
And on the highway of regret.
Though winds of change are blowing wild and free,
You aint seen nothing like me yet.
I could make you happy, make your dreams come true,
Nothing that I wouldn't do,
Go to the ends of the Earth for you,
To make you feel my love.'
The song ends, and Braelyn smiles, wiping tear filled eyes before rushing off the stage, wrapping Jared and I in a tight hug that says it all.
XXX
" Hello again," Brae says into the microphone, and everyone laughs as she giggles, shaking her head, " You will have to excuse me, but I am just a little tipsy. This is the time where I'm supposed to say something, and as the maid of honor I have every intention of living up to my duty. To prove it, look at this. I have a whole speech written out, with different possible outcomes. Look, Evy, their color coordinated."
I can't help but to fall into an almost uncontrollable fit of laughter as she waves multicolored note cards in the air.
" However, these can go. These too. Oh and these, she'd kill me if I read these. Oh, look, I'm left with just the orange ones. Okay. Here we go," Brae jokes, and everyone laughs, including Tyson, which is surprising.
" Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the couple who'll decide where to go. You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care. About some you will say, "We don't choose to go there." With your heads full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you're too smart to go down, any not-so-good street. And you may not find any you'll want to go down. In that case, of course, you'll head straight out of town. It's opener there in the wide open air, Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you. And when things start to happen, don't worry. Don't stew. Just go right along. You'll start happening too."
" I know it seems kind of funny, silly even, to quote Dr. Seuss, at a wedding, but Evy's parents would read Oh! The Place's You'll Go to her every night when she was little. Every night, they would tell her, she could go anywhere. Do anything. When Evy was a teenager, she asked her mother about love, and asked if falling in love suddenly means that all of the places, and things, she wanted to go and do would no longer matter. And her mother simply said no. No, it doesn't mean that the things that you want to see or do will no longer matter. Instead, it will become "us" and "our" instead of "me" and "mine." I used to worry about Evy, when we got into college and she started all this "anti-marriage" talk. I worried because I was afraid that somehow, our time in the real world, our time without our parents showing us that love is real, strong, and pure, jaded her against the idea of ever finding her ONE. I am, beyond ecstatic, that I am standing here, in front of all of you, giving this speech, in this moment. Because it means she remembers. Evy, you are my best friend. Every time I have fallen, or broken, or simply fallen apart, you have been there, and I wont lie and say that this is a little hard. To know that suddenly your going to have a new life, but then I have to slap myself, and remember, we only live thirty minutes away from each other, and hell, we're best friends. No amount of time, or distance, can change that. So I will tell you this. I love you, and I am so proud, that you remembered. That you allowed yourself to be open. That you didn't shy away from the possibility of love. I have never met two people more made for each other, than you and Jared. And I honestly look forward to watching your relationship as husband and wife, blossom and grow. If they we're here right now, I know your Mom would hold your hand, and your dad would take your face in his, and they would tell you, ' So, be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray, or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, Your off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So, get on your way."
I watch Brae step back from the microphone, and with one hand over her heart and a smile on her lips, even through her tears, I let go of Jared and rush to her, gathering her close.
" I love you."