A/N: I ended up with more time to write this week than I thought, so you're in luck. This chapter is almost a week earlier than I expected!
Anyway, thank you so much for all of the lovely reviews of the last chapter. Thank you also to my wonderful beta reader, Rosalie!
Chapter 38: Tris – Wedding
I have never been more excited. It sends a sort of wild energy through me that makes it virtually impossible to stay still as Christina applies my make-up in her currently-very-messy room.
"Stop squirming," she gripes as she swats my arm. She's currently trying to use a brush of some type on my eyelashes. "If this smears, I'm going to have to redo everything from the last ten minutes."
"Sorry," I mutter, deciding not to aggravate someone who's holding a pointy object near my eyeball. But I can't keep the grin from returning to my face. It's impossible not to be in a good mood right now.
Christina smiles a little, too, despite the stern façade she's attempting to portray. "Just hang on for a few more minutes," she implores me. "I'm almost done."
True to her word, she sets the make-up aside a few minutes later and removes the cloth that was protecting my dress. She helps me to my feet next, walking around me and pulling at the fabric in a few places to make sure everything is right.
Finally, with a last tweak, she stands back to admire her handiwork. She's silent for so long that I start to worry.
"You look beautiful, Tris," she finally murmurs, her eyes starting to water. "Absolutely beautiful." Managing to smile despite her teariness, she gestures to the full-length mirror hanging on her bedroom wall and adds, "Take a look."
And I do, hesitantly at first, since the Abnegation instincts that are still deep inside me will never be comfortable with mirrors. But once I look, I can't stop staring. Despite how long it seemed to take, Christina kept my make-up light enough to appear natural. And somehow, she made me look flawless and radiant.
My hair is pulled back in a loose bun – a reminder of the first faction I shared with Tobias – and my short white veil flows from the back of it behind my head and shoulders, framing me and making me shine even more. It also accentuates the white pearl earrings that dangle from where they're clipped in place on my ears, since I never did get them pierced.
My shoulders are bare, leaving my face and dress to capture all the attention. And the dress is perfect. It probably started life in Candor, since when we selected it, it was white with an overlay of fine beads that turned gradually black as they descended down the skirt. But as her wedding gift to me, Susan spent countless hours replacing alternating lines of black beads with blue ones, causing the dress to reflect differently with every movement so that it now looks like a bit of every faction except perhaps Amity.
It's not a problem to leave that faction out. There's so much happiness radiating through me as it is that I don't need anything external to indicate it.
Slowly, I turn in place, watching the dress shimmer lightly, reflecting gray and blue and white and black as I gaze at my reflection.
"So," Christina asks, her voice a bit anxious, "what do you think?"
"It's incredible, Christina," I whisper, stopping to look at her. "Just…incredible." Her face lights up with a grin, and she reaches to hug me before apparently deciding not to risk messing with the beauty she just spent so long creating.
Instead, she turns to look at the clock. "We're right on time, too. I just need ten minutes to finish getting myself ready, and then we can head up."
I nod, staring at myself in the mirror again. Never, in my entire life, did I expect to look like this.
A soft knock sounds on the door, and I cross the room to answer it, since Christina is now in the bathroom.
Cara gapes at me for a moment before smiling widely. "Wow," she says quietly. "You look really good, Tris."
"Thanks," I answer a bit shyly. I've only heard Cara comment on my appearance once before, and that was when I overheard her in Candor talking about my long nose. It's a definite change to have her compliment me now, and to see how genuinely she means it.
"Is Christina here?" Cara asks, seeming to abruptly remember why she came.
I turn toward the bathroom just as Christina emerges again. Her eyes meet Cara's, and our friend walks quickly over to her.
"You're not supposed to panic about this," she whispers, presumably trying to keep me from hearing, "but Michael is sick, so Kevin and Miriam left him with a baby-sitter."
"Then what are we doing for a ring-bearer?" Christina hisses, clearly flustered.
"Uriah said he'd take care of it."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Christina demands. "We can't just have some random kid play the role. Who is he getting?"
"I don't know," Cara admits, biting her lip uncertainly. "He just said he could handle it."
Christina glares, running her hand through her hair in frustration before snapping, "He'd better, or I'll kill him." The words tell me it's time to intervene. My best friend has done a wonderful job of handling the most stressful parts of the wedding, but she clearly needs some help letting this go.
"It's okay," I tell them both, walking over to them. "If we don't have a ring-bearer, Zeke or Kevin can hold the rings. The best man does that sometimes, right?"
Christina looks like she might hyperventilate, but after a moment, she swallows her reluctance. "I suppose…" she mutters.
I clasp her hands lightly, smiling reassuringly at her. "It'll be fine. Now, finish getting ready. I want to get married."
She nods slowly, returning to the bathroom as Cara asks, "Should I let them know you'll be up soon?"
"Yeah, in nine minutes," Christina calls out. Cara smiles at me as she leaves.
There's a screen set up to hide me from the audience when I exit the stairway. It seems a bit silly to me, but Christina is adamant that no one should see me until the right moment, presumably so they can all be stunned at once by her hard work.
So, I stand there listening to the murmurs of the audience while Shauna and Christina fuss over the details of my dress, making sure it flows to their satisfaction. When they're finally satisfied, they take a moment to check each other, but they're both beautiful in their dark blue dresses with wide gray sashes. They mirror the groomsmen's gray suits and blue ties.
I smile a little as I watch them, noting how the colors complete the presence of every faction in our surroundings, given the enormous quantity of red and yellow flowers planted all around the rooftop.
Christina turns to me again, taking my hands and giving them a squeeze as she meets my gaze. Her eyes are moist, and I don't think I've ever seen her look happier or prouder.
"Are you ready?" she whispers, her voice catching.
"I've been ready for weeks," I answer without hesitation. And it's true. There is nothing I want more than to marry Tobias right now.
Christina smiles as she leaves to join the rest of the wedding party while I watch from a gap in the screen.
Anna walks down the aisle first, looking very Dauntless with just a hint of Candor in her white dress that's covered with black lace. She takes her place at the front, where she'll officiate, before turning her attention to the groomsmen as they start escorting the bridesmaids behind her.
Amar and Cara go first among them, followed by Zeke and Shauna, and finally Kevin and Christina. It was difficult for Tobias to limit his groomsmen to just those three, since it left Uriah and George out of the ceremony, but everyone understood that a wedding party can only be so big.
Briefly, I look for them among the audience, but I can only find George. Uriah must be working with whoever he found to be the replacement ring bearer.
My heart leaps into my throat when Tobias steps forward next, walking confidently down the aisle with his mother by his side. He stands tall and proud, every aspect of his body language radiating his happiness as he seats Evelyn and then moves to stand beside Zeke and Kevin. But it's when he turns toward where I'm hidden that I feel my entire chest constrict at once.
I have never seen Tobias look as handsome as he does today. He wears a black tuxedo with a gray tie and cummerbund, reflecting his two previous factions, and his expression is eager as his gaze seems to seek me out through the screen that's blocking his view. There's no question that he's waiting for me, and it's all I can do not to head toward him immediately.
But Margaret is next, and I force myself to stand still as she scatters red and yellow petals from her basket all along the aisle before taking her seat. Even from behind, I can tell that she's grinning from ear to ear.
Michael should come after this, but since he's sick, I watch to see who is taking his place. The laughter from the audience alerts me before I actually see what's happening.
Uriah is crouched to make him appear shorter, and he's shuffling down the aisle in awkward goose steps as he holds the pillow high, showing the rings to the audience. He's taking Michael's place in a far more literal manner than I would have guessed.
The laughter grows as Uriah approaches the front, his movements getting funnier the longer he continues them, but I find myself looking at the bridal party to see how much trouble my friend is going to be in for this.
Zeke is in obvious hysterics, and Tobias is grinning. Christina, on the other hand, looks absolutely shell-shocked. She stares, as if she can't decide whether this is perfect or if she's going to kill her maybe-boyfriend.
Finally, Shauna breaks down laughing, too, and Christina gives in, smiling as she shakes her head in disbelief. Uriah sidles up next to Tobias, crouching on his knees and holding the pillow up in the same position that Michael practiced. The entire audience bursts into cheers, and I see Tobias and Uriah exchange some comments I can't hear. They're both clearly amused, though, so I'm not worried about it.
In fact, there's something fitting about seeing Uriah in this role. He was indirectly involved in retrieving my ring, after all, so why shouldn't he be indirectly involved in delivering it to me today?
But I don't dwell on the thought, because now it's my turn. The music changes, and the audience quiets immediately, all attention focused on Caleb as he steps toward me. He extends his arm in a clear invitation, smiling deeply.
I don't hesitate to join him, linking my arm with his before we both turn to the front – to where Tobias awaits.
Our eyes meet instantly, despite the distance between us, and I can't seem to look away as I walk toward him. He's staring at me, wide-eyed, an expression of awe and joy filling his features. And for a moment, I don't think either of us remembers to breathe. Right now, all that matters is that we're finally here. We're getting married. The thought makes a wide grin split my face.
My attention is drawn back to the others when Caleb pulls me to a gentle stop. I face him again, and he gazes at me wordlessly for several long seconds, pride filling his eyes, before he kisses me on the cheek. I squeeze his arm in return, blinking away the few tears of happiness that seem to have suddenly come out of nowhere.
My brother gives Tobias a nod to officially signify his approval as he places my hand lightly in my fiancé's, before slipping away to take his seat. Tobias' fingers lace with mine, and I face him as I take the final step to my place right next to him.
"You look incredible, Tris," he murmurs, clearly forgetting all about the audience as he stares only at me. And to be honest, I'm having a hard time remembering that anyone else exists.
"You do, too," I whisper back, standing on tiptoe to touch my lips to his, even though we haven't reached that part of the ceremony yet. But he clearly doesn't care, either, as he pulls me against him, kissing me back with undisguised enthusiasm.
The cheers bring us back to the moment, and I can feel myself flushing with embarrassment as we pull apart and turn to face Anna.
"Shall we begin?" she asks, her voice laced with amusement.
Tobias' answer is firm. "Yes. I can't wait to marry this woman."
"Clearly," my grandmother mutters, chuckling lightly. And then she starts her speech.
It's difficult to focus on the words. I'm vaguely aware that she's talking about the tradition of marriage and the importance of it in our lives, but my gaze keeps wandering to Tobias. And every time it does, I find his mesmerizing blue eyes already looking at me. It becomes harder and harder to look away each time.
I don't notice when Anna finishes talking, but abruptly I realize that Tobias is facing me, his expression intense, and I know it's time for our vows. He holds my left hand in his, looking directly into my eyes as he speaks.
"I, Tobias, take you, Beatrice, to be my lawfully wedded wife." He smiles from deep within. "To have and to hold, forsaking all others, through good times and bad. For richer or poorer. Through war and danger and imprisonment. Through insanely risky missions. And through peace and calmness too. Through sickness and in health. With or without a faction. With or without anything, really."
He reaches his free hand up to lightly caress my face. "You're it for me, Tris. You have changed everything about my life, and you are the only one I ever want to be with." His thumb traces my cheek as he voice gets softer. "I love you, and I will be your faithful and loving husband forever."
My heart jumps at the last word, knowing that he deliberately picked it instead of "until death do us part." The reason is clear in his eyes – the look that says it isn't nearly good enough to just love me for the rest of his life. He needs forever. And I couldn't agree more.
I don't even see him retrieve the ring from the pillow, but my gaze is drawn to it as I feel him slip it onto my finger. For a moment, I just stare at it, thinking about the convoluted path our lives took to bring us here today, and the role this particular ring played along the way.
But it doesn't distract me for long. My focus quickly returns to Tobias, and I watch only him as I speak, trying to keep my voice from breaking.
"I, Beatrice, take you, Tobias, to be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, forsaking all others, through everything that may come. For richer or poorer, through fear and joy, through war and torture and peace and games. Through sickness and injury and recovery and health. Wherever we may live, and whatever we may do."
I pause, suddenly unable to remember the rest of what I'd planned to say. I just know that it wasn't enough to convey all the feelings packed into my chest right now. Tobias has shown me his love so many times, through his broadcasts and his behavior and through gesture after gesture in the entire time I have known him. He needs to know how much he means to me.
"Tobias, you are the man of my dreams," I start, my voice cracking, but then I shake my head. "No, you're far beyond that. I never thought that I would meet someone like you, let alone marry you. I have learned so much from you. You helped me and protected me even when we barely knew each other, and you taught me what it means to be strong, and brave, and selfless, and smart. You taught me the importance of honesty and kindness, too."
I stare into his dark blue eyes as I continue. "You are the best person I know. You have always been there for me, and I have no doubt whatsoever that you always will be. But to have the honor of sharing my life with you…." I shake my head again, at a loss for words. "There is nothing better than that. I love you so much, and I am so happy that I get to be your loving and faithful wife forever."
Tobias' mouth opens a little as he stares at me intently, his breathing hard. And then he's pulling me against him, his lips crushing mine as our arms wrap around each other. There is nothing except this. I am his, and he is mine, and we are one as our very souls join in the most passionate kiss we have ever shared.
It's impossible to say how much time passes before we finally remember that the wedding isn't over yet, and that we have an audience watching us. We pull apart a few inches, resting our foreheads together as we breathe in each other's scent.
Dimly, I become aware that everyone watching us is cheering – clapping and hooting and laughing at our impromptu show of affection. But I don't move until I feel the nudge at my arm.
"Tris!" My gaze moves automatically toward the sound, and I finally notice Uriah attempting to hand me something. A metal band. And I realize that I forgot about Tobias' ring.
Smiling, I take it carefully, holding Tobias' gaze as I slide it onto his finger. We're both grinning widely when we finally turn back to Anna.
She's smiling just as broadly, shaking her head a little as she watches us. "We're certainly not in Abnegation anymore, are we?" she says with a chuckle. I'm blushing too much to answer her.
"Well," she continues, "Tobias and Tris, it is my privilege to pronounce you husband and wife." There's an unmistakable twinkle in her eyes as she adds, "You may now kiss the bride. Again."
It's late in the evening by the time all the festivities are done and the cleaning crew that Evelyn brought in has finished getting everything back to normal.
Our guests from outside the faction trickle out one by one, thanking us for inviting them and wishing us the best before they head into the mild night air. Gradually, our faction-mates say goodnight as well.
Micky, Luella, and Lauren will be heading back to Pittsburgh early tomorrow, so we say our farewells to them, too.
And then we head downstairs, just Tobias and I, for our first night in our new apartment.
We're a few feet away when he sweeps me into his arms, grinning as he pushes the door open and carries me through it. I'd forgotten that there's an old tradition of carrying the bride over the threshold of her new home on her wedding night, but I certainly don't mind as I wrap my arms around my husband's neck and enjoy the ride.
He sets me down before closing the door and making a point of locking it. I laugh, knowing perfectly well what he means. No one is allowed to interrupt us tonight.
"I can't believe we're finally married," he says softly, his eyes resting on mine with an expression of awe. "I feel like I've been waiting for this since the day we met."
My lips curve upward as I run a hand lightly up his arm, feeling the sparks that always accompany that touch. "I know what you mean. I've wanted to call you my husband for a very long time now."
A shiver runs through him, and he leans closer so his head is right by mine. "Say that again." His voice is husky.
"What? Husband?" His smile is all the answer I need, and I raise my chin, letting my lips brush his ear as I whisper, "You're my husband. My husband. Mine."
"God, I love hearing that," he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin. He runs a hand down my back, causing tingling to shoot all down my spine.
"I love being yours," he adds, pulling back enough to look at me. For a few seconds, he just takes in the sight, letting his gaze roam up and down my body in a way I know he was hesitant to do when the others were around.
"You really do look incredible, Tris."
A mischievous smile forms on my face as I reach out, lightly tracing circles on his chest with my left hand. "Wait 'til you see what's under the dress."
His eyes widen, and his breath catches as he stares hard, as if he'll be able to see through the material by sheer force of will.
"So what I'm hearing," he finally says, clearing his throat, "is that it's time for me to undress my wife."
"That," I answer throatily, "is an excellent idea, Tobias."
A/N: When Uriah took his position next to Tobias, this was their exchange:
Tobias chuckles as he says, "It's a good thing Margaret wasn't the one who got sick."
Uriah just grins back. "Are you kidding? I would have made a wonderful flower girl."
Please take a moment to let me know what you thought of this chapter. Also, there are some images on my tumblr page if you want to see what parts of the wedding looked like. Search for Windchimedwriter on the tumblr website to find it. :-)