Edward
The big day was here, and Edward's wedding was to be the last of the three. He wondered how the other two couples had fared. Was this insane? Of course it was. Yet, here he stood, ready to take his mark at the altar as the stagehand gestured for him to proceed out to the designated area. His two groomsmen patted him on the back, and he heard their chuckles from behind. The air felt electric with anticipation, and there was a collective awe from the audience as the wedding march played. After weeks of preparation and doubt and hope, his bride was just on the other side of the room.
This must be good, he thought. What if…the gods or fate had smiled upon him and found him worthy of the angel from the other night? What if he were to lift her veil to find her face smiling back at him?
Edward, stop it.
He'd seen too much in his life and at the hospital, too much illness and misfortune, accidents and mishaps. He was not given to fantasies, so he had no idea why he was so affected by the company of the brunette from the bar. The truth was he'd never been so enchanted.
Life doesn't work this way, Edward. Not for you. Now, get your head on straight and prepare to meet your bride, hand-picked especially for you. You can have happiness - you just have to choose it. Forget about the brunette.
Maybe she was just an hors d'oeuvre- an appetizer, something to whet the appetite, he thought, a poor analogy to someone so exquisite who would prepare him for the main course. For as long as they both shall live.
"Okay," the girl whispered to him, pressing the right headphone against her ear and chewing gum quickly as though she were on a mission. How old was she? 19? Was she an intern? Or possibly just out of college? What did she know about getting married or real life? "Showtime." She stepped aside, confirming it with a nod.
As he strode to his spot, he glanced his bride's approach. Her face was so finely made up that she looked like a life-like doll with blonde curly tendrils that framed her perfectly symmetrical face. A smile graced her lips as she looked from side to side. Admiring her audience? Or admiring the audience admiring her? He understood very well about the significance of weddings for women - how they prized the attention, how this was a day to celebrate their life, or rather the joining of their life to someone they loved. Yes. That's what it was.
Here she was. Quite beautiful, and not shy as her violet eyes met his. As soon as they made eye contact she flashed him the most incredible smile.
Truly, she was a sight to behold. She reminded him of wishes coming true. Of someone who'd been hidden in the shadows and finally released to feel the glory of the sun's rays.
Edward approached the older gentleman beside her, gray at his temples and mustache, whose arm was linked in hers - a man in his fifties, very straight in posture, and eyes stern. How to approach a man who raised a woman from an infant and just ask him to release her to a stranger?
"How do you do, sir? My name is Edward." He extended his hand to his soon-to-be father-in-law, feeling the weight of his intended's eyes on him.
The older man's smile was tight and his grip was firm as it shook his hand, even squeezing it hard for effect, like he would kill him if he hurt her.
Edward nodded to him. He'd never truly considered the anguish a parent might feel in this situation, but here they were anyway. His soon-to-be father-in-law stepped aside and disappeared. The cameraman to their left drew slightly closer, and the boom operator extended the microphone just above them-as obvious as having a bright light shone in the eyes. Edward ignored it like they told them, offering his hand, and their attention was called by the minister as he gestured them forward.
"On behalf of Meet Ya at the Altar and our friends and family, we are gathered here today…"
Edward's gaze fixed on her - his bride, gathering whatever info possible just from the details of the woman standing before him. But, her eyes wandered…to her bridesmaids…to his groomsmen, to the minister. He could only gauge one thing: her lack of interest in him. This made Edward think of the other groom- Jasper, who'd admitted to having this similar ability to feel what the other person was feeling. Was Jasper feeling this way now? Maybe it was just Edward. Maybe Edward's keen observation of body language and expressions were off. Maybe he was receiving a bad first impression. It happened.
"Edward, meet Rosalie, your bride."
Rosalie. What a beautiful name-a name likened to a flower. She was as beautiful as one, for sure, but her smile he knew right away lacked any depth or sincerity. Rosalie stood here, in costume, like a beauty queen ready to deliver her speech. And he felt all of a sudden more of an ornament than a prize.
"It's a pleasure," Edward said to her, mustering up as much sincerity as he could. He did not want to be overly critical, but she seemed to be now smiling through her teeth.
"Do you have anything you would like to say to Rosalie?"
Now or never. Besides, he might have been judging her unfairly. This was a stressful moment and situation. He had this moment to show her, prove to her that he had the right to be here, that he was worthy of someone to love. That he was as desirable as that brunette from the hotel had made him feel…
"I look forward to getting to know the real you, Rosalie, and to sharing our lives together," Edward said, speaking the words from his heart and pushing away the idea that thousands, if not millions would be watching and judging later.
He didn't expect the anger that flashed in her eyes. It was just a flicker, but now he questioned what he said. Had he upset her in some way?
The minister continued, "Rosalie, do you have anything to say to Edward?"
Her whole demeanor changed as though she'd just slid on a mask, and the smile lit up her features. "I'm so excited to be here." Disgust knotted in Edward's stomach. It sounded so forced…so practiced.
The minister paused for a moment, as if he, along with all the friends and family watching, processed what she just said. Rosalie was excited to be here. Edward had this choking feeling right away. She could care less whether he lived or died. Granted, he was a stranger to her, but, he wasn't some scruff off the street. Okay, so she wasn't attracted to him. This happened. They'd been warned of previous seasons where there was an absence of chemistry from the get go. Maybe that's what it was. He was misjudging her. And he was not giving her a chance. Very possibly, they would hit it off once they got to know one another. After all, they were matched for a reason.
Rosalie
"What do you think of Edward, Rosalie?"
She sat on the stool, and her fingers caressed the petals of the roses of her bouquet. "Oh, he's very handsome." The producer sat, with clipboard in hand, tucked in the shadow of the camera, and as always, the light blared in Rosalie's eyes, making it hard to look directly into the lens. The idea was to talk to the producer, as though the producer's comments and thoughts represented America's voice.
"You didn't seem that enthusiastic."
Rosalie wondered about this. She hoped it hadn't shown on her face. "I didn't? I mean, well, you know. He's a stranger. I'm a stranger to him. I'm sure it will be wonderful." With that, she smiled, as though she believed it.
"After Edward spoke of sharing his life with you, you said that you were excited to be here."
Her gaze met the camera. "I was nervous. Anybody else here ever get married to a stranger?"
"Okay…it's just that when he went to kiss you, you turned your face so that he kissed your cheek."
"He's a stranger," she repeated.
"Yes, we understand. And some couples have chemistry right away and some don't. We do hope that you will give him a chance."
"Of course I will." They finally released her back to the reception and she just wanted to cry. Not only was she not attracted to him, but he also inferred to God and everybody that she was not there for the right reason. Who the hell did he think he was? Getting to know the real her? As though she was being fake? She forced the thought from her mind and, pasting a smile to her face, returned to the room of people there to celebrate the occasion.
A/N: Okay, so I'm sure there's no surprise here. I hope you will stay with me for more to see what our couples have to learn about each other and themselves! Many thanks to you for your support and for reading.