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Sitting in front of the fireplace, his mother had made me look more beautiful than I ever could in my life. She had my hair in a fifties’ style up-do, the makeup matching the era. She had called in a couple of favors and rented the local lodge for a quarter of the prize. Stuck in the middle of a photo shoot. Doing my best to smile for her, Derrick and her pulled this wedding together in a week. He handled the catering while she managed everything else. Holding my bouquet of black roses in my hand, she fussed with the black pearl necklace and earrings. Tracing my cheeks, she was crying as much as me. Yet deep down half of me felt nothing. Cupping my face, she kissed my forehead.
“You are the daughter I wished I always had." She wept happily, both of us thanking that my makeup was waterproof. "Matty loves you with all of his heart." Helping me to my feet, my fingers curled around her wrists. Focusing on her lovely emerald dress, I chose to hide my eyes with my bangs.
“What if your family hates me like everyone else?” I choked out brokenly, her sudden bear hug had me melting in her arms. “Everyone hates me except for the few people in my circle.” Patting my back, she held me by my shoulders. Wiping away my tears, she couldn’t help but to fuss over me again.
“My family has always loved you.” She assured me, cupping my hands together. “I haven’t shut up about how you help everyone in this town. My family is a sucker for a person with a golden heart." Walking to the heavy dark wooden doors, she went to leave me on my own. Not wanting to walk alone, my hand grabbed hers. Dropping my veil over my face, this felt too real. This is the first time I didn't want to run.
“Can you give me away?” I blurted out oddly, a busy Derrick was walking by with the catering crew from the diner. Hooking her elbow in mine, she motioned for the doors to be opened. The music began to play, Matty’s jaw dropping to the ground at me. Marching forward, my side of the ceremony was empty except for Sammy and her girls. Wearing a beautiful lilac dress, the girls wore matching outfits. The grocery store manager waved over at me in a golden pantsuit, my real smile illuminating my features. Stopping in front of the roaring river rock fireplace, the gentle priest asked if she wanted to give me up. Nodding her head once, she placed me across from Matty. Wearing a vintage suit from the fifties, she adjusted his black bow tie. Fixing his mane, she sat down in the front row next to Sammy. Glancing at his full side, anxiety brewed inside of me, his hands holding mine melted some of it away.
“Don’t worry. They are harmless.” He promised sweetly, my breath hitching at his genuine smile. "Your cause of death will probably be smothered by too much love.” The young priest cleared his throat, his words fading in and out. Zoning out, the priest tapped my shoulder. The veil made it hard to see, my tears staining my cheeks.
“Do you have your vows ready?” He asked gently, my head nodding. Clearing my throat, it was hard not to sob violently.
“You fell into my life and haven’t been able to stay on your feet ever since. You stole my heart away from the first time I saw you. You have always been my rock no matter what. I can’t live life without you.” I proclaimed, crying tears of joy. “It’s my turn to be your rock. I can’t wait to have this child with you. I vow to always pick you up when you fall.” Turning his head towards Matty, he gripped my hand tighter.
“Lily, you showed up at the hardest time in my life. You brought light back into my eyes, your ultimate coolness stealing my heart for you. I can’t believe it but I literally fell for you.” He stammered nervously, his adorableness making a blush a bright crimson. “I had wanted to date you then but I didn’t want to ruin our friendship. I can’t wait to have our little family and live out your happily ever after. I love the way the sun bathes your delicate futures and how you scrunch your nose at any slight discomfort. I love how you snort when you laugh for real. I vow to never stop falling for you.” Lifting my veil, his breath hitched at my simple makeup. The priest passed us our rings, his simple black band shimmering in my palm. Sliding it onto his finger, he slid on a black band with three black pearls onto my finger. Spinning me underneath him, cheers erupted behind us the moment he kissed me hungrily. Time stopped, my heart realizing that we were husband and wife. The noise was too loud to hear him announce us as husband and wife, Matty dragging me down the aisle. Stealing me away for a moment, we hid in one of the empty rooms.
“You looked overstimulated so we can wait until you recharge, my wife.” He gushed with twinkling eyes, still living in the high. “I can’t believe you are my wife.” Unable to say much, he wasn’t wrong. Holding my bump, pride swelled in my eyes. Resting my head on his chest, I couldn’t help but admire the fine black material of the suit. How could he be so effortlessly handsome and gentle at the same time? Kissing the top of my head, a wave of tears threatened to destroy my makeup. Bowing my head in shame, he shouldn’t have to worry. Playing with the flowers, he clutched me close to my chest.
“I will always be there to catch you when you fall.” He whispered serenely into my ears, a warmth melting away my anxiety. “You have a habit of catching me so let me carry you.” Lifting up my chin with his finger, his loving gaze met mine. He was my home and safety in this fucked up world. Stepping out, everyone was in the reception. Wandering back into the ceremony space, I had forgotten to look at the mantle. Sobs wracked my body at the sight of my parents smiling down at me in an old photo of them holding me as a baby. Taking it down, I clutched it close to my chest. Sinking to my knees, tears stained the silk of my dress. Matty hugged me from behind, his chin resting on my head. Letting me cry out all of my emotions, he helped me to my feet. Taking the picture with me to my reception, they deserved to be with me every moment of the wedding. Stopping at the door, the DJ announced our presence.
“Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Doccos!” He announced with a wide grin, everyone clapping. Setting the photo down at the table, it was time for the first dance. Red Suit Apparatus' Guardian Angel began to play, Matty spinning me around the dancefloor. Losing myself in the moment, it felt like we were floating. Gazing lovingly into my eyes, fate had granted me my prince on the white horse. The song finished up, his mother guiding us to every table. Just as they promised, his family was genuinely as nice as she was. Smothering me in bear hugs, they congratulated us heartily. Letting out shaky thank yous, I must have seemed so pathetic. Taking me to the table, his mother tapped her glass. Silent tears stained her cheeks, her smile couldn’t be any brighter.
“Today I gained a daughter. Her life has been rough for the past couple of years so let’s drown her in the love that she has been missing and make her one of us. From the day she started hanging out with my dear Matty, he came out of his shell. He wouldn’t stop talking about her when she wasn’t around him.” She babbled, Matty hiding his blushing face underneath his hand. “We are blessed to have her in our lives. I know I am. For many nights, she cooked my boy dinner and took care of him when work had me trapped in their ensnares. I can’t believe my boy is married to a saint. Welcome to the family.” Fighting back tears, she sat back down next to him. My eyes noted the two empty chairs with my parents’ names on them, the battle with my tears growing harder. Setting the photo of them in the center, a sadness tainted the moment. Derrick called out in his chef’s uniform, Matty promising to get me a plate. Sammy and the girls ran up to me, happy smiles on their faces.
“You look so beautiful.” She complimented me sincerely, taking my hands. “Doesn’t she, girls?” Nodding their heads once, I set my bouquet into their hands. Confusion dawned on their faces, her mother understanding. Getting up from my seat, I crouched down to their level.
“I need you to hang these lovely flowers up for me. Then I need you to take care of them for me.” I commented with my real smile, all of their faces lighting up. “Would you like a picture with me? Sammy, I want you in the photo.” Calling the photographer over, we got into our position. Flashing our real smiles, the photographer took a couple of photos. Thanking the lady, she kept eyeing the food.
“Why don’t you get yourself a plate?” I suggested lightly, her quiet smile growing ever so brighter. “I am sure there is enough. I will dance with you later. I promise, my three little gremlins.” Bouncing off after their mother, Matty held a plate of my favorite foods. Getting back into our seats, people kept coming up to us to chat while we ate. Finishing up my food, I crossed my silverware. I wanted to make sure the photographer had enough to eat. Watching the people eat, a sad smile dawned on my face. Matty took my hand, a concerned expression dimming his features.
“Are you okay?” He queried softly, kissing the top of my head. “I know how hard this must be.” Snuggling into his shoulder, my fingers gripped his jacket. My lips parted to speak, the three girls bouncing up to the table. Bowing in a line, they all asked adorably if I wanted to dance. Climbing around the table, Matty watched from the distance with a goofy grin. Spinning them around, they were having the time of their life. The doors burst open, my aunt sauntered in a sparkling white gown. The music stopped, my face falling. We didn’t invite her for this very reason, his family shooting death glares in her direction. Stumbling around, she had clearly had her fill of the bubbly. Walking over to her, I sat her down in a chair. Asking for a glass of water, the crack of her hand slapping my cheek stunned everyone. Fighting the urge to crumble to pieces, her white pearl necklace and earrings glinted in the light. Touching my face, her slap had drawn blood. Ruby dotted my fingers, Matty and his mother rushing to my side.
“How dare you get your happiness!” She screeched shrilly, hitting me again. “I was hoping you would be alone for your whole life and now you are pregnant like a tramp.” Staring numbly ahead, another line of ruby stained my other cheek. Not sure what to do, his mother demanded that she leave. My aunt’s eyes fell on the empty chairs and the photo, a look of pure rage burned in her eyes. Marching over to the photo, she smashed it onto the floor. Unable to react, everyone’s eyes flitted between her and me. Picking up the photo out of the glass, a loud cry of protest exploded from my lips as she tore it to pieces. Sinking to my knees, that was the only picture that I could steal from my aunt at the time. Grabbing the silk of my dress, the tears wouldn’t stop. A sad smile lit up my face at Derrick dragging her out kicking and screaming, the drunken woman stomping away. Crawling over to the pile ripped up photo, I scooped them up. Ruby stained the dress, the pieces of glass embedding themselves into my palm. Pushing his mother away, I ran into the nearest office. Collapsing into the nearest chair, I plucked the glass out and wrapped my hand with some paper towel. Taking the tape from the corner of the desk, I spread them out like puzzle pieces. Matty and Susie sat down across from me, helping me place them together. Sari ran in, an apologetic smile dawning on her face. She may have been late but at least she made it. His mother began to clean up my wounds while they taped the photo back together, one of his aunts coming in to remove the blood stain with some magical spell or something. His family really did care for me, violent sobs wracking my body. Tending to my cheek wounds, she kept grumbling under her breath. Hoping she wouldn’t call the cops, I didn’t deserve any of this. Every breath grew shorter, my chest began to ache with every second of my increasing heart rate. The room began to spin, people’s voices began to fade in and out. It all became too much, my voice bursting in the room.
“Everyone but Matty and his mother needs to leave! You are all making too much noise!” I yelled desperately, his aunt and Sari leaving. “I am sorry but I just need a minute.” Great, now they all would hate me. Hugging me from both sides, my breathing slowly returned to normal. Resting my head on the desk, the picture was all taped together. Happy tears flowed from my eyes, the stains weren’t even on my dress.
“They must hate me.” I mumbled into the desk, his mother waving her hands around. “My aunt always finds a way to ruin everything. An All Time Low song began to play, Sari poking her head in. Pausing in the doorway, she offered me her hand. Cocking her head to the left, her million dollar smile made me feel better.
“Can I steal her away for a dance? I do have to make up for being late again.” She begged with a puffed out pout, spinning around. Rising to my feet, Matty looked relieved to see me dancing out with her. Going to the dance floor, cheers and claps erupted in the room. Dancing the stress away, his family soon joined in including his mother. All of us were jamming out to my favorite Emo hits mixed with some classic party hits. Matty stole me away, his arms spinning me around. Taking a break, it was time for the cake. All the breath left my body at the two tiered copy of the castle from our favorite movie. Cutting a piece, we fed each other for a photo. Cutting piece after piece, I passed it out with my real smile. Going back to dancing, I loved every moment of this magical moment. The evening ended without a hitch, his family apologizing for my aunt’s atrocious behavior while his aunt said that she understood as an envelope was pressed into my palms. Her gray mane brushed against my neck with her bear hug, her next words telling me that we were still okay.
“I am simply happy you are okay.” She wept with a faint smile, kissing the bandage on my cheeks. “I hope that will make it feel better. This is a week-long reservation at the Lizzie Borden house. I heard that you both love to watch that type of stuff. Have fun and get better for all of us. We can’t wait to meet that little one growing inside of your womb. We all love you and don’t ever think otherwise. If I am being honest, you are my favorite.” Stunned by her comforting words, it was just Sari, his mother and us. Turning to clean up, they both stopped me.
“Get going on your crazy adventure, Lily.” Sari chimed sweetly, dropping my suitcase into Matty’s palm. “We can clean up.” Matty whisked me away to his car. Helping me get out of the wedding dress, he blocked anyone’s view as I changed into an ivory silk rockabilly dress. Pinning me to the car, his hand slid down to the small of my back. Kissing me passionately, his warmth made this moment worth it. Throwing our suitcases into the back, he helped me into my seat. Clipping in my seat belt, he had chosen not to drink with me this fine evening. His mother waved at us as he got into his seat, the engine rumbling to life. Not feeling scared for the first time at all, we were going somewhere fun. Most importantly, I was going with him, my eyes falling on the wedding dress in the back.
“How is my wife feeling?” He chirped cheerfully, reaching for my hand. “My wife, you are my wife. Lily, I am so happy. I love you, Mrs. Doccos.” Kissing the top of his hand, a tender blush rose to his cheeks.
“I am so happy I can fly.” I laughed blithely, loving this moment. “I love you, my husband.” His crooked grin grew wider at me saying the word husband, my hand taking his. Turning on the radio, our favorites came on. Singing our way to Lizzie Borden’s house, the home loomed over us. Wondering what awaited us, this week was going to be fun.
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