If Only...

HAVING BREAD ON THE BOARD

"Alex . . . . come on, sweetie. You don't wanna be late for your big day, do you?"

I don't care if I'm late for my big-- . . . what?

I release Stella from my grip and gaze up at her. It is only now that I notice her dressed in an elegant lavender dress, with her hair tied up in a bun.

"What? . . ." I frown and squint when the light starts to burn my eyes.

She smiles suggestively, but I can see the delicate emotions that linger just an inch underneath her skin, but she won't let them come forth.

"You're getting married today, remember?" She laces her fingers through mine and squeezes, and I glance down at the single cut white stone studding my bland skin.

I look at yesterday with new eyes now, but they don't make them any drier.

Today . . .

Stella lets out a sharp cry before I can contemplate, pointing to the wheelchair that Mandy has just brought in.

"Guess who that fancy ride is for?" Stella wiggles her eyebrows at me, but I stand in confusion. Why would I need to move--

Oh.

I can feel my cheeks heat, and Stella cackles as she pulls the sheets off me. I rub my nose as Mandy does the same, and manoeuvres my legs toward the wheelchair. I am just about to protest that I don't need to be wheeled around, but when my legs give out, I hold my tongue.

I don't know how much my face has been able to withhold the pain I was being subjected to; everywhere, but by the time I'm all settled, Stella's mouth has turned down in a grim line. My heart skips a beat, but Valerie's and Mandy's glowing smile ensure me that something was right. I hope.

"Okay, it's 2:30 already and we don't have a lot of time. Make sure she's all ready by the time I'm back." Val turned to me and continued. "I'll see you there, Alex." She smiles again and exits the room before pecking my cheek.

"See me where?" I voice my thoughts, when I'm thrown by the glint of the ring in the sunlight.

"The chapel." Stella rolls her eyes. "How many times do I have to tell you?"

The chapel?

"But what about Ros--" She cuts me off again, and we go flying through the air, past sharp corners, in and out of elevators until we're outside an office with Valerie's name on the door. I swallow to moisten the air, and grip the arms of the wheelchair for support.

But I thought we were going to the--

Stella launches us into the air again, past the door this time.

It was dark, but I could make out three dark figures huddled inside, and they become recognizable when Stella throws the lights on.

My hands fly to my mouth, and my eyes moisten.

"There she is! . . .." Lily exclaims, and she hurries up to me, followed by a similarly dressed April, and then Aynsely. And I knew immediately what this was.

I willingly accept the spate of hugs that follow, but the back of my mind still hovers.

"Oh, Alex. You look so beautiful." April sighs, tightening her arms around me. It hurts, but I don't let her go. Her voice trembles, but she won't let it show. I watch each one of their faces, and they all looked afraid. Afraid that this would be the last time. As much as I thought I would succumb and hold hands with them and cry, I didn't find myself that way.

What was more; I was comforting them.

"Guys, I really don't wanna bust this bubble but we have guests waiting."