Found

Cloud Spotting

The wedding came quickly, 3 months to be precise. Fireflies was still going strong, audiences still reminded of the power of imagination every night. It was hard, I'll admit, having to continue on and battle through wars I never I thought I could win to stand on that stage each night. There were a few bad reviews (some of which decided it would be appropriate to attack my home situation instead of the actual show) - but my fellow cast members and Firefliers soon put them into their place. 

Nevertheless, it was nice to have four days off for the wedding. Everyone who was invited from the extensive guest list flew out to California, each venturing their way to Union Hill Inn in Sonora, where my newfound parents would soon tie the knot. 

Naturally, I was Mum's maid of honour and Josh was Dad's best man, and easy decision that Josh and I made sure was passed through the meticulous wedding planning. We soon arrive at the venue, taking in the breathtaking, sparkling pillars that lined the edges of the pearl white hall, gazing towards the sky in awe at the silver chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. 

There were a few touches that my parents wanted to touch up and they forced Josh to stay and help them sort out. I'm not one for decorations and according to Josh, I have no style what so ever. So instead, I made use of my alone time, sinking into the lush grass outside the hall, staring up into the spring sky that had only begun to emerge. 

It seems strange to me that little less than a year ago I was lying in Arrowwood's garden, pointing out clouds to Clark and Jules. I rather enjoyed Cloudspotting, my imagination running wild with all the possibilities of shapes that they could form, transporting me away to a whole new world. I sometimes cloud spotted at school, in the school field, forcing Georgia and Diana to watch as clouds travelled gracefully across the sky in a choreographed dance. Where I would see abstract shapes, they simply pointe pointed clouds that seemed to appear inappropriate to them. Despite my disapproval of what they said, I couldn't help but laugh with them - I know that time spent sad is time lost, but time spent laughing is time slowing down, allowing for growing room for your happiness.

Somebody joined me not too soon after, and their electric blue eyes told me everything. "Your nervous aren't you?" 

He sighed, looking towards the sky to avoid all eye contact with me. "No, I'm just... so happy." 

"Then why do you look like your about to piss yourself?" I laughed nervously, hoping I hadn't pulled a heartstring that might make his whole heart collapse.

"One, language. Two I just don't want it to end. I love her so much, and if I lose her, or if something breaks... I'm scared of it."

I turned to my side, my hair was strewn across the grass, "Make the most of every second." He looked over to me as if I just told him what one plus one was, rolling his eyes at the obvious answer, but still with an underlying layer of gratitude. "Just... my parent's forgot to make the most every second, they didn't appreciate each other. The fire may have killed them, but they died long before that. I hope my new parents won't make the same mistake."

A small smile cracked on his face, but his eyes smiled more - he wouldn't make the same mistake. He promised me that. 

-.x.-

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful, just greeting people I knew and running away from those I didn't. I haven't seen either of their parents very often, so it was rather alienating to me as Glen and Jill hugged me as though I were their own grandchild. Emma was a whole different story, my dad's twin exactly like him - crazy on all fronts. 

She dragged me up to her hotel room, for some bonding time. I was grateful for the time with her, she did not pity me for my past - as she wasn't aware of it, she just treated me like I was her niece. Nothing more, nothing less. 

She sat me in front of the mirror, brushing out my hair with her gentle touch and plaiting my hair once more into a unique style I had never encountered before. She laid her head on my shoulder, smiling at our reflections "Thank you, Emma." I turned to her, a sealed smile perched upon my lips. 

She opened her arms wide, enclosing me tight within her warm embrace. "You're welcome, Gray." 

-.x.-

Everyone dinned together that night, two separate families soon to be joined as one. Naturally, every Toursie ever was invited and they made the far side of the room especially loud, and of course, I was sat right in the epicentre. 

It wasn't all bad news, we spent the entire night reflecting on tour memories both old and new, a time where life was frozen in a perpetual loop of smiles. And that time was seeping back into reality, fixing broken wounds I never thought would have healed. They were my clouds, forming themselves into what I needed to see, what I needed to hear. For good or bad, I could always cloud spot with them - and I would always be the best Grace I could be. 

With them, anything -even happiness- is possible.