Love Of My Life

Chapter 9 - The Wedding

I took a couple of deep breaths and managed to calm myself down to normalcy. I talked with my dad and some of the bridal party that had now gathered in front of me. Preparing to walk down the aisle before me. It all made me feel even more at ease than before. Being surrounded by all of these people who knew me so well and were only trying to make this day better made me happy and appreciative of everything that I had. Not only was I about to marry the best guy in the world, but I was also surrounded by some of the most loving people I have ever met in my entire life.

I was startled back to reality when the harmonious music of a string quartet began playing. Everyone straightened their backs, flattened out their dresses or suits, and adjusted their hold on the other person. I started looking around, swallowing the last bit of nervousness that was nestled in my throat and looked forward. The only thing I could see was sunlight streaming into the room from the doors that had just opened.

I watched as the line in front of me became shorter. As one by one, the bridal party began walking down the aisle.

It had begun.

I took more deep breaths. Holding even tighter onto my dad's arm. Why the hell was I so nervous? I was definitely more nervous about all the people looking at me than marrying Joe, that's for sure. I shook it off and straightened my back.

It wasn't long before the last couple in front of me walked down the aisle. Everyone's eyes turned toward them. And now, I could see everything. All of the people wonderfully dressed up and smiling, the string quartet beautifully playing the music (music that I couldn't even hear through my nervousness), and Joe. So elegantly dressed up in a black suit and tie. He never looked better, in my opinion. And honestly, my opinion was the only one that mattered right now.

Then, the strings got louder and everyone turned their heads toward me. I was ready for prying, judgmental eyes on me. But instead, everyone's faces softened. They smiled and looked on in awe. I softened as well, almost letting out a laugh at how stupid my thoughts were. These people loved me or Joe. Why would they judge what I looked like or what I was wearing? They understood more than anyone what this day meant to us.

I smiled at groups of people as I walked down the aisle. Alternating between my side and Joe's side. I saw Erica, the girl we met in Vegas and brought back to her hotel. I had kept in touch with her and invited her. I figured she deserved to come to the wedding since she accidentally became a part of my bachelorette party. I began waving at Joe's nephews and then his siblings. I turned to see my family, all smiling and waving at me. I felt myself blushing already. Happiness flooding my body as the September wind blew softly against my dress. Everything looked...perfect.

I looked forward to see Joe looking at me. Only me. Not the people I was waving to or smiling at. Just me. A look of love and admiration that I hadn't seen on his face before. Pure love. I could see his eyes tearing up a little bit and it made me want to do the same.

Once I got to the front of the aisle, my dad kissed my cheek and Joe came over to hold my hand. The passing of one man to another. My dad patted him on the shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. Joe smiled back and we walked up to our spots in front of everyone, together.

I looked into Joe's eyes and I got lost. For the first time in a long time, I got absolutely lost in his eyes and I didn't hear what anyone else was saying. Truly and utterly lost. The noise of everything else faded out and it was just me and him in the entire world. Staring at each other and knowing we would be with each other for the rest of our lives.

Joe and I were holding hands. Looking deep into each other's eyes. We couldn't have cared less about the people watching us. We just needed each other. And that's what we would have. A small, fond smile formed on Joe's face. His eyes crinkling a little in the process. And I couldn't help but melt a little and smile back.