Bittersweet

~~ Warm Apple Pie ~~

Peering my head around. The heavy breather was a woman doubled over, hands on her hips. Hyperventilating?

I tentatively walked towards her; not wanting to frighten the life out of her. "Hey, you okay, Miss?"

Stiffening, she straightened her body. Her head swiveled in my direction. Eyes wide.

I froze to the spot. By the heavens, if my heart had been beating, it would have stopped. I felt a surge of adrenalin, the anger in me diminished completely.   Replaced by a weird flurry of nerves in my stomach. My heart, which had officially been dead for nearly two weeks, burst to life as if wired up to an electrical paddle. The sudden jolt of electricity caused the hairs on the back of my neck to rise.

She was beyond beautiful.

Her large green eyes were the green that pushed its way through the piles of gritty snow, reminding you that spring was on its way. They were trimmed with long darkened lashes, and held such warmth and serenity that it was impossible for me not to be held captive. Her caramel skin, flawless, was abruptly adorned with a blush of pink having been surprised by my unexpected appearance.

Her full enviable lips parted, offering me a small smile that emphasized her high cheekbones, which aided the undeniable symmetry of her heart-shaped face. Her long black hair was tied back with a tiara placed unceremoniously on top of her head, but in my mind her hair was fluid, flowing over her shoulders. It was all I could not do to stutter and blush when she spoke—she was a vision in white, or rather cream... but still, breath-taking.

And if there was such a thing as love at first sight—then there it stood, right in front of me.

"S-sorry, I didn't think anybody would be out here," she stuttered. Placing her hand flat on her chest attempting to steady her breathing.

Words left me for a moment, my mind blank.  Speak. Fool!   Finally, I shook myself from my stupor and took a step forward. "I heard you hyperv—something. You okay?"

Pausing for a moment, she shook her head. Laughing nervously, she inhaled another steadying breath. "I think I'm freaking out; my heart is racing so fast." Shaking her head again. "—I can barely breathe."

She dropped her hand down to her side, spreading her fingers before clenching and unclenching her fists. "I need to walk, she turned on heel and paced a few steps then pivoted and paced back towards me, hands still clenching unclenching, her chest heaving. "You must think I'm crazy." Another nervous giggle escaped her perfect mouth.

"No! I Don't, it's—" I stopped. Duh! How could I be so stupid?  I mentally slapped myself.

It suddenly hit me. This was the freaking bride. This was the woman my brother was about to marry.

Sweet Jesus, holy mother.  And for the first time in my life, I felt a spark of envy of that piece of shit I'd shared a womb with.

Lucky son-of-a —

"Urgh, what's wrong with me?" she said as her eyes captured me. "I'm sorry you—" Halting, she closed her eyes.  I was mesmerised, an urge to step closer to run my finger over her plump bottom lip.

Her eyes popped open. "I don't know where all this is—" She held her hands up, obviously exasperated. "One minute I was fine and then the next.  Everyone was crowding me, asking me questions, fiddling with my dress... my hair." She looked at me expectantly, clenching her hands. "And then the air was being sucked from my lungs and I had to get out of there." She exhaled a long-frustrated sigh, relaxing her fists. "It's never happened before."