It's the day before the wedding. Everything was almost ready for the big day. Everyone who's attending the wedding had already arrived a few days earlier. On Luca's side of the family, there was Lila, Bill, his cousins, Drake, Michael, and Lindsay, as well as his Aunt Morgan and Uncle Brad. On my side, there was Alex, Billy, Izzy, Jake, Uncle Damian, Aunt Lucy, Dhani, and his brother Chayton. It was a small crowd but it was a decent group.
My dress was a pale green and Luca's tux was a light shade of gray. The bride's maids would wear white gowns when the men would wear black suits. Then we found a perfect place for the alter. A weeping willow stood gracefully by the pond closer to the woods in the backyard. It was magical and romantic. Perfect for a beautiful wedding in the middle of summer.
"Are you nervous for tomorrow, Lex?" Dhani asked as he lightly punched my shoulder.
"A little. Everything is on fast forward. So much pain and grief has come and gone over the past few months. Then surprises came up," I replied.
Dhani laughed and I laughed with him. Today I'm Lexis Springer; tomorrow I'll be Lexis Darvis. Tomorrow I'll have a golden ring with an elven leaf ring pattern etched into the metal. It was Diane's idea for us to have that pattern engraved into our rings. Diane is going to assist me in getting ready for tomorrow. She called Father Michael to perform the ceremony.
Everyone talked to one another inside. It was getting too crowded for me. I stepped outside onto the front porch. I leaned my arms against the Victorian styled white fence that bordered the old wooden planks. The wind softly blew my long dark hair out of my eyes. The sky was painted softly with pale blues, purples, pinks, and a little bit of green. It was calming. The horses were in their stalls for the night.
I thought I was alone on the porch. In the silence, Diane leaned against the doorway. "It's dreamy isn't it?" Diane asked.
"Yes it is," I replied not taking my gaze off of the sky.
She walked to my side. She wrapped one arm around my shoulder. The feeling reminded me of when my mom used to do that to me when she actually cared. "You okay Lex?" Diane asked.
I wasn't sure if I was or not. It was hard to tell. "I don't know mom. I'm living in reality but also in a fantasy. I don't know anymore," I cried softly for only Diane to hear.
She took me in her arms and held me close. I noticed Diane was crying along with me. I was excited and nervous all at once. Everything was moving so fast that everything appeared as a blur. "It's alright Lex. It'll be alright. I'm right here by your side. No one is going to abandon you," Diane said in a soothing and comforting voice.
I began to calm down. My tears ceased to exist. All that remained was the wet streaks that painted my skin and puffy gray eyes. "Where are you going to sleep tonight? You know it's bad luck for the groom to see his bride before the wedding," Diane stated.
"I don't know where" I replied.
"You're staying with me tonight. That's final" Diane responded.
"Okay" I said softly, slowly expressing a smile.
She hugged me harder and then kissed my forehead as if I was her own child. She was more of a mother than a close friend. I was accepted into her family as well as my brother when he still had a heartbeat and oxygen in his lungs. I felt like I was living in a magical fairytale.
"Come back inside and have some food," Diane said to me.
"Okay" I replied.
She pulled me into the house. "There you are lucky girl," Alex said sarcastically.
"Ha-ha very funny Alex," I replied with sarcasm.
He walked over to me and gave me a pretend punch in the jaw. Alex was like my older brother that I never had. Tucker and Alex always played football, baseball, basketball, and soccer. Tucker learned most things about sports from Alex. Alex was the one person that Tucker always enjoyed having around. "Thanks Alex," I said with a smile.
"What for?" Alex asked in confusion.
"For being here for me," I responded.
"No problem Lex," he replied with a smile.
Everyone walked into the dining room for dinner. Remi had cooked up lobster, salmon, chicken, and pasta. A wide selection for the special occasion. Excitement and joy was filtering in the atmosphere of the room. I remained quiet for most of the meal. I wasn't in much of the mood for joining the conversation.
"You're really quiet tonight Lexis," Drake stated abruptly.
"I don't feel like talking much tonight", I responded in a monotone.
"You need to get out tonight. Us girls will take you out somewhere the guys won't find us," Lila said with a giant smile drawn across her face.
She and the other women were up to something. "Yeah, that's a good idea Lila. We should do something with Luca," stated Brad.
Both Luca and I looked at each other confused and in wonder. It was about 7:42 PM when everyone had finished their meal. Diane told Lily to watch the children for her while we were out and about. Then Diane and the girls took me by the hands and dragged me to the car. Brad and Bill pretended to fight with Luca and piled into their trucks.
"Where are we going?" I asked Diane.
"Shopping. We took in consideration of your pregnancy, so we crossed out the bar idea," Diane stated.
Sweet. Shopping I can do. Window shopping for the baby would be nice too. "Clothing shopping is the main thing to do tonight," said Lindsay.
"Works for me," I responded.
"Turn up the music will you," Lila asked.
Diane slowly cranked up the volume. The music blared through the car's speakers. All of us were singing the words to the songs we knew. Tonight was the last night of my soul freedom of the person who was trapped in loneliness and solitude that life provided. Tomorrow I'll be a happily married woman.
We got to the mall around 8:15 and we walked right through the mall doors. Store after store, we found beautiful clothing for all of us. All of the shopping tired me out and also relaxed my mind. It was almost 9:00. "I'm ready to head back home," I stated within my drowsiness.
"Okay Lexis. I think a hand full of us are ready to head to bed. Let's just hope that the boys aren't totally drunk," Lila replied.
My eyes gazed at Lila's face and she had deep circles of darken tints that resided under her beautiful green eyes. From that look, I could tell instantly that the leukemia is winning the battle between life and death. We all got into the cars and drove back home. There was barely any traffic on the roads. We arrived back at the estate around 9:30.
"I'm ready to collapse on a nice, comfy bed," I stated.
"I think everyone will agree with you Lex," Diane responded.
We all laughed and walked inside carrying two bags each. Everyone headed to their rooms and I placed my bags inside the door. Luca wasn't back yet thank god. I changed into my pajamas and walked down the hall. Diane had already crashed. I didn't want to disturb her from her sleep. So I headed downstairs and laid on the couch in the living room. No one even noticed me. It was 10:03. I saw nothing but the blackness of night.
Dancing, music, laughter, and love. It's my wedding. Luca was holding my hand. He slowly stood up and walked me onto the dance floor. He was a wonderful dancer. Yet, I was afraid of dancing. His majestic lips pressed against my frail lips. Then everything was covered in blood and shadows.
A nightmare. I was awoken in my deep slumber. The clock read 1:58. Something disturbed the air. I heard the steady breathing from a person standing nearby. A flash blinded me. Who the hell is taking pictures of me? "Who's there?" I asked into the darkness.
The breathing became louder and deeper. Someone's cold hands touched my warm bare skin of my arms. This hands were strong and were wet with a sticky liquid. "I'm your worst nightmare Lexis," the deep voice echoed in my head.
"Get off of me, you son of a bitch!" I cried.
Someone rushed down the stairs and turned on the light. When the light filled the room, Brandon lay on top of me. "Brandon, what the hell are you to Lexis?" Diane exclaimed.
He quickly got up onto his feet. My arms were red from the tight grip of his hands. "I was doing nothing madam. I thought she was someone else who broke in," Brandon lied.
"That's a filthy lie Brandon! You were taking photographs of me as I slept! You were hurting me for God damn sake!" I yelled in rage.
"Is that true?" Diane asked bluntly.
Brandon stood there silently with puppy dog eyes. "Yes ma'am, it is. I'm truly sorry," Brandon confessed weakly.
"Go pack your things Brandon. Never come back into this house or the grounds," Diane stated infuriatingly.
Brandon left the room and quietly went into his room. Diane and I watched his every movement until he walked out of our sight. "Are you going to be okay?" Diane asked as she sat down next to me on the couch.
"I believe so. All I know is that someone hired Brandon before you did to spy on me as well as Luca," I said.
"Tony," Diane stated grudgingly.