Today is the day... Today is the day I finally say I do despite the fact that I feel like I've already said it a million times in my head. I said yes to him a year ago this past week. It's been a year, and definitely one of the craziest of my entire life. I said yes to marrying him... I kept my house in Nevada, but I ended up moving to London with him. After doing so my album was released, and it charted for weeks...
After that was press release after press release. Magazines, photoshoots, SNL, and the late late show. All of which Harry came with me for whilst writing more of his own music. Both of us now have our own bands, our own lives, but all while sharing a life, and of course a manager.
Jeff set it up... My debut tour starts a few months after today. A tour I asked time and time again if Harry could come with me. If he could tour with me as in sing songs, and do shows with me... But Jeff, and Harry, Mitch, Sandy... All of them agreed that it wasn't fair to me, and I realized they were right. This is my album, this is my tour... I deserve that spotlight. But I can promise you every bit of money in the world in saying that I will in fact be touring with him at some point. I know it, and he does too.
Tours, and music aside today my life changes. Today I leave Darlene Summers behind and become Darlene Styles.... I say yes, I move into completely uncharted territory as of today which is insane. It's the good kind of insane.. The kind of crazy you'd invite into your life. I'd invite his crazy forever, and that's exactly what I'm doing... I just can't seem to get myself out of the bathroom right now... It's one of those moments where you know you're making the right choice, but you're still nervous as hell for it to play out.
"Darlene Summers get your ass out here." I hear Sandy from the other side of the door, and I take another deep breath, and look at myself in the mirror.
"You've got this.. You're fine, just... just go." I tell myself, and move away from the counter, walking out the door and into the bridal suite. There were a lot of places we thought about getting married, but the one he was set on as soon as I suggested it was Paris. He knows how much the city means to me, and he loves it here too... So we found a place... It's like a garden, and in the far distance you can see the eiffel tower. It's a perfectly sunny day today despite the fact that it was raining all morning.. I've heard rain on your wedding day is good luck though... right?
"What's going on? Do you have cold feet? I will sneak you out of this bitch like no ones fucking business, you just say the word." Sandy pulls me in and I laugh.
"No cold feet.. I'm just nervous.. I'm excited but.. But it's nerve racking."
"Well neither of us would know, but we're here for you." Sarah speaks out. I knew Sandy would be my maid of honor, there was no question.. I knew I wanted Sarah there as well, to be by my side.
"I know. I'm... I'm ready. What time is it?" I ask, and Sandy looks down.
"Ooh.. Time for you to put your dress on... Are you ready?" She asks, and I nod, starting to unbutton the white button down I wear. I start undoing it, and look at the dress bag, knowing I searched long and hard for that thing. I look at Sandy and Sarah as they undo their bag with the dress. I see their dresses... Sandy in a pastel blue and Sarah in a pastel pink, both of them looking beautiful. I had Sandy do my makeup, and I had a stylist come in to curl and fix my hair... They bring the dress out, and I strip myself completely down, and they bring me the dress, letting me step in, and feeling them zip it up, and fluff it out.
"Alright sit down, let us get your shoes on." Sarah speaks out, pointing to the couch in the room. I nod my head, and see as Sarah pulls out the strappy chunky heels, and I watch as both of them strap them to my feet, and then I'm up, and standing. They turn me into the mirror, and pull out the veil, the flowers stringing down and all over it which only makes me excited... Not nervous.
I watch myself in the mirror as Sandy brings it forward, and tucks it and tightens it into my hair, letting it billow around me. I'm a bride... I look like a full on, straight out of a magazine bride, and right as I feel tears in my eyes I feel hands on my shoulders.
"Oh my goodness." I see Sandy squeezing me with tears in her eyes. "Don't cry. Dammit Sandy stop being a baby back bitch." She speaks to herself, and I laugh. Sarah claps her hands.
"You look beautiful... He's going to cry, you know he is." She speaks out, and I shake my head.
"No.. He's going to cry like a little bitch I know it." Sandy confirms. "Okay.. We've got to go out, but you wait until Mitch knocks on the door, and then it's your time to shine, you got it?" Sandy asks, and I nod my head, slimming my dress down, and taking a deep breath.
"You're beautiful... You've got this..." Sarah tells me, and Sandy kisses my cheek before walking me out, leaving me in the room by myself. I look out of the window, and see him. I see him walking down the aisle first with the officiant. He's wearing the traditional black suit, and he's got a colorful tie on to match the colors in my veil... His hair is perfectly messy, just how I like it, just how everyone loves it... As soon as he's under the archway I see his face and the perfect smile he's got on... His dimples softly carve into his cheeks, and his hands clasping in front of him. He's got one single soft curl falling down in front of his face, and now as I look at him through the window I'm itching to be with him. I'm ready to stand with him, and to read him my vows. I'm ready to marry this man.
Jeffrey and Sandy walk down the aisle arm and arm together, each going to their sides of the archway when they get there, and then I watch through the window as Sarah and Mitch walk down the aisle. As soon as he gets to the archway he lets her go, and then jogs back down the aisle, and I wait patiently for him to come and get me. I don't have a father to give me away which is done traditionally but I do have a makeshift older brother who gives me advice like a dad would... I have a Mitch which I'm lucky for. He knocks on the door, and I open it watching his eyebrows shoot up, and his smile appear.
"Cherry bomb... You look beautiful.. Are you ready?" He asks, and I nod my head.
"I'm ready... You look great." I tell him, and he holds his arm out for me.
"Alright, let's get you hitched then... I can't believe it's finally here." He shakes his head, and I smile as we wait behind the closed door.
"I can.." I tell him. He looks down at me, and I give him a nod, watching him push the door open, revealing me to the sea of people out there... Who would've thought so many celebrities would be in one audience.. It's like an award show out here. All the One Direction boys here with their significant others. Adele, Dua, Ed... All of them.
I look at my feet, and then finally I look up to him as we walk down the rose bush littered aisle. Everyone was right because right as I make eye contact with him he brings his hand up to wipe a tear away from his eye. His eyes are swelled up with tears, and mine are just the same as I walk to him. We walk, every bit of chatter, and music drowns out as I look at him, and I know I have the cheesiest smile on my lips. We reach the end of the aisle, and the music stops.
"Who is giving this bride away?" The officiant asks.
"Her friend Father Mitch." Mitch speaks out, and I roll my eyes at him, but end up laughing. Harry steps down from the archway, and holds his hand out for me. Mitch takes my hand and passes it over, and I feel the contact of his skin to mine which still sends electricity through me. I smile at him, and we move together to stand hand and hand under the archway.
"You look beautiful." He whispers, and I smile at him. I know we should be listening to the officiant, but his words don't matter at all. They don't click inside my brain at all because I'm staring at the man in front of me. He's sharing the same look at me, keeping his eyes locked on me, and I know this is what love is. Love is knowing the entire world is moving around you but not giving a damn because the person in front of you is all that matters. Love is knowing that things can be messy, that things can be painful or scary... That there's grey area in all of it but focusing on the bright colors instead... But knowing you're okay with all the other stuff because you'll be facing it with the person that asked you to marry them... To spend forever with them.
"We'll ask you to share your vows now." The officiant speaks, and I nod my head. Both of us look back at Jeff, and Sandy, and they hand us our papers. "Ladies first." He speaks, and I nod unfolding my vows.
"Harry... I didn't know... I didn't know who I was... I didn't know what love was. I didn't know anything when I first met you. I'm not going to say it was all you... I did it too, but you pushed for it. You pushed for a change not because you needed me to change for you but because you wanted me to change for me. You wanted me to be the best person I could and that's why I'm here today. I never asked for perfection. I never asked for a clean life that was full of what if's and easy routes. I asked for something exciting, something full of love, and appreciation... Without knowing it, I asked for you because I know you will always be there to help. You'll be there to push for better things, and you'll be there to make me smile. You'll be there in any instance that I need you, and I couldn't be happier.... I never asked for this... I never expected it, but I wouldn't change it for the world... If I had to give up every song, everything... I would do it. I'd give it all up because I know with you here there will always be something to look forward to. I love you..." I speak out, and fold the letter up, handing it back to Sandy. Harry wipes under his eyes, and breathes out as he opens up his letter.
"Darling Cherry Summers... For now... Today is a day I really didn't think would come. Not because of you but because of me. I never expected myself to find another person I was so captivated by. I never expected to meet anyone I'd ever want to spend the rest of my life with. I never expected someone to come in and make me see colors I didn't know existed. I didn't see myself loving someone so much that it blinded me from the world I had lived in for so long... A world I lived in alone. Then... Then I walked into the studio, and I saw a fresh faced girl in a vintage tshirt at the piano. She had wide eyes, and so many thoughts running in her head... I didn't know how beautiful those thoughts were until I cracked into that beautiful shell of yours... I don't know what string of luck made it possible that I was the one who learned you inside and out but whatever it was I'm thankful for it everyday... I'm thankful for you everyday because you opened my eyes, and my heart to the world. You turned me into someone I'm proud of, and you helped me see myself as someone I loved... I love you, and I know... I know every single day I asked you what your favorite color is... but today's question will be a bit different.. Today I'm going to ask you to change your last name... I'm going to ask you to spend forever with me in the colorful world we've created together... Today I'm going to ask you to be my wife so every single day after I can ask you that same question... I love you Darling." He speaks out, and I want to kiss him right now, this exact instant, but I know I need to wait....
"Now for the exchanging of rings." The officiant speaks out. As he does Sandy passes me Harry's ring, and I watch as Jeff passes my wedding band to Harry. "Harry, you may now place the ring upon her finger." He speaks out, and I watch as he takes my hand, and slips the second ring on. "Darlene you may slip the ring upon Harry's finger." He tells me, and I take his hand, doing the same thing to him as he did to me.
"Do you Darlene Summers take Harry Styles to have and to hold, for better or for worse, through sickness and health?" He asks.
"I do."
"Do you Harry Styles take Darlene Summers to have and to-"
"I do... I really really do." He cuts the officiant off, and I laugh at him, along with everyone else sitting there.
"Alrighty then... By the power invested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife... You may kiss the-" Before he finishes I take Harry's cheeks and press my lips to his softly, kissing him before they even get the chance to tell me to. I smile into the kiss, and before I know it Harry grabs my hips, and spins me, dipping me down to kiss me again which causes everyone to erupt in cheers. He pulls back from the kiss and stares at me with the proudest smile on his face.
"Now you're mine forever.." He whispers, and I shake my head.
"I always have been." I speak back. He pulls me back up to a standing position, and the officiant stands behind us.
"I'm proud to announce Mr, and Mrs Styles!" He speaks out, and everyone stands and cheers wildy for us as we walk back towards the building. As we do so, all our bridal party follows behind us, and everyone else makes their way to the reception.
"Holy shit you're not Darlene Summers anymore." Sandy speaks out, as we step inside.
"Nope." Harry speaks for me, and pulls me in close to him. "This dress... You, it's... it's just what I imagined.. You look beautiful.. You look stunning you look..."
"She looks like your wife... I'll admit it. I never thought I'd be managing a married couple." Jeffrey speaks out and we laugh. "Come on, let's go take some pictures." He waves his hand, and Helene stands outside waiting to take the pictures. She does incredible, getting all of them done in record time, and before we know it we're down at the reception, walking in as a married couple, ready for the night to start. After that we get our food, and eat, and after that the DJ announces us to have our first dance, and right away we get up along with Adele.
Not everyone has the chance to have their first dance song be sung by a popstar, but like I said before.. Both of us are lucky enough to be friends with all of them. Harry and I meet on the dancefloor, and he holds my waist along with me holding my arms around the back of his neck. As soon as I take hold of him I hear the familiar words of a song we've both loved for so long.
"When the rain is blowin in your face, and the whole world is on your case... I could offer you a warm embrace... To make you feel my love." She sings out, and I stare in front of me, watching Harry as he dances with me.
"We made it..." He speaks softly to me.
"Everyone is watching us." I speak out, and he laughs.
"Let them watch baby... Some of them are dying to meet you too, but they can wait... I'm not letting you go tonight... Not ever." He tells me, and I smile.
"I can't believe we got married..."
"I can..." He tells me.
"I'd go hungry I'd go black and blue... I'd go crawlin down the avenue..."
"No there's nothing that I wouldn't do... To make you feel my love." He sings in my ear, the soft hum of his deep voice as he pulls me in. "I'll do anything to make you feel that... You know that right?" He asks.
"Forever and always.." I tell him. We continue to sway, and after the song finishes out he makes sure to kiss me softly once more before we go back, waiting for the toasts to start. Mitch comes forward, first, despite him not being the best man he said he would be giving a toast no matter what. He takes the mic, and holds up his glass.
"Hello everyone. I know this is odd, me talking to a group of people but I'd talk to anyone if it was for Harry, and Cherry.. I really would... I'll be honest with all of you I really hoped for this day to come. I just didn't know if it would. I didn't know if this girl right here would be able to settle down enough to do it. Not because she's a wild crazy person but because you're a dreamer. You reach for the stars, and you make sure you get them too.. More importantly you make him do the same. A few years back he looked me dead in the eyes, and he said "I'm going to marry her." I'll tell you now... I thought he was insane. He's never been the kind of person to settle down because he's always going from place to place. He never knew exactly what he wanted until he found you...He found someone who can keep up with his crazy and calm it all at the same time... The two of you are perfect for each other, but more than that you compliment each other. I'm happy for you two, and I can't wait to continue to annoy the crap out of you forever." He speaks out, and raises his glass. Jeffrey steps forward, and steals the mic from him, pushing him away as he laughs.
"Alright my turn... So, I've known Harry for a long time. Close to ten years now I think. I watched him grow up. I watched him go from being a stupid boy to a man... He's smarter now, smart enough to get someone like Cherry... When he told me about her I really thought nothing about it. I thought it was just another addition to the team... Little did I know you'd be so so much more than that. You not only took him, and changed him into something more.. Something he cared for.. He didn't always.. Always care for himself like everyone around him did. But you changed that. You changed the dynamic with all of us.. You changed the creativity, and that was back then. Back then it was simple, but now it's not about songs, or creativity. Now it's about to separate people with two separate lives becoming one. You two have worked hard to get to where you are right now. You two have fought long and hard to get to today, and I know there will be more fights, and more struggle... I can promise you that. But the most admirable thing about the two of you is you fight harder for a solution. You fight harder for each other. I'm proud of you two, but more than that I'm happy for the two of you. I love you both, here's to forever!" Jeffrey raises his toast, and everyone does the same.
He's right.. We always will fight for each other, and fight for something better. As we raise our glasses up, and drink our champagne I know that this night, the feeling I have will live in me forever. I know that because I know the man sitting in front of me will do anything in his power to make me feel this way forever. I know that no matter if we're touring on opposite sides of the globe. I know that no matter if he's following along with me on tour or if it's the other way around that we will continue to fight for one another... but more importantly we'll live for each other because it's just what we do. We've always done it, and we always will.
"What's your favorite color today baby?" He asks me.
"It's the rainbow. I know what you're going to say.. You're going to say that it's not a color, that I need to pick one but I can't. My favorite color today and always is the rainbow because I feel it on the inside." I tell him.
"I'll let it slide... Just this once." He winks to me, and I shake my head. "And before you ask.. It's the rainbow for me too.. Because if that's how you feel then that's what I love..." He tells me, and that's it.. It's this moment. I'm in Paris. I changed my last name. I'm forever and always going to think back to now. But more than ever I'm going to look forward to the future. Because I know the future will always be beautiful and bright and as colorful as ever with him guiding me into it.
—————————————————
DONT FORGET TO READ THE THIRD EPILOGUE!!!!