Damned If I Do Ya

I stood at the altar, my hands shaking from nerves. Music was playing softly in the background as the wedding party began making their way down the aisle, arms linked as the girls clung to their flowers, soft blushes coming to their cheeks as they smiled at me nervously. It wasn't hard to see that each of them were wondering when they'd get their chance to have a day like this, a wedding of their own.


Even my groomsmen looked perfect today. Not a hair was out of place, not a loose string on their suits. It's amazing, really, how well they cleaned up. Ember and I had spend the night away from each other, which naturally meant I had stayed with the guys. I took a shot for every month I'd been with Ember and drank a beer for every year to come. We celebrated the fact that I was about to say my vows and grow up in a way none of us ever imagined happening.


It was Hell getting ready this morning, but it was worth it.


My hangover was cured, my heart was racing, my eyes were even watering in the shower, when I realized Ember was going to promise herself to me until she died. I knew that she loved me, of course she loved me, but it never seemed as real as it did when I was pushed out of the group to stand alone, to have all eyes on me as we waited for the woman of the hour to appear.


For some reason, it took until this very moment, when all of the hard work was being put to use and we could count down the seconds until Ember made her way to me, to realize how drastically my life was about to change. Being with someone is one thing. Saying you're engaged is one thing. But having a wedding, putting on that suit, checking for the rings and pacing the floor is a whole new world.


After all the Hell I've been through with this girl, I just can't believe this is what it built up to. From day one it was a constant struggle. Telling our parents, going on tour, fighting the problems in our heads, it has never been easy. Yet, through everything, she was right there. And she still is, which is something most people spend their entire lives searching for. I was lucky, not only to have Ember, but to have found the one person I know I'm meant to be with.


A smile came to my lips and I shifted my weight. My nerves were fading and a longing feeling in my gut was starting to consume me. I watched silently as the guests stood up and turned towards the door, the music in the room changing to alert us that Ember was about to step through that door. My mom shot me a tearful glance, with a bright smile, before she joined everyone else in waiting for my bride-to-be.


When finally the wooden doors swung open and Ember stepped through, her arm laced through Carl's, pride swelled in my guts as tears pooled in my eyes. To say she looked gorgeous is an understatement. She was absolutely breath-taking.


Her right hand was holding up the dress, the silver bow around her waist shimmering just as much as her shoes when they managed to hit the light. Her hair was pulled up, with a clasp of sorts that matched her shoes perfectly and lit up just as much as her eyes. There was some hair hanging loosely around her face, which was a perfect match for the Ember I'd grown to love, and the way her shoulders rocked as she walked made her appear even taller, even thinner, but it only added on to the natural beauty she already had.


I took a deep breath as she and Carl walked down the aisle. I couldn't tell if I was smiling anymore, my body had gone numb from the sudden rush. But I knew there were tears, not many, but they were there. Tears of joy, tears of love. I think, maybe, I trembled when she flashed me a smile, but I was so focused on her that I didn't matter anymore.


She was the definition of perfection.


Now they were standing just a few inches away from me, my fingers reaching out to touch Ember's as Carl kept tight to her arm. My heart was pounding and my head was spinning but my God, the moment could not have been any better.


"Who gives this woman away?"


"I do," Carl breathed, planing a kiss on Ember's cheek just before he released her to me.


She moved swiftly to stand in front of me, our hands holding tightly together, almost like we were afraid we'd float away if the other let go.

Notes

Okay, this is short and I'm sorry! Even though we all love Jack, this should be written from Ember's point of view (the big parts) seeing as it's a magical day for a girl!

Plus, about half way through writing it, my mom showed up with Loon (or something close in family, definitely not a duck!) and requested my help taking care of it. I've been bitten, bled on and on the phone with a zoo vet for the last two hours. I'm happy to say the loon (if that's even what it is, because it doesn't look like the typical painting-loon) is on it's way to the vet and shall be treated for its injuries. Hopefully it'll go to the wildlife rehab center and life a long, happy life! And PS- Shame on you if you hit an animal, see that it's injured and drive away!