Walls

The wedding was approaching faster and faster with each passing month, I had my dress and the girls had theirs; everything was done.
“Lex?” I called through the apartment
“Ma’am?” He asked
“You and the guys have their tuxes right?” I asked
“Yes bowties included.” He smiled
I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck. All this time since the engagement he hasn’t noticed the new tattoo, I mean I’m not going to point it out, I’m going to wait. I think he hasn’t noticed because it’s where he puts his hands most of the time, it’s just really humorous.
“So.” He said
“So.” I smiled
He leaned in and kissed me
“You two are gut wrenchingly cute, so stop it.” Mackenzie said walking into the apartment
“We could have been naked.” Alex said
“Shit happens.” She said walking into the kitchen
I pecked Alex’s lips and skipped into the kitchen with Mackenzie
“Everything is done. Now we just have to get there, when the day comes do me one favor.” She said to me
“What?” I asked
“Don’t lay in the middle of the floor of the dressing room crying and yelling that your wedding dress doesn’t fit.” She said
“Well Kenz. I’m not going to be pregnant at my wedding.” I smiled
“Shut up. You could be pregnant now and not even know it.” She said
“What?” Alex said
“Alex I’m not pregnant.” I said shaking my head
“As far as you know.” Mackenzie said
I looked over and Alex and slapped Mackenzie’s arm, Alex smiled and walked into the living room
“Ouch.” She whined rubbing the impact point
“Go home to your child.” I said
She huffed and kissed my cheek and left. I walked into the living room and plopped next to Alex on the couch, he chuckled as I made myself comfortable using his lap as a pillow.
“I’m just your perfect pillow any time of the day huh?” He asked
“Isn’t that what you’re here for?” I asked
He laughed and I reached up and touched his face.
“I love you.” I smiled
“I love you too.” He smiled
He laid his hand down on my hip and lifted my shirt up with his thumb, he started rubbing circled around my belly button when he stopped.
“When the hell did you get that tattoo?” He asked poking my ATL tattoo
“Two days before you proposed to me.” I said
“It’s been six months.” He said
“I know, I wanted to see how long it took you.” I smiled
“I love it.” He smiled
“I thought you might.” I said
I sat up and he pulled me into his lap and kissed me.
“We’re getting married in two weeks.” I said taking a deep breath
“Are you ready?” He asked
“Beyond.” I smiled
“You’re going to be a Gaskarth.” He smiled
“You mom is flying in right?” I asked
“In a few days along with Joyce, May, Joe, and Leeyh.” He said
“Yay.” I smiled
He smiled and kissed my cheek
“I’m going to be a motherfucking Gaskarth.” I smiled
“Ryan Marie Gaskarth just rolls off the tongue.” He said
“It’s not as sophisticated as Alexander William Gaskarth.” I laughed
“I was born in England, sue me.” He laughed
I moved to I was straddling his lap, I put my hands on his shoulders and looked into his pretty brown eyes.
“What baby?” He asked clasping his hands on my back
“I never thought I could trust another man but here we are just over a year together and getting married in two weeks. Alex I really never thought this would happen to me, but I met you.” I said
He smiled at me and pulled my face closer to his.
“I can’t imagine marrying anyone else.” He said
I smiled and he kissed me softly on the lips.
“So did you finish your vows?” He asked
“Yes sir, did you?” I asked
“No, well yes but every time I look at them I add something or change something.” He smiled
I smiled at him lovingly and he just looked at his hands.
“Two weeks and I get to call you mine forever.” He said
I pulled his face up so he would look at me.
“Ring or not, I’m yours forever.” I said
He nodded and stood up with me in his arms.
“Where are we going?” I asked
“To bed.” He said
I nodded and he carried me into the bedroom, he laid us down and I laid my head on his chest.
“You know we’re going to have to move right?” He asked
“What do you mean?” I asked
“Well this is only a one bedroom apartment. When we have kids where are they going to sleep?” He asked
“You want kids?” I asked smiling
“Of course I do.” He chuckled
“We should talk about that later you know. Let’s focus on the wedding right now and a new house later.” I said
“Sounds good.” He said
“Goodnight baby.” He said
“Goodnight love.” I said
I stood there staring at myself in the mirror, my flawless made up face, my perfect updo, my eyes were bright and I looked happy. Todays the day and I’m so happy.
“Ryan I’m coming in to help you.” Mackenzie said outside of the door.
“Okay.” I said
She opened the door as I stood in front of the mirror in my undergarments and converse.
“This is a good sign, no crying, no yelling, and no pulling your hair out. Today’s going to be good.” She smiled
I laughed and she grabbed my wedding dress off of the rack and unzipped the bag.
“Lets get you in this thing.” She smiled
I stepped down from the mirror and she helped me step into the dress, she pulled the zipper up and clasped it at the top.
“Holy shit.” She said
“What?” I asked panicked
“Look at yourself.” She said
I looked up at the mirror and felt tears spring into my eyes.
“Oh I’m going to cry.” I said
“Don’t you dare.” She said
I laughed and she handed me blue rose necklace, it was my something blue. I latched it around my neck and smiled
“I brought you something.” She said
I looked over at her and she walked over to her bag and pulled out a wrapped box.
“It’s from your grandma.” She said
“My mom’s mom?” I asked
“You’re dad went to Baltimore to visit her, she’s too frail to fly out but she gave him this.” She said
She handed me the package and I tore the wrapping paper off, it was a hair piece, an old hair piece, with a note.
“Ryan, I’m very sorry I couldn’t make it to your wedding due to me being so old, but I wish you and your husband the best and be sure to send me a picture. Your dad brought a recent picture of the two of you and he’s very handsome. I want you to have this hair comb, I wore it on my wedding day back in the fifties. You’re mother never got to wear it but honestly she doesn’t deserve too, I want you to pass it on to your daughter when she gets married. I love you.” I read out loud to Mackenzie with tears brimming my eyes
“Blot those tears right now.” She said smiling
I got a tissue and made sure not to fuck of the two hours of makeup she did for me.
“Let me put it in.” She said
I gave her the hair comb and she placed it into my hair
“Something old. Where’s your something new and borrowed?” She asked
“My shoes are new. I don’t have a borrowed.” I said
“Here.” She said
She pulled off her small bracelet and clasped it around my wrist.
“Didn’t Jack give that to you?” I asked
“Yes, and you’re my best friend and you’re going to wear it as your something borrowed.” She said
I smiled at her and there was a knock at the door.
“We’re ready.” My dad said
“Go get the girls ready, let’s get me married.” I said
Mackenzie hugged me and skipped out of the room, I walked to the door and opened it to see my dad’s smiling face.
“You look so beautiful.” He said tears forming
“Daddy don’t cry.” I said
“I won’t, I won’t… Jimmy’s already crying.” He said
“Jim Jim.” I said
As my dad looked at me the bridesmaid aisle march started playing. They were walking to Dream Catcher by Set It Off… I looked at my dad and we walked out to the doorway, no one could see us but we could see them. When the last girl was standing their song stopped and mine began, Arms by Christina Perry. I took my dad’s elbow and we took a deep breath and started to walk out and down the aisle. I was very shaking and thankful that I decided not to wear high heels today. I looked up at Alex and he had a smile on his face as well as a tear sliding slowly down his cheek, I smiled at him when we stopped at the end of the aisle.
“Who is giving the bride away?” The Reverend asked
“Me; her father.” My dad said
My dad kissed my cheek and handed my hand to Alex; his hand was sweaty.
“Nervous?” I asked
“Very, very excited.” He said
I smiled at him
“You look like an angel.” He whispered
I felt my smile grow as we turned and faced the Reverend and listened to what he had to say.
“Now I want you to turn and face each other and join hands.” He said
Alex and I turned to look at each other and he stuck his tongue out at me as he took my hands, he’s so cute.
“Now state your vows to each other.” He said
My heart started pounding.
“Ryan Marie I vow to always be there for you no matter where I am, you’re my life now and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, not even immortality. I know we’ve had our fights and differences but in the end we’re always by each other’s side and I know that will never change. You make sure I’m never late to my job which is wonderful because I’m forgetful but I’ll never be able to forget you. You deal with my annoying best friend like a champion and I don’t know how you do it because even I want to punch him. I will always love you through thick and thin and I’m so lucky that I get to wake up and kiss you every morning.” He said with tears forming.
I smiled and started crying, I looked over at Jack who was bawling like a fucking baby.
“Alexander William Gaskarth I vow to never leave your side, you’re my world and I don’t know what I would do without you. You’re the ray of sunshine that I wake up to every single morning. I never thought I could trust another man with my heart and my life but now I’m getting married to you; the most amazing man I’ve met besides my dad. You broke my walls down just months after we met when it took me years to build them. You’re completive but I know you let me win when play games together because it makes me feel better. I know my best friend annoying and mean but I also know you love her like a sister and that’s all I could hope for. I’ll always be your love and side kick, you’re The Doctor to my Rose Tyler and the Batman to my Robin. I love you.” I said choking on my tears
His tears over flowed his eyes and he smiled
“Alexander to you take Ryan to be your wife?” The Reverend asked
“I do.” Alex said
I looked out in the crowd and saw Jimmy and my dad in the front crying so hard.
“Ryan do you take Alexander to be you husband?” He asked
“I do.” I said
“The rings.” He said
I turned to Mackenzie who was crying about as hard as I was, she handed me Alex’s ring and smiled. I turned back and put the ring on Alex’s finger when the Revered told me to; Alex placed mine onto my finger.
“You may now kiss your beautiful bride.” He said
Alex cupped my face; dabbing a tear from my cheek, he leaned in and kissed me gently. He pulled away and I let out a shaky sigh and smiled at him. As we were about to file out the DJ put on We Are the in Crowd’s song Kiss Me Again, I smiled and when it was the bridesmaids turn to walk out with their groomsmen they took the guys clip-on bowties off and put it around their own necks. I smile as Alex and I walked out following them to go get pictures taken, the girls gave the bowties back and we took many pictures. When everyone was gone Alex and I walked into the reception room and saw everyone seated smiling at us. We walked over and took a seat in the two empty chairs in between Kenzie and Jack, I sat next to Jack and Alex next to Kenz.
“You look beautiful.” Jack said
“Save me a dance?” I asked
“Any day.” He smiled
I kissed his cheek and took Alex’s hand, I knew the speeches were about to flow I just didn’t know who was going to go first. Everyone was chatting when my dad cleared his throat, we all looked over at him.
“Wow okay, I’m really teary.” He said wiping his eyes
I smiled over at him.
“I always knew the day would come where I would have to give my daughter away but I didn’t think it would be this soon. I know she’s in her twenties but she’s the only actual kid I have. Sorry Kenzie. But today if I had to give my daughter away to anybody I would pick Alex in a heartbeat, he treats her how she’s supposed to be treated and better. And he knows how to deal with Mackenzie who is a big handful, they’re a bigger handful together so I bid him good luck. Let’s make a toast to many, many happy years.” He said raising his glass of wine.
We all raised our glasses and made the toast, after a sip Alex kissed me. Then Jack stood up, I smiled up at him.
“I know you all are expecting me to stand up here and say something inappropriate, but I’ll get to that later.” He said
Everyone chuckled
“Alex is my best friend and every one of you saw me crying as I stood up next to him as he married the love of his life, I know you did. And Mackenzie I saw you taking pictures from your spot next to Ryan and mom I know you were taking them too. I’m not disagreeing with your vows Ryan but I think you’re the hero in this tale, if you hadn’t come into our lives that day when you met Alex I don’t think he’d be the same person. I think he’d be sad and lonely because I mean come on, you’re the fucking for him. And I know that because I’ve known him forever and he’s never been that sad when someone’s left or that happy after he’s had sex… Sorry Isabella.” He said looking at Alex’s mom
Alex’s mom laughed and waved him to go on.
“But when you came into our lives you also brought that thing.” He said pointing at Kenzie who flicked him off and stuck her tongue out.
I loved their relationship
“But we love you anyways because you cook for us when we’re around. So let’s make a toast, before I start crying again, a toast to long days of love, and years upon years of a happy marriage. And Alex if you fuck this up I’m disowning you.” Jack said holding his glass up
I laughed and we all made that toast.
“I guess it’s my turn.” Mackenzie laughed looking at Alex
I smiled at her.
“Let me, let me gather myself here for a minute.” She said fanning herself “I’d always hoped this day would come but last year I didn’t know. Ryan was so afraid of men that liked her and any kind of feelings that she had, I didn’t know what to do. The only thing I could do was hug her and tell everything was going to be fine. Then she met Alex and he asked her on the first date, she was terrified so I being myself talked to every member of All Time Low including their crew, their manager, their tour manager, even their tour bus driver. Then I talked to Pierce the Veil members, crew members, and managers because they had toured together many times. All of them said the same thing in different words; that Alex fell fast and hard but he’d never lay a hand on a female ever especially a girlfriend because that’s where his heart would lie. Many of you are probably thinking ‘Why go through the trouble’ I went through all of that because that girl right is my best friend and I wanted her to be happy. Even if them being together brought my nightmare; its name is Barakat. He fucking talks your ear when he’s drunk, it’s awful. He screams about Home Alone too much but that’s okay as long as Ryan is getting her Disney-ish fairytale. She has the fairytale that ever fangirl wants besides the Elliot aspect but he’s gone so she’s in heaven with her life. Jack and I don’t hate each other I swear, but even if we did we wouldn’t act like it because our best friends are together and we have to like it. Let’s toast to Jack and my best friends for have their own fairytale.” She said tears falling down her face.
We made that toast and got up to go eat, I pulled Kenzie and Jack to me and hugged them
“I love you guys.” I said
“We love you too.” Mackenzie said
“Let’s eat.” Jack smiled
I smiled at him and went up to Alex and held his hand, we got our food and went back and sat down.
“Hey.” I smiled at Alex
“We’re married.” He said with the biggest grin on his face
I nodded and bit my lip excitedly. We finished eating and everyone migrated towards the dance floor, I knew the father daughter dance was first. My dad just didn’t know what the song was. It was Because you Loved Me by Celine Deion. The DJ started playing it and I walked over to my dad and grabbed his hand and took him out to the dance floor. We started dancing to the slow beat.
“You were my strength when I was weak, you were my voice when I couldn’t speak. You were my eyes when I couldn’t see, you saw the best there was in me. Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach; you have me faith cuz you believed. I’m everything I am because you loved me. I’m everything I am, because you loved me.” I sang the end of the song to him, he started crying
“I love you Ryan.” He said
“I love you too daddy.” I said
He hugged me and I smiled. Alex came up to me and a piano started playing and a voice I’d only heard on YouTube started singing. I looked up at Alex
“I called in a favor.” He said
I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his shoulder and listened to Chester See sing his song Lullaby live for us.
“It’s you and me, the stars and moon will keep us company. They’ll watch over us as we fall asleep, and I will hold you close. So lay your head down on the pillowcase, close your eyes and feel my warm embrace. Cause in my arms you know you will be safe, and I won’t let you go.” His amazing voice sang through the room
Other couples came and started dancing with us, but I knew this would be our song forever.
“So baby let my heartbeat be the rhythm that puts you to sleep. My smile will be the first thing you see when you wake up, when you wake up, when you wake up… So dream with me, hold my hand; escape reality. Let my love be your cavalry, and I will hold you close. Don’t worry; I’ll be by your side. I promise I’ll be here all through the night, ill comfort you until the morning light. And I won’t let you goo….. So baby let my heartbeat be the rhythm that puts you to sleep. My smile will be the first thing you see when you wake up. So baby let my heartbeat be the rhythm that puts you to sleep. My smile will be the first thing you see when you wake up. So baby let my heartbeat be the rhythm that puts you to sleep. My smile will be the first thing you see when you wake up.” He finished off the song
I looked up at Alex with tears falling down my face
“I love you.” He said
“How did you make this happen?” I asked
“I’ve met him.” He said
“I want to.” I said
“Go up there.” He said
I looked over and Kenzie and we walked over to the stage.
“Congratulations.” Chester said to me
I wiped my tears
“Thanks for doing this.” I said
“How could I refuse?” He smiled
I laughed
“You look beautiful by the way, both of you do.” He said
“Thank you.” We said at the same time
“Are you staying for the rest of the reception or are you leaving?” Mackenzie asked
“I can stay if that’s okay with Ryan and Alex.” He said
“It’s okay with us,” I said
“Okay.” He smiled
I smiled
“Can I go eat?” He asked
“Do whatever you want.” I said
He nodded and walked towards the area where the food was.
“Alex I think I love you more if that’s even possible.” I said
He smiled at me and kissed my nose, I looked over and saw Mike with his girlfriend, she was a pretty blonde. I walked over to the PTV family.
“Look it’s the bride!” Jaime yelled attacking me
“All of you save me a dance.” I said
“Even Mike?” Tony asked
“Even Mike. Got that kid?” I asked pointing at Mike
He smiled and nodded, I walked over to Jimmy and pulled him straight to the dance floor.
“How’s your rehabish shit going with Brian?” I asked
“Pretty good I guess but today is about you.” He smiled
I smiled and he kissed the stop of my head
The night carried on and I danced with everyone who saved me one, I was getting ready to sit down when the DJ started playing People are Strange but The Door, this was mine and Mackenzie’s song, there was no escaping dancing with her. We ran out to the dance floor and danced together. The wedding was coming to an end and it was finally time for the bouquet and garter toss, I wasn’t tossing my actual bouquet because it was a dozen prefect red roses, I’m going to try them out and put them in a vase. I stood up on the stage and the DJ started playing Bubbly by Colbie Callet, all of the single girls gathered around and I smiled. I turned around and threw it over my head, I turned around and May caught it, I smiled at her and Alex shoved a chair under my butt making me sit down. Burnin’ Up by the Jonas Brothers started playing and Alex kissed me as all of the single guys gathered around. He dug his was under my poofy wedding dress and grabbed my garter we with his teeth, his facial hair tickled as he pulled it down my leg slowly. When he pulled it off he flung it into the crowd of men. I was happy when Jack caught it.
When the night was officially over Alex and I made our way home to pack for our honeymoon in Iceland that we left for in the morning.

Notes