I stare at my made-up face. My hair had been delicately arranged atop my head. The long white wedding dress that enunciated every curve. I marvel at the sight. I am beautiful.
"Emma, are you ever going to leave the mirror?" I hear Mom's scolding voice drift over to me. I turn to look at her. She's wearing a lovely pink dress that really makes her look innocent. Her makeup also displays that characteristic.
"Sorry, I...just can't believe..." I feel a lump rise in my throat as my heart soars.
Mom chuckles, "I was the same way when I got married. You spend so much time preparing for it, and then it's here." I nod my head, a jolt rolls through me at her bringing up her past. Especially one that involves Dad. "Don't cry though, I am not doing your makeup again." She warns. Once more, I nod my head and force the tears back.
"I can't believe I'm getting married, though," I say. "It feels just like yesterday that we started to get closer." I look over to Mom to see her looking uncomfortable. She squirms a bit, straightening the flowers in my bouquet. "Everything okay, Mom?" I ask, walking closer to her.
She looks at me with surprise, "I'm fine, Emma." She tells me, a smile spreading across her face. Her shoulders relax as well. I must've imagined her uneasiness. Nerves are a strange thing.
We hear someone knock on the door. We both turn to it to see it being opened. Mrs. Ike pokes her head in and gives me an analytical gaze. Her sour face doesn't improve any, whatever that means. "Are you almost ready to start?" She asks, sniffing as if she smells something nasty.
I whip towards the door, "Most definitely!" I shout. Mrs. Ike looks taken aback. She nods and leaves, muttering something underneath her breath.
"If you like him so much, you should've tried long ago." I hear Mom mutter, I think. I turn to her, but there's a smile on her face, offering my bouquet to me. My mind is really playing tricks on me today. Damn these nerves.
"We best get going," Mom tells me, starting towards the door. I follow her, feeling butterflies in my stomach. What if I trip? What if he changes his mind?
We make it to the door that will lead me to the love of my life. Mom stops at the door and then turns to look at me. There's a strange look in her eyes, "Are you completely sure about this, Emma?"
I tilt my head confused as to why she was asking. I couldn't be surer about my decision. He is the only one for me. I give her a reassuring smile and nod my head. Mom studies me for a second longer, before sighing...in disappointment?
No, couldn't be.
"As long as you're happy, Emma," Mom says, offering me a final smile, before motioning for me to get away from the door. It's time for her to go and take her seat. She disappears and closes the door behind her, not allowing me a glimpse into what lays beyond.
I'm alone, but probably not for long. I take a deep breath. Mr. Ike would be marrying us, he got certified just for our wedding.
I hear the wedding march start to play and the double doors open for me. I stare out into the room and almost gasp at its beauty. Everything was so clean. The aisle was holding my favorite flowers, lilies. I look at the two that had opened the door. Jason and Howard. They had joined our community about a year ago. I start to walk, and I look around the room. Almost none of the original members were still here. The only originals were Mom, me, Rufus, and the Ike's.
Dad had disappeared. Mr. Smith... don't think about that. Mrs. Smith had been a part of Eliza's initiation, which occurred not long after mine. About a year ago, Mr. and Mrs. Jameson had volunteered for the betterment of the community as well.
Halfway down the aisle.
Our community is almost forty strong, and funnily enough, I'm still the youngest at fifteen. Everyone else is in their twenties or higher. All of the community is here. He and I had decided the sides didn't matter, yet my mom still sits on the side where I would stand. On the other hand, Eliza was on his side. Ugh.
She's wearing a lovely blue dress, that isn't very modest. She gives me a very smug smile. Ugh. I will never like this bitch.
Finally, I turn my attention to the most important person in this room. I look to the very front to see Mr. Ike and...him.
He's so handsome. He was made to wear a suit. His suit hugs him in all the right places. His black eyes meet mine, reflecting the happiness in mine. I walk forward to my future and happiness. I make it to the altar, where I pass the bouquet off to Janine, a girl who arrived about six months ago. He offers his strong and sturdy hands to me, which I eagerly accept.
Rufus. The love of my life. The best man in the world.
The ceremony seems to go on forever. When Mr. Ike calls for anyone that objected, I could see out of the corner of my eye, two girls holding Eliza down.
Thank you, please don't let that bitch ruin my wedding day.
"Do you, Emma Johnson, take Rufus Walker to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Mr. Ike asks me. I could almost hear the humor in his voice. Everyone knew my answer.
"I do." I declare, knowing I will never be surer of anything in my life.
"Do you, Rufus Walker, take Emma Johnson to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Rufus keeps his eyes fixated on mine, "I do." He declares, his voice reaching every crevice in the room.
"I now pronounce you two husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Mr. Ike declares, closing the Bible.
Rufus very carefully lets go of my hands and cups my face in between his hands. He leans forward and presses a delicate kiss on my lips. He adds a bit of pressure, but it's over quickly. My first kiss. So sweet but over in a flash.
The room explodes in cheers. Rufus takes one of my hands and leads me back down the aisle. I observe the people surrounding us and see many jealous faces of women who want my Rufus. Nice try, but he'll only ever have eyes for me.
My eyes drift to Mom, who's crying. But...she doesn't look happy. Instead, she looks like someone she loves has died. We make it to the outside and walk into our community's lands. Everyone starts to flood out, but Rufus ignores them. His eyes stay focused on one destination: his house.
Though I suppose it's our house now. Butterflies erupt in my stomach at the thought.
I look back once more and see Mom with Mr. and Mrs. Ike on the front steps. They're staring after us. Mrs. Ike's eyes full of jealously and hatred. Mr. Ike is wiping his eyes, honored to be the one to marry us. He had cried when we originally asked. Mom...her face looks dead, as though she had lost all her hope.
"Mrs. Walker?" I turn my head to look back at my husband (a new round of butterflies come at the sound of my name). His black eyes pierced mine, staring directly into my soul.
I give a mischievous smirk, "Yes, Mr. Walker?"
"Are you ready to be home?" He asks, a dark look enters his eyes. Predatory. I feel a pit form in my stomach, which I quickly push away.
"Of course!"
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