“Evan, you look so beautiful!” Valary said as I opened my eyes and smiled, Val smiling right back back.

“I know! She’s beating all us to the altar too.” Sarah pouted, standing up to brush off invisible dust on her dress.

I turned around and gasped at myself. The person staring back at me wasn’t the same person I had been before. I had changed. And I’m not talking about appearances, I had changed. Inside and out.

And today, was going to be probably one of the most emotional days of my life.

I can’t believe it I’m going to get married. I thought, a tear springing to my eye but I knew Sarah and Val would stab my ass if I cried and ruined the makeup they’d applied to my face. I rested my hands on my swollen belly, Jimmy and I decided to get married before the baby was born, it just seemed to make more sense.

“Are you ready Evan?” Val asked as she gripped my shoulders and squeezed them reassuringly, although that didn’t do much for my racing heart and shaking knees. The orchestra began to play, but it wasn’t the usual Here Comes The Bride stuff, we changed it up a bit and the beginning of A Little Piece of Heaven was playing.

Sarah gave me a gentle shove and I began to walk down the aisle with my knees were shaking and my palms were sweaty as fuck. All eyes seemed to be on and me, and all I was trying to do was not fall flat on my face or trip over my dress.

I looked straight ahead and saw Jimmy standing there, he looked nervous too; he was wringing his hands and looked like he was sweating out of his suit. At least he wasn’t the only one nervous.

I walked up and faced him. He smiled at me and I couldn’t help but smile back.

As the preacher went on about holy matrimony, before long it was time to say our vows.

“Evan,” Jimmy started off, he cleared his throat, he looked beyond nervous but he continued on. “I don’t know why God graced me with you, but I’m a really lucky man to have you. And I don’t have any intention of ever leaving you, or harming you, I want to be your armour. You’re my absolute everything and I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

I smiled at him, tears forming in my eyes. I took a deep breath; I hadn’t exactly practiced my vows yet.

“Jimmy,” I started, “I love you, and I think I’ve always loved you. Ever since the day I’ve met you. You are the person my dreams are made of, you know exactly when I’m down and out and you’ll make everything better. Truthfully, without…I don’t know where I’d be right now. You’re my savior.” I said.

The preacher went on and we finally said our “I do’s” and kissed. People cheered and we were congratulated, ad a bunch of people patted my swelling belly.

As Jimmy and I danced, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and my mouth dropped open.

“Evan?” The green eyed boy asked.

I blinked, “Riley!” I yelled, wrapping my arms around my brother. He seemed taken aback, but eventually wrapped his arms around me. “Holy shit Riles,” I mumbled, letting him go and looking at him. He looked like he had cleaned up since I last saw him.

“Damn Evan, you look good.” He was smiling.

“You do too.” I was crying now. I wiped away the tears, my fingers stained with black.

“I can’t believe it, my little sister - married and expecting a baby.” He whispered, placing a hand on my belly. I continued smiling.

Shit, will always get in the way of your happiness. But you gotta learn to bite the bullet and get over it.
And believe me, I had fought my battles, and I sure as hell wasn’t about to give up on the upcoming ones.