The Music We Make

Today was supposed to be the greatest day of my life and I felt like I was going to hurl. The nerves in my stomach were unreal and unrelenting, almost keeping my in the bathroom all night.

Andi and Val had spent the night with me last night, mostly because we had to get up early the following morning to get ready, but also to help calm me down. I wasn’t nervous about actually marrying Brian, I was just so worried that something would go horribly wrong.

I had spent the last several weeks planning nonstop, getting everything ready for a perfect wedding day. I was excited and happy with everything that I had created and put together, but it all changed at the rehearsal dinner last night.

We had gone through the motions of the ceremony with a hitch. Other than the boys being their normal goofiness, nothing went wrong and we got through everything just fine. By the end of it I was so excited I couldn’t get the smile off of my face. Brian couldn’t stop grinning as well, telling me over and over how he couldn’t wait for tomorrow.

But then at dinner Johnny had to strike with his big fucking mouth.

“Man, hopefully all goes as planned,” he had said. “Would suck if your photographer bailed or something. Shit, one time I was at a wedding that ran out of food. Or, shit, Shads! Do you remember that wedding where the cake collapse? Fucking hilarious!”

I knew he didn’t mean it maliciously, but I couldn’t get it out of my head. I double and triple checked all of my plans that night, frantically re-reading all of emails and contracts with my vendors. Val and Andi tried to calm me, but I just couldn’t stop. Eventually they had both fallen asleep and I knew I needed to myself. Unfortunately my night was filled with anxiety ridden dreams about missing photographers and falling cakes.

“Rosie?” I heard a knock at the door. I was still in the bathroom trying not to throw up. “Can I come in?”

I opened the door to see Andi standing there, worry in her eyes. She immediately grabbed me and gave me a hug.

“You need to calm the fuck down,” Andi said in the sweetest way she possibly could. She moved out of out hug, but left her hands on my shoulders and looked me in the eye. “Do you love Brian?”

I laughed, “Of course. Yes.”

“Will your wedding cake falling change that?”

“No, you know it wouldn’t.”

“Are there going to be people at your wedding with cameras other than a photographer?”
“Yes,” I said softly, my nerves calming a bit.

“Okay. Then you’re fine. If there is a problem, there is a solution. My job is to take care of these things, okay? Your only job today is to get married to the love of your life. And when I get married you can return the favor.”

I laughed and hugged her, resting my head on her shoulder. “I love you.”

“Love you too. Now get a fucking move on. You’re getting married in three hours.”

-0-

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself in shock. Never in my life had I looked so beautiful.

I had my hair back in a simple bun, a long lace veil tucked underneath. My mother had let me borrow her simple diamond earrings and bangle and both glimmered in the light. My dress fit my figure perfectly, tighter around my chest and waist, then flaring out with the a-line skirt. The lace details were soft and feminine, as was my makeup. Before opening the door, I slipped on my baby blue heels, all ready to go.

When I walked out of my dressing room I heard a gasp, but not from someone that I expected. Immediately I was in the arms of a very tall man, but before he could swing me around, I heard the protests of my bridesmaids.

“You are so fucking beautiful that my heart is going to break,” he said to me.

I laughed. “Thanks, Jimmy. You ready?”

“I should be asking you that. All I have to do is stand next to Brian and wait for you to get married.”

“And then be Brian’s best man. It’s a hefty job.”

“Fuck, I need to make sure I have the rings,” he said, rifling through his pockets. His face showed relief when he found them. “I am ready to go!”

“Rosie,” I heard my mom whisper. She had tears in her eyes as she pulled me into an embrace. “Your father would be so happy.”

I tried so hard not to cry when she said that, but it became easy when our simple hug became a giant group hug between Val, Andi, Jimmy, my mother, and me. I laughed, hugging all of them the best I could while avoiding messing up my hair.

“Okay girls,” said the wedding coordinator. “Let’s get lined up. And you need to get out front! The boys are already lined up and waiting for us!”

Jimmy mumbled a cuss word under his breath and ran away, going to join the guys at the front of the ceremony.

We moved through the back hallway of the building we got ready in, which was a small and cramped place behind where we were actually getting married. Brian and I had immediately fell in love with the scenery that the location had provided, with all of the beautiful trees and flowers. We were up on a hill in a beautiful park, and our wedding was going to take place on the gorgeous back porch of the park’s main recreational building. The porch had benches for the guests and it was surrounded by trees. I had placed blue flowers strategically around the porch as well, adding to my something blue.

The woman in charge of doing weddings here led us to where we would exit the building and onto the porch. We couldn’t see the guests or the rest of the wedding party, but she ensured us that it was time to go. Val lined up first, her bouquet in her hands, and slowly walked out to meet the guests as the soft piano music began to play over the speakers.

It made me anxious that I couldn’t see what was happening, but I knew I needed to wait so my guests, and Brian, wouldn’t see me. I wrapped my arm around my mother’s arm and she took my hand, squeezing it gently. In this moment I was so happy she was there with me, and even though I missed my father, I was happy to have her walk me down the aisle.

Andi disappeared in front of us, again slowly walking to the music. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, thoughtfully praying for peace and for everything to go as planned. When I opened my eyes the music had changed and I heard the rustling of people standing from their seats. My mother pulled me forward.

After I turned the corner I felt like I was walking on air. I could barely hear the music or see the people around me, all I saw was Brian. He stood at the front of the porch, his best friends behind him, with the biggest grin on his face. When he saw me at first his mouth opened slightly and he put his hand over his mouth, making me smile. He removed his hand and just kept smiling, beyond excited and clearly elated. It was the most wonderful sight I had ever seen.

Before I knew it we had made it to the front of the porch and Brian was right in front of me, biting his lip to contain his excitement. My mother squeezed my hand again, probably to stop me from laughing.

The rest of the wedding was a blur. Brian and I held hands the entire time and we could not stop smiling, practically giggling in joy at every moment. Matt had sung a wonderful song that he wrote for the occasion while Brian played the guitar, which was a total surprise for me. I cried the entire time, unable to contain my emotions, but I didn’t even care. Andi read a poem about love and how wonderful marriage can be. Jimmy had the rings ready to go and didn’t even make a joke about them at all, which I was really grateful for.

Before I knew it we were walking back down the aisle, but this time we were husband and wife.

Notes

I'm already working on the next chapter. It's almost done! :)

Comments are so appreciated!! Thanks SevenfoldSweetheart and AGirlIKnowNamedLarisa for your comments last time!!

xoxo JJ