Reaching the venue, I stayed in the car as the organizers of our wedding checked everything first before we started.
I looked at the busy crowd sitting on the chairs. We only have a hundred guests for today as I don’t want to invite a lot.
Besides, I don’t have a lot of friends. I lost touch with my high school friends the moment we migrated here. Also, mom is also not that close with dad’s relatives as they both ran away from their home when they had me.
And I can’t blame her for that.
So I only have mom, Nathan, and some of my classmates from Anastolgia High like Ember. So it’s mostly Eion’s family and relatives as his guests. I saw Luke and Hannah greeting the guests and making sure everyone was comfortable.
Aunt Maggie caught sight of us and waved her hands. She was sitting beside her husband, Martin Sawyer who was carrying their one-year-old baby since Aunt Maggie had just given birth last year. Also, her four-year-old son was sitting quietly beside her.
I can’t help but smile at her. She looks so happy with her marriage to her husband. It felt like it was just yesterday that Eion and I were partners in her wedding.
I spotted my brother Nathan looking all handsome for today with his suit. Caleb is the ringbearer as Nathan didn’t want to do it again since he already did at Aunt Maggie’s wedding last time.
I was sitting in the backseat as Mom was in the driver’s seat turning on the air conditioning high so that my makeup won’t ruin and the driver was no other than, my maid of honor, Emma.
“We’re here now, bride.” Said Emma, as she parked our car on the driveway.
Just then, I saw Leroy and Dax approaching the car and knocked on the window. They were in their suit as Dax was the best man while Leroy was one of the groomsmen along with Luke. Mom rolled down the window for me.
“What are you up to, babe?” Asked Emma to Dax and Dax just shrugged.
Leroy sighed, looking so sad at me. “We have a problem. We have been looking for him, Snow. Everywhere. He’s gone.”
I blinked at him, “Wait what? What do you mean?”
“I’m sorry to break it to you, Snow, but we can’t find Eion. He’s gone.” He said, looking sincerely.
When he said that, a small smile escaped his lips despite the serious facade he was faking.
I sighed, realizing what he’s up to. “Leroy, I don’t fall for your tricks anymore.”
“No, I’m not tricking you.” He tried to defend himself, but I already caught his lie. I raised my eyebrows at Dax to confirm it and he just shrugged.
Testing Leroy with my death glare, Leroy finally surrendered to me, “Okay, I admit, I’m tricking you. I’m just messing with the bride, chill Snow. Really, you have faith in your groom that he won’t run away from you today.”
“Leroy, we don’t have time for messing around, Leroy,” running out of patience like me now. Way to go Emma! She really senses when I need her. I gave her a thank you for that and she continued, “Babe, get him out of here, he’d stress out the bride.” Emma said to her boyfriend and Dax saluted, dragging Leroy out of our sight.
I sighed at that, and then, another man in a suit came in the car again.
It was Uncle Adam, Eion’s father.
“You look beautiful, Snow.” He complimented and I thanked him for that. “The groom is getting impatient so he wants me to check her bride.” He said before continuing, “Really, he was on the verge of running here but we stopped him. You know him, so short-tempered.”
I chuckled at that, feeling relieved knowing that Eion is feeling the same thing as me.
“Oh, I think it’s going to start now, I gotta go.” Saying that Uncle Adam finally left us.
“I swear, everyone’s really visiting you,” Emma spoke up again, now complaining. “If the wedding won’t start, it won’t take long for everyone to see you, Snow. This just destroys the element of surprise.”
Just then, one of the organizers went to our car and said the wedding is now starting. Everyone was all lined up and I could hear the orchestra playing the music.
“Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can’t help, falling in love with you
Shall I stay? Would it be a sin
If I can’t help falling in love with you?”
This is really it. I’m going to get married. I feel like bursting into tears but I shouldn’t. We have been preparing for it for a whole year, and right at this moment, it felt like all realizations hit me at once.
“Snow?” Mom called out, snapping her fingers in front of me to pull me out of my trance. “Shall we go?” She handed me the beautiful flower bouquet and I carefully held it.
Gulping, I opened the car door and I was greeted with a spotlight. Everyone stared at me. I felt nervous. I walk down the aisle with the red carpet and beautiful flowers arranged neatly to the corners.
But what really caught my attention was the handsome groom from afar. And for the first time, I saw my Eion, with his suit and tie that suits him perfectly, waiting for me with the priest behind him.
He was holding back his tears until I could see him not able to take it in anymore and burst into tears. He wiped his tears as Dax offered to pat him in the back.
Mom was escorting me and also Uncle Adam from beside me, courtesy to my dad. Emma was behind me, taking care of my gown so it wouldn’t get dirty.
“Take care of her, Eion.” Said Uncle Adam once we reached Eion.
Eion nodded. “I will, dad. I’ll take care of her, Aunt Evy.” He said to my mother beside me.
“Then, shall I take this from here?” He asked, and mom and Uncle Adam loosened their hands and gave it to Eion.
“Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life, too
For I can’t help falling in love with you”
As the song ended, Eion met me in the eyes, which was now a bit red from his crying earlier.
“Hello, my handsome groom.” I greeted as classical music started playing.
Eion shook his head, he breathed in, “Hello, my beautiful bride.”
“Did you cry?” I asked, teasing him a bit.
“No, I didn’t. I just got dust in my eye.”
That was all he replied. I chuckled and we sat in front as the priest started the ceremony. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and woman in holy matrimony.”
Every now and then, Eion was glancing at me, smiling. I smiled back, raising my eyebrows at him.
“Listen to the priest,” I mouthed those words to him but he just shrugged.
The whole session, Eion just held my hand as his life depended on it. As the priest finished his sermon and made us sign the papers as a fully married couple, he urged us to stand up now.
Eion started his vow. “Do you remember the very first day that we met?”