Chapter Ten
"Are you sure the dress looks good?" Tricia asked. "It's not bunched up in
the back or anything?"
"It looks fine." Sam said. She gave her red gown a tug. "We all look
fine."
"You sure do." Kevin said as he came up beside Sam.
"Aren't you supposed to be outside at the chapel?" Miranda asked. "You're
an usher right?"
"Everyone is seated, waiting for the bride." Kevin said. "Brian is
standing next to Nick in front of the priest. When I escorted Vicky to her
seat I thought he was going to throw up his breakfast?"
"Oh." Sam laughed. "What a romantic picture!"
"I just came in for a drink." Kevin looked at his watch. "You are due to
walk the aisle in ten minutes."
"Don't remind me." Tricia felt as if she was going to get sick herself.
*****
Howie smiled as he escorted the last guest to a seat. She was late coming
and asked to be sat next to a woman who Howie was sure was her mother.
Howie smiled at the beautiful girl as he showed her to the seat.
He saw Kevin walking from the house towards the chapel.
"Time to take our seats." Kevin said as the two sat next to AJ and Vicky
near the front.
*****
Brian twiddled his fingers nervously. He leaned over to Nick. "This is
it."
"I know." Nick said. "Calm down. She isn't going to run from the altar or
anything. This is the day you have been waiting for since you realized that
you were in love with Tricia."
"That's why I am so nervous." Brian admitted. "All the careful planning is
boiling down to this moment. I want everything to be perfect."
"Everything will be perfect…" Nick grinned. "Unless you sneeze, the priest
gets startled and falls backwards into the pool."
"Don't even say that." Brian cried. "It might happen…"
"Listen, if you don't calm down…I might have you push in that pool myself."
Nick laughed and to his relief Brian laughed as well, letting some of the
knots in his stomach unwind.
The music began and everyone stood.
Up in the house, Tricia opened the door and looked at her little cousin
Darla.
"Remember, just follow the red carpet down the stairs and right up to where
you see Brian." Tricia smiled at the six year old.
"And throw lots of flowers." Miranda reminded her.
"I will." Darla started out the door and made her way down the aisle, now
and again throwing as many flowers as her little hands could hold. She
stopped by Brian. "You are real lucky…Tricia looks like a queen!"
Everyone laughed and Darla's mom collected her daughter.
Next Miranda began her walk towards the altar. Her eyes were glued to
Nick, and her mind was thinking of the day that she would make this walk as
a bride. She knew Nick was thinking the exact same thing.
Sam emerged next. She was willing herself not to cry but she was
overwhelmed with happiness. The tears just seemed to have a mind of their
own. She winked at Kevin, who winked back. She took her place beside
Miranda.
Tricia held her breath as she stepped outside. Everyone gasped, admiring
at pretty bride. Her eyes were on Brian. To her there was no one else
there…just her and Brian. The whole world seemed to be passing them by as
she nearly floated towards him.
Brian took her arm and wiped a stray tear with his hand.
The priest smiled. "We are gathered here today to join this man and this
woman…"
******
"I understand that the bride and groom have written their own vows." The
priest said a half an hour later. "Tricia would you like to go first."
Tricia handed her bouquet of roses to Sam. She took Brian's hands in her
own. "When I first met you, I realized that I had finally found where I
belonged. I guess I was just wandering around this earth waiting for you.
I am so glad that you walked into the bookstore on that day…" She trailed
off to laugh. "And I so glad that you decided to come back later on. So
what I am saying is this…you gave me a place to belong so I am giving you
all of me. I promise to stand by your side no matter what happens in our
life together. I promise to trust you always no matter what people want me
to believe. But most of all I promise to love you for the rest of this life
and all of the next."
Brian smiled through his tears. "Tricia, I always believed that there is
someone out there, made especially for you and I thank God everyday that
that someone is you. We have been through so much together and I know there
is so much more waiting for us. And I glad that we are facing it together.
I promise that you will always know how much I love you. I promise that you
will always know that I will be by your side no matter where you lead me.
You are my everything and without you I would be nothing."
Tricia felt the tears that had been building up finally spill over her
cheeks.
The priest smiled. "Now the rings."
Nick took the ring off the pillow and handed it to Brian. Brian slipped it
on Tricia's hand.
Sam handed the other ring to Tricia, who placed it Brian's hands.
The priest continued. "I know pronounce you husband and wife. You may
kiss the bride."
Brian smiled and leaned over and kissed Tricia's lips softly.
"Let me be the first to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Brian Littrell." The
priest said. Cheers went up the crowd as the happy couple made their way
down the aisle towards the car that would drive them to the reception at a
nearby country club.
*****
"So I guess what I am getting at is…I want you guys to always be happy in
love." Miranda said, as she passed the microphone to Sam and took her seat
next to Nick.
"That was beautiful, Miranda." Sam said as she wiped away a tear. "Most of
you who know me know I can't go to a wedding without bawling my eyes out!"
The crowd laughed.
"So anyway, I was asked to say a few words about my pals Brian and Tricia.
Individually they have been great friends but together they are something to
be admired. I have always hoped to be as happy as them with Kevin and I
have been. They have shown us all what exactly what it takes to be in love.
They have had their ups and downs and have always faced things together."
Sam smiled at the couple at the head table. "I won't go on too much
longer…there is a dance floor waiting to be tore up." The crowd laughed
again. "To sum it up…thank you guys for showing us all how to be in love."
She took her seat next to Tricia.
"Thank you." Tricia said as she squeezed her friend's hands.
"Before we dance, I was asked to propose a toast to the happy couple." Nick
said as he raised a glass in the air. "May your road always be in the same
direction and may you never run out of gas." Everyone laughed. "Oh and may
you name your first child after me!"
"Here here." Everyone said.
"Okay." Nick said after everyone had drained their glass. "Right through
this door is a dance floor. Let's all go see the happy couple share their
first dance."
"That's our cue." Brian said, as he stood up, Tricia's hand in his. He
hadn't let go of it since she had taken his at the ceremony.
*****
Sam started to follow the couple towards the dance floor. Kevin caught her
arm.
"Let's go out on the balcony for a moment." Kevin said, as he began to lead
her that way. "Don't worry we won't miss the first dance."
"Good." She began to wonder what Kevin was up too.
He escorted out of the dining room and onto the balcony that overlooked the
ocean. The sun was just beginning to set.
"It's beautiful out here, huh?" Sam asked as she stared at the colors of
the sky.
"Not as beautiful as you." Kevin said. "I know it's cliché but I just
wanted you to know again how beautiful you are too me."
"You are beautiful to me too!" Sam placed her arms around his neck and
leaned over to kiss him.
He broke away and fumbled with his coat. "I have been planning this for a
long time. I just wanted to wait for the right moment to ask you."
"Ask me what?" Sam's nervousness made her completely clueless.
Kevin got down on one knee. Sam gasped. He opened the tiny box that he
had been carrying in a paper bag since he had gotten it yesterday. Inside
laid a ring that could only be described as breathtaking,. "Samantha, I
love you like I never thought I would ever love anyone. I want you to spend
the rest of your life letting me make you happy. Will you marry me?"
Sam put her hand out and ran it through Kevin's hair. More tears spilled
onto her cheeks. "Of course I will. I love you Kevin."
He slipped the ring on her finger and stood up to kiss her.
The two stayed there, holding each other, and watching the sun disappear
into the ocean.
Kevin took her hand. "We should get inside before the first dance happens."
*****
Brian and Tricia waited until everyone had filed into the dance hall before
walking to the middle of the dance floor. Brian wrapped his arms around her
and smiled. "Ready…"
"I feel like I have been waiting for this moment for forever." Tricia
confirmed as he pulled her closer. The music started and Tricia and Brian
began to dance, concentrating on each other and leaving everyone else
behind.
I swear to you
I always be there for you
There's nothin' I won't do you-I promise you
All my life I will live for you
We will make it through
Brian smiled at Tricia. This is where he was meant to be. Right here in
Tricia's arms. And that's where he would stay…forever.
Forever-we will be
Together-you and me
Oh when I hold ya - nothin' can compare
With all of my heart
You know I will always be right there
Tricia smiled back at Brian. Her Prince Charming had finally come.
I believe in us
Nothin' else could ever mean so much
You the one I trust
Our time has finally come
We're not two people now - we are one
Ya you're second to none
Kevin and Sam entered the room, hand and hand. Each felt they were keeping
a secret from the whole room. Soon they would be doing exactly what Brian
and Tricia were doing.
Forever - we will be
Together - a family
The more I get to know ya
Nothin' can compare
With all of my heart
Ya know I'll always be right there.
Brian leaned over and kissed Tricia again. She leaned her head on his
shoulder and let the song finish.
Ya know I really love you
Ya, nothin' can compare
For all of my life
Ya know I'll always be right there
Everyone clapped. Another slow song began.
"Hey! Where is the best man and the maid of honor?" Brian began to scan the
crowd. "Get out here, you two."
Sam groaned. "One dance and then I am yours for the rest of the night."
Kevin laughed and kissed her forehead.
"Come on Nicky." Sam called as she grabbed him and pulled him to the dance
floor.
Nick and Sam began to dance along with the bride and groom. Soon everyone
else paired up and began to dance. Nick looked down at her hand. "So he
finally asked you."
"You knew too?" Sam asked.
"We all knew." Nick grinned. "Everyone except you."
Sam just shook her head.
*****
Howie watched as yet another slow song played. The DJ had played some fast
songs but the majority had been slow songs. He had danced with many girls
but it didn't feel right. He wasn't dancing with someone that he could call
his own. That familiar lonely feeling began to build up in his stomach.
He walked over the bar to get a drink.
"Excuse me." A voice said from behind him.
Howie turned around and was face to face with the woman he escorted to her
seat earlier. "Yes."
"I just wanted to ask you to dance." She said with a smile.
"Sure…"
"It's Julia." She said.
"Well, Julia I would love to dance." Howie said as he got up from his seat.
The song ended. "How about the next one?" He asked hopefully.
"I can do that."
Brian got on the microphone. "I guess it's time for the garter toss!" Sam
placed a chair for Tricia to sit on. The bride giggled as her new husband
placed his hands under her dress and began to slowly inch the garter down
her leg. A couple of cat calls came from the crowd. Finally, he brought
it out from underneath the dress and twirled it on his finger. "All the
single men."
Julia grinned and looked back at Howie. "That's you!"
Howie turned red, as he joined the group of single men. There weren't
many. He never really understood this silly ritual. He just stood there
and watched it fly through the air and land…on his head.
He groaned and removed it as the crowd cheered.
"And now all the single ladies." Tricia said. "Which I am have been
informed can no longer include Samantha Harding, since she is now engaged to
Kevin."
A cheer went up for the beaming couple.
"Congratulations guys, may you be as happy as Brian and I." Tricia said.
"Okay…single ladies."
A whole crowd of them positioned themselves behind Tricia. She tossed her
roses over her shoulder and Julia leaped up and caught them.
Sam brought the chair back out. "Have a seat miss."
Julia sat down and turned beat red.
Howie was just as embarrassed.
"Go D!" AJ cried.
Howie walked over to Julia and knelt beside her. He slipped the garter up
her leg and then helped her up. "Now we can have this dance."
*****
AJ, Vicky, Kevin, Sam, Miranda, Nick and Howie were at the front of the
country club facing Brian and Tricia. They were getting ready to leave for
their plane ride down south for their honeymoon.
They had decided to slip out of the party when it was at full swing.
"Have a great trip." Sam said to the couple after all the hugging was done.
"We will." Brian said. "Congratulations again you two."
Kevin pulled Sam close. "No, congratulations to you two."
Miranda and Vicky helped Tricia get her dress in the car. Brian climbed in
beside her. "See you all in two weeks!"
"We'll miss you." Nick said before the car pulled away. Everyone waved.
"We have a party to get back too!" Vicky announced.
*****
It was three days after the wedding. Everyone was at Sam's house relaxing
after cleaning up her backyard.
"What do you think they are doing now?" Nick asked.
"I really don't think you want to know." Vicky answered.
Everyone laughed.
"Look!" AJ said as he walked in the room with the new People Weekly in his
hand. "We made the cover."
Everyone gathered around to see the picture. It was one the official
photographer had taken. It showed the bride and groom, plus AJ, Vicky,
Nick, Miranda, Kevin, Sam and Howie. Everyone was cuddled up with the one
they loved.
"Poor Howie." Sam said. "You didn't meet anyone at the wedding?"
Howie shrugged. "I wouldn't say that."
Vicky looked at the picture again. "That's a real nice one." Vicky
commented as she took AJ's hand.
*****
She picked up the magazine and sighed. She had been staring at it for
hours. Or more importantly one person.
"Everything was fine until you showed up." She said to the picture as if
she expected it to talk back to her. "Well everything will be fine again
once you are out of the picture."
She picked up a pen and began to carefully scribble out the face of Vicky.
I know...what a way to end the story. It was all romantic and she just had
to go in there and put the being of her new story...LOL!
I hope everyone will look for my new story 'The Danger of Loving You'
which is a purely and highly fictionized tale about a fan who crosses the
line between admiration and obsession.
Email Mandy
Memories Of You Index
