“Mother,” I said turning to her as a few tears fell from her eyes, “please don’t cry.”
“I’m just so happy for you,” she said and hugged me, “you’re finally getting married.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Please Jen, lets not fight. I didn’t mean it like that,” she said and moved from of my hair away from my face.
“I’m sorry,” I said and played with the pearls around my neck.
“Now, you have something new, something old, something blue, and here’s something borrowed,” she said as she handed me a silver box.
“I don’t believe in that silly rhyme,” I said, holding the box in my hand.
“Well, believe in it for me,” she said and urged me to open the box.
I slowly opened the box and gasped at what I saw inside. “I didn’t know you still had these, I thought that they were destroyed in the fire,” I said, referring to the fire at my grandmother’s house years ago that destroy almost everything.
“It was a miracle they weren’t. Your grandmother wanted to be able to give them to you on your wedding day, but she didn’t make it that long. So, I figured it would be something special between the three of us if I gave it to you.”
“Aww…mom, thank you,” I said as I put in the diamond earrings.
“Jen, you look so stunning. I know you going to make Austin a very happy man.”
“Thank you.”
“Well, its almost time. I’m gonna go make sure everything is going smoothly,” she said as she pulled open the door and walked out.
I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing an old Victorian style dress with gems and beads all over the low cut, v-neck top. On the straps of the dress, gems glistened in the light. The vail was a beautiful final touch to the dress.
I looked over at the clock, a half an hour until the wedding. I sat down on the chair, lifting my dress somewhat so that nothing ripped. I carefully took a sip of water, trying to moisturize my dry throat.
******************************************
Chris ran off the plane trying to hurry up. Unfortunately one of the security guards spotted him and stopped him immediately. “Hey,” the man said, “You don’t run down those steps like that.”
“I’m sorry I’m just trying to stop someone from making the worst mistake in her life,” Chris said, a little out of breath.
“Wait a minute, your that kid from *NSYNC,” the man said, making Chris angry when this 20 year old guy called Chris a kid.
“Yeah, I’m that guy from *NSYNC,” Chris said, stressing on guy.
“Can I have an autograph?” the guy asked will searching his pockets for paper.
“Wait, I have a piece of paper,” Chris said as he reached into his book bag and pulled out a notebook and a pen. He hurriedly scribbled down his name and ripped off the sheet of paper.
All of a sudden, loud-pitched screams were heard from before Chris. “Oh no,” Chris said in fear of getting mobbed and not being able to stop Jen.
“Come on,” the guy said and grabbed Chris by the arm and lead him into a back room, “I’ll go get your bags, wait here.”
Five minutes later, he returned with Chris’s bags and handed them to him. “Go down that hall and turn left. You’ll go down another hall and at the end is a side entrance out of here,” the guy said.
“Thanks,” Chris said and went down the hall. As soon as he turned left, he ran for the exit and quickly caught a cab. “Is Jen going to be at home or at the church?” Chris asked himself aloud as the cab pulled away.
“Why would she be at church? Church is usually closed by now,” the driver said.
“She’s getting married, but I don’t know where she lives.”
“Oh, then shouldn’t you be at the church to see her getting married?”
“No, I’m here to stop her.”
“Why?”
“Because she doesn’t love him and I don’t want her to make a bad mistake.”
“Where’s the church?”
“Um,” Chris said, trying to remember, “St. John’s Church on…”
“Third Street? Is it that one?”
“Yeah, that’s it. That’s the one.”
“Oh no.”
“What do you mean by, ‘Oh no’?” Chris asked, getting worried.
“There’s a traffic jam.”
“How far away are we?” Chris asked.
“About ten blocks.”
“Is there any back ways?”
“Up this street, but I may not reach that for a while.”
“Why isn’t anyone turning down that street?”
“There’s a football game today. Everyone’s heading for the stadium.”
“Do you think, if I ran to the church, you’d be there by the time I get Jen?”
“Possibly, I don’t know.”
“Well, you know what. If you do make it to that street, stay on that route for the church. Meet me at the church if you don’t see me with a bride at my side.”
“Okay.”
Chris opened the door and got out. He walked onto the sidewalk and heard some screams. He soon realized that he’d been recognized. He looked at his watch and began to run down the street, hoping and praying that he’d make it in time.
********************************************
“Jen,” my mother said, opening the door, “it’s almost time. Everyone’s lining up.”
“Okay,” I said as I stood up. I straighten out my dress and looked one last time in the mirror, making sure everything looked perfect. I walked out of the room and stood behind my niece, who was the flower girl, and nephew, who was the ring barrier.
Shortly, the music began and one by one everyone walked out. Pretty soon it was my turn to walk out. My father grabbed my hand and we stood by the door waiting for our cue. I tightened my grip on my dad’s hand and he whispered in my ear, “Don’t be nervous.”
I gave him a tight-lipped smile as we began to walk into the room. Everyone was standing and some took pictures. I tried to smile, but somehow I just couldn’t. As we made our way closer to the altar, my dad let go of my hand and Austin then grabbed it. He guided me up to the altar and the minister looked at us. I looked over at Austin, who was staring intently at the minister.
“Dearly beloved,” the minister began, “we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony.”
I glanced at my mom and saw that she was crying and holding onto my father who look proud to be here.
“Which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all men,” the minister said.
I looked over at Austin who in turn, looked over at me and he gave me a reassuring smile. I smiled back, then turned my attention to the minister.
“And therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God.”
*****************************************
‘There it is,” Chris said, slowing down as he looked at the church. He placed his hand on his racing heart, hoping it would slow down. He placed his other hand against the stone wall, desperately trying to catch his breath. He looked at the church and noticed that no one was outside.
“Oh no,” Chris said aloud, “I hope I’m not too late.” He ran up the steps and into the church.
***********************************************
“Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace,” the minister said and looked around.
I turned my head looked, silently hoping that someone would just say something.
The minister was just about to say his next sentence when the door opened, bringing in light from outside.
“Wait!” Chris called out.
I smiled when I saw Chris, happy that he came.
“What the hell?” Austin said.
“Please, don’t do this. You said to me that you didn’t want to, that you both were too different, that you didn’t love him anymore. I couldn’t bear to see you marry someone that you don’t love. Jen, I love you. I always have and always will. Please, don’t make this mistake,” Chris said, coming closer to me.
“Chris,” I managed to choke out. I dropped my bouquet and rushed closer to him. I wrapped him arms around him and whispered, “Thank you.”
“Come on, lets go,” Chris said as he took my hand and we both ran out of the church with a lot of people following us. As we got outside, a cab pulled up.
“Yes,” Chris said, “just on time.” He opened the door and helped him in. He then got in and slammed the door shut as Austin neared us.
“Jen,” he screamed, “don’t do this to me. I love you and that’s all that matters. Who cares about that fag boy?”
Chris gripped the doorknob, ready to open it and punch Austin. “Chris no,” I said firmly and turned to the driver, “can we leave?”
The driver slammed on the gas pedal, leaving everyone in the dust.
“Thanks,” I said to the driver and looked over at Chris. I looked down at our hands, which were stilling holding the other. “Chris,” I said softly.
He turned to look at me and I placed my lips on his. “Thank you,” I managed to say between kisses.
“Sorry to interrupt,” the driver said, “but where to?”
“To Elm View. 664 Elm View,” I said and set my head on Chris’s shoulder.
Soon we reached my house and Chris said to the driver, “Hold on, we’ll be right back.”
We ran to my house and I quickly opened the door with my spare key from in the mailbox. As I ran in, I almost tripped on my suitcase. I stopped and looked at Chris. “What are we going to do next?”
“How about we take your car and just drive for a while,” Chris said and kissed me softly on the lips, “I’ll go pay the driver. I’ll be right back.”
I watched him as he left the house. I then ran up stairs and took off my vail and set it on my bed. I unzipped my dress and slipped it off. I took off my pantyhose and garter belt, setting everything on my bed. I pulled my hair back and put on a pair of jeans and a sweater. I put on my shoes and grabbed my coat, then went back downstairs.
Chris had already set my suitcase by my car, ready to be put in. “Keys please,” he said as I descended down the stairs. I took them out of my purse and handed them to him. I put on my coat and walked outside. I shut the door and locked it with the spare key. I walked off the porch just as my mother pulled into the driveway.
“Jennifer!” she called out, obviously angry. She made her way towards me, shaking a finger at me, “why did you do that? Your father and I paid good money for all of that and you go and do this.”
“Did you ever think about my happiness?” I asked, “do you honestly think that I’d be happy with Austin?”
“Yes, you’d be better off then going off with that creep,” she said, pointing at Chris.
“He’s not a creep. I love him and you can’t do anything about it.”
“Why do you love him?” she questioned after moments of silence.
“Because I do. Why do you hate him so much?”
“Because he’s a little creep.”
“How is he a creep?”
“He goes and knocks little innocent girls up,” she said slowly, not looking me in the eye.
“What?” I asked, “you’re lying. He’s never gotten anyone pregnant before.”
“Are you so sure about that, Jen?”
“Yes, even I’d know that.”
“I should have told you this long ago,” she said and moved away from me.
“Told me what?”
“You were pregnant at the time you had your accident when you slipped into a coma.”
“And you never told me?” I said, unable to believe the things she was saying.
“You lost the baby when you hit the ice. The ice whacked your tummy real good, killing the fetus instantly. The doctor said there was so hope for it and they took your baby without my consent. I didn’t find out until that afternoon,” my mother said, tears cascading down her ivory cheeks, “I didn’t have the heart to tell you. You father and I decided that it would be best if you if you never saw Chris again.”
I stood there speechless, I couldn’t say anything, I felt so incomplete with knowing that I had a baby that I could have prevented its death by not skating that night.
“Jen, please say something,” my mother begged.
“Leave me alone,” I said, turning my anger onto her, “just leave me the hell alone.” I quickly ran to my car and got into it. “Let’s go,” I said to Chris. He turned the car on and pulled away.
Chapter Nine
Chapter Seven
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