Death Valley (Desert Children Series #2)

Wedding Day

I was woken up by the smell of yummy food wafting through the motel. Rocket was up getting my dress ready. She had a large grin on her face. I knew she was just excited as me. She was setting out her makeup and hair supplies, rearranging them. I sat up, ready to take a shower. I washed my hair thoroughly and shaved my body hair. I wanted to be a blank canvas.

Rocket dried my hair, tugging at the long locks. She braided several strands of hair and wound them up on top of my head. She placed feathers and flowers into my hair carefully. She applied my makeup slowly, making sure everything was perfect. Rocket went for a more natural look with a smoky brown eyeshadow and a light eyeliner. Foundation was smeared on my face and blended out to look natural.

"It took forever to find your shade. You're, like, an olive color. Tan, but...olive" She said as she brushed powder on my face.

After my makeup was done, I was able to choose from several different perfumes and had my nails done. I stared at my dress in the corner, waiting for me to slip into it. The smell of food had my stomach growling.

"Here, hold out your arms." Rocket took a huge pink puff and puffed my arms.

She also went at my collarbones. I realized she had covered me in glitter. The glitter clouded in the air around us. I was going to look like Edward Cullen, the teen vampire or a Victoria's Secret angel. I felt like a glittery faerie in pjs. Girls I had never seen before came in the room to look at me. Some of them cried even though they had never seen me before. It felt like I was getting too much attention although I was in fact the bride.

I imagined what Ghoul could be doing in the other room. Was he going through the same thing as me? I hoped they weren't powdering him with glitter too. I wondered what his tux looked like and smiled to myself. I wondered how they would make him style his hair. Maybe it would be slicked back or maybe it would be like it usually was. I knew that either way he would be a handsome fellow.

I slipped into the wedding dress and Rocket did her makeup. She pulled on the orange bridesmaid dress we had agreed on. I realized I was getting jittery and nervous. I imagined all of the faces watching me as I walked down the aisle. I looked over at Rocket who was crying and trying to keep her makeup from running down her face.

"Why are you crying?" I asked her.

"You're so beautiful." She patted her eyes with a tissue.

"Oh, don't be silly." I rubbed her shoulder.

A girl named L peeked her head into Rocket's room. "Are you ready?"

"Y-yes." I stammered and wiped my sweaty hands on my dress.

I took my flowers up in my arms and walked down the hall with the other girls, waiting my turn to walk down the aisle. An instrumental rendition of When You Were Young by The Killers played softly. Like I saw in my vision, everyone turned around in their seats to watch me. I took slow steps down the aisle, looking around at the decor. An archway covered in flowers stood at the end of my path along with Rocket and the guys. Rocket was a blubbering mess. Jet looked like he was about to join her. I looked at my future husband.

Ghoul had a big grin on his face. He looked over at Poison and mouthed, "That's my wife!". I could feel my eyes blurring with tears. His hair was cut shorter than I remembered. He wore the traditional black tux with an orange tie to match Rocket's dress like the other men. He also had converse like me. I stood beside him and he took his hands in mine.

He bent down to whisper in my ear. "You are so beautiful."

Dr. D sat in his wheelchair with a few papers in his hands to read off of as he married us. I looked in his eyes as I said the words, "I Do." and felt him squeeze my hands in return. When it was time for him to kiss me, he lifted my veil and pressed his lips softly to mine. I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him passionately in return, surprising him. I could hear Rocket screaming with the crowd, jumping up and down in her heels. There were flower petals being tossed at me, which I assumed was also Rocket's doing.

We walked down the aisle hand in hand, waving at everyone. Before I could say a word to Ghoul, Rocket was pulling me away to talk to me.

"That was amazing! Are you ready for the first dance with your husband?" She grinned at me.

"I can't believe this is actually happening to me. Like, I'm someone's wife now." I laughed.

"Indeed you are. Go to the ballroom to snog your groom and dance." She smiled at me and playfully pushed me along.

I danced to an old slow song with Ghoul for our first dance. In that moment I felt like it was just us.

"I hope you won't be too tired tonight." He winked at me.

I giggled. "Where are we going?"

"Surprise." He smirked.

I got dressed in a short, tight orange dress for the rest of the night. I went barefoot to make dancing easier. Just as we were about to cut the cake, Ghoul requested a song to Dr. D.

"Ghoul requested this song for his bride. It was the song they danced to when they just met. This is When You Were Young by The Killers."

I started to cry again, remembering the old times. I danced with him like we had when we were younger. We laughed and danced, remembering what brought us together. I loved him. I always would.

We stuffed our faces full of cake before dancing a few times and throwing the bouquet. Rocket caught it and freaked out. She looked over at Kobra and winked. Kobra's eyes went wide. Rocket was clearly more excited than he was. I laughed at them both before giving Ghoul a big kiss. The wedding was going smoothly. We had boys outside watching for Dracs and so far we had no problems. That was what I was most worried about even as I ate the yummy pulled pork pulling me into paradise.

Rocket told me that it was time to go, but I didn't know if I was ready yet to leave all of the people I had made friends with. I said my goodbyes, saving the gifts for when we came back. Suddenly, Ghoul stood on a chair, clinking a glass of champagne.

"Before we leave I have something to say. I want to thank everyone for being here tonight but most of all I want to thank Rocket for helping us set up everything."

I patted Rocket on the back and she blushed.

"I wanted to say something else. Phoenix, this is for you. She is the most beautiful girl in the whole world. Ever since I helped her that day in the desert, I knew she was special. Before I met her, I was depressed. I didn't see a point to life. But as we grew closer, my world went from a bleak grey to a place with dazzling colors and bright skies. I fell in love with the way she smiled and laughed. Her determination and courage astounded me. It still does. She is so strong and so bright. I'm so lucky to have her. I love her so much."

Rocket and I both lost it. I walked over to where he stood and reached up to take his hand, tears streaming down my cheeks. We were finally together.