My cheeks were in actual pain from smiling so much. I pulled the white dress up farther on my chest, just to make sure it wouldn’t fall.
“Mommy, mommy, mommy!” Catherine yelled as she ran across the room to me in her cute black dress. She was six now, and so beautiful. Her long black hair nearly reached her bottom, and her blue eyes got brighter every day.
“What is it, Cat?” I smiled, picking her up and putting her on my hip.
“I get to carry the rings, right? I get to carry yours and Daddy’s rings?”
I laughed. “Yes, baby, you get to carry the rings.”
She smiled brightly and I sat her down. Sammi slid her little black shoes onto her feet as I put my white heels on. Sammi and Ella looked amazing in their black and white dresses. Both of them had white bouquets in their hands, while Cat got to carry a little black and white box with the rings inside. After I was completely done getting ready, I grabbed my black and white bouquet and walked out of the bridal room with my four favorite girls.
“It’s time.” Jinxx smiled, meeting us halfway to the reception area.
I took a deep breath and walked to where we were lining up. Catherine stood in the front with her “date”. She had insisted on letting Ben walk with her down the aisle. Behind them were Ella and Jake, and behind them were Jinxx and Sammi. I stood nervously with CC, while he smiled at me widely.
“My little Cora is all grown up.” He laughed. I smiled up at him and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you for being with me through everything, CC. You’re easily my best friend.”
“Ahem.” Sammi said from in front of me.
“One of my best friends.” I corrected myself, smiling.
When the music started I peeked around the group to see Catherine and Ben walk awkwardly down the aisle. Ben had to crouch down, but Catherine didn’t mind at all. She strutted down the aisle, just like her daddy when he’s on stage.
After Jake and Ella, and then Sammi and Jinxx went, I took a deep breath as CC and I began walking slowly down the aisle. I could feel Andy’s eyes on me as I finally looked up at him. He smiled widely and I smiled right back at him. Ben had Catherine in his arms and she was actually being still for him. She always wanted to play when she was with Ben.
Once we reached the end of the aisle, CC handed me off to Andy before going to stand by Jake.
“We are gathered here today to unite these two young people in Unholy Matrimony.” I giggled quietly at Andy’s little edit to the speech. “Love is more than a word. Love is a special bond shared between two people. These two have decided to write their own vows. Andy, you may begin.”
Andy smiled at me. “Cora, you’ve always been the one for me. Through everything we’ve gone through, I always knew we would be together forever. You’re the love of my life, and I don’t know what I’d do without you. I love you so much, baby, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
I smiled. “Andy, from the very beginning, you were always there for me. Through all of my problems and all of my mistakes, you never gave up on me. You always loved me and supported me. I could never thank you enough for that, but I’m gonna give it my best shot. I love you, Andrew Dennis Biersack.”
Andy smiled widely and gripped my hands tighter.
“Now, who has the rings?”
“I do!” Catherine shouted, jumping out of Ben’s arms and running over to me. “Here you go, Mommy.” She said, handing me the rings.
I laughed. “Thank you, princess.”
“With these rings, you become more than just a couple. You become wed. Do you, Andrew Dennis Biersack take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.” He smiled, sliding the ring onto my finger.
“And do you, Coraline Annaliese Valentine take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.” I felt a tear roll down my cheek.
“You may kiss the bride.”
And he did.
