Despair in the Departure Lounge

Chapter 11 - Under These Lights you Look Beautiful

2 Years Later

This was it ‘the big day’, the day every little girl looks forward to, putting blankets and towels over their heads as long veils, with long sheets wrapped around them for dresses. Curls in hair, bouquets of pretty flowers, long dresses, sparkles, brides maids, little flower girls, a big diamond ring, rows of people watching you as you elegantly walked down the aisle and of course, the love of your life waiting for you at the end. 

I stood facing the full length mirror, looking at my beautiful, floor length dress, Sarah came over, looking stunning and stood beside me in the mirror, we stood silently,

“Jesus,” she said smiling, “I’ve got a picture of us standing together like this on our first day of school, now look at us,” a happy tear rolled down my cheek and Sarah’s eyes were filled with tears

I laughed, “We can’t cry now, not when we’re about to walk down the aisle,”

She laughed too and hugged me, we stood there hugging for a while and then we broke apart,

“Ready?” I said beaming at her, even though I was nervous.

She just smiled and nodded.

When we arrived at the church everyone had gone inside, before we got out the wedding car butterflies fluttered in my stomach but I couldn't stop smiling. Sarah clenched her fists in excitement and did a little squeal, I grinned a big cheesy grin at her and squealed a little too, 

“I can’t believe this is happening,” she said,

“Me neither,”I said through smiling

We got out the car and Sarah’s dad met us at the front door of the Church she linked arms with him, her white dress glittering in the sun. Aha! I bet you thought this was my wedding, no no, not quite.

“Ah my beautiful girl,” he said with tears in his eyes, “I’m so proud of you.” 

She hugged him and then took a deep breath holding her flowers tightly, I was maid of honour, I had to walk before Sarah and her father, I was really nervous because I was walking alone but the other bride’s maids had already gone before me. I took a deep breath and walked down the aisle, as I passed rows of people I heard people whisper, “Oh, doesn’t she look beautiful?" “That dress is gorgeous” I smiled to myself and looked forward, I could see Miles looking a little nervous waiting for Sarah in his suit, he looked very dashing. Next to him his best man stood, dark and handsome, gelled quiff in hair, expensive looking suit and a slight smirk on his face as usual, Alex did look even more attractive than usual.

Sarah started to walk down the aisle, she looked breath taking, there where little gasps and “oohs” and “aw’s” as she walked by, her dad looked as if he was choking back tears, the look on Miles’ face, oh my, that look is something I will never forget, I’ve never seen anyone look at anyone else with such love, Sarah was looking at him the same way. 

The ceremony was beautiful, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room, everyone was so happy for them. As they went through the “I do’s” I caught my self looking at Alex, the light from the stained glass windows was shining on him in such a way that almost made me forget where I was and wanted to run across the alter and kiss him there and then.

“You may kiss the bride.”

I snapped back into reality and gazed on at Sarah and Miles, they really did make the perfect couple. I glanced back to Alex, this time I caught his eye, he smiled at me and winked, I blushed a little and looked down smiling.

Later on at the reception I sat alone at a table, looking on at couples as they danced slowly on the dance floor together in pretty dresses and smart suits. I felt someone standing behind me, I turned round, 

“Good evening,” Alex said, a cheeky smile spread on his face,

“Evening,” I replied, he sat down,

“You look beautiful tonight Cara,” he said,

I blushed a little, “not bad yourself,” A slow, romantic song came on,

“Ah I love this one,” he said starting to sing along,

“Me too,” I said, amused by his singing.

“Well the this calls for one thing,” He said in a pretend posh voice, he stood up and outstretched his hand, “Please m’lady may I have this dance?” 

I took his hand and stood up, giggling a little, “You may.”

We walked out to the dance flood and he pulled me in close, I rested my head on his shoulder, this night was as close to perfect as possible, i thought to myself, honestly I didn't believe in “perfect” because there could always be improvements. As we danced along, I looked up at him,

“Alex,” I said in a soft voice,

“Yeah?"

“I’m glad you moved back to Sheffield,”

“Me too,” he said, I kept looking up into his deep brown eyes an he kept looking down into mine,

he leaned in and kissed me, soft and romantic , I smiled into the kiss, I was wrong before, the night had just become perfect, there was absolutely no improvements to be made.