Touch & Go | Herophine

Marriage

Josephine

Marriage. 

A tiny girl in a miniature version of Maggie's dress walks down the aisle ahead of me, scattering flower petals. A beaming and tuxedo-clad Charlie, the little boy Tyler raised as his own, follows after with the ring. Then, it's my turn. Here we go. 

Arm linked with Tyler's brother's and clutching a bouquet, I head down the aisle. All eyes turn to us and I smile. Maggie deserves this so much. Her big day. 

Mitch and I take our places in the front, and in pairs, the rest of the wedding party joins us. Including Hero. He splits off from his bridesmaid and takes his place on the groom's side, looking so serious in his tuxedo. He meets my eyes and looks away. A teeny lance of pain shoots through me. No. Not right now. 

Tyler comes down the aisle next, the look on his face sheer excitement and love. And then the music changes. Everyone stands. I find myself holding my breath until Maggie enters. Oh wow. As she walks down the aisle toward me, the alter, and the man she's going to marry, everything else melts away. She's so beautiful. Her dress is lovely, her hair and makeup gorgeous, but her glow of pure joy is this moment's true beauty. Perfect. 

She joins Tyler at the altar, and both of them are already tearing up. Maggie wipes her eye, laughing a little. I look toward the ceiling to prevent happy tears from spilling down my cheeks. I love them both so much. 

The audience sits down, and the justice starts talking, but all I can do is smile and try not to cry. As they start to exchange vows they wrote themselves, Hero catches my eye. My heart goes cold. Oh . . .

Unable to push it aside this time, pain leeches away some of the joy I'm feeling. I'll never, ever have this kind of love. Not with Hero. I can't help it. I'm in love with him. As he holds my gaze, he gives me a small half-smile. It's not quite the crooked grin I love, but it's getting there. I smile back, but my heart trembles. 

Why doesn't he want me for real? Why does he only love me halfway? 

After the justice pronounces Maggie and Tyler husband and wife, the newly married couple kiss. It's a long, passionate kiss and for a second the place goes quiet. Then, Maggie starts laughing. "I love you, Tyler."

"I love you, too." Everyone starts to clap and cheer. They deserve each other so much. They've both been through such bad shit in their previous relationships. 

The bride and groom start to exit and I follow, re-linking with Tyler's brother like we practised in rehearsal. When we reach the end of the aisle, he turns to me. "See you at the reception?" 

"Sure." I comment walking away.

Hero tries to say something to me as the men split from the women but I rush away, pretending I didn't hear. I just don't know what to say right now. I push into the elevator with Maggie and the other girls to ride up to the reception. 

As the doors open, Maggie breathes a huge sigh. There are still tears of joy in her eyes. "Ohmigod, Maggie! You finally did it. You totally deserve all this. I love you all so much!" She sweeps me into her arms, until I've nearly smothered in her hair. 

"I love you, Jo Jo. This never would've happened without you."|

"Oh, whatever. Dating pact or not, you and Tyler were meant to be." She squeezes me more.

"You're next. I can feel it." My heart tightens as I think of Hero.

"Yeah, I don't know."

"Listen, if it can happen to me, it can happen to you. Just open yourself to the possibilities."