Meet Ya at the Altar

6. Wedding 3

Edward

The big day was here, and Edward's wedding was to be the last of the three. He wondered how the other two couples had fared. Was this insane? Of course it was. Yet, here he stood, ready to take his mark at the altar as the stagehand gestured for him to proceed out to the designated area. His two groomsmen patted him on the back, and he heard their chuckles from behind. The air felt electric with anticipation, and there was a collective awe from the audience as the wedding march played. After weeks of preparation and doubt and hope, his bride was just on the other side of the room.

This must be good, he thought. What if...the gods or fate had smiled upon him and found him worthy of the angel from the other night? What if he were to lift her veil to find her face smiling back at him?

Edward, stop it.

He'd seen too much in his life and at the hospital, too much illness and misfortune, accidents and mishaps. He was not given to fantasies, so he had no idea why he was so affected by the company of the brunette from the bar. The truth was he'd never been so enchanted.

Life doesn't work this way, Edward. Not for you. Now, get your head on straight and prepare to meet your bride, hand-picked especially for you. You can have happiness - you just have to choose it. Forget about the brunette.

Maybe she was just an hors d'oeuvre- an appetizer, something to whet the appetite, he thought, a poor analogy to someone so exquisite who would prepare him for the main course. For as long as they both shall live.

"Okay," the girl whispered to him, pressing the right headphone against her ear and chewing gum quickly as though she were on a mission. How old was she? 19? Was she an intern? Or possibly just out of college? What did she know about getting married or real life? "Showtime." She stepped aside, confirming it with a nod.

As he strode to his spot, he glanced his bride's approach. Her face was so finely made up that she looked like a life-like doll with blonde curly tendrils that framed her perfectly symmetrical face. A smile graced her lips as she looked from side to side. Admiring her audience? Or admiring the audience admiring her? He understood very well about the significance of weddings for women - how they prized the attention, how this was a day to celebrate their life, or rather the joining of their life to someone they loved. Yes. That's what it was.

Here she was. Quite beautiful, and not shy as her violet eyes met his. As soon as they made eye contact she flashed him the most incredible smile.

Truly, she was a sight to behold. She reminded him of wishes coming true. Of someone who'd been hidden in the shadows and finally released to feel the glory of the sun's rays.

Edward approached the older gentleman beside her, gray at his temples and mustache, whose arm was linked in hers - a man in his fifties, very straight in posture, and eyes stern. How to approach a man who raised a woman from an infant and just ask him to release her to a stranger?

"How do you do, sir? My name is Edward." He extended his hand to his soon-to-be father-in-law, feeling the weight of his intended's eyes on him.

The older man's smile was tight and his grip was firm as it shook his hand, even squeezing it hard for effect, like he would kill him if he hurt her.

Edward nodded to him. He'd never truly considered the anguish a parent might feel in this situation, but here they were anyway. His soon-to-be father-in-law stepped aside and disappeared. The cameraman to their left drew slightly closer, and the boom operator extended the microphone just above them-as obvious as having a bright light shone in the eyes. Edward ignored it like they told them, offering his hand, and their attention was called by the minister as he gestured them forward.