Torn

Chapter 25

Five years later.

"Hurry up! Everyone is waiting!"

"We are ready any second now, mrs Brown", Lou said and smiled while putting on another layer of rouge on my cheeks.

I looked into the mirror in front of me and almost couldn't recognize myself. I stood up and spun around in front of the mirror. The dress twirled around me and then fell perfectly against my body. The thin white fabric was tight around my hips and there were small diamonds on the dress set in different patterns. The veil fell gently over my face and my brown hair looked beautiful underneath it.

 "Are you ready, honey?"

"More than ready, father", I said and took his hand in mine.

He gave me a kiss on my cheek and I could see a tear running down his face. I smiled and hugged his hand tighter. The piano started to play and my father escorted me into the church.

As we walked down the aisle, rose petals were flattened under my feet and then brushed away by my dress. I looked up and saw Niall standing by the alter. Our eyes met and that mysterious smile so typical of Niall appeared upon his face. He looked incredible in his suit. My eyes wandered off to the man standing next to him, Harry, Niall's best man but also my best friend. He smiled at me and nodded making me feel more comfortable. My father let go of my hand and Niall took over. As always my body became weak just by Niall's touch. Would that never change? Is Niall always going to have that effect on me even when we have been married for years? I really hope so. I'm never going to get tired of that feeling.

"You look incredible", Niall said and gently kissed my hand. I giggled and blew him an air kiss.

 "Dearly beloved", the priest began and we turned to him. "We are gathered here today..."

I didn't hear much of his speech, I was busy drowning in Niall's eyes thinking about our future as Mr and Mrs Horan. I woke up from my daydream when Niall started to speak.

"I, Niall James Horan, take you, Ashley Jane Brown, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward."

I smiled confidently, certain I meant every word I said: "I, Ashley Jane Brown, take you, Niall James Horan, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward."

"May I have the rings?" the priest asked and turned to Harry.

Harry gently handed them over as if he was afraid to mess things up. I smiled at him, showing him that he was doing well. The priest cleared his throat before continuing.

"Niall, do you take Ashley for your lawful wedded wife? To love her, to honour, to comfort, and cherish her from this day forward and as long as you both shall live?"

Niall looked deep into my eyes, giving me a smile, and said: "I do."

"Ashley , do you take Niall for your lawful wedded husband? To love him, to honour, to comfort, and cherish him from this day forward and as long as you both shall live?"

"I do, I do, I do", I said and I could hear the whole church fall into laughter over my enthusiastic answer. Even Niall laughed and mimed "So typical of you."

The priest smiled at us and motioned to us to put the rings on. Niall took my hand in his and slid the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly. I put his on and our eyes met, making me all warm inside.

"And so, by the power vested in me by Almighty God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Niall took a strong grip around my waist lifting me up a bit before crashing into my lips, kissing me for the first time as married and as always taking my breath away.

                                                             * * * * *

"Clear the dance floor! It's time for the first dance as a married couple!"

Kiss Me by Ed Sheeran filled the room as Niall bowed and took my hand, escorting me onto the dance floor. He laid his hand on my hip and my hands upon his shoulders. I leaned my head against his chest, breathing in the well-known scent of Niall as I shut out the presence of all the people around us, imagining only Niall and I were there. We moved to the music, feeling our bodies against each other. I turned my head up and looked into Niall's eyes.

"This is the first step of the rest of our lives, Mr Horan."

"We are going to have children, lots of children. And live in a big house in London", Niall said and smiled.

"A white house", I mumbled as I pictured it in front of me.

"Do you want a white house?"

"Mmm", I said and buried my head into his chest again.

"Okay, then we will have a white house. And dogs, many dogs", Niall said while smiling wide.

I let Niall lead me across the dance floor as I thought about our lives up to this day. The long and difficult path we had taken to come to where we were today. How we had grown as individuals and how we had grown as a couple. But most important of all, how I had come to love someone as much as I loved Niall. I loved him more than life itself. He was the love of my life, my best friend, my life partner and my prince. Niall Horan was my prince, and now I had become his princess, from this day forward and as long as we both shall live.