The Other Side

Mr. And Mrs. Christian Fell

The big day has arrived for our Evie Salvatore!

I have to admit... I cried while writing this.

Enjoy!!!

When I wake up, I smile. I'm getting married today.

I drive to the Boarding House and my Mom hugs me when she walks out of the kitchen. "Hi you."

"Hi Mom. Is Dad back yet?"

"No. But he texted your brother, he's on his way." I nod. "So, did you get your dress?"

"Yes I did." She unzips the bag and I gape at the contents. "Mom, it's beautiful!" She smiles at me as I admire the purple dress with lace sleeves. "Okay! We have to get busy!" You need to get in your dress, and we have to do your hair... The boys are setting up at in the backyard, so we have time. Come on." I smile at her, and tears fill her eyes. "Mom, don't cry, I haven't even put my dress on yet."

"I'm a Mother, it's my job to cry." She smiles and we head upstairs. "So, I'm pretty good at hair, what are we doing?"

"Well, I got a flower pin to match the one on my dress, was thinking we could French braid my hair then put it up in a bun and curl it." She smiles. "Perfect. Then we can use the pin to hold your veil in place." I nod and put my robe on. She braids my hair then begins curling my hair. When she finishes, she puts it all into a bun. "Okay, while you go put on your dress, I'm going to go get ready." I nod. I pull my dress on then Mom comes out, her hair perfectly curled and her dress on. It clings to her, showing off my baby brother.

"Oh, Evie..." She smiles at me. "You look beautiful." We both turn toward the doorway and my Dad stands there. "Daddy." I hug him gently then I go back to my Mom, letting her put the veil in. "Now you're an official bride." I smile at her in the mirror. "Well, not quite. This was delivered when I got here." He opens the box and my wildflower bouquet sits inside. I smile and pick it up. "Now it's official. When do we start?"

"5 minutes." We head down there and I wait at the doorway with my Father. "Are you nervous?" I shake my head. "I'm so excited. I can't wait to get married."

"Your mother did an amazing job. You look wonderful, honey." I sigh. "You need to fix things, Dad. Mom is... Stubborn and relentless, sensitive... I know this because I'm exactly like her. I know this is technically supposed to be all about me, but I can't have your marriage end when I just begin mine." He nods. "Like you said, this is all about you. I'm so happy for you." I smile at him then I take a deep breath. Farah walks into the room. "Hi."

"Hey. Go on outside." She nods and walks out there. Jade and Ricky begin walking down and I wait for the doors to open again. Soon they do and my father starts walking me down the aisle. The scenery is beautiful. There's a white carpet with red rose petals lining it, and people turn to look at me as I walk. Jade and Ricky step out of the way and I'm met with the eyes of Christian. I think he stops breathing for a second, because when he does breathe, his chest heaves. My Dad places my hand in his, then we walk up to the magistrate.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Christian Zachary Fell and Evelyn Anne Salvatore." He opens the bible in his hands.

"Love is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast. It is not proud, and is not self-seeking. Love is not easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." I smile at Christian.

"Your vows, Christian." He opens a piece of paper.

"All of my life, I've been searching for a miracle. I've never had much luck after my parents died, and suddenly... You showed up. We were both really young, and although you were threatened by another girl, you never faltered. I think your stubbornness is what I love most about you.

When you and I first got together, I knew I loved you. You were my first girlfriend, the first person I ever fell in love with. And when we went to that little Italian bistro for our first date, I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. That's when I realized that I found my miracle. My Aunt, who is here today, always told me that you know when you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. I found this so true.

When everything happened with us, it's almost like a piece of me died. Like I couldn't live without you. You're my everything. All, everything I understand, I only understand because I love you.

A very wise man once said that when you trip over love, it's easy to get up. But when you fall in love, it's impossible to stand again. I never understood this until I met you. Because when I found you, you were the only thing that helped me stand was you. I'm going to wrap this up before I start crying and make a fool out of myself." I laugh, tears flooding down my face. Man, my mother was right about the waterproof makeup.

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That's what I hope to give you forever." He folds the paper back up and I unfold mine.

"My mother once told me that the worst day of loving someone is the day you loose them. I know what that pain feels like, and the worst day of my life will be the day I loose you. I wasn't with my parents for most of my life, but I don't wish it another way. Because then I would never have met you.

My Dad used to say that the best and most beautiful things in this world can't be seen or even heard, but can only be felt with the heart. And if there's one thing I know for sure, one thing that I know I'll be sure of for the rest of my life, is the fact that I love you.

I've never been lucky, and I'll never need to be lucky when I have you. I know what love is because of you. You're my one and only, and it'll be that way for the rest of my life. For that, I'm eternally grateful. I hope I can give you the forever that you'll inevitably give me, Christian." He smiles at me, and his eyes glisten.

"Christian Zachary Fell, do you solemnly promise to Evelyn Anne Salvatore, to have and to hold her, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish her, to always stand by her side in her time of need, to be with her all the days of her life, and to accept her as your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." I smile at him as I get butterflies.

"And Evelyn Anne Salvatore, do you solemnly promise to Christian Zachary Fell, to have and to hold him, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish him, to always stand by his side in his time of need, to be with him all the days of his life, and to accept him as your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

"The rings, please." Sam hands the magistrate the rings and I smile at him.

"The circle is the symbol of the sun, earth, and universe. It is the symbol of peace. Let this ring be the symbol of unity and peace in which your two lives are joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go, return onto one another and to your togetherness." He picks up the rings. He gives Christian my ring and the other to me.

"Now put it on the other's finger and say, 'with this ring, I thee wed." We do so, and he closes the book.

"By the power vested in me through the state of Virginia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. I present to you, Christian Zachary Fell and Evelyn Anne Fell. You may now kiss the bride." I smile then I lock my lips with his. He kisses me back tenderly then we pull away and look at our family. I smile at the diamond ring on my finger.

"I love you," he murmurs.

"I love you too."