Fame < Infamy

Part 2

Rydel Lynch

In no way was this how I pictured my wedding to be. In a span of two days, I found a dress and flowers, and called up all of my family. I didn't necessarily want my dad to be the one to walk me down the aisle, considering how obvious it was that he didn't care, but I didn't really have a choice. The one I wanted to walk me was in hiding. But I was ready to marry the love of my life, something trivial like that wasn't ruining it for me.

I didn't tell Ellington or anyone about seeing Riker the other day, I was afraid. I didn't know if he would call the cops or not, it was better for me to pretend that it never happened. I just wanted to focus on getting married, anyways. I wasn't sure how much faith I had left, but I prayed every night that my alters would behave during the wedding. If I had to change, I hoped it would be someone who would just go along with it. I'd even take Madi crawling down the aisle, thinking she's two years old, than Alice fucking it up. Alice hated Ellington, the thought made my heart hurt. A part of me hates the person I love most.

"You look like a princess, Delly," Mom said to me. I tried not to roll my eyes, so I just flashed her a fake smile instead. Now she decided to care. She didn't care when I was cramped in a fucking asylum, yet now she pretends like she does so she can act like a good mother. Bullshit.

"Thank you," I muttered, finishing my make up. I really wish she'd leave me alone, I just want to get ready in peace. Honestly, I would have been fine with it just being us. His family still lived in Wisconsin and couldn't make it on short notice, so it didn't seem terrible to leave my family out of it. But he insisted. I just wish he'd only incited Ross and Ryland, they seemed more able to deal with me now that my psychologists have talked with them. They no longer feared me, which meant a lot. I felt a little less lonelier knowing that I could call Ross and vent if Ell wasn't around, or if it was about him.

"Come on Del," Dad said, "It's time." I didn't feel nerves till now, but I stood up happily and followed him out the door. I was trying to conceal my nerves from anyone, but they weren't paying enough attention to me for it to matter.

Slowly, dad led me to Ellington. As soon as I saw him, my nerves started to disappear. He was the one who made me happy, he was the one who made me feel safe. And he was the one who stood by me through everything since my diagnosis. To this day I'm not sure how he's done it, but I am thankful I found him. I always will be, even if he decides I'm not worth it and leaves some day. I know I shouldn't fear that, but I'm not exactly normal. I can't always control myself and what I say to him. Can't control what I do to myself or others. I'm not sure I'd blame him when that time comes, but I do know it will crush me.

Pushing the thought aside, dad and I finally reached Ellington. We both were beaming at each other, and he took my hand and squeezed it tight.

"You look beautiful," he whispered to me, "So beautiful."

"Thank you," I whispered back. It took everything I had not to kiss him then. It was then we approached our minister. I think it's safe to say we only half listened, we knew the wedding spiel and we were too focused on each other. We only paid attention to the vowes, honestly.

"Do you, Ellington Lee Ratliff, take Rydel Mary Lynch to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The minister asked.

"I do," Ell answered without hesitation.

"And do you, Ryde Mary Lynch, Ellington Lee Ratliff to be your lawfully wedded husband?" I nodded happily.

"I do."

"Then, by the powers invested in me by the State of California, I declare you two husband and wife. You may now kiss." I'm sure you can figure out what happened next.

A few hours later, we'd returned to mom and dad's house to have dinner and drinks. Well, drinks for them. I wasn't allowed. They'd classified me as an alcoholic when I first started my treatment, so it was part of my temporary release agreement that I wasn't to have alcohol. All I wanted was to spend some alone time with my now husband, but I supposed we now had forever for that.

"To Rydel and Ellington," Ross toasted, "May they have the happily ever after they both deserve!" A bunch of "here, heres" were heard around the table as we clinked our glasses. Everyone but Ell and I had wine, we had Sprite. A close second, but Ell was being a sweetheart so at least I wasn't the only one not drinking.

Moments after our glasses clinked and we took our sips, it became evident that someone else had entered the house. My heart stopped for a good second, and Ell immediately covered me. Mom and dad's eyes widened as the intruders entered the dining room. Their eyes went from shock to fear. I knew what that probably meant.

"Yes," Riker said, "Here's to Rydel and Ellington."

"And here's to them coming with us. Now." Rocky ordered.