Battlefield - Chapter 1

Chapter 3 " Year One "

   It's been a month since Paul left. It feels like a life time. But I keep going on with my life. Today is Annabell's wedding. Since she's eight months pregnant she's been eating eating all morning. Mostly pretzel sticks and snicker bars. We may have to roll her down the aisle. Since my mom is in the hospital she can't be here for the wedding. But Annabell knows she would do anything to be here.

  We just got back from visiting her. Annabell wore her dress so mom could see her in it. My mom was so happy she cried the whole time.It's hard having her gone all the time. I can't talk to my dad about certain things like I could mom. But I know one day my mom will be here.Home. I looked at my self in the mirror. I was wearing a long dark purple dress with crystal detailed straps. My hair was pulled back into a side bun, placing just below my right ear. Butterfly pins were sprinkled in my golden blond hair. The butterflies represented my mom. She loved butterflies.

  Annabell waddled down the stairwell in our house.Her pure white strapless dress flowed as she walked. She em-bored butterfly detailing all over the dress.Her veil was edged with hand made french lace and framed her face perfectly.Gentle blond curls strung down her scalp. She looked absolutely gorgeous.

  " Sis, you look amazing, Tony is a lucky man." I said as she made her way down the steps.

  " It feels like a fairytale. I keep thinking it's a dream." She said smiling ear to ear. My dad handed her the most breath taking bouquet,it had purple roses and ivory calla Lily's with crystal butterflies scattered everywhere and was tied together with a purple ribbon. Completely spectacular.

   The ceremony was sweet and simple. Intimate.Everybody could tell Tony and Annabell and their baby were going to be the perfect family. Purple flower pedals covered the white satin isal. An ivory tent was placed at the alter of the church with colorful streams of butterflies trim-mering down the fabric. Tony and his five groomsman stood tall and proud in their dark black suits with royal purple ties. Tony with his dirty blond hair and crystal. blue eyes stood in aww as Annabell and my dad, Adam, walked down the isal. Annabell smiled and stared straight at Tony the whole time.

 They're vows had so much meaning. I thought about seeing Paul at the end of the isal one day and I knew that would complete my life. I miss him. I worry about him. I love him. 

 " Tony,  the first time i saw you walk into that coffee shop on Gail street, my heart skipped a beat, it was like everything around me just disappeared and time just stopped. I remember you ordered a tall latte with triple shots of espresso. You sat down at the corner table near the window. I sat at the table across from you. You got up to get a newspaper, I got up and pretended to accidentally spill my coffee on you. You were'nt mad. You bought me another. We sat down and we laughed until we cried. I went home that night and told my sister i had just met the man I was going to marry. Now three and a half years later and we are getting married and are having a child together. Fate brought us together and love will keep us bind-ed. I wouldn't want anything else in the world  then to be misses, Annabell Leanne Taylor. I love you more than you will ever know and I will be your's faithfully until my dying days." Annabell said holding back tears of joy.

" Annabell, were do I begin. You have been my muse. My reason for living. You showed me light when everything was dark. You gave me hope when all was gone. You gave me the strength to be the man I am today. Because of you I enjoy my life. And I cant wait to be the father of your baby. I love you so much and I promise to love you until the world stops spinning or my heart stops beating. Your the person I always wanted in my life. You make me smile when I feel like crying and I still get butterflies every time I see your beautiful face. I'm the luckiest man alive knowing you're going to be by my side forever. You are the air I breathe and your the light I need. I promise to be the best man I can be. I promise to always strive to be the man you fell in love with and the man you made me into. Marrying you is a blessing from God. He gave me you and you gave me love. And the bond we share is too strong to ever be broken. Annabell you are the angel in my life and I want you to know that I will  love you until the end of time."

" Annabell Leanne Riley do you take Tony Drew Taylor to be your husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worst, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live."

" I do."

" And do you Tony Drew Taylor take Annabell Leanne Riley to your wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health for as long as you both shall live."

" I do."

" Then by the power invested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife you may now kiss the bride."

The church bells rang, people cheered, white confetti was thrown and two monarch butterflies were released. Beautiful ceremony but something was missing,Paul. I walked down the aisle with Tony's younger brother, Derek. I felt empty inside. 

Three weeks later.

It's been almost two months since Paul's been gone. He is still in training camp for another four months. Annabell and Tony moved out two days ago so things have been pretty quiet.I'm moving in six months, would be sooner but I hate to leave dad all alone. With mom being in the hospital and all dad turns his attention to work. Supporting our family has been tough. Hospital bills and food are expensive and with out mom working anymore it's been stressful for my dad. He works as an advertising marketer. A typical day usally goes from 8:00am-7:30pm so we only see each other at dinner. We visit mom everyday at 8:30pm. I usually go twice a day. I miss her so much. But doctors say she's probably going to be released in less then a year. I cant wait, I need her back home. She hasn't been home since I was 16. Five years ago, almost six in December. I write Paul letters every week but no replies yet.

I hear my phone ringing. The caller I.D reads, Tony Taylor. I answer, "Hello, is everything okay."

" Gracyn, Annabell is in labor we just got to the hospital and she really wants you to be here."

" Oh my god, I'm going be an aunt!" I said very excited. " I'm on my way."

" Great she really wants you to come. Bye."

As soon as I hung up I grabbed my purse, my keys and a camera, to show my mom and I race out the door. I call my dad and tell him to meet us at the hospital. He was so shocked, well who wouldn't be my sister is going into labor!

"Push,push,breathe Annabell, big push! Come on breathe, push,push,push,last push,big push, its a girl!" the nurse said with a voice full of joy!

November 23rd Julianna Beth Leanne Taylor was born. Seven pounds & six ounces, light brown hair with emerald green eyes. She was beautiful, soft ivory skin, sweet pink lips and a tender complexion. She looks just like Toni. Annabell looked as if nine months of mood swings, food cravings and waddling around was all worth it. She was beaming as sweat streamed down her fare skin. I saw Toni shed a few streams of tears. Tears of joy, not sorrow, tears of love. Smiles on every nurses face and a faint cry from a  beautiful baby girl. I look around feeling the love in the room hovering over the old white ceilings. Toni held Annabell's hand and they smiled down on Julianna. I watched, wishing that was Paul. With me. Hand by hand, side by side. Forever and Always.