Carrying the Torch

Chapter 14

It's my turn to walk down the aisle. It's my turn to get married. I'm getting married now.

I look at dad. He hugs me tight and takes my arm. "Ready?" he asks.

"No," I smile. "Let's do this."

The ushers open the doors and stand to the side. I'm not looking up. I'm looking at the ground. I don't know if I'm ready to look. To see-

My thoughts are interrupted when my eyes wander up and see him standing there. In the flesh. Luke. I immediately start crying. He is wearing his tux and couldn't look better. His hair has grown back and you can tell he didn't shave this morning. I like when He doesn't shave. He has the biggest smile on his face that I've ever seen. He looks happy for real. It looks like it's true happiness. He is crying. And I can tell he is ready. Ready to be married to me for the rest of his life. Ready to start a family with me.

I'm not focussed on anything but him. I don't notice the couple hundred people that are watching or my wedding party or my family or the priest standing on the altar. All I notice is Luke.

This is the rest of my life. It starts now.

Luke meets dad and I a few steps in front of the altar. And we stop. Dad hugs me. He turns to Luke and hugs him as well. He whispers something in his ear that makes both of them laugh. Dad turns and hugs me too, one last time and kisses me on the cheek. "I love you," he says. "I'm proud of you. Good choice."

And he walks away. I think I've already cried all my tears for the day. 

Luke hugs me like he never wants to let go. Like I'm all that matters. And I feel like all that is holding me together is him.

"You look beyond beautiful. I love you," he says. "You look absolutely stunning."

"You don't look too bad yourself," I say, winking as I pull back.

"Let's get married," he says, taking my arm in his.

We walk the few steps to the altar and we turn and face eachother.

I don't hear what the priest says. I don't hear the readings. It's a full mass but I don't catch any of it. I'm too busy staring at Luke. Because he's here. We are here. We are getting married.

"Autumn," Father says. I snap out of my thoughts. "Please repeat after me. "I, Autum Long, take you, Lukas Reynolds, to be my husband."

"I, Autum Long, take you, Lukas Reynolds, to be my husband."

"I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad,"

"I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad,"

"in sickness and in health."

"in sickness and in health."

"I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

"I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

"Luke, please repeat after me. I, Lukas Reynolds, take you, Autumn Long, to be my wife."

"I, Lukas Reynolds, take you, Autumn Long, to be my wife."

"I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad,"

"I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad,"

"in sickness and in health."

"in sickness and in health."

"I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

"I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."