Walk the Line

9 - The Time She Walks Down the Aisle with Him

9 – The Time She Walks Down the Aisle with Him

"You look...," Ford said as we met in the back of the church. We were last to walk down the aisle, but we were all meeting in the back to get in order.

"Beautiful, I know," I rolled my eyes. I'd only heard it a thousand times since I'd put on the stupid dress and had my hair and makeup done.

"I was going to say sexy, but that works too," he winked.

"You look...not so terrible, you know, for once," I smirked.

"You know I'm hot," he smirked.

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes. He held out the crook of his arm. I looped my hand through it. He stood and faced the doors we were to be walking through in mere seconds.

"You look stunning, Eleanor. I'm lucky to get to be the one to walk you down the aisle," he said, just as we started walking towards my nervous looking brother at the other end of the aisle. I knew that he was pretty nervous because of the way he fiddled with his fingers. I felt a little self conscious as I realized that everyone was staring at Ford and me. I'd taken my medicine today, but I still sort of felt like a panic attack.

"I've got you, Ellie. Just me and you, we got this," Ford whispered and I relaxed. We made it to the altar and separated, and we watched as Blythe walked down the aisle. The ceremony was short and sweet, and Kyle visibly relaxed when he saw Blythe walk down the aisle in her dress.

When the ceremony finished, we gathered in the halls to greet the guests as they left and then took pictures. I didn't like taking pictures too much, but it was Kyle and Blythe's day so they deserved it.

"You need to loosen up a bit, Ellie. You seem really tense," Ford commented as we were loading up to drive to the reception. He held open his passenger door for me, and I rolled my eyes.

"I'm fine," I shrugged as he got in his car.

"If you say so," Ford shrugged. I relaxed a little, knowing I had a solid ten minutes before I had to face a crowd of people again. Plus, Ford had driven his infamous Corvette, and I hadn't realized how much I missed the beauty had had picked me up every Tuesday back in high school in. I ran my hand along the dash board and smiled to myself about the fond memories of flinging McDonald's French fries at Ford that he'd buy for me as an after school snack, and he'd gripe at me for getting grease on the upholstery, and we'd sing along to classic rock and it was nice.

Ford casually slung his arm around the back of my seat, and I admired his Corvette. It was a 1969 Corvette Stingray, and it was so sexy. I couldn't help but see Ford as a little sexy because of it. And because y'know, he was wearing a suit and he was all spruced up for the wedding. And because he was attractive to begin with.

"You don't have to drive that slow," I said, looking at his speedometer.

"It's alright," Ford shrugged.

"What happened to the Ford I remember from high school that used to speed and drive through stop signs?"

"I just did that shit to impress you," he sighed.

"Really?" I laughed.

"It worked, didn't it?" he smirked to himself, "I'm just driving slow to give you a longer break. I know this kind of stuff wears you out."

"Thanks," I said softly.

"It's okay. I understand," Ford said, grabbing my hand. My heart thudded in my chest. God, why did this have to be so complicated? Why did he have to be four years older than me and friends with my brother? Why did we have to be at totally different points in our life?

We arrived at the reception hall all soon enough, and we were the last ones there, aside from Kyle and Blythe, the newlyweds. I don't know what was taking them so long, but Ford seemed to know a little something. I didn't dare ask.

The DJ announced each of the bridesmaid/groomsmen pairs as we walked into the reception and took our chairs. Each pair did a cute little stance as we walked to our seats. The couple in front of us took a selfie, and I wasn't sure what we were going to do until Ford was picking me up and tossing me over his shoulder. I was embarrassed, but also grateful that he had been smart enough to hold my dress down. He flipped me back up and sat me down by my chair.

"I'm getting you a drink," he said.

"Okay," I laughed, the blood rushing from my head back down. He put his jacket down on the chair next to me, leaving to go to the bar. He brought back two cups of brown liquid.

"Coke," he winked. I took a sip, and realized the wink stood for Jack. I sipped the sweet fizzy beverage, glad to know that Ford knew my favorite alcoholic drink was a Jack and Coke, not that I drank on a regular basis, or at all, really.

We ate our meal, and Ford kept the drinks coming. Before I'd finished one, he'd bring me the next one, most of them Jack and Cokes because they were the easiest to hide since I was underage. When it came time for the speeches, Ford went first, being the best man.

"I wasn't really sure what a best man's speech was supposed to be, but I googled it and they said I should give you guys some kind of toast. I'm not really sure what that's all about, but here you go," Ford said, reaching in his pocket and pulling out a piece of wheat toast, handing it to Kyle and Blythe. Everyone was cracking up, "In all seriousness, I like to think I met Blythe first, because I actually did. So you're welcome, Kyle, you better take care of her because I totally had dibs," Ford laughed, "But I know he will take care of her, because of the way she had him whipped before they were dating. Kyle met her and she wanted nothing to do with him, and he was a goner; hook, line, and sinker. But I'm glad that he fell for her, because she's really great. She puts him in his place, and he needs that. Lord knows I can't do it all on my own. But here's to hoping that we all find something half as great as what they have," Ford finished his speech.

Blythe's real maid of honor made the speech, explaining why she wasn't wearing her maid of honor dress and why I was in her place, and then the table turned on me when she offered to let me speak.

"I'm not prepared for this, Lord knows if I had been prepared or warned about this, I probably would have gained a few more pounds so I didn't have to be the fill in," I laughed, "But actually I'm glad I get to be a part of their wedding. Kyle, you're an annoying brother and I'm glad that you found someone who's willing to put up with your smelly feet. Blythe, I'm not sure what you were thinking, but I'm glad to have you as my first in-law. Welcome to the Biggs family, it's y'know, kinda big, but it has all the love in the world, and I couldn't think of a better addition," I said.

After the couple's first dance, my night got a little blurry. I know Ford drug me onto the dance floor and danced with me while the room was a little spinny. I know that Ford smelled nice and he looked nice and he had nice hands and eyes that were all over my body. I knew his breath smelled of sweet whiskey as he told me how beautiful I was.

"You're not so bad, when you loosen up, Ellie. You just need something to loosen you up. I don't know that alcohol's always the answer, though. Maybe you should try sex. A good mind blowing orgasm might help you," he winked. I smacked him.

"Ford!"

"Oh, don't act like such a prude, you've been in college a whole semester now. You know, I'd be willing to volunteer to help you orgasm and loosen you up, no strings attached. I swear, it'd be totally professional," he winked.

And that's the last thing I remember before I remember throwing up.

"Well, you could have just said no, and I would have gotten the point, Ellie Belle," Ford sighed, holding my hair.

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