Down The Aisle

Eighteen steps. I had walked up the aisle ten times and every time I got the same number. Eighteen steps. After only twenty-two years of life eighteen more steps would make me Mrs. Adam Kray. My breath shook as I straightened my veil one last time. The double doors at the back of the church opened and I took the first step.
One. My dad took my arm as I stepped past the doors. He had held my hand as I walked to my kindergarten class for the first time. He was there when I walked up to the stage to accept my high school diploma. And now, he was here to walk me down the aisle.
Two. I looked out at the crowd, everyone staring at me. I've never been shy but all these eyes focused on me made my heart pound. I squeezed my dad's arm as I took the second step.
Three. I could feel the support from my best friend, Sarah, whom I had known since I was three. She was right there where I needed her, just as she always had been, as she fulfilled her role as my maid of honor.
Four. As I looked around I saw my aunt Emily. She had disapproved of Adam from the very first, always assuring me that the relationship would never last. I chuckled as I thought of how wrong she was.
Five. Ahead of me was Emily's five year old daughter, Amy. In spite of her mother's opinion of my marriage, Amy had been the most enthusiastic flower girl I could have ever asked for. She had helped with my train, and held makeup during the preparation before the wedding. In her eyes, this was as much the biggest day of her life as it was mine.
Six. Towards the middle of the room I saw Alex. I admit it caught me off guard when I saw him. We had sent his family an invitation but I had never seen an RSVP. Alex and I had been friends since our freshmen year, and from sophomore to junior year we had been the golden couple on campus. That is until he cheated on me me with my friend Elle, and while it had hurt at the time I was grateful for it. If he hadn't cheated on me I might have ended up walking down the aisle to him instead of Adam. And it was for that reason I abandoned any hard feelings I may have still kept in my heart against him.
Seven. Coincidentally, the next person I saw was Elle. The very same Elle who had stolen Alex from me our junior year. After they broke up a month later I still thought of her as the scum of the earth, despite my forgiveness for Alex. However, my mom still loved her and she had been in charge of the guest list. She probably had forgotten about the whole thing, so I just looked ahead and took the next step.
Eight. My foot caught on the inside layer of my dress and I barely avoided stumbling. I had tried on eight dresses before finally seeing this dress that I had fallen in love with. I felt so beautiful in this elegant white gown that was covered in beads and flared out towards the bottom. I recovered from my near stumble and smiled as I took the next step.
Nine. Nine steps out of eighteen. I was halfway there. Halfway to the start of my life.
Ten. To my right I saw my cousin Karen. Not entirely to my surprise, she was wearing a white dress. Karen had always been known in our family as being tacky and clueless, so I just shook my head ever so slightly at her cluelessness and walked on.
Eleven. To my left I saw Adam's grandmother. She was even worse than Karen. She was dressed completely in black. "He's getting married not dying!" I thought. It was at that point I accepted my fate of dealing with less than perfect in-laws. Despite that, I was still happy to take the next step towards Adam.
Twelve. Something old. A silver hair clip held a portion of my hair in the back. It had belonged to my grandma, and had been given to me when she died.
Thirteen. Something new. The silver sparkly heels I wore as I walked down the aisle had been bought two days before. They weren't the only new thing, but they were what I thought of as my something new.
Fourteen. Something borrowed. The necklace I had given my sister for her wedding now rested on my neck. I had asked her if she could supply my something borrowed, and she had gladly accepted.
Fifteen. Something blue. A gorgeous pair of blue earrings, dangled off my ears in a mass of blue sparkle. They were perfect for my something blue.
Sixteen. Finally I looked straight ahead and saw him there. He stood tall, handsome as always, and with those beautiful eyes that I had fallen in love with, looked at me and smiled.
Seventeen. My dad turned towards me. I could see the tears in his eyes as he smiled at me, kissed the top of my head, and handed me to Adam.
Eighteen. I was finally here. After twenty-two years, and eighteen steps, I was ready. I took the final step, looked up at Adam, and smiled.