The Boy, The Girl, and The Game (Artemi Panarin)

Mr. and Mrs.

Annabelle

The morning of the wedding was actually really chill. This whole experience was. There was no worrying that everyone would show up or that the centerpieces were right. I can just get dressed and go to the church. I slip on the long sleeved old fashion tan dress and smile in the mirror. I was honored that Nina was letting me wear such a dress, and one that meant so much to her and her family. The beading and lace was so pretty on the arms and he train, it was in such good condition too. "You look so beautiful" Nina says softly coming up behind me. "I absolutely love this dress, thank you for letting me wear it" I smile. "I was hoping little Arty would find a nice girl who would be willing to wear this. Turned out he found a great one who might actually look better in it than I did" she laughs. "I doubt that" I giggle. She places a vail on my hair that was done by Amanda and I was ready.

We get to the church and I wait to walk down the isle. I sit in a room just looking through the amazing church we were at. Russia was such a elegant and beautiful place, no wonder Artemi likes it so much. There's a knock on the door and my dad comes in before closing the door behind him. He turns to me with the brightest smile on his face and I couldn't help but smile back. My dad and I didn't see each other as much as we would have liked after my parents got a divorce, but he was still my best friend. I was a daddies girl through and through and I was happy he was here. "Wow Annie, you look so amazing" he says pulling me into a hug. "Thanks dad. How's Artemi doing" I ask. "I think he's questioning his friend choice. Patrick is having wayyy too much fun right now" he laughs and I roll my eyes. Idiot. "Are you ready" he asks. "Yeah, I have everything I need. Are you ready" I tease. "Absolutely not. It's going to be hard to give my little girl away. It helps knowing she's going to a great guy though. But first thing he does that I don't like I'm snapping his neck" my dad jokes. "You love him, you would never" I giggle. "You're right. I know you kids will be fine. I always knew you would be fine" he smiles. Eventually we make our way out to the isle and he latched his arm around mine. "I'm happy for you" he says. "Are you trying to make me cry" I joke. "Of course not. But it was something I felt like I needed to say" he shrugs. The music starts and I suck in a sharp breath, as the doors swing open a smile finds its way to my face as I find Artemi waiting for me at the front. Thankfully the isle was short and in no time my dad was kissing the top of my head and handing me to Artemi. His smile was just as bright as mine as he takes my hands in his. "Belle... you look breathtaking" he whispers giving me chills. "Thanks, you look pretty great yourself" I smile. The priest starts to talk but I couldn't hear anything over my heart pounding against my chest. It was crazy to think this time yesterday we were sitting in our home messing around with Puck and having a good time. Now I'm about to marry my best friend and start the rest of my life as Annabelle Panarin. I had not a doubt in my mind that this was where I was supposed to be. This all felt like a dream. It comes time for the vows and he goes first. "I feel like I learned more about life in my first week with you than I did my 23 years before I met you. You actually agreed to a cheese grater date and I knew you were someone special because what girl in her right mind accepts a offer to teach a guy she just met how to us a cheese grater? I was infatuated with you and luckily you wanted to get to know me too. Luckily your mind is unlike anyone I have ever met before and you agreed to hang out with this love struck dude. I vividly remember the first night I chilled at your place and you told me something. You told me the future remains unwritten until we show up, pencil to paper, and write history. Well I took my pen and wrote 'I'm going to marry Annabelle Davis'. I never had a doubt in my mind that you had just came into my life and swept me off my feet and was about to take me places I've never seen, help me feel things I've never felt before. And although it's only been eight months, I know that to a person like you who has such a eye for detail, it feels like so much longer than that. You are probably the most intimidating and exciting and lovely person I've ever met in my life. I can't begin to explain the things I would do for you, it's crazy. And now we're here less than a day after you agreed to follow me blindly to get married and I couldn't be happier. I can't wait to introduce you as my wife and tell everyone how smart and kind you are. What you've done for me and anyone who has ever met you, it's insurmountable. The memories that we share are my favorite and I just know the ones we're going to make are going to be just as good. And now I see you looking as beautiful as ever and I'm so close to being able to call you mine, I can't wait much longer" he smiles. "My whole life I never knew what I wanted, I just wanted to make people happy. That's where I found my happiness. Little girls dreamed of their wedding day or falling in love, I never did. I never let me think of myself in that way, instead I had to be the person people come to when they had questions or needed help. Because of that I've met thousands of people and athletes, but I've never met anyone like you. I've studied people all my life but you've always keep me on my toes. You do so many great things and you don't even notice it, but I do. I love the way you carry yourself, how you get really protective over me but you still trust me. How you talk to Puck when we go on walks and carry him when he gets tired. You were the first person beside my brother I opened up to and I don't regret it. Resurfacing my problems and saying them out loud scared he living hell out of me, but you never let me down. You've helped me be the best me I can be, through everything you were always cheering me on. I remember the first day you told me that you loved me, in that moment everything I changed. I had never had such strong feelings for someone before, I was terrified. For the first time in my life I didn't have a reason for something. I didn't know what it was like to fall in love but I knew I loved you. No reason, I just did. And while my anxiety will always be there, now I know you will too, to keep me grounded. And I can't think of a better person to spend the rest of my life with" I smile. I wipe a away a tear from his face and he blushes. The priest finishes us up and we say our vows. I look down and see a beautiful ring he had picked out, it was stunning. Finally he removes the vail from my face and kisses me as we became one in that moment. I open my eyes and he has the biggest smile on his face, I had one two. For a moment no one else was in the room. It was just us. I never wanted a big wedding, didn't want to spend thousands and be surrounded by people I questioned if they actually liked me or not. I know these people here today love me and I know I have something more than money could ever buy. I had the best husband in the world and no one could tell me different.