30 Days Marrying You

chapter 10

Jessica scanned the whole audiences. There were not a lot of people. She recognized Xavier's' family, his uncle and his aunt. His grandma was also there. She looked healthy, alive and kicking, like she had never been sick before.

She also easily spotted emily and Charlie. There were some more people that she did not know and she had no intention to know them.

Walking down the aisle, Jessica felt like she was dreaming.
Never once she thought she would get married this early. And never once she thought her groom would be Xavier!

"Bride and groom, please join hands together."

The instruction brought her back to the reality. She was already standing beside Xavier. 'This is it. I'm really getting married.'

She glanced sideways and saw Xavier who was smiling at her. He stretched his hand, gesturing with his warm eyes for Jessica to hold it.
Slowly, she placed her hand together. Something small sparked in her heart which she quickly disregarded.

"I've been meaning to ask this. Why do couples hold hands during their wedding?" Emily whispered, asking charlie who was sitting next to her.

"Umm... uhh, I don't know. Maybe it's a formality just like two boxers shaking hands before the fight begins?" Charlie answered, letting out a small laugh at his own joke.

"Oh! Somehow, in their case, it makes sense," Emily laughed quietly too. She started to feel comfortable around the guy. 'Well, he is not bad.'

"Syyhhhh..."

Someone warned them to be in silent. They exchanged smiles and focused on the ceremony that was starting now.

"We are gathered here today to unite two souls as one. Do you, Xavier Lewis, take this woman whose hand you now hold, to be your true and wedded wife; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses to love, cherish, honour and protect her: to forsake all others for her sake; to cleave unto her, and her only, until death shall part you?"

"I do." He looked at Jessica. There was a new feeling sneaking inside his heart as soon as he answered that.

"Do you, Jessica Williams, take this man who now holds your hand, to be your true and wedded husband; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses to love, cherish, honour and protect him, to forsake all others for his sake; to cleave unto him and him only, and him forever until death shall part you?"

"I accept the Terms and Conditions," Jessica answered without thinking.
Somehow, she felt the vow more and more sounded like a contract that would bind her happiness forever.

The atmosphere went silent.
Jessica could feel all eyes were staring at her.

'Opsss... Did I just say something strange?'

"Psssttt... It's 'I do'", Xavier whispered near her ear, reminding her of her answer.

"Oh, sorry. Err, I do," she smiled sheepishly, mental-slapping her own carelessness.

"Now, I pronounce both of you as husband and wife."

With that, Xavier and Jessica were legally husband and wife.

Xavier was smiling. Charlie was grinning. And Emily was ice cool as always.

And Jessica , she felt like she was just being sentenced to jail in the prison of eternal unhappiness owned by Xavier .