BURNING (Team Crafted)

The Big Day

The day was a warm Saturday in early April. The sky was blue, the grass green. The wedding was an outdoor one, with tulips lining the sides of the aisle and all around.

Krysten subconsciously felt her dress again. The fabric was perfect, the feeling of it amazing. The dress was exactly what she'd dreamed of when she was small. Her red hair was drawn over one shoulder like it always was, but now it was cirled and laid perfectly. She had kept her makeup to a minimal, finding it uncomfortable and annoying.

Krysten felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Tricia behind her. "It's time." She said with a smile.

Krysten sighed and looked at herself in the mirror. "I'm scared, Trish." She said.

"It's okay to be nervous, Krysten, every-"

"I'm not nervous, Tricia." Krysten interrupted. She looked at her friend. "I'm scared." She looked back at the mirror, fear evident in her tawny eyes. "What if this is all a mistake? What if I made a horrible decision?"

Tricia smiled reassuringly. "What part of you is saying that?" She asked. "Your mind or your heart?"

Krysten hesitated. "My mind."

"That would explain it." Tricia said with a sigh as she picked the bouquet of red carnations up off the table nearby. "Your mind is directly rooted to your nerves. You heart however..." Tricia smiled as she handed the carnations to Krysten. "Is what keeps everything going."

Krysten smiled and hugged her friend. "Thanks Trish... For everything."

"It's what friends are for." Tricia replied. She pulled back and held Krysten at arm's length. "Now come on... We don't want to keep him waiting, now, do we?"

•••

"This is it..."

"Is it too late to say it?" Mitch looked behind him as Jerome spoke. Jerome sighed. "I'm proud of you, Biggums."

Mitch raised one eyebrow. "Proud? Why?" He asked.

"I've never seen you be as scared as you were when you found out you were in love with Krysten. You were panicked. And when you were trying to pick out the perfect ring? You had like fifteen different choices. But now, you seem totally ready."

Mitch smiled and looked in the mirror again. "That's because all that's left is this. Then Krys and I will be a family."

Jerome smiled and heard someone clear his throat behind him. He turned around and smiled, then nodded once as if in agreement and left the room. There was a pause before Mitch heard him speak.

"Y'know... When I toilet-papered your hotel room with Ty at Pax, I never thought you'd end up marrying my sister."

Mitch smiled. "I didn't either." He said. He glanced behind him as Adam leaned against the wall. "I can't believe your gonna be my brother..." He said.

Adam smirked. "Believe it, buddy, you're gonna be stuck with me for a long time."

Mitch laughed a bit. "D'you think we could get Krysten to play Minecraft with us now?" He asked.

Adam laughed. "I hope so!" He said. "Otherwise, this whole marriage would be a huge waste of time."

Mitch rolled his eyes.

•••

Mitch immediately recognized the music that played in the park as Krysten's little cousin came down the aisle, throwing flowers all about. Requiem by Tomska. The same song she'd been playing on Adam's electric when he kissed her for the first time.

Right after little Angie came his mom and dad, then Krysten's mom. Next his older sister, Luanne and Ian. His two younger sisters with Quentin and Jason. Ty was with Tord, Adam with Alesa obviously, and then Tricia and Jerome. As Jerome went and stood beside him, Mitch could just barely see his faint smirk.

Then the music changed ever so slightly. Mitch looked up and his smile faded to a look of awe. Krysten was perfect. Her dress, her hair, everything about her. She smiled around at her friends and family, glowing with pride and excitement. Her father beside her looked like he was about to burst into tears.

When the two reached the end of the aisle, Mitch stepped forward. As Mr. Dahlburg placed his daughter's hand in Mitch's a tears actually rolled down his cheek, but nonetheless, he smiled wide at Mitch. At the same time, Jerome patted Adam on the back almost teasingly. Mr. Dahlburg nodded to his son-in-law once before bowing out and going to sit beside his wife.

As the minister spoke, most of what Mitch heard was drowned out by the shout of his own nerves. He could barely even hear himself whisper "I do" when he was asked.

At one point, he felt a certain silence befall the room and he could feel all eyes on him. He blinked back to reality and looked around in surprise as though he'd just woken up. "H-Huh...?" He said only quietly enough so he and those closest to him could hear.

He didn't notice Jerome facepalm from a few feet beside him.

The minister smiled knowingly and leaned forward on his stand. "I said, 'You may kiss the bride'."

Krysten raised an eyebrow at Mitch, clearly amused. Mitch smiled and took both her hands in his, then leaned forward and kissed her. She closed her eyes and kissed back as the people assembled all rose and clapped like they were supposed to. But Krysten didn't care. It was just her and Mitch there in her eyes.