The Little Lockwood

Thirty Three

EDITED

**One Month Later - mid September**

Running my hands over my body I smooth out the lace and silk of my white wedding dress. My hair ran naturally wavy down my back with a very strands to be pulled back from my face, and the small silver band of an engagement ring on my ring finger of my left hand. I left my makeup natural and my lips bare. I have small white flats on as well, I didn't want heels since the wedding will be outside. My bouquet is a bunch of wildflowers native to Alaska tied together with lace.

I turned eighteen a few weeks ago, and Brandon turned twenty a few weeks prior to that.

No one I know is going to be here, though I did send Tyler an invitation that he did not respond to, and that's okay. This day isn't about anything but Brandon and I, and our new life.

I know he has an older sister named Aylee, who is attending, along with her husband and two children. Mr. Keys will obviously be there. Brandon told me the first week we met that his mother ran off two years after he was born, so she will clearly not be there. Brandon said his aunt from his father's side would be coming.

This isn't a large wedding, or ceremony. Aylee offered to get ordained to legalize the wedding, so that's covered. The reception would be in Mr. Key's backyard, a few fire pits set up to keep everyone warm in the fall air. Dinner would be chicken and rice with vegetables. Aylee also baked a beautiful white cake for us. 

As anyone could tell, Aylee and I became fast friends and I knew she would be a great sister-in-law for me. I've never had a sister figure in my life, so all the girl talk was foreign to me, but welcomed nonetheless.

I'm currently in a small tent set up for me to get ready in, since the wedding would be held in the clearing Brandon proposed to me in. 

I am a month and three weeks pregnant, I rub my stomach slowly as I pace by the entrance to the tent, waiting for Aylee to play the music for me to walk down the very small aisle.

A pang of fear strikes my heart, and I immediatly worry.

What if I am rushing into this life because it's what I wanted with Damon? I think horribly, I mean, Damon couldn't give me a baby. Much less love me like Brandon does.

I move to run a hand through my hair but stop so I don't mess it up, I do love Brandon. We are best friends now. He knows everything there is to know about me. But I don't know if I'll ever be in love with him like I loved Damon. How can I compare my feelings for Brandon to the explosion of a romance that I had with Damon.

Suddenly the beautiful piano music starts to play, cutting my inner monologue off, and I step out of the tent and go right towards the ceremony. My heart is beating nervously in my chest. 

As I reach the start of the aisle I see Brandon waiting for me at the altar, under a string of beautiful wild flowers like the ones in my bouquet. 

I can do this, I think to myself, and even if I can't I have to. For myself, and for this baby. We deserve happiness. And Brandon is that happiness.

My breath hitches as I slowly make the ten steps down the grassy aisle, I glance around me and see Aylee's husband Tom, and their two children Eden and James sitting on the right side of the aisle in the only row. On the left side of the aisle in the only row of chairs, is Mr. Keys, his sister Rebecca, and...Tyler?

My smile grows as I see my big brother, and he nods once, smiling big at me too.

Reaching Brandon, I hand my flowers to Rebecca so I can grasp Brandon's hands in my own., ready to start

His blue eyes search mine, and I read his expression. His eyes tell me to calm down, and I take a deep breath through my nose. Brandon is willing to marry me even though he knows my feelings don't run as deep as his do. He is literally a saint.

Aylee starts the ceremony but truthfully, I don't even pay her much attention as I'm just losing myself in Brandon's eyes as I try to stay calm and keep from bolting into the surrounding forest.

Brandon squeezes my hands tighter a few minutes later, making me aware that Aylee is speaking to me.

"Debria? Your vows?" She smiles at me gently.

I nod and smile, 

"Right," I look back at Brandon, the man whom I've come to care for in such a brief period of time, 

"Brandon Keys, I came to you in search of a new start, and that is what you have given me. A life without regrets, without worry. You have also given me a life with purpose, you have become my family, my pack. Without you, I am sure I would not survive, and I cannot wait to be yours for the rest of our lives."

I make it clear to not say the word love, as I don't want to lie in our wedding ceremony. I already told Brandon this yesterday, and he agreed with me that I should say exactly what I feel and nothing more. He knows I love him, but that I'm not in love with him.

Aylee looks to Brandon, who has tears welling in his eyes as he looks at me with such adoration,

"Brandon?" Aylee asks him.

Brandon clears his throat a little before gazing into my eyes, his hands becoming warmer as he holds mine tightly, 

"Debria Lockwood, in such a small amount of time you have brought light to my life. Before I met you I didn't know what my purpose was, now I know it is to be with you. With me you are wild and free, and I promise to always put you first. I love you so much that I feel it in my bones, and I hope you will let me treat you like the queen you are. This is forever."

A happy tear rolls down my cheek and he catches it with his thumb, wiping it away gently.

Aylee seems to have gotten choked up over our vows and she clears her throat to continue the ceremony.

"Do you Brandon Keys take Debria Lockwood as you lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do you part?" Aylee asks Brandon.

Brandon searches my eyes for any doubt and finds none as he says, 

"I do."

Aylee turns to me, 

"Do you Debria Lockwood take Brandon Keys for your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do you part?" 

"I do," I say without hesitation, confidence in my choice to marry this man.

Aylee smiles brightly, 

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, Brandon, you may now kiss the bride."

Brandon grins happily, and swoops me over to dip me in his arms, I smile contently as he presses his lips to mine, sealing our marriage.