I Do

Part IV: The Reception

The reception hall was beautiful and exquisitely decorated. Matthew and Elle were making their rounds, greeting and thanking all the guests for coming. Tristan was seated at the head table, his back to the stage where the speeches would soon take place. He was trying to force some food down, despite his lack of appetite. He had been chatting with Elle's older sister, but during their conversation, she let out a gasp, apologized and hurried over to the dessert table where her two kids were haphazardly trying to grab cupcakes off of the elegant tower. Tristan spotted Vito Andata, husband of the lovely Joan. He was deep in thought, wearing a dark expression on his face. Tristan sympathized, it must be hard for him seeing Elle, a reminder of his passed wife. The last thing she did was so heroic and utterly kind, Tristen thought. He was sure that fact gave the widower some comfort.

"If everyone could make their way to their seats, I want to invite the parents of the groom to come up and say a few words," the M.C announced. Everyone sat, listening to the speeches said by Matthew's parents, then Elle's, who did not leave one dry eye in the room. The maid of honor and the best man finished, making the crowd roar with laughter at their embarrassing stories about the newlyweds. The M.C was just about to call the new couple up for their speech when Vito Andata hurriedly made his way to the mic.

"Good evening, everyone. I am not really one to do this, standing in front of, wow, all these people." He coughed self-consciously, "as some of you may already know, I have a sort of special connection to our... bride. I was married to the woman who donated Raquelle her heart."

Tristan looked over at Elle, seeing a wistful smile on her face; her eyes brimming with tears. Tristan fixed his eyes back on Vito, he was fidgeting, one hand buried in his pocket.

"I remember when Joan and I first met Raquelle, the dying heart patient. Joan was fading, but she still had time. Joan and Raquelle became close very quickly. Joan and I were never able to have children, so Raquelle became like a sort of daughter to my Joan. It was like she wanted to die after that, her new purpose saving the life of this young woman, barely out of her teenage years. Joan hardly knew the girl, yet she.. loved her. But, that was Joan. The most kind, caring, loving and well, generous woman-"

Tears pooled out of the poor man's eyes. The whole room was captivated by Vito's heartbreaking speech. Pulling himself together, Vito continued.

"She would have fought harder to live... if she hadn't had a reason to die."

Tristan heard an audible clicking sound and without realizing what he was doing, stood up. Four words echoed throughout his mind: I love you, Elle.

"You." Vito met Raquelle's eyes with rage.

He whipped his hand out of his pocket and pulled out a gun, tears streaming down his face. Not letting a second pass, he shot twice in her direction then raised the gun to his head for the third shot. His voice was barely audible as he whispered the words,

"I'm sorry."