Running with Shifters (completed)

Chapter 29 Meg-Elaine

Chapter 29

Meg-Elaine

"Is everyone ready?" Rob straightens his tie nervously and Iz smiles up at him. Everyone but the groom, groomsmen, and Vlain are forced to stand in the hallway until the processional can start. Clearly something's amiss because we've been forced to stand out here for nearly five minutes.

She swats his hand away and kisses his cheek. "You look nice. Stop fussing before you mess it up. I hope everyone's ready; I'm so excited!"

He's about to retaliate with a noogie but thinks better of it when we all glare him down, silently daring him to even think about messing up her hair. Instead he just smiles and squeezes her shoulders in a hug. "You look beautiful and I'm so happy I could be here for this."

She's about to respond when Vlain pops his head around the chapel door and tells us it's time. Iz squeals and we all smile at her as we get in line. I'm first, being the maid of honor, then Kate and Lanny. Em, being flower girl, goes in right before Iz and Rob (it turns out he is needed after all, someone has to walk her down the aisle. Maybe that's why Lin got him).

I walk through the door and set my eyes on Eli as I walk up the short aisle. Maybe we'll be doing this someday... Wait, what? Shaking my head mentally I pretend I didn't just think that as I reach the alter and turn to my assigned spot. Kate, followed by Lanny, walks up and takes her place next to me to my right.

I finger the hilt of my sword, using the all-too-familiar texture to soothe my suddenly inexplicably wired nerves, and smile as Em enters and starts throwing the rose petals just like she practiced.

As soon as she takes her place I imagine the bridal march and watch as she walks down the aisle, Rob being clung to for support. She's smiling like she just won the world lottery, got to pet a billion kittens, and found out that she gets to spend the rest of her life with the man she loves. Well, the last one is true, anyway. And even if I had never before met either of them I would know they loved each other by the way their eyes twinkle with happiness as they watch each other.

Now standing before Vlain (apparently he's a priest and can officiate. It's weird how a person that supposedly doesn't have a soul, one of the few things that can't be experimented upon, is a 'Man of God'), they grasp each other's hands for support as Rob takes his seat in the sea of empty pews, twin looks of nervous excitement beaming from them.

Vlain smiles at us all and lifts his arms as if trying to hug us all. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite these people in holy matrimony. If there are any who oppose this speak now..." he trails off for a second and smirks when he's met with silence. I know he was doing it because that's what always happens but still, what did he expect? "I thought not. Now, the couple have prepared their own vows, so if the ring bearer will step forward we can begin."

Brad steps up from his place at the end of the men's line and holds out the pillow with the two matching gold bands, Iz's just slightly thinner than Lin's. They say thank you as they get their partner's rings and turn back to each other.

"I, Linden St. Morissette, have loved you since practically the moment I met you. I never dreamed that you'd agree to be mine, I could never be worthy of you or your love. But I swear, no matter what happens, I will be by your side, supporting you, trying to prove myself worthy. Will you, Isadora Catherine Corvus, take me to be your husband, until the last breath leaves our lungs, may that be forever in the future?"

I have to admit, I didn't know he had it in him. That was beautiful. I risk a glance towards Eli to see if I can guess what he thought of it, and find him smiling warmly at me. I blush and quickly avert my gaze back to Iz as she answers. "I do." With that Lin grins and slips her ring onto her finger next to her engagement ring. He almost kisses her but I catch a warning glance at him from Vlain and he seems to remember he's not allowed to yet.

Now it's Iz's turn and I can't wait to hear what she's prepared. She's been unusually secretive about her vows and this will be the first time (as far as I know) that anyone will ever have heard it. "I, Isadora Catherine Corvus, have been inexplicably drawn to you ever since we first met in the alley," they smile warmly at the memory and she continues, "I know it might sound cheesy, but I believe it might have been love at first sight. According to most people that doesn't exist, seeing someone and knowing that you're meant to spend the rest of your life with them, but for some that's a reality. I agree with that minority (it's not like we've ever cared what people thought about us before!), and now that we've gotten to know each other and fall in love, I realize something. I haven't slowly fallen in love with you, I fell in one second, the first second, and it's only taken this long for me to realize that. Will you, Linden St. Morissette, take me as your bride, to always be by your side and support you as you've vowed to support me?"

Wow. That's pretty much all I could say to that had I been allowed to speak just now (which, thankfully, I'm not). If I though Lin's was beautiful that was a million times more so and I'm not even embarrassed by the tear running down my cheek. I had no idea she felt that way. I have to admit I'm one of those cynics that don't believe in love at first sight and since I didn't know them when they first met I can't say for sure if I'd believe anyone else but her. She just has too much conviction and love in her voice for me to question her.

"I do." He gets his ring and they squeeze each other's hand again in anticipation.

Vlain grins (everyone is grinning, actually, but we're all watching him eagerly as we wait for him to say what we all know is coming), "I now pronounce you man and wife. Lin, kiss her already." I'm kind of disappointed he didn't say the whole 'you may kiss the bride' thing, but once I see how happy they both are to comply I can't help but clap and cheer along with everyone else. Everyone, that is, except Em and Brad, who just look away with disgust and make barely audible gagging noises.