No More No More

Ob La Di, Ob La Da - All I Want

"Annie..." my mom whispered excitedly, "you're on!"

        Tom and Brad had left, taking their positions with Steven and Joey in the line.  Julia, Terry, and Janet left too, taking the positions with the guys.  The guests were getting impatient.  Everyone started the procession down the isle.  Steven and Anne-Marie walked down together first.  Tom walked down with Terry, followed by Julia and Joey.  Brad went down with Janet.  Joe waited at the altar.  One of Joe's cousins threw deep blue (matching the ties and dresses) flowers from a little white basket, then skipped over to her seat.  My mother took my left arm, my father took my right.  The processional started; we went with Pachabel's Canon because it's beautiful.  A pianist and a violinist and a cellist.  Perks of being famous.

        The veil covered my face.  Everything seemed to be in slow motion as I stepped through those doors.  I took every step deliberately... Left, right, left, right, left, right... Until I reached the steps that would take me to Joe.  My mother and father flipped the veil back.  They each kissed both of my cheeks.  My mother had tears in her eyes.  My father was straight-faced (though beaming on the inside, like I'd said he would be so long ago) when he sat down up front next to Mama.

        I stepped up the steps, alone for those three short paces.  Joe immediately took my hands with a nervous little smile dancing on his face.  "Amazing," he whispered.

        "Why'd you leave?" I whisper back.

        He looks pained.  "I dunno, but I'm... Sorry.  Really, I'm sorry."  He smiles nervously.  I grin back. The priest guy says his things that he's required to say.  I don't really hear him, though (that's why I'm not describing it–I don't hear him).  I'm too busy staring right into Joe's eyes and trying not to be sick.  His hands are kind of sweaty.  Or maybe it's my hands.  Either way...

        Our vows were rather short.  I used a little note-card for mine–that's what you do: write 'em on a note-card and read it.  It was full of a bunch of mushy-gushy stuff, so I'll spare you the graphics.  But when Steven went to hand Joe his, Joe shook his head.

        He took my hands again.  "You have no idea how nerve-racking it is to be standing her right now about to make the greatest memory of my life," he says quietly with a smile. A few people sniffle.  Saps.  "It seems like every good memory I make, I make it with you."  Aww...  "Yes, there are a few... Unpleasant... Memories, but those only pull us closer together.  Annie, I never want to stop making memories with you.  I've only said it a million times, but one more shouldn't hurt: Annie, I love you so goddamn much that it hurts."

        The priest's eyes nearly bulge out of his head.  Joe just said goddamn in church!  He's going to Hell!

        Joe notices it too, and returns my smirk.  "I know I'm not the best person at times... Leaving at uncalled for moments, for example.  But I keep coming back.  And that's gotta mean something.  Nothing would–could–make me happier than what I am right now, standing here looking into your eyes, holding your hands in mine."

        Can I kiss him yet?  Can I please kiss him?  Please?  Can I just kiss him and never stop?

       The priest shoots a look at Joe when he finishes, like I never want to ever hear you say goddamn inside the church of God ever again you sorry little fuck.  Then he says: "Now.  Anne Michelle Capello, do you take Joseph Perry to be your lawfully wedded husband?  To have and hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do you part?

        I grin, looking at Joe.  "I do."

        "And do you, Joseph Perry–" the priest glares at him: Any more expletives and I'll shove my foot up your ass and you won't be walking for days, you son of a bitch.  "–take Anne Michelle Capello to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better of for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"