Short Romance Stories

Til Death Do Us Part

"The tie's choking me. Mom! Help! I can't breathe!" I frantically whined, pulling helplessly at the devil tie.

My wonderful mother abandoned spraying my eight-year-old sister's hair to rescue me. She reached up and casually loosened my tie.

I inhaled dramatically, rasping 'thank you'.  I expected her to tease me for being melodramatic, but she did not, only gave me an understanding look.

Eliza however, was much less sympathetic as she giggled behind her hand. Mom shot her a disapproving glare.

"Leave your brother alone," she commanded in the same voice she would've given me if I was pinning my sister to the ground. "He's stressed enough."

My mother always had a character that demanded respect, even enforced now by the sleek, businesslike dress she wore. But  Eliza, the little brat, still rolled her eyes.

"Why? he's only getting married."

Married.

I groaned and stumbled to the nearby dressing room couch.

Married.

At once, my mother was back by my side, this time with a glass of water. I couldn't bring myself to speak, so I just nodded at her and took the cup.

In less than an hour, I'll be a married man.

The thought alone was enough to make me dizzy and nauseous and...

"Alex? Alex! Wake up." I felt Mom lightly slapping my cheek.

"What happened?" I mumbled.

Before Mom could answer, Eliza jumped in. "You fainted. Like this!" She mimed what I 'looked like', falling backward onto a chair; complete with theatrically placing the back of her hand on her forehead.

"That's enough, Eliza." Mom snapped. "You may wait in the other room." Even my sassy sis wouldn't talk back when Mom used that tone. She sulked out of the room.

"You did pass out," Mom confirmed, "but it was only for a second."

I now realized I was reclined on the couch with my legs boosted up. I began to sit up but Mom stopped me. Even if she hadn't I would've laid right back down because as soon as my head left the armrest, it felt like someone was using me like an anvil.

"Just wait a moment, okay?"

I nodded.

Mom offered me some Advil which I gratefully accepted.

I lay there for a bit, trying desperately hard not to think of what would happen in- I checked my watch- 30 minutes?!

My life was about to completely change in half an hour...

All too soon, the feeling of sickness returned.

I mean, did I love her? Of course. Immensely. But, marriage is a big step. And it's not that I'm afraid of commitment or anything, it's just...

'To death do we part' are powerful words, not something to take lightly.

What if I couldn't do my part?

What if I failed her?

Big questions, neither of which I had an answer to.

I noticed Mom had left at some point, probably to check that everything was running smoothly.

Mom always took care of everyone she could. Taking so much on herself so no one else would have to worry about it. She never yelled, stayed patient, yet would tell someone (*cough* Eliza *cough*) if they were being an idiot.