Photo Finish

Merry Christmas!

     I was up early at four in the morning. Dae was still asleep in our bedroom. I could see him from the place I sat at the dining table through the opened door. It was so silent that even from there I could hear his quiet, steady breathing. I felt constricted and nervous. I didn't know weddings were so trying.
     I looked back at my notes. I went over my plan and speech over and over. I needed to know it by heart, backwards, and even upside down. I couldn't fail. One mistake could mean a life of humiliation.
     "Why are you up so early? Come back to bed," Dae called sleepily from the bedroom.
     I chuckled at his muffled voice. It was about time for a break anyway. I stood and stretched, making my way over to the room. I smiled at his adorable, squished face on the pillow. I sat next to him and lay down. He popped his eyes open and smiled. He wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on the top of my head.
     "You'll be fine."
     "Damon said the same thing."
     "He's a smart guy."
     "Yeah. A groom-to-be. It still seems so weird thinking of him and Emilia being together for the rest of their lives. I'm going to have little nieces or nephews running around before long."
     "Don't think that far ahead. And I thought you liked kids."
     "I do, but where would I put them? This apartment is too small as it is."
     "That's just because we're sharing a twin sized bed. Don't think of negatives today. It's Emilia and Damon's day. Be there for them, then think about that when the time comes."
     "Alright."
     "Let's get a little more sleep. You have to get ready in an hour."
     BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
     I grabbed the clock and threw it across he room to the best of my ability, silencing its infernal noise. I slowly rose like the undead and went out of the room. It still kind of hurt to move around, but caffeine was calling to me. I made coffee and watched a show according to my usual routine. After one episode, I walked back over to the room and peeked in. 

     "Dae?" I called.

     He let out a noise to confirm he was listening.

     "Can you help me wash my hair?"

     Without a second to lose, Dae was up. His sleepy shuffle toward me made me giggle. He took my hand and we walked into the bathroom. He lathered my short hair, careful to not get any in my eyes, and massaged the area until it was clean. He rinsed me off. Feeling his hand brushing my hair so gently was more than relaxing. I nearly fell asleep again. 

     "Done," he hummed, rubbing my head with a towel.

     "Thank you," I said, giving him a peck on the cheek.

     With a cute nod, he shuffled out of the room. The door shut and I quickly finished giving myself a quick spit bath and finishing my hygiene routine. The next step was putting on the dress. It was heavy enough as it was, but it was even harder being injured. I peeked out of the bedroom and saw Dae watching tv on the couch.

     "Dae, can you pause that and zip me up?" I called, struggling with the back of the dress.
     He walked in a second later and froze. His face blushed red and his mouth hung open. I smiled at his cute reaction. I got his attention so he would zip me up.
     "So, how do I look?" I asked, turning toward him after all was complete.
     "Wow."
     The bridesmaid dresses were a little odd, according to Em. She had the others wearing something knee length, but mine was luxurious and formal. The sleeveless mermaid style fit tight to my curves, the sweetheart neckline accentuating my nonexistent chest. I was taller in my pink pumps, almost reaching Dae's height. I guess I met his expectations, because he couldn't stop ogling at me.
     "I'll be going now." I walked past him after giving him another kiss on the cheek. I put on the white fur coat Em gave me and hoisted my purse onto my shoulder. "Don't forget to bring the wedding gift. I'll see you at the interior garden we shot at."

         I pulled up to the tropical garden and locked the car. The bridesmaids were just about to walk in when they saw me for rehearsal. I scurried over, receiving a small bouquet from one of them. I gave all of them a hug and took my place at the front of the line. As soon as I heard the music begin, I opened the door. We rehearsed it several times with and without the two stars. It's safe to say that it went over quite smoothly.

     Everyone came to the ceremony. Emilia's entire family sat on one end, and opposite them was my family. I spotted my parents proudly looking upon their son in the crowd. I did the same, watching the both of them say their vows. Before I knew it, my best friend and my brother were man and wife and man was he kissing his bride. I was also the one who caught the bouquet. Both Damon and Emilia stared at Dae expectantly. He smiled, winking to the groom. Of course it was when I wasn't looking. I'm never paying attention at the most crucial moments!

     The reception was just as fun. We brought in speakers and fun lights and partied all night. Dae and I left at around eleven o'clock to get home. He drove, seeing as I was super tired and in no condition to drive. I felt the car stop a little too soon and stirred awake. I looked over at the driver's seat to find Dae gone. I glanced around.
     I exited the car, stepping onto a red carpet. I looked down at the path, then at the garland wrapped around a steel railing beside me. I followed the path it created down the sidewalk and down some steps decorated with lights and ornaments. I smiled, at all the decorations in the middle of the park. Coming to a festive tree, I noticed an archway a ways up. As I got closer, I saw that Dae was standing in the center of it. I ran up to him.
     "Why did you leave the car?" I asked worriedly.
     "I wanted to tell you something."
     He smiled and took my hand.
     "Laurraine, as soon as I got here all you've been was kind to me. No matter how hard the transition was, seeing you made it all better. I thought for sure that I was doomed coming to America with the language and cultural barriers that everyone back home warned me about. I was so glad to be wrong. I had no more worries, no more fear. I felt at peace, complete, the moment I looked into your eyes." He reached for his back pocket. "Frankly, I don't think I could live without you. Moving back into my own apartment would feel so empty without you next to me."
     I felt something slip onto my finger.
     "So, if I were to be so bold, would you be my manager, my director, my co-actor, and my wife?"
     He let go of my hand, revealing a beautiful engagement ring. I brought my other hand to my lips, tears welling in my eyes. I looked up into Dae's deep eyes, losing myself in his light.
     "Of course," I breathed out.
     "Really?"
     "Yes!" I exclaimed, flying into his arms.
     We laughed for a minute before Dae's alarm on his watch started beeping. He took my shoulders and glanced at the time. He looked back at me with a smile.
     "Merry Christmas."
     I looked up and it became clear. Mistletoe hung proudly above us. We both lowered our gazes to each other.
     "It really was a beautiful dream," I said. "I love you."
     "I love you too."