[[[all of your flaws]]] [[[part i]]]

65.

He helped me into the dress. I had never picked one, but had I done, it would've been this one. It was plain white, nothing fussy, satin with a simple lace trim and chiffon neckline. He'd even found a bouquet of flowers to match. All the cuts and bruises had faded enough to be covered by make up, and my cheek bone no longer swollen. He combed my hair carefully and curled it with straighteners so it fell across one shoulder. He caught me watching him in the mirror and gave me a big grin. I'd never imagined a wedding day, but this was just how I would've liked it. None of the fuss. No stupid rules on not seeing the bride before the ceremony. Just two people looking forward to spending their lives together.

I straightened his tie and brushed down his black suit with my palm. I ran my hand through his hair, trying to make it less messy, but then gave up and roughed it back up. I liked it how it was. I liked him just how he was.

'One last thing.' He said, diving under the bed and pulling out a box. He opened it and handed me a pair of white converse. I shook my head and laughed.

'Perfect.' I said once they were on.

The taxi was waiting for us downstairs as we came out the building, hand in hand in the middle of a Tuesday dressed in our wedding attire. I felt oddly nervous. I couldn't wait to be Mrs Smith and no part of me didn't want to go through with this. But it was the biggest thing I'd ever done. Bigger than leaving my family and moving away. Bigger than leaving my boyfriend with no money and no where to go. This was so permanent. This would be us together forever, until we were old and grey. And that was what I wanted. So why was I scared?

I loved how he could read my mind. He squeezed my hand.

'Nervous?' He asked.

'A little.' I admitted.

'Me too.' He leant in and kissed me. 'Natural I guess.'