Alexis Miller [Editing]

Chapter thirty(part 1): Mr & Mrs...

*two years later*

I sigh in anticipation for the day ahead. I roll over on my side to see the love of my life just staring at me with a genuine smile on his face, “Hey babe," he says, “We're getting married."

A huge toothy grin appears on my face. I turn to the opposite side so that he doesn't see my excitement but he moves closer, pulling me into his arms with his chest against my back. “It's bad luck to see each other before the wedding."

“Luck, shmuck" he says, “Technically I haven't seen you yet and the hasn't even started, it's only 8,30am" I can  practically hear the grin in his voice, “ plus it's only bad luck if you're wearing the dress." A small giggle escapes my mouth as he tightens his grip around my torso. “I'll see you later my dear." He leaves a kiss behind my ear before leaving the room.

I lay on the bed with my eyes closed just thinking about how much has changed since I first meet Ryder. If you had told me back then that I would be getting married to the guy I met at a gas station I would have laughed in your face and told you're hallucinating.

I slowly get off the bed as I hear the doorbell. “Hey! Alex!" I hear Becky shout from behind the front door. I smile to myself . I'm glad to have a friend like her. After looking over at the empty crib labelled 'Matty R.J' I open up the front door for her, Rose, my mom, Anny, Stacy and later, Sam.

“Hello there." Sam says after putting down the plastic covered dresses. She gives me a warm hug before heading over to the kitchen. “Bacon and eggs anyone?" I nod my head at her with a smile.

“Mrs Harrison, my new sister. I like that name for you. Mrs Alex Harrison." I just laugh at Rose. I walk over to her and give Mark, her baby, a small kiss on the cheek.

“So who is coming to pick up this little dude?" Becky asks taking Mark from his mother.

“I think one of the guys or so." My mother replies.

“Argh men. It's just like them to leave us with all the kids." We all laugh at Becky's remark just as Cora runs to join us.

I tell the girls that I'm going to shower and get the kids dressed.

After doing all that we all sit in the living room eating breakfast. “Mommy I'm done, can Ann, Stacy and I watch TV now?" Cora asks.

She thinks that Anny and Stace are like her best friends now. Even though they are about twelve years older and in their final year of school. I mean, over the years those two girls were at our house the whole time baby sitting Cora, volunteeringly. I still paid them, nevertheless, because some nights I would have to stay late marking exams or tests and Ryder would be at a football game or something like that.

“Yes dear, but only for a bit. We have only three hours until 1pm." She quickly runs to drop her plate off and then she is planted in front of the TV.

“What!?" Becky exclaims, “three fuuucllliiping hours!?" She tugs at her dark hair. “There's no time for cartoons! We have to get ready! Get nails and hair done, pick up your dress and and and..." She gets up the grabs all our plates whether we are finished eating or not.

“Rebecca calm down," Rose speaks, “how about Abigail, Stacy and I will do make up and hair, you go get the clothes with Annabelle. And Sam, you're in charge of the kids since you're apparently amazing with kids. Is that fine?"

Becky nods her head in satisfaction and then she is out of the door. “What should I do?" I ask.

“Oh don't be silly dear, it's your day. Just go relax. Take a bath or something." Rose waves her hand dismissively.

*****

About three and a half hours later we are all ready to go. There is a black limo waiting outside the building for us. The ride is fairly short, well at least that's how it felt, and throughout the duration I sat quietly while others were deep in conversations. At times like this, my nerves automatically silence me.

Once we arrive at the venue the butterflies in my stomach continue to frantically eat away. We make our way up to the respective rooms where we will be dressing up. “Help me zip this up please." I ask my mom.

She moves closer to me to help, “there you go," she smiles at my reflection in the full length mirror. I smile back at her, “You look beautiful."

“Thanks you." She kisses me on the cheek then attends to Cora to try and help tie a bow at the back of her dress.

My nerves also trigger paranoia to surface in me so I decided to get ready earlier and faster than intended and now I'm sitting on the bed waiting for everyone to put all the finishes touches together. I stare at myself in the mirror just in front of me. Something's missing. My tiara. I turn my head from left to right searching for it, “Lex? What's wrong?"

“Anny, my tiara. I can't find it." My voice comes out shaking and weak.

“Mom," I call. Her head turns around to face me, “Have you seen my tiara?" She shakes her head then joins Ann in looking for it.

“Becky! My tiara! Have you seen it?" I don't wait for an answer but return to searching for it.

“Uhm Alex?"

“What?" I snap at Becky.

“You're wearing it." I move my hand towards my head and indeed I am wearing it. “Just relax alright?" She smiles at me while squeezing my shoulder in her small hand. I apologise to her and the rest for going on a little rampage.

“Alex just calm down," Rose repeats in a more soothing voice, “It's just wedding stress. Don't worry. Just think about happy things like puppies and babies and Ryder." At the sound of him name I become more stressed for some reason.

“Ryder." I repeat. I fake a forced smile and tell everyone that I just need some fresh air. I walk straight towards the room I know Ryder will be in. I knock three times on the door but no one answers.

“Ryder?" Still, no one answers. I take the initiative to open the door, just as I'm about to push it open it stops moving.

“It's bad luck if I see you in your dress remember?" I smile at the sound of his voice.

“Roo," I say with the same smile. He pushes his hand through the small space in between the door and the wall. I take his hand in mine, intertwining our fingers.

“You nervous?" He asks rhetorically, “well me too but it's what we want right?" He squeezes my hand and I do the same to him, “I'll see you up there alright?"

I nod my head while replying yes.

*****

The music starts playing as my mother links her arm around mine. “You ready?" She asks.

“I think so," at first Cora walks down along Sam and Mark in her arms, then Stacy and Anny, then AJ with Rose and Becky with Tristan.

After they have all gone everyone sitting in the audience stands up and I begin to walk in tune with the music.

I see Ryder's lovely face grinning at me and I attempt a small smile back. These damn butterflies are starting to get more restless. Once I'm right in front of him my mother let's me go with giving me a kiss on the cheek.

“We have gathered here today to celebrate the union of Ryder Harrison and Alexis Louis Miller." The priest begins. Ryder and I exchange vows.

“If anyone here has any objections against these to becoming one, you better speak now or forever hold your peace." After a few seconds of silence he speaks again, “Okay thank you. Now shall we please take a moment of silence for the deceased."

At that I know that he is talking about Matthew. My baby Matty. Towards the right corner of the hall is a little shrine with a picture of him in the middle of flowers and candles. I remember the day I held his tiny, fragile body in my arms. It truly was the happiest day of my life. The image of his mousy blonde hair flashes through my mind. A tear falls down my face and then another and a another.