Alexis Miller [Editing]

Chapter thirty(part 2): Jackson!?

Before I know it, I'm crying. Full on tears instantly race down my cheek. Everyone's head looksup at me as I slowly walk towards the picture. Ryder rushes to my side and stabilizes me just before I take the fall to my knees, “Matty," I whisper.

“I know baby, come on." Ryder tries to take me back to my original position but I shake him off.

“No! I can't! I can't!" I run out of the building with my hands covering me eyes. This is too much for me. I know it's been two years but I'm not ready to move on, not now at least. My head fills up with images from the hospital and Matty in my arms. I always imagined Ryder and I relaxing in the living room of our apartment, with Cora playing and laughing with her little brother Matty. The vague picture passes through my mind.

“Alex!" Ryder calls after me. I just continue to run until he eventually catches up to me in the car park. “Alex" he says breathelessly, “I know it's hard." He puts his hand on my shoulder.

“I can't do this Roo." A few more tears fall on the side of my face but Ryder wipes them away with the pad of his thumb. “I'm not ready." I whisper.

“It's okay Louis, if you don't want to do this, that's okay. It can wait." He pulls me into a tight hug, “I will wait." He repeats while kissing the side of my head, in my hair. I love him for being able to understand me and what I'm feeling right now.

“Alex! What the hell was that?" Becky comes shouting.

Ryder lifts his chin from where it is resting on top of my head, “Don't you dare talk to her like that." He gives her a warning glare.

“Oh what? I've been planning this since the beginning of the year, how do you expect me not flip out?" She snaps at him. In one moment Ryder lets his arms fall from around my shoulders but interlaces my fingers with his.

“That's enough!" He nearly  shouts, “Your friend is over here having a break down and all you care about is this stupid wedding. If she's not ready then she isn't fucking ready." When I hear him cuss I tug at his hand slightly. He knows how just much him cussing causes me discomfort, he looks down at me and his hard look is replaced with a weak apologetic smile.

I look up at Becky for the first time and her face changes from anger to sadness as she realises what she has said, “Oh wow, Alex. I'm sorry, stupid me, this must be so difficult for you. I'm just caught up with everything that's happening with you and all this between Tristan and I and I should probably stop talking now..." She walks up to me and hugs me, I hug her back.

“Hey guys, I can't keep them entertained any longer, are we going to have a wedding or not?" I look up at Ryder expectant for an answer.

“No Rose, Tell them that the wedding is of-" he gets cut short by AJ speaking.

“Well we don't have to do that," he wraps his arm around Rose's waist, “I was planning to propose at the reception and get married as soon as possible, but this will do," Ryder winks at his friend and Adam let's go then gets on one knee.

Roo, Becky and I stand with smiles on each of our faces. AJ pulls out a small black box from his pocket, “I don't want to spend another day without you, I found you in the oddest of places, with Lex," he lightly chuckles,  “ At first i thought she was going to be the one for me but I stumbled across you and I couldn't stay away, from the very first moment I met you. Will you do please me this honour and marry me?"

*****

Two hours and a few dress changes later we were back in the hall. Of course Rose agreed to marry AJ.  It was so obvious from the first time that they are meant to be. It was a good thing that I and Rose are almost the same dress sizes. Except, I'm a bit taller but she made up for it by where extra high heels. Her and AJ are just so... so cute together and I'm glad that they are getting married.

So Roo and I decided to wait and give these two love birds the spot light of the day. Just seeing Matty got me worked up and nervous about everything. How such simple things can be taken away in a instant and you wouldn't even suspect it. but that's behind me now. We are all currently standing by the alter waiting for Rose and to emerge.

The sweet music begins to play and she emerges with Ryder by her left arm walking her down. As soon as she gets to where we are Ryder let's go of her just after he sends a wink my way. My checks flush a deep shade of red.

The priest says the usual stuff about anyone who has any objections and all that. “Have you prepared your vows?"

AJ nods with a smile then pulls out a small piece of paper, “I love you and I'm sure you know this but there is no other way for me to show you. I want you to be mine, I will respect you and take care of you. Both you and Mark. I hope this bond we are about to make shall never be broken for any other reason than death."

Rose wipes a tear away, “okay," she sighs then chuckles lightly, “I didn't know I was getting married today so I didn't really prepare," she wiped another tear away, “usually I would be on top of things but once you came in, you messed everything up and I quite like that. I love it really, I love you and wouldn't change a thing."

The priest repeats his question about any objections before saying, “You may now kiss the bride." In on swift movement he kisses her then carries her down the isle in his arms as everyone cheers. “Ladies and gentlemen! I now province to you Mr & Mrs Jackson!"

Each one of us bridesmaids follow after them joining with our respective partners. Becky with Tristan, Sam with Cora, Anny and Stacy with Mark and Me with Roo.

As soon as we leave the building I'm pulled lightly by the arm, towards the bathrooms, away from everyone. “You okay Louis?" He asks.

I nod my head at him with a small smile as he steps closer to me with the same smile on his face. I feel a lot better than before, while I was in that white wedding dress. I will just have to deal with the fact that It wasn't my fault and that Matty, wherever his, is in a better place now, “I'm glad you're feeling better." He says, still moving closer and closer until my back is up against the wall.

“Roo we should really g-" I try to leave but he blocks every possible path by putting his arms up against the wall.

“Do you remember that time you just couldn't get my name right?" I can smell his minty breath fanning against my hot skin, “I remember it so well." I try to cover up my red cheeks but fail. He hovers his lips above mine.

“R-Ryder," I stammer.

In an instant his lips crash against mine, allowing me to feel every ounce of love, passion and desperation as his tongue swipes across my bottom lip. He presses up against me with more force and I feel his whole body against mine, every inch pressing into me. After a few moments he moves back breathing heavily, “That's not how I remembered it..." He kisses me on the cheek, “maybe when we are somewhere more...private. You can show me how it was done but for now let's go enjoy ourselves."

He takes my hand in his, intertwining our fingers as we walk. I think to myself about how lucky I am to have found someone as great as this man right here. I wouldn't have wanted anything different. Finding him was the best thing that ever happened to me.

THE END...