Iridescence

Marriage

6 months had passed since our little vacation in Paris, and I'm pleased to say, things between me and Jewel were only getting better.

In fact, they were so good, I was considering popping the question.

I've read about people who think marriages are overrated. Tying yourself down to one person, how disgusting. I've always wondered how their minds worked. Isn't it beautiful, always having someone to turn to, someone who knows you inside out and shares a life with you. I think it is.

My favorite bird is the Swan. Because unlike other birds that change their mate seasonally, once a swan mates with a bird, they mate for life. In fact, if their mate dies, the other swan could die from heartbreak.

Overkill? Maybe. But I found the whole idea of mating for life absolutely beautiful.

I was contemplating different scenarios of how I should pop the question. It's a scary time honestly. The only thing I was sure of was that I was ready to do this. I just didn't know how to do it.

I was listening to Ed Sheeran's Perfect when the idea came to me.

Later that day

"Where are we even going?"

"You'll see."

I told Jewel we were going to have dinner out as a surprise. She was drilling me with questions to find out where we were going.

We arrived at the docks. I had rented a boat.

"Woah! What's the special occasion?"

"Do I need a special occasion to treat you?"

"Hmm no I suppose."

I could tell she was suspicious.

"You go on ahead. I need to get some things in order."

"Hmm okay."

It was all well planned. When she'd enter, it would be pitch black. Then as she walked through, she'd see pictures of us light up in the corridor. The music would slowly kick in (Perfect/Can't help falling in love mashup by Btwn us) and at the end of the corridor, I'd be waiting, ring in my hand.

I stood there, listening to the music, Knees shaking, fear kicking in, God was I nervous. And then she came in. She looked just as angelic as when I first met her, with that beautiful smile on her face and at that moment, I was more sure than ever, this was the girl of my dreams, this was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

It was something straight out of a Disney movie and she was my princess. I got down on one knee and the words fumbled out of my mouth.

"Jewel O'Carroll, I love you more than donuts with sprinkles. Will you spend the rest of your life with me?"

She took her hands to her face and I could see the tears before she said

"Yes you loser, what took you so long!"

And then the music pumped up. First date by blink-182 started playing. It was a song we both loved and we both started dancing like crazy people.

I suppose we were crazy, crazy in love.

2 weeks later

The wedding was scheduled at the end of the month. Our parents had flown in and the guest list was all set. Jewel had gone to buy her dress. I had to have my tux picked out. I was so nervous my entire body was aching.

Me and my sister Hera went together to pick out my tux.

"That would look so good on you!"

She was talking about a baby pink tuxedo that was sitting on the side.

"Haha very funny Hera"

"I'm serious brother, just get that one, honestly the best option. It would be so unconventional."

She thought she was so hilarious. Okay, maybe she was, but just a little.

"How's this?"

I came out of the dressing room in a white tux with a black lapel.

"Eh it looks alright. Although I must say I prefer the pink."

Her alright meant I must've looked splendid in it.

We arrived back and my sister said she'd be heading out again cause Jewel had called to ask her to help with the dress.

Once Jewel and Hera were back Jewel said

"You can see the dress on the wedding day."

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

The wedding day

I woke up earlier than usual. It was the big day. The day I was getting married.

I was so excited.

I took a long shower. Then I went in to get dressed. I didn't know which way to comb my hair. This was too complicated. Why are there so many people anyways. What's with all this fuss.

I was practically on the verge of having an existential crisis when my sister walked in.

"Oh brother, why haven't you tied your bow tie yet? Do you need your little sister to tie it for you? And what is with your hair, so messy. I think you need serious help. What Jewel sees in you, I'll never know."

"And a good morning to you too Hera, instead of standing there and criticizing me, mind helping me out? Today's kind of a big deal for me you know."

My sister was a fashion genius. There's no outfit she could not save.  She whipped me into shape in 5 minutes.

"There you go brother. Whatever would you do without me?"

She was also a bit of a show off.

The ceremony had begun. Our wedding was going to be held in one of the biggest churches in New York and we were going to be coming in carriages.

Maybe a little extra, but I was always a little extra.

There I stood in the hall nervous, waiting for Jewel to come in with her father.

And then she came in.

There she was, walking in with her father in a dress fit for a queen, the queen that she was. She looked absolutely splendid and I was at that moment doubting whether I did anything to deserve this. Seeing her walk down the hall I could feel the tears rolling down my eyes.

I was happy.

The priest had begun the ceremony. It was almost time.

"Do you Jewel O'Carroll, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

"And do you Zavian Matthew, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife."

I was so nervous and was practically frozen, and my body was aching so much but the words came out of mouth so naturally like I was born to say them.

"I do."

"You may kiss the bride."

And that's when I started vomiting blood.