there for me (shourtney)

lxvii.

courtney's pov -

"I can't thank you enough, Liv." I said as we stepped out of the boutique in downtown North Beach. "I still can't believe this is happening." I squealed. Brown bag from the shop in my hand.

"Believe it girl. Our last stop is right over there." Olivia pointed to a small hair salon down the street a few shops. "I have a friend I booked an appointment with. Hair, makeup. The works."

"You're too kind. Both you and Damien. And Sam for being dragged out here." I laughed. 

Olivia chuckled. "For you, anything. When Shayne told Damien and I about his plan a little while back, we were immediately on board." She paused. "It's funny though, he's definitely going about this in a very Shayne way. He legit handed me a wad of cash and said 'she can buy whatever she wants'."

I laughed. "I swear he must be part of the mafia."

"That's the only logical explanation." She giggled, elbowing me in the side. 

A few jokes about Shayne later, we stepped inside the small salon. A hostess desk in the front, and behind it was a row of salon chairs facing mirrors, and on the other side of the room was a row of mani-pedi stations. 

"Olivia?" The brunette hostess greeted as we approached the booth.

"They're with me!" A voice said as she appeared from the back of the salon. She waved us on. 

Olivia took my hand and smiled, leading us to the very back of the shop. Behind a panel privacy screen. 

"Thanks for seeing her, Beth." Olivia said gratefully. 

"Yeah, thank you." I echoed her. "Courtney, by the way." I stuck out my hand for her to shake. 

"Not a problem. I'm honored you guys came here." Beth bowed her head with a slight smile. 

She motioned to a black, cushioned seat for me to relax in. Olivia took my bag as I sat and faced Beth, who was prepping her bags. 

"So what are we doing for the big day? Congrats, by the way." She smiled and leaned in. 

"Thank you." I chuckled. "Something natural for sure. Maybe you could accentuate my eyes?" I asked her. Motions to my eyes, brushing my cheekbones. 

"Sure. That'll look lovely. I'll show you all the colors I'll use before I apply. And at the end, when you say it looks good, there's a little room over there," She pointed at a small room behind her to the left, an open blue curtain hung outside of it, "And you can change." Beth smiled. 

"Then we'll drive to the courthouse." Olivia finished.

I beamed. "That sounds perfect. Thank you, guys." I looked between Beth and Olivia. Beth grabbed a makeup bag and brought a stool closer to me, signaling she was ready to start. 

-

About an hour later I was standing in front of a mirror, Olivia and Beth behind me, hands on my shoudlers. Beth had done my makeup beautifully, a little bit of dewy lavender on my eyes, some blush, and some light pink lipstick, in addition to the everything else she had done. My hair curled loosely around my cheeks. This is amazing. 

My dress fit me perfectly. A lace dress that hugged my upper body, and simple tulle that slid along my legs, trailing behind me in the slightest. Short, laced sleeves capped my shoulders. I felt beautiful, and Olivia and Beth both assured me that I was a vision. 

Shortly after we settled up with Beth, Olivia was pushing me into the shotgun of a rental Porsche. 

"Jesus, Liv, what is this?" I asked as she started the car. How did this even get here?

"Shayne and Damien dropped it off while we were inside. Another thing your boy did." She laughed. "You got a good one, Court." 

I felt a blush run across my cheeks. I did.

-

Walking into the the small, quaint, and almost Italian-esque courthouse was other worldly. Nothing like where criminal paperwork was filed, or family trials are held.

"Feels like this should be a resort." I commented to Olivia as we walked through the wide hallway. Letting her lead the way, I figured she knew where to go. 

The ceilings were painted with pictures of angels and gods. Halos around all of their heads. The hall had marble columns every few feet. Winding up to the ceiling like some version of the Panthenon. On beautiful, cream walls hung artwork of goddesses with long hair bathing in crystal clear lagoons. Ethereal. Echoes of laughter splashed in the hallway from other parties of people. 

"Right?" Olivia agreed. She tugged on my arm, "Over here." She motioned to a doorway off of the hall. Charming French doors with ivy vines over the trim invited us in. "Do you want me to -"

"Walk in with me." I said. Cutting her off. Please.

She grinned, holding her arm out for me to grasp on to. 

Olivia opened the doors into a small space. Just as ornate and decorated as the hall we just walked down. Five rows of hard wood benches with an aisle bisecting them down the middle lined the space. In the front stood a wooden archway, draped in flowers and silk. The officiant smiled when he saw Olivia and I enter. Shayne swiped his eyes. 

Damien cleared his throat next to me, offering a rose as I looked at him. 

Olivia and I began to walk down the aisle. Damien scurried to his front row seat, a few feet from Shayne. We got to the front and Olivia let me go to lean into Shayne. 

"Take good care of her." She said. All in jest, but it tugged at my heartstrings. Shayne nodded, eyes already puffy, and glanced at her as she took her seat next to Damien. 

"Anything you want to say to each other?" The coefficient asked. His voice light and kind. 

Shayne cleared his throat. "I thought I could - uh - compose myself for this," He chuckled as he swiped his eyes again, "You're so beautiful." He said, squeezing my hands, careful of the rose I held. "And I promise to always love you, to respect you and all that you are, to care for you. You will never feel alone." He nodded. "Courtney, you complete me. You make me feel alive. And I will never leave your side. I love you." He finished. Voice breaking with emotion.

"Oh, Shayne." I smiled and wiped a tear off of his cheek with my thumb. "With you, I know who I am. I'm loved, I'm confident and able. Amidst your silly pizza place jokes, you remind me of those things daily." I laughed. Feeling my throat tighten. "You've shown me amazing things in this world. You've given me more love than I ever thought was possible. I promise to love you, unconditionally, for the rest of our lives. I can't wait for what's to come. I love you." The tears pooling in my eyes broke off my speech. 

I heard Damien coo as the officiant rattled off his script. 

Everything muddled together: Damien presenting the rings, Shayne slipping it onto my finger, myself reciprocating after the officiant told me to do so. Shayne swept me in for a kiss, complete with Damien and Olivia clapping and cheering. 

We pulled away, hands clasped together, and followed Damien and Olivia out of the building. 

"What's the plan?" I asked Shayne as I held my dress up with a secure fist. Shayne now holding my rose. 

"You'll see." He said with a grin.

-

so long! i know the vows are short, but they're sweet:) i hope you like it! thank you for all the love!