Bravissimo

I Take Thee Love

Erik-

Finally stepping out of the carriage at the setup, the morning is foggy and gloomy. Yet, this is what we wanted, Christine's vision of our marriage was something from the heart. And every part I simply adore. I walk up the aisle and nod to a few people, some I know, and some not. Looking around at all the lit candles for people just to see, gives me shivers of excitement. I look at my watch and it's almost time and people are finding their desired seats with people they know. Though some things Christine will have to explain, everything that's been set up is quite perfect. The black chairs for the people, the small tea lights on the floor on each side from the back of the aisle all the way to the front, lighting her way to me, and the candles at the front that have been attached to the trunk of the tree behind where we'll take our vows, all perfect. The only thing that mattered to me was that there wasn't too many people, and she delivered, the reception however, a different story. I hear horses off In the distance and smile.

"She looks-" 

"Beautiful, I know, already." I reply to Meg and she nods and smiles. Hearing footsteps approach I turn around and can make out Antoinette in the darkness. 

"Erik." She says hugging me. 

"Antoinette." I say taking her shoulders, looking into her eyes and smiling.

 "You look so handsome my dear." She says and I chuckle. 

"Only ever for her." I say with a finger up and a smile and she laughs. 

"Tell me how is she today?" I ask and she shakes her head. 

"Can't wait to ask her yourself?" She says and laughs. "This morning was absolutely Devine, everything went smoothly, however-" she began. 

"However?" I ask tensing up a bit and crossing my arms. 

"Yes, she had quite the morning sickness." She explains, I take a deep breath and put my hand on my chest. 

"I wish I could have been there to help she-" 

"You do remember I've dealt with all the cuts and scrapes and sicknesses, since she was seven... right Erik?" She asks with a matter of fact look on her face. I let out a sigh and smile. 

"Yes, of course I remember, thank you Antoinette. So, She's fine now? Everything's okay?" I ask.

"She's perfectly fine, very happy, excitable." She says making me laugh and I nod. 

"My favorite kind of Christine."

"And don't worry, that, was the only time she didn't feel pretty today." She says, pats my shoulders and I nod. 

"Very good." 

"Let me look at you." She says and turns me by my shoulders. She brushes them off, fixes my tie slightly and puts her hands on either side of my face and smiles at me. "You've grown so much, from that confused angry boy I once met, to a bright, loving, and handsome man. Erik? Take care of her." She says, and I nod. 

"Always." I say and she hugs me and I her. When we let go she brushes off my shoulder again, looks up to me and says; "now go on, it's almost time." I walk up to the base of the tree and take a deep breath, the candles on the tree's trunk illuminating my surroundings. A horse's whinnying makes my heart beat just a little faster as I know it's Christine's carriage being pulled by it. Everyone is seated and our friends sit In the front row and exchange excited glances. The carriage stops just behind the tree, so I can't see her yet, as planned, then the carriage pulls away. I know she's there, I can almost feel her warmth radiating toward me. I want her to run to me so I can embrace her once again, but good things come to those who wait. The crowd hushes as the sun peaks up over the horizon lighting up the pink and white flowers. The orange and pink sunrise just perfect for the morning. I smile and look to Maestro, he nods to me and begins to play. I can just make out Christine behind the drooping flowers as she approaches it. She parts the flowers with her hands and walks in with the prettiest smile. The dress, is absolutely unbelievably stunning on her, no wonder she wouldn't speak of it. The dress hugging her in all the right places and her bright red lips begging for my own, as she slowly walks towards the front, to me. Her hair beautifully pinned up and shaping her face perfectly, the matching veil that hangs from it sparkling. She looks around for a second and then finally sees me, I smile at her, happier than I ever have been, and she at me. The flowers falling around her paint the picture of beauty that she herself is, and what we will be. A thousand words are spoken through our gaze and she gives a happy shrug and smile, happy to finally be back here with me, happy this moment is finally here. Finally...