I swallowed, choked, and blinked back tears so that I wouldn't miss a single smile she gave our closest friends and family. That smile, whether it was gifted to me or someone else, lit me up from within - every time.
Looking down at my feet, I gave myself a split second for composure before looking back up, sucking in a deep breath, and noticing what looked like a lead dangling from her wrist. I squinted and followed its length until it ended with Pugly. A laugh burst from my chest when I took in the tuxedo that he, too, was wearing, a bowtie fastened to his collar, a top hat strapped to his head. For the tiniest of seconds, I felt sorry for the little dude. He looked ridiculous. But then I remembered the untimely and shitty death of my Armani shirt and my compassion waned.
Danielle turned around and handed the lead to Chris, her Bridesman. He took it from her and faux smiled, clearly unimpressed with his four-legged bridal partner. I couldn't blame him.
Giggling, Danielle wrapped her arms around Chris and whispered something in his ear. He rolled his eyes, but a wide smile played on his lips when his eyes met mine and then Laura's. It was one of those smiles I didn't like. The I-know-something-you-don't-know smile. My stomach bottomed, and I turned to my sister, my Groomswoman. Her smile instantly vanished.
"What was that?" I murmured.
"What was what?"
"That exchange between you, Chris, and Danielle."
"I don't know what you're talking about," she answered, smiling like a seasoned ventriloquist
"Lies. You lie worse than my wife."
"She's not your wife yet."
"Matter of minutes, dear sis. Matter. Of. Minutes."
"We'll see." Her voice was sing-song.
Turning to face her, my eyes were wide, almost fearsome. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She laughed and adjusted my collar. "Elliot, take it easy. Sheesh. I'm only mucking around."
"Well, don't. You're supposed to be supporting me, not freaking me out."
"You freak yourself out. Now stop it. Do you honestly think I would let anything stop you and Danielle finally tying the knot?"
I took in another breath, closed my eyes momentarily, and then let it out.
She patted my shoulders, happy with her collar readjustment. "There you go. Are you good?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
I was lying and I wasn't, because I was more than good but also obscenely horrified, also known as running on groom-adrenaline. In mere minutes, I'd be kissing and holding Mrs Danielle Parker in my arms, and that both filled me with joy and frightened the fuck out of me.
As she walked her final steps to the end of the aisle, I took in just how beautiful she looked in her lace, wedding gown. How it hugged her tiny body and trailed for a metre behind. Her hair was half up/half down, chocolate curls falling over her shoulders and lightly framing her beautiful face.
"You're beautiful," I mouthed.
She blushed, and so did I.
Jeanette let go of her daughter's arm, lifted her veil, and kissed her cheek.
"Mum, stop crying or you'll make me start."
"Okay. I'm sorry. I'm just … just … oh, you know." She dabbed at her eyes and took Danielle's hand, placing it in mine. "She's always belonged to you and you to her, Elliot. Now … it's time for you both to belong together, as one, not separately."
"Thank you," I said, kissing her cheek.
Sniffling, Danielle nodded and hugged her mother tight before letting go and taking both of my hands in hers.
The nerves skittering all over my body skittered away, and I winked, bringing one of her hands to my lips to kiss.
"You're not allowed to do that," she whispered, attempting to pull her hand away.
"I'm allowed to do what I want. It's my wedding."
"Ours," she corrected. "Technically, it's ours."
I chuckled and was about to technically throw her over my shoulder when the celebrant spoke, reminding me we had some important business to tend to before I could do just that.
"Good afternoon, Ladies, Gentlemen, and adorable dog. I am Sarah Fisher, your civil celebrant, and I am authorised and honoured to conduct the marriage of Elliot Elijah Parker and Danielle Uma Cunningham."
Chris chuckled and Danielle fired him a don't-you-dare look - one of her best yet. He pursed his lips and clasped his hands in front of his body, instantly obeying her warning.
I was impressed.
"Both Elliot and Danielle know that from this day forward they promise to love one another in sickness and in health, for better and for worse, for as long as they both shall live. They promise to give each other strength and nurture all that allows them to seek unique destinies and goals. They will be unselfish, understanding, kind, and loyal … "