He Saved Me, Loved Me, Wanted Me

“You’re late…,” Jill said annoyed upon our arrival.

“She wouldn’t stay still!” Gena said, pointing at me.

“You were the ones that got caught up in Spongebob,” I said, on the verge of laughing.

“Chill, Jill,” Michelle said with a laugh. “We’re only late an hour.”

“Oh wow,” Val said with a gasp.

“What?” I asked, alarmed.

“You’re getting married in an hour!” She said, all grins.

Sudden realization hit me. “I am, huh?” I asked, eyes wide.

“Let’s get you inside,” Jill said.

“We don’t want her seeing Brian till the wedding,” Leana said.

“Can do,” Jill said, going inside for a brief moment. “Brian’s not in there,” she confirmed and we went inside.

“How was the party?” Johnny asked as we walked in, greeting Lacey with a kiss. Johnny had been sloppily dressed in his black tux, his white shirt unbuttoned, as well as the purple vest. The tie that matched wasn’t tied either. The wedding’s theme colors were white, purple and black. I knew Brian’s would be different, but I don’t know how.

“Awesome,” Lacey replied.

“Are you nervous?” Johnny asked, gently giving me a hug.

“Very. And I hope that you aren’t going out like that,” I said, pointing to his outfit.

“I’m just looking for Matt. Have you seen him?”

I sighed. “Which one?” Val asked for me.

“Mini Zacky,” Johnny clarified.

“They just got here, and are late, so if you will, please excuse us,” Jill said with a light laugh. She pushed us up the stairs.

“Don’t look!” Gena instructed as she turned me around and tried to hide me.

“What’s going on?”

“Brian!” I said. I heard him laugh as Michelle’s hand was placed over my mouth.

“I see what’s going on,” he said, “I’ll see you later. Love you Ana.”

He was gone before I could reply. “I hate you guys,” I mumbled.

“You’ll thank us,” Gena said with a sly smirk. We were brought into Brian and I’s room; the guys were taking the guest room, getting ready in there. I turned on the light and watched as the girls hung up the dresses.

“Go ahead and get dressed, whatever you need to do,” Jill instructed, “I’m going to get your flowers and make sure the set up is still alive.” She left after her last word. The only thing we needed to do was get dressed. Gena had our hair done and everyone did their own makeup. Except me. I was deemed ‘Retarded with eyeliner,’ by Michelle when I tried the first time. So Val did it for me. The look was very fiftiesesque with the bold liquid eyeliner on top. I didn’t want any lipstick on, there was going to be too much kissing. I wasn’t going to skimp on the ChapStick, though.

Now was the moment my stomach started to do twists and flips, and all the little butterflies flew around. I was finally marrying Brian. I took a deep breath and steadied myself.

“Here,” Leana said, handing me the bag with my dress. I hesitated to open it with my nerves.

“I need a back rub,” I said out of the blue. Speaking of blue… “I need that something old, new, borrowed and blue.”

“I’ve got it taken care of,” Gena said as she started rubbing my neck.

“Well?” I asked with a laugh.

“These,” Val said, handing me a pair of earrings. “are old, borrowed, and blue.” They were a pair of sapphire earrings, small in the stone, and post. They were gorgeous.

“Thank you. What about the new?”

“Right here,” Leana said digging a lace garter belt out of her pocket. I looked at her like she was crazy. “What? You throw the bouquet and Syn throws this.” I laughed and shook my head.

“He’ll have fun taking that off,” I said with a laugh while taking it out of her hand and placing it on the bag.

“Good?” Gena asked me, and I nodded. “Okay, let’s get dressed.”

I sighed and put the earrings on that Val had given to me. I then unzipped the bag and took out the dress. It was a white dress that was a bit below my knees. It was strapless, and had a dark purple ribbon matching the guy’s purple under the bust. It was a maternity dress of course, and took us forever to find. I put the dress on, minding my hair after I slipped out of my previous clothes and shoes. The fabric hung loosely below the deep purple ribbon.

“I’ll get it,” Michelle said before putting on her dress, which was the opposite of mine. The fabric was purple and the ribbon white. She zipped up the dress and tied the ribbon.

“Thanks,” I said, handing her a smile. I put on my white ballet flats that matched the dress and I was ready. A knock came on the door.

“Hello?” Val asked, “Who’s there?” She was now nearly singing it.

“It’s Jill,” the voice said. Val opened the door and let her in. “Wow, look at you guys,” she said with a big smile on her face. Gena came over to me and fixed my hair, clipping in the veil.

“Thank you,” Lacey said, doing a little spin. I laughed at her as Gena fixed what she had to.

“Here’s your flowers,” Jill said, handing me a bouquet of purple and white tulips. How they hade them purple, I will never know.

“They are awesome, thank you,” I said with a genuine smile as I looked over them.

“No problem.”

“So what’s going on outside?” Michelle asked, putting on her shoes.

“The guests are here and Brian Sr. is waiting on my okay to come in. The guys are set up, waiting as well, and Brian is at the alter.”

“Has it been an hour already?” I asked, earning a nod.

“Almost. You’ll be standing about ten minutes. Okay, so when you’re ready, we’ll go.” My heart started beating. Brian was waiting for me. I couldn’t help but smile. I was getting married. But before we went out, I sat down, my feet being swollen made standing for long periods of time difficult. Plus, my back was killing me.

“Well what are we waiting for?” Leana asked with a big adorable smile on her face. “Let’s get this chick married!”

“But I just sat down!” I whined. They all looked at me. “Fine…” I laughed and stood up from sitting on the bed. We walked out of the room and saw Brian Sr.; Papa Gates. He hugged all of us.

“I’m so proud of you and Brian, doing this. I already look at you as a daughter,” Sr. said to me. I smiled and hugged him once more.

“Well, if it’s any consolation, I’m glad you’ll be walking me down the isle.” He smiled.

“No problem. Let’s go get your man.” I laughed as we walked to the glass sliding doors, and out them. I saw the people up ahead and I grew even more nervous. Behind all the chairs, there was a wall like arch that Jill had gotten a hold of. I could hear the prelude music, Arioso, a cello and piano duet, playing softly amongst the mummer of people. The girls were already in line, waiting to be matched up with the man they were walking down with. I went to the back of the line, as did Brian Sr. A few days ago, we had practiced this.

But this was even more nerve wrecking.

“Cue music,” Jill said into her ear piece that she wore. Piano Concerto, No. 5 in E started of with a violin playing beautifully. Tears started to prick my eyes already. And so it starts. “Val, Matt, go.” Val and Matt met in the arch and turned to walk. After a few moments, “Leana, Jimmy.” They followed. “Gena, Zack... Lacey, Johnny… Michelle, Brent.” The music changed to Pachelbel’s Canon and I froze. I looked at Papa Gates who had his hand out, waiting for me. My mouth grew dry and my stomach did flips. “Go, Ana,” Jill whispered. I walked to the middle and met Papa Gates half way.

We turned and the first thing I saw was Brian. I didn’t notice the sun set, the people there, the priest, nothing. It was like I saw him for the first time in years and I couldn’t help but smile. My eyes couldn’t and wouldn’t leave his. This moment in time I really knew what I was doing; it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

And Papa Gates was walking me down the isle. I stared at Brian as Papa Gates and the priest shared some words that I didn’t pay attention to. I was kissed on the cheek and Brian’s soft hands found mine after I gave Val my bouquet to hold.

‘You look beautiful,’ Brian mouthed. I blushed and smiled.

“We are gathered here,” the priest started, “on this day, March twenty eighth, two thousand eight, to join this couple in matrimony.” I blocked a big chuck of what the priest was saying as I just stared at Brian. All sounds ceased to exist, until Brian started talking. His vows.

His thumb rubbed my hand in a soothing manner. “Ana, since the day I met you, there was always something different about you that I could tell. I felt like I just had to save you. I jumped for joy when we started dating, and you made me the happiest man when you said you married me. When you came back from Paris, I was so happy you still wanted me, and I feared you move on. But now as you stand here in front of me, with our child, I am the happiest person ever, and I thank you. I love you.” I smiled when he finished, the tears already spilling over. He slipped the ring on my finger, one matching the engagement ring.

“Ana?” The priest asked.

I took a deep breath. “Brian,” I laughed through the joyous tears. “My dear, dear Brian. I love you with all my heart. You’ve actually made me happy since I’ve known you. Before you I was this depressed, suicidal woman, and you’ve changed me. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I couldn’t be anymore grateful. We’ve had our fights, but we’ve both gotten through them. They were petty little arguments, not really meaning anything. That proves to me that we can get through anything. Even the Paris thing. I believe we were made for each other. And I love you as well.” Brian’s eyes glistened as he smiled when I put his ring on; a silver band.

“Brian Elwin Haner Jr., do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, through thick and thin, through good times and bad times, through sickness and health?”

“I do,” Brian said with a big huge grin.

“And you, Anastasia Renee Whitaker, do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband, through thick and thin, through good times and bad times, through sickness and health?”

“I do,” I replied with just as big of a grin as Brian.

“Then, by the power vested in me by the state of California, with all in presence as my witnesses, I pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Brian pulled me close to him in a flash and our lips touched. His tongue inhabited my mouth quickly as my arms wrapped around his neck. We gained cheers and applause, especially when Brian dipped me in the kiss. But sooner or later, we had to let go.

“May I introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Haner Jr..”