Charity pinned the delicate pink petunias to my hair, while I sat in front of the mirror. She stepped back and looked at her handiwork, p
leased. Then she clapped her hands together excitedly.
“You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. Even in the magazines!” she cried and I thought I saw a tear glimmering in the corners of her eyes. I blushed and smiled at her through the mirror.
My dress was a long, white trailing gown with a plunging sweetheart neck. A shower of crystals glittered all over the dress. Commando had insisted that I wear a dress with diamonds on them. There was no expense spared. He had commissioned a French wedding dress designer to fly in from Paris and custom hand make my dress, so to say that I was pleased with it, was an understatement. It fit me perfectly and it swished every time I moved.
I had opted out of the tiara or a veil, and instead, encouraged Charity to design a petunia crown for my hair. Blue sapphires sparkled on a string at my neck and dangled from my ears. I had never felt this extravagant or beautiful before.
“Ready? Should I get him in? It’s time, honey,” Charity said and bent down to give me a kiss on my cheek. King was going to give me away. Commando’s best friend.
I had no connection with my parents, ever since I moved out of home and started living with Blaine. I had sent the invitations, but I was certain that they weren’t even going to attend the wedding. They knew nothing about my life, why would they be interested?
I heard the door close and then open behind me.
“Ava,” my father’s voice startled me and I nearly squealed when I saw him in the mirror, standing at the door.
“Daddy!” I cried and stood up, my dress swishing down around me. He hurried towards me, reaching for my hands.
“You look beautiful, honey,” he said and twirled me around to get a good look at me. I hadn’t seen him in years, I hadn’t heard his voice…
“What are you doing here? I didn’t think you would come. Is Mom here too?” I was barraging him with questions and Daddy laughed.
“Of course we would attend our daughter’s wedding. And she’s here, sitting outside, chatting with the groom’s mother,” he said and I blushed. I had never imagined Jewel getting to know my mother. They wouldn’t exactly become the best friends, I knew that, but I was glad that they were at least trying.
“Shall we? We can talk later. I should give you away first, so that you can marry that man,” he said and I was surprised to find that Daddy was smiling. He was actually happy for me. He had never approved of any of my decisions…but now I was beginning to wonder if it was only Blaine who he didn’t approve of.
I clung on to his arm, as he walked me out of the room, and we smiled at each other as we approached the aisle.
I heard the music peak, and everyone stood up on either sides of the aisle and my heart dropped to my stomach.
Commando was standing at the end of the aisle. I had never seen him in a suit before, and I couldn’t believe how absolutely gorgeous he looked.
His hair styled as usual with that perfect faux hawk, his blue eyes glittering, matching the navy of his tuxedo. His bow tie was a deep red color and he looked muscular and athletic in those clothes that fit him so sharply. He was dripping with sex appeal, and I knew everyone could see it.
I nearly wanted to break away from Daddy and go running to him. I wanted him to lift me up in the air, twirl me around and kiss me. Even though I was walking towards him, getting closer and closer, it still felt like it had been an eternity since we had kissed.
Commando looked shocked as he watched me approaching. He looked like someone had just slapped him across the face and he didn’t know how to react to that. His eyes grew large and his mouth fell open, then I watched him sink to the floor, hunching down on his knees and his hand flew to his mouth. It was like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Some of our guests laughed, some clapped and I couldn’t help but laugh with them.
“I’m marrying this woman!” Commando yelled out at the top of his lungs and people cheered even more.
His tattoos remained hidden today, but some peeped out from under his cuffs. His stubble was well maintained and neat and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I wanted to yell out too, I am marrying this man!
The past year had been the best, most thrilling rollercoaster ride that I could have experienced. We had fit into each other smoothly. We spent our days apart, me at school, Commando at work…but not once, not even one night, did he sleep anywhere else but on our bed. Next to me. Keeping me warm.
I trusted him blindly. He hadn’t done anything to betray that trust and he gave me complete freedom to live my life the way I wanted to. So, I gave him complete freedom too. We worked well together, in fact we worked great and with each passing day, it felt like I was falling in love with him even more. If that was even possible.
Commando’s friends, King, Girth and Slade were standing beside him. Their faces were stretched in a smile too, watching me as I walked towards their best friend, a few feet away from tying him down to a life of domesticity, but none of them minded. I was like a sister to them, we were all a family.
I caught Big D’s eye in the crowd, then Elwood who beamed at me, then Jewel sitting beside my Mom. They were holding hands! What was happening to the world?!
And then I was in front of him, an inch away from him. Commando didn’t wait for me to release my grip on Daddy’s arm. He pulled me away, straight to himself. His lips covered mine and he topped me backwards while he kissed me deeply. There were cheers around us again, people were clapping and when he released me, I was flushed.
“You weren’t supposed to do that! We aren’t married yet!” I scolded him playfully, my voice drowning under the cheers and chatter of our guests. Commando leaned towards me and took in a deep breath, as though he wanted to drink in everything.
“You should have said something earlier, when I was making you come with my mouth,” he said with a smile. I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing out.
“Ladies and gentlemen…we are gathered here today…” the priest began to say and we were forced to turn away from each other. Just hurry up already! I said under my breath.