The groom walked to them, knelt, and kissed them both on the head. The older girl who was only seven blinked away the tears and the younger one who was four giggled. The crowd was awed, some wiped away their tears. Chris's heart threatened to burst.
The girls stood with the bridesmaids as the music turned into a sensual caress. The guests stood, and Ana entered, her eyes focused on Alex who stared at her, his chest heaving. Chris saw him take several deep breaths as he watched her walk toward him with her father, wearing a white dress, her face blurred under the veil.
Chris's eyes met Giselle's, both of their lips tucked up. His heart swelled at his woman's beauty as he imagined her in a white dress, walking toward him in her usual grace. He gulped. The corners of his eyes prickled, and he blinked thrice, understanding Alex's need to exhale deeply.
Ana reached them and turned to her father who placed his hand on the back of her head and kissed her forehead. Chris's eyes snapped toward Giselle again, who watched the duo with a sad smile on her face. He could feel her heartbreak inside his chest.
The ceremony proceeded. Vows were taken. Rings were worn. Alex and Ana were declared husband and wife. And when the groom and the bride kissed, Chris and Giselle stared at each other, love blossoming inside his chest. When the crowd dispersed into the hall to enjoy the music, dance, and eat, Chris reached the love of his life, held her by the waist, and kissed her lips till she told him how weak in the knees he made her feel.
They entered hand in hand into the hall where people sat on their tables, lost in conversation, and they made their way toward the newlyweds. Giselle hugged Ana, congratulated her on getting married, and called her sneaky for keeping their relationship a secret for so long. Indeed, it had been a shock to both Chris and Giselle when Alex had invited them to their wedding, two months ago.
Alex had somehow convinced Chris to sing instead of giving a toast, so after pulling the chair out for Giselle and seating her, telling her that the song he was about to sing was dedicated to her, and kissing her hand, he walked toward the stage and sat on a stool. The mic was already set for him. The musicians started playing their instruments. He gulped down the nervousness and focused his eyes on the woman he'd loved for as long as he could remember. She gave him a contagious smile from her table, and he began.
Never averting his eyes from her face, he sang her the mash-up ofA Thousand Yearsby Christina Perri andPerfectby Ed Sheeran. Alex and Ana swayed in each other's arms, and one by one the couples stood and danced around them.
Giselle stared back at him with tears in her eyes and a heartbreaking smile on her face. He saw her inhale deeply and let it out long and slow, when he sang,"I have died every day waiting for you. Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years... I'll love you for a thousand more..."Then he merged the lyrics expertly into,"Cause I was a kid when I fell in love. Not knowing what it was... I will not give you up this time..."
He saw her wipe her tears away as he sang the final words,"I don't deserve this. You look perfect tonight..."
The guests cheered for him, but it was all a buzz against his eardrums as he walked toward his soulmate. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he held her close to him, crushing her body into his. He pressed his lips on her temple and inhaled deeply, her scent fogging his thoughts.
He pulled back as another song started playing. Everyone gasped at the voice. Giselle looked behind Chris at the source of everyone's admiration and inhaled sharply. Taylor Swift, in all her glory, stood there beaming as she started singingYou Belong With Me.
Ana and Alex looked at Chris, the former with surprise and the latter narrowed his eyes with skepticism. He winked at them and mouthed, "You're welcome."
"You did this?" Giselle asked him, her eyes sparkling.
He shrugged as the crowd gathered behind him and cheered for the singer. Giselle had once said that she wanted to go to a Taylor Swift's concert but she didn't want to fly all the way to the United States, so he brought the concert to her.
He began, "Don't you remember, you once said—"
"I do remember!" she yelled over the screams of the crowd. Gone were the elegant guests. A full-blown concert had started.
Chris felt a bit guilty for taking the spotlight from the bride and the groom, but after one look at them as they laughed and danced like maniacs with their two young daughters, he knew it was the right call.
Giselle and Chris sat in their seats. He watched his best friend as she stared at her idol in awe, her eyes wide and twinkling. He chuckled at her cuteness when she squeaked, "She keeps looking at me!"
Then the singer asked everyone to take their seats and remain seated through the next song. She pointed at Giselle and said, "This one's for you, darling."
Giselle gasped. He saw goosebumps forming on her skin. He leaned in and kissed the side of her head as she smiled from ear to ear. Taylor grinned at them and started singingLove Story.The guests cheered, some singing along. He looked at the singer who winked at him knowingly and continued performing.
Chris took Giselle’s hand and tugged her.
"But she said not to stand," she hissed.
Chris snorted. "It's your song, dearest."
He led her to the dance floor. They were the only ones there, not even Alex and Ana joined. The singer kept giving them smiles and nods as she sang and they danced. Giselle laughed whole-heartedly as Chris twirled her around, dipped her, and swayed with her.
When the song headed toward the end, the music slowed down, and the singer's voice echoed as she sang,"Romeo, save me, I've been feeling so alone. I keep waiting for you but you never come."
Chris pulled away from her, his heart thumping inside his chest. Giselle looked at him in confusion.
"Is this in my head? I don't know what to think..."
Chris exhaled audibly and knelt in front of her. The crowd gasped. Giselle covered her mouth.
"He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring and said..."