Hold your bouquet low.
Shoulders straight. Head high.Don't forget to walk.Be careful not to trip on your dress.Smile at the guests.Dawn went over these rules, pacing around the room with her heart beating a million times faster than it should.
She had spent the last few days of her life rehearsing for this moment - waiting for her time of glamour to reveal itself but now that it was finally here, she felt stuffed and the figure-hugging white wedding dress didn't help lighten her burden.
"Quit pacing around, you're making me dizzy" her sister, Paula, (who'd been watching her walk back and forth for over ten minutes) scolded with a slight huff of annoyance but Dawn was too apprehensive to notice.
She'd been fidgety all morning and having Paula as the bridesmaid wasn't doing anything to help calm her down. In fact, it made her worse.
"I can't Paula" she chewed on her lip, almost tempted to run a hand through her face but she knew better than to fortify the two hours' worth of makeup baked on her face.
"If you're worried about the dress, I'd say you look stunning in it" she commented, adjusting the straps of her own gown.
"No, it's not the dress" Dawn groaned.
Okay, maybe it was, just a little bit of it, but of course, she couldn't just go about telling her that the dress she'd chosen barely gave her room to breathe.
"Then what is?" At this point, Paula was frustrated.
"I'm just nervous" she sighed out, subconsciously smoothening out the nonexistent wrinkles on her dress.
She had a valid reason to be nervous, for it wasn't every day that one got married to an Argent and the thought of it feared her.
"About what?" Paule raised an eyebrow, searching her eyes.
"It's just - " she paused, stopped, and fully turned to her. "Wh-what if he doesn't show up at the altar, what if he changes his mind?" She stuttered, her brows creasing with worry.
Maybe it was too soon for marriage, they'd only been together for half a year, and thus didn't have enough time to familiarize themselves properly.
What if he just felt rushed and proposed because she promised to leave if he didn't take the first step? What if he'd planned to bail on her as they did in the movies.
She mentally pulled on her hair. She was going crazy.
Paula scoffed. "C'mon, Dawn, this isn't the movies. You and I both know that if he was going to change his mind, he would've done it by now."
Dawn's shoulders drooped, obviously not at all comforted with that statement and Paula must have noticed because she quickly added. " What I mean is... as much as I don't like that blockhead, I have to admit that he's a good man, and if he were to change his mind about marrying you, he wouldn't wait until the ceremony or humiliate you in front of everyone."
Dawn bit inside her cheek. Paula had a point but she still couldn't dust off the uneasy feeling in her gut.
"But what if I trip?" She was always known to be the clumsy sort, especially when she was nervous and apprehensive.
Paula sighed and gently brushed her fingers over her thick curls. "Today happens only once in a lifetime Dawn, stop worrying about the moment and just focus on yourself. Trust me, it will be over quickly and the best parts will come after" she placed a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever happens, good or bad, David isn't going to love you less for it okay? So just drop it all off and enjoy your day"
Dawn took a moment to inhale deeply before breathing out. "Thank you, Paula," she said, finally turning to examine herself in the full-length mirror.
"You're going to do just great," Paula assured with a soft smile gracing her features.
"You think so?"
***
The ceremonial song began to play, urging everyone to stand and turn to look toward the back of the chapel.
"Are you ready?" Martha asked, squeezing her daughter's arm lightly and Dawn nodded, sucking in a deep breath before taking the first step into the chapel, and upon her entry, an awe-stricken gasp eluded from the crowd.
She walked the distance, holding her bouquet firm as she followed the slow pace of her mother who joyously governed her into the chapel.
"Nothing else mattered," she told herself, smiling broadly as she made her way to the only man who had managed to capture her heart and make it sink so deep. She kept her eyes on him, only seeing him while the rest of the world around her faded into a perfect illusion.
David stood at the altar, watching in marvel as his soon-to-be wife walked graciously towards him.
She looked beautiful - her smile, her blue star eyes, that bashful look on her face -he couldn't believe it was the girl he'd fallen hopelessly for. The dainty little clumsy girl who came unexpectedly into his life and took his heart by surprise, the girl who found parts of him he didn't know existed- it felt like a constant euphoric rush and he was completely at a loss of words.
For the first time in his life, he didn't know what to say or do and before he could blink, she was standing beside him with a smile on her face.
"Good afternoon," said the priest as he took his place between them. "We gather here today to witness the celebration of deep love between David and Dawn and their wish to unite in the bond of marriage. On behalf of them," he paused, and gestured to the crowd, "I welcome all of you"
Finding someone you couldn't live without, someone you couldn't breathe without, that one person that made your heartbeat rise every second of the day, that was love - that was Dawn, and there was something about her that made him want to fall, or turn to liquid or burst into flames.
"David and Dawn, if you are ready to step into the circle of matrimony, assuming all its rights, obligations, and abundant joys, please so indicate by joining hands."
David turned, his winter grey eyes piercing her blue ones as he took her hand into his and squeezed gently.
The priest smiled. "Do you, Dawn Araceli Montgomery, take this man, David Argent as your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health. Do you promise with all your heart to honor this vow till death do you part?"
"I do," Dawn promised without hesitation and David's heart thumped with euphoria.
"Do you, David Earl Argent, take this woman, Dawn Montgomery, as your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health. Do you promise with all your heart and soul to honor this vow till death do you part?"
"I do." He said, his eyes never leaving hers.
The priest continued. "David, place the ring on Dawn's finger and repeat after me," he instructed and as David slipped the silver band onto Dawn's left hand, the priest recited "As this ring..."
"As this ring..." David repeated.
"Has no end..."
"Has no end..."
"Neither shall my love for you."
"Neither shall my love for you."
"Dawn, place the ring on David's finger and repeat after me."
After the process had been repeated and the rings were exchanged, the priest proceeded.
"David and Dawn, now that the two of you have joined hands and placed the rings on each other's fingers in the presence of your family and Yahweh, you have declared your eternal love for each other, therefore, by the power vested in me by the most heavenly Father and the court of law, I hereby on this day pronounce you husband and wife. David, you may now kiss the bride"
"You belong to me now Dawn Araceli Argent" he touched her lips, tickling the tender skin with his forefinger "Only me" his warm mouth collided with hers, the intensity of their kiss swimming like wildfire through and around them.
Dawn ran her fingers gently through his soft curls, giggled shyly as he nipped on my bottom lip and a sense of a wicked stratification crawled up her skin as the hungry eyes of jealous women witnessed her claim on her husband.
"I love you" David muttered, pulling away to stare right into her sparkling eyes.
It was beautiful... She was beautiful.
"More than the universe" she smiled, and in that moment did they realized that their world as they knew it changed forever.
For better...or worse.
Later that day, just as the sun was beginning to dip into the sky, Dawn found herself highlighting down from a private ride and stepping into a shimmering hotel building in a city far away from home."Feeling better?" David asked, noting how she'd consecutively barfed on the plane ride, and in her defense, no one mentioned taking a flight to Miami, not that they needed to, but her motion sickness has always been top-notch.She hummed a reply and nodded, too weary to do anything else. When they arrived at the door, David slipped a key card and pushed, revealing a large room with heavy lighting.She stepped in first, going further to give the interiors a better look. It was a luxury sedan with expensive-looking items accompanied by a great view of the ocean a
With the crisp of daylight mist peeping into the room the next morning, Dawn awoke from her deep slumber and fluttered her eyelids open to the exquisitely furnished room.Last night was incredible...They hadn't made love or gone beyond skin-to-skin intimacy but the things he'd done with his hands, and his mouth... and his teeth... and his tongue — she thought it amazing, utterly remarkable, and beyond wonderful.She stretched out and squeezed her eyes shut as she worked the sleep out of her muscles but her sudden movements around the bed only woke David. He moaned, his strong arms protectively wrapping around her waist and pulling her back against his smooth, toned chest.
Dawn got up to begin her morning toilette. She disentangled her body from Davids' and walked into the bathroom, rolling her hair into a lazy updo as she stripped down, chancing a quick glance at herself before stepping into the shower and turning the water on high so it poured over her head in steamy streamlets. As the water cascaded down her hair and soaked into her skin, she closed her eyes, leaning against the cool tiles as she felt the dull pain between her thighs ease itself. After twenty-four years of waiting, she'd finally lost it. She had given her innocence to the man she loved without regret and he took it, making her feel like a woman — desired, wanted, and loved — she should've been happy, she should've been feeling giddy and g
Six months later... The neon reflecting bar Thumped with hundreds of conversations told in loud voices, all of them competing with the rock music that dominated the smoky atmosphere. It was a Friday night and like every other Friday in the city of New York, the clubs were packed with people dancing and shimmying to infectious bass music. Circling his perfectly shaped fingertip around the rim of his glass, David stifled his sigh, thinking of better ways to have spent a work-free night rather than inhaling the nauseating blend of sweat and alcohol whilst watching sweaty bodies gyrate and contort on stage like birds high on crack. He should be home. He wanted to go home, to his safe place inside Dawn. He missed her te
Chapter six After taking a train to the other side of town and stopping at her regular street vendor, Dawn sipped her cup of latte as she walked the two blocks to work. When she arrived at her desk, she took out her phone, connected it to her computer, and dove straight into answering a few emails. Dawn worked at the consultation department in one of the rookie companies in Newburg and her position as a canvasser was certainly not her dream job but it was worth the while. You'd think that marrying a millionaire would make her a sturdy housewife but she loved to work and sitting home all day made her feel mo
Dawn pressed her lips together and shut her eyes, taking a deep breath before shaking her head and strolling over to the quencher counter where she picked up a glass and looked around.Although it was not customary for invitations to request special attire, people dressed ostentatiously; women in evening gowns and men in dinner jackets. She certainly didn't belong in a place like this and though she would've much rather preferred spending the night laying on her bed and reading a book, David was very persistent and knew just how to get what he wanted.As she poured herself a glass of freshly squeezed juice, the stage lights flicked on, revealing an elegantly dressed man who walked up to the microphone and flashed a smile with jacket was thrown roguishly over his shoulder, as if he were posing for one of his television ads.It didn't take up to a few minutes for the crowd to coo amusedly and turn all attention to him."Hello everyone" he greete
Dawn pressed her lips together and shut her eyes, taking a deep breath before shaking her head and strolling over to the quencher counter where she picked up a glass and looked around.Although it was not customary for invitations to request special attire, people dressed ostentatiously; women in evening gowns and men in dinner jackets. She certainly didn't belong in a place like this and though she would've much rather preferred spending the night laying on her bed and reading a book, David was very persistent and knew just how to get what he wanted.As she poured herself a glass of freshly squeezed juice, the stage lights flicked on, revealing an elegantly dressed man who walked up to the microphone and flashed a smile with jacket was thrown roguishly over his shoulder, as if he were posing for one of his television ads.It didn't take up to a few minutes for the crowd to coo amusedly and turn all attention to him."Hello everyone" he greete
Dawn had stayed locked up inside the guest room, pretending to be asleep while David scurried around, trying to get ready for work. When she was certain that he'd finally left the house, she got out of bed and tidied herself before heading to work.It was probably for the best, If she didn't see him then she wouldn't be reminded of the things he'd said but now at work, all she could think about was him.She picked up her phone and stared at his caller ID, eager to press the call button but at the same time, not wanting to seem easy.Sighing, she locked her phone and set it aside, leaning to rest her head on her desk and letting out a dry sob."If you miss him that much you could just call, you know" Becky suggested, watching her friend in amusement."It's not that easy" she mumbled, sighing into her arm. "I can't just call him, he'll think I'm an easy fix""And this is why I don't do commitments" she sighed dramatically."I just