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"What's going on? Is Zach freaking out?" We heard Jessica, and everybody turned to see her and Wendy wearing matching green dresses and smiles that could light up the whole city of Chicago.
"I am fine, for fuck's sake. Everyone, go and find your seats before Paris starts tackling people down."
"Ok, but I need to tell you we had a sneak peek of London's dress and oh, boy. Just remember, Zachary, if you get a boner up there, we're all gonna see," she said, and we all laughed. "Rita, are you staying with us?"
"Yes, we're front row on the left side."
"Oh, we know. We all got the laminated map from Paris."
We found our chairs and sat down. I had Chelsea in my arms, and she babbled something high pitched when she saw her daddy, wanting to go to him.
"I know, bebita, I want to hug him too."
From my side, Wendy giggled and gave me a side look.
"Things are good between you and James, though?"
"Perfect." I honestly could not have asked for more.
A soft violin music filled the air, playing a romantic line, and everyone fell silent listening. Zach was at the altar with James and Paris by his side, my husband bumping his shoulder to reassure him everything would be alright.
...Then the rhythm of the music changed, and London walked in on her uncle's arm, blushing like a teenager. She looked like an angel today. The white dress floated around her, making it seem like she was walking on thin air. I had no doubt everyone in the room caught their breath watching her.
She got to the minister, and her uncle gave her away to Zach to be wed. Solid emotions were blocking my airways, knowing my father was never there to give me away.
"Dearly beloved..." the minister started his speech, talking about love and commitment and when I looked at James, I saw he was already pinning me with his eyes. I couldn’t help my dreamy smile because I knew we were thinking about the same thing -us. I knew that in that moment, we were making a promise to each other. "I believe you prepared your own vows."
London took a deep breath and fought her emotions.
"Zachary, you are a dick!" The crowd boomed in cheery laughter. "And I love you with everything I have. I can't help but look at you like you hung the moon in the sky. You not only make me feel happy and loved; you make me feel protected, safe...you make me feel home. And I never want to leave your arms. I vow to honor you and be at your side forever, to support everything you're dreaming of and love you through everything. I vow to never put up with your moods and to defy you because that is what brought us together."
The room was full of ‘aww’ and ‘ohh’ sounds, and Paris was already melting on the floor in a puddle of tears.
"I vow to be your lawfully wedded husband through thick and through thin. The truth is I can't do a lot of things right. I can't change a tire or a light bulb or build a fire. I can't admit when I am wrong or give up on junk food, but one day, I found you, and everything changed. I found something I'm good at...I am good at loving you, and I vow to do it `till I'm six feet under and beyond that. We have our little game where I call you all those city names, and when it started, you asked me why. Why do I call you Miami, Boston, Ontario? Because your name on my lips feels like the promise of forever, and I wanted to keep it for a special occasion. Today, in front of all of our friends and family, I vow to worship at your feet for whatever is left of my life,London."
"With the power invested in me by the state of Illinois, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The minister put his seal of approval over the union; Zach pulled his wife in for a fierce kiss, and everybody stood up to cheer for them.
All the noises started to mix up, becoming just a murmur of sounds, and my head was foggy. I didn’t know where the sudden wave of anguish was coming from, but it was swallowing me fast.
What's going on?
Chelsea was squirming in my arms, but I couldn’t gather my focus to calm her down. I looked through the people and saw James hugging his best friend.
It all seemed so familiar but yet so strange...
Wedding...vows...I do...a priest...a church...
I saw myself in a white summer dress...I saw the ring...I saw everything.
But I didn’t see James.
My body started shaking under the attack of so many memories. With weak movements, I turned to Wendy and tapped her shoulder.
"Can you hold..." the words stuck in my throat. "...the baby."
"Sure, give her to me. Are you alright?" I almost dropped Chelsea in her arms.
Chelsea...who's baby was this? Who are these people?
