One Thousand Miles

Chapter  |  Here Comes The Bride

Part  |  One

Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at myself in the mirror. Instead of seeing a twenty-two year old woman who was engaged, I saw a twenty-two year old woman who would be married in just an hour. I was ready for this change because it was the start of a new life. Of course I would have to finish up this last year of college, but after that I could be free to do whatever I want with my soon to be husband, John.

I wondered if he felt the same as he looked at himself in the mirror wearing a tux. I wondered if he saw himself as a twenty-four year old man who was soon to be married. 

I sighed before blinking the tears away so I would ruin my makeup. "Guys I....I'm nervous."

I quickly take in a deep breath and taking a seat in small wooden chair. I fan my eyes to keep the tears from falling, but it doesn't help. Tanya and the rest of the bridesmaids came over and pulled me in for a hug.

"It's going to be okay Stephanie," John's cousin, Ruth said with a small smile on her face.

I let out a small laugh before bringing up my pinky finger and wiping my eye. "I know I know, but I never thought this day would come so soon. I'm not scared of getting married; I'm just scared of what happens after we're married. You know like building a family."

My sister Ally rolled her eyes and smiled. "So basically what you're saying is you're afraid of having sex. You do realize that John's probably going to be begging for you to give up the goods later on tonight during the honeymoon, right?"

I glare at my sister before shaking my head. "No, I'm not afraid of having.....sex. It's just that I'm scared that he'll be disappointed with what he finds."

"I highly doubt that sweetie. My son won't care about how you look, as long as he knows you love him, he'll be one happy camper," a new voice said from the doorway. I turned my head to see both my mom and John's mom standing in the doorway with similar smiles on their faces. I could definitely tell John got his looks from her. She was a beautiful woman, even though she was in her mid or late-forties just like my mother.

I smile before quickly standing up and bringing both of them in for a hug. After pulling away, I noticed the tears forming in my mother's eyes. If I couldn't cry, then neither could she. "Oh, mom please don't cry."

"Sweetie how could I not? My baby is getting married already, and soon you'll be carrying my grandchildren and.....it's just too much to take in."

I laugh before placing a kiss on her cheek. "I love you mom."

She smiled before placing a kiss on my forehead. "I love you too sweetie. See you in a bit."

I smiled just both my mom and John's mom leave the room. I sigh before taking a seat in the same chair I had been sitting in before. I just sat there thinking while Tanya, Ruth, Brandy, and Ally fixed up their makeup. I thought about John and how much I missed him. The last time I saw him was yesterday morning when Tanya came to pick me up. I remember John telling Tanya to make sure I made it to the wedding in one piece, or else he would have her head. Maybe I was hearing things, but it kind of sounded like a threat then something playful. I just ignored it and climbed into the passenger's seat.

"Excuse me ladies, but I believe it is time for this wedding to start. Bridesmaid's why don't you go and get in your position while I have a quick word with my daughter," my father said as he stepped into the room. Everybody looked at him before heading out the room. As Ally walked passed him she placed a quick kiss on his cheek before hurrying after the rest of the girls.

I look at my father and notice his lips trembling. "Oh, daddy not you too, I need both you and mom to be strong for me. It's not like I'm never going to see you guys again."

"I know I just can't stopping thinking about how only just twenty-two years ago your mother was squeezing the life out of my hand as she gave birth you," he said with a quiet chuckle. I laugh too before standing up from the chair and bringing him in for a hug.

"You sound just like mom when you guys dropped me off at college. I remember that day so well," I say, pulling out of the hug.

My father smiled and nodded his head. "Yeah well, it's always good to remember those moments. They'll help you when you're feeling down."

"Yeah, well we should probably get going," I say and he nods in agreement. When we exit the room and walk down the hallway with our arms linked together, my breathing quickens. We stop in front of the big wooden doors that hold my future behind them. "I can do this."

My father smiles. "Yes you can," he said just as the piano started to play on the other side of the door. From the other side of the door, I heard somebody say "Arise from the bride," and the sound of people standing. "Are you ready?"

I look up at my father and nod my head.

And then the doors open.