Getting married

Ava was stunned with her being a beautiful girl, it was just hard for her not to be stunned by her looks because she was gorgeous.

Her sister had curled her hair in tight ringlets that fell down her back. Her make up was flawless. Her bright red lips looked round and plump and ready to be kissed by her groom.

The thought of Sebastian kissing her made her start to jolt and be pale.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes sister, my dress...I love my dress," She quickly changed the topic. 

But she was right, the dress is a mermaid styled dress with lace overlay and short capped lace sleeves and to top it off she was wearing phantoms.

She turned to her sister, Julie and hugged her tightly for a moment before pulling back and looking into her eyes.

"Thank you so much for this." She smiled softly at Ava.

"This is what sisters are for. But before we get you hitched are you sure you want to marry Sebastian? You know you can tell me anything right?" Her sister, Julie said in a sad grimace.

After all, she knew Sebastian was far from Ava's ideal man. She felt the guilt of her sister going into a forced marriage. Ava had already accepted to this.

"Let's not talk about this again please... let's go shall we?" Ava assured her with a controlled smile that masked her sadness.

She smiled and took a deep breath before making her way to the hallway.

A lady roamed to her and gave her a bouquet of flowers. She was led directly to the area where they were holding the ceremony. 

The hall was beautifully decorated, food was prepared in bulk and the guests filled the hall. By 9am, the wedding began in full swing.

Ava pretended to be happy but she was less happy to marry Sebastian. Seeing him in his long flowing suit, he resembled like a devil with two black horns. His smile was evil, making her heart to beat in fear as she wondered how life would be with him.

Her bridesmaid was Julie while she had few other people as friends who supported her. Sebastian had a trail of men, who looked more like mafia gang members. She feared seeing how they dressed, with long spiky bears and evil looks on their faces. They weren't even wearing a smile, it was as though a wedding wasn't a thing of joy and yes, it wasn't for her, if she was going to be married to this demon in front of her.

Ava marched over to where she was to sit. She dreaded the looks on Sebastian's face. As she was marched to her seat, he stood up with open hands to welcome her. As Ava stepped on the altar mat, Sebastian leaned towards her and gave her a peck on the cheek. She felt disgusted and felt like puking but had to control herself because she was in the public and all eyes were at her.

Julie couldn't pretend it hid her sadness for her sister. She kept a gloomy face. She felt bad that her sister had to do this, her happiness was taken away from her sight.

Julie came over and wrapped Ava's sweaty face. She was nervous already or rather, feeling uncomfortable to be sitting in the arms of Sebastian. The fragrance of his perfume was too strong for her that she wished to have the chance to throw up.

"Are you okay?" Julie asked her as she leaned closer to her ears.

"I am…please be happy for me." Ava said to her sister as the priest came in. She was grateful for this moment, where everyone would be on their feet to take her vows.

"Are you sure you want to do this? It's not too late to turn back and run." Julie asked her sister again before she took the next step.

"I am…don't worry about me…I'll be fine." Ava whispered to her sister with a smile. Deep inside of her, she knew that she wasn't fine and didn't want to do this.

"Mr. Sebastian Debanka and Ms. Ava Smith, can you two please step forward to take your vows?" The priest said to them. 

"I've been waiting for this time." Sebastian said with a smile as he got up.

"Need a hand?" He asked Ava as he turned to look at her as she tried to get up in her long flowing mermaid gown.

"No thanks." She replied. She got up and went forward with the help of Julie, holding her gown from behind while Ava held onto her flowers. A microphone was given to Julie and Pete, Sebastian's best man.

"Before the couple take their vows, is there anyone amongst you here who is against this union? Speak now or forever remain silent!" The priest asked as he waited. The couple looked at the crowd. Julie felt uncomfortable, she wished that she could raise her hand but what will people say? She didn't want to offend her younger sister either.

Ava on the other hand wished that someone would interrupt to delay then taking their vows. She wished something would come up to delay the marriage but whether delayed or not, they would still get married so she remained hopeless. The entire crowd was quiet while some felt uneasy, especially Ava's family.

"Then it's final! The couple shall now take their vows." The priest said as he turned to the couple. Pete handed the rings to the priest as he raised it and blessed it with a short prayer where everyone answered an "amen" to each line of prayers he made.

"Will you take Ms. Ava Smith to be your lovely wedded wife, to live together in holy marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?" The priest read out the vows to Sebastian.

"Yes, I do." He replied with confidence as he slid his ring into Ava's shaky finger.