125 First touch

The day has finally arrived. I'm getting married to the only woman I could ever imagine being with for the rest of my life. We're at the venue, after packing everything we may or may not need meticulously yesterday. Sarina is getting ready in the brides area, while Lance, Jack Brown, Aman and Big daddy are in the grooms area with my dad and I, having a drink. My dad, Lance and Jack all give recounts on the emotions of their wedding days as Scott and Simon join us, bringing food for us to snack on while we wait for the time to arrive.

Lance was my best man, Jack, Aman, and Simon were my other groomsmen. I had asked Big daddy, but he asked me to use Aman instead. His argument had been that Aman looked better in a suit than him. Big daddy was happy to just hang out and help out with ushering everyone to the reception area once the ceremony was over while we would be busy taking pictures. I knew Sarina had Lirael, Alyssa, Charlotte, and Barbara as her bridal party, but that was about it. I kept looking at the time, as it seemed to passing at a snails pace, but didn't want time to get away from me either.

"Calm down, Brian. Weddings always run a little late, when they're ready for us, they'll come get us." My dad reassures me.

I shrug, "Can't help it. I'm just as excited about all this as she is." I get out before a knock sounds on the door.

"Don't come in, I'm not decent!" Lance calls out in a breathy impersonation of a females voice.

"Shut up! Come on in." I lean over and smack Lance's arm who snickers at me.

I wasn't expecting when the door opened to see John though.

"Um.. hey, Brian. I'm here to speak to you privately for a moment, if you don't mind?" He asks glancing at all the guys in the room before returning his attention to me.

"Uh, sure, guys, if you would please." I ask everyone. They grumble a little but step out side the room, allowing John to pull the door shut behind him as he steps in.

"So what's up John?" I ask, leaning back in my chair as he takes a seat across from me.

"I just wanted to clear a few things up before you became too busy, that have been brought to my attention." He clears his throat. "Sarina is very much like family. I can not deny that I've never viewed her as a woman I'd be interested in, but she is like a sister to me after I've had the opportunity to give it some extensive thought. You don't need to worry about anything between us, my heart has been captured by another but that is it's own story. I understand you and I will probably never be anything other than cordial to one another, but I still came to humbly say thank you."

I think about his words for a moment, "I'm sorry, but what exactly are you thanking me for?" I ask him genuinely.

John sighs, shrugging a shoulder in gesture, "For being good to Sarina. Not making her deal with ultimatums or asking her to kick me out of her life. Even when I was being a complete dick about things. I can imagine how often you had to bite your tongue on account of Sarina asking you to. I heard and saw the results of what you did to Marcus. That asshole had it coming though."

We both grin at each other over that and I nod. "Well being good to Sarina is easy and majority of ultimatums tend to end relationships rather than improve on them. I'm surprised though... I wasn't expecting this. Thank you John." I offer him my hand which he takes and shakes.

"By the way, at the party, I hope my question didn't cause friction between you and Tori. I could tell it made you both tense." I probe the topic to see his reaction.

He sighs, avoiding my gaze by looking down at his knee that bounces slightly. "No more than what is already there." He stands, "Don't worry about Tori, she's the one with all the control in our....friendship." He gives a tight lipped smile to my nod.

"Well, I better go and hang out by the bridal area. I can imagine that they'll start freaking out about time soon." He nods and exits the room, allowing my groomsmen to enter back inside.

"What was all that about?" My dad asks, knowing that John and I are not close.

"Just clearing the air." I wave it off as another knock comes to the door that's still open.

"Hello everyone! Are we ready? I need everyone to start setting up!" The wedding coordinator comes in and smiles at us all. "Brian, I need you to come with me for a picture that the bride requested. A first touch photo." She ushers me along, asking people outside the doors if the bride is in place.

Once everything is set up, she tells me not to look around the door, to just stay where she puts me. She has me look away while she opens the door and then helps me walk to the point I'm needed. I notice my heart is beating like crazy and is making me a little anxious and excited. I shake myself arms out a little and let out a loud breath as I get into place.

"Okay, place your hands to the edge of the door, open and reaching for each other." The photographer instructs us.

I lift my hand, finding her fingertips with my own, and my nerves are immediately set at ease. I smile feeling the little shake of her own hand as she grips mine.

"I love you, Sarina." I tell her, knowing she's just right on the other side of this door, just as nervous as I am.

I hear her smile in her voice as she replies, "I love you too, Brian."

Wanting to hear that smile in her voice again I let her know, "I can't wait to marry you."

Her emotional, "Me too." has my eyes tearing up, with all the emotions building up inside of me too. I don't even hear the photographer say she got the shot.

"Brian, come on, we can't get started unless you're up at the alter." The coordinator smiles as I realize I have to let go of Sarina's hand.

"I'll see you shortly." I tell Sarina, before letting her hand go and I'm ushered to the alter. I take my place as everyone takes their seat and the music starts. I'm looking towards the officiant, knowing that my best man is walking with Lirael, while my other groomsmen are walking with the rest of the bridesmaids. I swear it takes forever for Lance to take his place beside me and from the corner of my eye I see Lirael take her place. I clear my throat as I wait, fidgeting in place, ready to see Sarina.

"Calm down, Brian. You look like you're about to bolt or something." Lance mutters under his breath.

"Bolt to my wife maybe. Why is this taking so long?" I mutter back.

"Maybe you should exercise some patience like you always tell others to." Lance snickers, making me want mouth off back but the music changes.

I hear everyone stand and I slowly turn to watch as John escorts Sarina down the aisle. I swear my heart stops. I feel like I can't breathe she's so beautiful and radiating joy from her smile. I grab Lance's arm, afraid I might fall over when we lock eyes.

"Damn, Lance, pinch me. I've got to be dreaming." I rasp out hoarsely, overcome with emotion.

Lance chuckles but reassures me, "You're not dreaming. She's all yours."

When John relinquishes Sarina to me and I take her hand, I give her a quick kiss on the cheek, whispering, to her, "You are stunning, my love."

She blushes as the officiant has everyone sit. I'm so lost staring at her that I don't really hear what he's saying. I somehow make it through our vows, and exchanging the ring, but I feel like this really is an amazing dream.

I hope I never wake from it either.

"You may now kiss the bride." The officiant states.

I step closer to her, wrap my arms around her waist and shoulder, "I love you, Sarina." I whisper to her.

"I love you too, Brian." She smiles wrapping her arms around my neck, pulling me closer in for a kiss that I twist her body over my arm and dip her back, giving her a breath taking, deep, and passionate kiss.

I bring her back up, her chest rising and falling rapidly from the surprise and intensity of the kiss. Her eyes are dazed but full of love as she looks at me.

"May I present to you Mr. Huller and Mrs. McNeal, husband and wife!"