Her auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders in slight waves, and her green eyes sparkled with excitement. Her cheeks were slightly blushed. Her smile so happy. Gone was the soft roundness of the childhood, she finally looked like an adult. Her expression was one of determination and pride.
"Oh, Tina", said Jade, fixing a loose strand of hair back into its place. "You're so pretty. You'll make a wonderful bride."
"Yeah..." echoed Tina, her smile fading a little. "Hopefully."
"Is there something wrong?"
"I... I don't think so."
Jade smiled and turned back to the veil she was setting alright.
"Or..." started Tina. Jade looked at her, curious but serious. "Ah, no. it's probably nothing."
"No, Tina", said Jade, grabbing her friend by her shoulders. "You can tell me."
Tina glanced sadly at the gorgeous ring Jade had on her left nameless. "How do you know he's the one for you?"
"You just know it", Jade smiled. "You get this wonderful feeling. You... You'll know it."
"I'm not so sure about this wedding anymore."
"Tina!" Jade looked shocked. "You can't cancel the wedding ceremony on the very day you're about to marry!"
"I... I still think about him every day", admitted Tina, looking ashamed. Jade frowned miserably.
"Oh, sweetie. Seth's gone winter's snow. He was years ago already. You have to move on."
"I know." Tina's voice sounded hoarse, and her eyes watered as she lowered her gaze to the brilliant, white gown she was wearing. "I know, Jade."
Jade pulled her into tight hug. "It's hard, I know. You just have to let go sometime soon. You're getting married today. Think about it; married!"
"Yeah, imagine..."
"You know", said Sean, tying his tie carefully, "I'm not so sure about Tina's feelings. She's been... rather quiet lately."
"Yeah", agreed Nicholas, checking his hair as he spoke, "she's been acting a little strangely. Have you guys been... smoochy lately?"
Sean shot a sarcastic look at Nicholas. "No, we haven't. We're like friends who happen to get married. And... I have to admit... I've been stealing glances at that cute friend of hers, Jenni..." He looked at his feet, apparently embarrassed.
Nicholas rolled his eyes. "You can't be serious! This is your wedding day! With Tina!"
"I know, I know! I just... I don't know what's wrong with me and Tina. It's just... as if there wouldn't be chemistry between us, or something..."
"May I ask why you haven't then cancelled the wedding? If you're in doubt and all?!"
Sean turned back to look at his reflection. Nicholas was right, they should have called it off. But it was too late now.
Tina closed her eyes, feeling the tears come. You're doing the right thing, she assured to herself again and again. She opened her eyes, and looked at Sean, who stood next to her at the altar. He looked a little unsure as well...
"I.... I... I d-do." He said it so sadly. She frowned a little. But then again, she had sounded sad also.
"Now, before I bless this couple to be a man and wife, I ask you; is there anyone who objects to this marriage? Speak now, or forever behold your secret", said the elderly priest, looking at the wedding guests. Tina wasn't sure that was the way the question was supposed to be said, but frankly, she couldn't care less. This was the moment she had been both dreaming and dreading about for nearly ten years...
They all waited in silence for a respective fifteen seconds. No one spoke.
Tina flashed Sean a happy smile, and he returned it. And she knew he felt the same way as she did; they had both wished someone would have objected.
"And by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wi--"
"WAIT!!!"
Everyone in the church hall turned to look at the man standing in the doorway.
He was panting heavily, as if he'd have run a long way, and he looked desperate.
He had dark hair, and he was rather tall. He had big blue eyes, and they shone very brightly at the moment. His cheeks burned with red from running.
"Wait!" he repeated. "I... I object."
A gasp ran through the guests, including the priest, Tina and Sean. Jade was the only one who didn't look as surprised as everyone else.
"Who are you?" asked Sean's mother angrily, rising to stand. "Who are you to come ruin the perfect wedding of my son and his beloved bride?!"
Before the stranger could open his mouth to speak, Tina spoke.
"Seth."
Her voice was no louder than a normal speaking voice, but it echoed throughout the whole hall like a yell. Everyone turned to look at her, now.
She looked at Seth with an indifferent expression on her face. Jade was the only one who noticed how tightly Tina sqeezed her wedding bouquet and how white her knuckles turned.
"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry", said Seth, sounding exhausted. "I'm really sorry I ruined your perfect day. I apologize sincerely. But I... I have to tell this to Tina. Before she... marries you, whoever you are--" He waved vaguely into Sean's direction and flashed a smile. "--Tina, I love you. I've loved you ever since I first met you. I just... I was too blind to see that back then. I regret that ever so much." He shot a nervous glance at all the guests. "But, uh... I should go now, I think... Have wonderful lives, you all... And you there, you, the groom... you're one hell of a lucky guy, I hope you know that!"
With that, he turned on his heels and headed outside.
Tina's lips parted, and slowly, she turned to Sean. "Let's continue", she said quietly, fighting back tears. How dare Seth do that?!
Sean was silent for a moment, then he grinned at Tina and grabbed her hands into his, saying, "My sweet Tina--"
"The vows are after this, sir..." the priest cut in.
"This is not a wedding vow!" barked Sean, and then smiled at Tina again. "My sweetest Tina, you deserve nothing but happiness and love. And I can give them to you. As a friend. But that man there, he can give them to you as your lover and husband. You and I, we never were meant for each other. We just were two loners in the need of a loving companion. Now go; go and run. You may still catch him if you run fast."
Tina stared at Sean, bewildered. "You're kidding me..." she whispered.
"No, I'm not! Go, run, be happy! I wish you the best!"
Tina stared at him for a fleeting moment, eyes wide, and then hugged him tightly. "I love you, Sean! ... As a friend!"
And then she ran, she ran as fast as she could.
"Seth! Seth! SETH!!!"
Seth stopped just as he jumped down the last step. He couldn't imagine a voice that loud, could he? Slowly and disbelievingly, he turned. And saw Tina stand at the top of the stairs.
She looked so pretty to him. Green leaves all around her, the sun shining from behind her, between the leaves, creating a halo around her. Her white gown flowing in the air, just like her hair. Her veil was half-loose, hanging on one side.
At first she seemed indifferent. A little exhausted, though. But then her expression changed into an angry grimace, and she threw her bouquet at him, hitting him straight on his chest.
"How dare you do that?" she questioned, hissing the words. "How dare you come to my wedding and and tell me what you just told?! Youre outrageous!"
Seth opened his mouth to speak, but Tina cut in.
"No! Let me finish before you say anything!" she shrieked, tears now running down her cheeks. "You left me once. You left me alone and heartbroken. Broken all over. It's been nearly ten years now. Ten years of doubt and misery. You left me." She suddenly burst into a smile that lit up her face, even though tears kept forming in her eyes. "Don't ever leave me again."
Seth blinked. Blinked again. Tried to swallow down what Tina had just said to him. Couldn't. Blinked again. "Are you telling me you... ?"
"I love you", she whispered back. Tears ran down her cheeks now. "And I never want to marry anyone else but you."
"Me neither."
Tina ran down the stairs, into Seth's open arms. And they kissed.
And Tina knew - she just knew - that she had found the One.
(C) Gwennon