Chapter 4
~next morning~
"Okay, Sara, you ready?"
"Um… almost." Sara scurried around her parents' house, looking for everything she needed. Her dress, which was simple, white, sleeveless, with a plunging backline (actually, it plunged all the way to her waist, but not the whole back was bare), and a shawl, was still hanging on its hanger. "Hey, Sara," Meg said, "what are you looking for?"
"Something old, something borrowed, and something blue. Hold on…" She rushed to her jewelry box, and took out a pair of sapphire earrings. "Blue's taken care of. Now… something old, and something borrowed."
"Here. Borrow this." Meg handed Sara her pearl bracelet that Ben had given her on her wedding day. "Thank you, Meg." The sisters hugged each other.
"Anybody need something old?" Sheridan said, coming downstairs.
"Yes!!! What do you have?"
"This old veil. I found it in the attic." Sheridan handed the veil to Sara.
"Okay. I'm all set. Now all I have to do is put all this stuff on."
"I need to put on my dress too, Sara, so I'll be right back," Sheridan said. Then Sara put on her garter, her earrings, and then the dress. "Meg… can you zip me up?"
"Sure." Meg fixed up her sister's dress. "Oh, Sara, you look so happy," she said.
"I am so happy. I can't believe I'm getting married today!"
"I can't either. I'm so glad that you're marrying Casey. My best friend and my sister. Getting married. That's kinda funny, don't you think?"
Sara started giggling. "It is, if you think about it. Here, hand me the veil." Sara put it on, and Meg fixed it up, fastened the bracelet, and handed her the bouquet. "Ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be, Meg." Just then Sheridan came down in her lavender bridesmaid's dress, with spaghetti straps, a fitted bodice, and a flowing skirt, with butterflies on the skirt. Meg had the same thing on, only blue. "So, are you ready, Sara?"
"Yes. I'm so excited!"
"Me too!" Sheridan, Sara and Meg engaged in a group hug. Just then Hank and Joan came into the living room. "Oh, look at this," Hank said. "Sara, you look beautiful."
"Thank you, Daddy," Sara said, her eyes sparkling.
"Come on, Sara, let's get you married." Sheridan took her best friend's hand and led her out the door.
~at the church~
Casey was once again pacing. "Hey, Case, chill, aight?" Michael said.
"Mike, I'm getting married today. Who would have thought that I was going to get married? All of this started the day Meg fell off the pier."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, she was looking for Ben, and then, her family comes along. And Sara."
"I see, I see. Oh, here come the guests." Maria, Ricardo, and Carmen filed into the chapel, along with Theresa and Luis. Luis met up with Michael and Casey. "You ready, Case?"
"I guess," Casey responded. The three of them laughed. "Don't worry, it'll all come together. Promise. Today's going to be a great day for all of us," Luis said.
Casey looked at Luis questioningly, and then realized it. "Are you… I mean…" he stuttered. Michael and Luis chuckled. "You're so nervous that you can't even say anything! Come on, it's going to be okay," Michael said. Luis added, "Yeah, there's nothing to worry about. And as for that last comment, yes, I'm going to ask her today."
"You really love her, don't you?" Antonio said, entering the conversation.
"Yes, I do, more than anything." Luis smiled. "Sheridan is unlike anyone I've ever met before." Just then the person mentioned walked in. "So, I'm unlike anyone you've met before?" she said, smiling.
"Yes," he said, kissing her on the forehead. "Good morning to you too." They smiled, then Sheridan said, "Listen, I have to go. The wedding's going to start soon."
"Okay, I understand. See you later?"
"You will definitely see me later. Love you." Sheridan blew him a kiss.
"I love you, too, Sher." With that she walked out, and everyone took their seats, waiting for the wedding to begin.
"Okay, y'all ready?" Meg asked.
"Ready," Sheridan said.
"Check," Hank replied.
"Me, too," Meg commented. They all looked at Sara.
"Ready as I'll ever be," she said. "Here goes."
The doors opened and Meg walked in, slowly, followed by Sheridan. She and Luis shared a smile and a gaze as she walked up to the altar. And then… Sara walked in, on the arm of her father. Casey's breath caught in his throat. He watched his bride intently as she walked up to him. As soon as they reached the altar, Hank said, "Take care of her, Casey."
"I will. I promise." Then Hank turned to his daughter. "I love you," he said, hugging her.
"I love you too, dad." With that, he went to sit next to his wife, and Sara took her place in front of Casey. "Hey, beautiful," Casey said, smiling.
"Hey, you." Sara couldn't help but grin. Then the wedding began. After the readings, and all that stuff that happens in a wedding, it was time for the vows.
"Sara," Casey began, taking her ring from Michael, "you are my love, my life, my inspiration. I don't know how I got through life without you, but I can't imagine it without you now. You have no idea how much I love you. I plan to spend the rest of our lives loving you, protecting you, and cherishing you, until the day I die." He took her hand and slipped her wedding band onto her finger, just like he put on her engagement ring months ago. As Casey did this, a few tears trickled down Sara's cheek. Casey looked up and saw them, and wiped them away. "Don't cry," he whispered. She smiled and then took Casey's ring from Meg.
"Casey, you saved my life. More than once. But even then, you didn't just save me physically. You saved me emotionally. Just when I thought no one was going to come along and love me, you came along. And I love you for that. I put my trust in you from the very beginning, and even though it faltered a few times in our journey together, it's solid as a rock now. I cannot wait to start our new life…together. I promise to take care of you, to love you, to cherish you, and most of all, to trust you, until I take my last breath." She put the ring on Casey's finger, tears glistening in her eyes. She looked up after she was done and smiled at him.
"By the power vested in me, I declare you husband and wife. Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Casey Mitchum. You may now kiss the bride." Casey leaned down to kiss his wife, and everyone applauded. This time, though, they behaved themselves and Michael didn't have to pull them apart. The newlyweds walked down the aisle, arm in arm, and following was the bridal party.
~at the reception~
"Okay, everyone, gather round, we're going to throw the bouquet!" Sara said. She stood on a chair, while all the unmarried women gathered behind her. "On the count of three… One… two… three!" Sara threw the bouquet behind her, and it landed right into Sheridan's waiting hands. Everyone applauded for her, and she blushed. "Um, okay. Now… I'm going to sing a song for my cousin and my best friend," Sheridan said, changing the subject. She went up to the makeshift stage and started to sing.
*Sometimes you wonder how much I care
I get so distracted running nowhere
And I take for granted our love is secure
But if I started losing you, one thing is sure
I'd be down on my knees
Ready to pray, darlin'
Down on my knees
Making you stay
I'd be begging you please
Don't take your love from me
I'd be down on my knees
I learned to be strong a long time ago
And I can face any wind no matter how hard it blows
But I'd have to be stronger than I want to be
If I had to live without you loving me
I'd be down on my knees
Ready to pray, darlin'
Down on my knees
Making you stay
I'd be begging you please
Don't take your love from me
I'd be down on my knees
No one matters more in my life
Or makes me feel like you make me feel inside
And I've come far enough to know
Love's worth never letting go of
And love is not a matter of pride
I'd be down on my knees
Ready to pray, darlin'
Down on my knees
Making you stay
I'd be begging you please
Don't take your love from me
I'd be down on my knees*"Down On My Knees" is by Trisha Yearwood. (I wrote this for a fan fic challenge, and this was the song we were supposed to use, so thanks, Joann!)
The whole time, everyone was dancing, except Luis. He watched his Sheridan intently, and she looked at him the whole time. She wasn't just singing this for Casey and Sara, she was singing it for Luis, too. Right after she was done, she was about to exit the stage when Luis came up. "Sheridan, stay here." She was confused, but obeyed.
"Sheridan, I love you so much. You bring so much happiness to my life, and I can't imagine my life without you. I know we've had our share of obstacles, but we've overcome them all. Our love is strong enough to challenge anything. So… I ask you this question." Luis got down on one knee and presented a simple diamond ring. "Sheridan Crane, will you do me the honor of being my wife?"
Sheridan gasped. "I… I don't know what to say… I guess I am going to be the first one married after all." She smiled, and there were a few laughs around the room. Then she looked back down at Luis. "Yes, Luis, I would love to be your wife. I love you more than anything in this world." At that, Luis picked her up and swung her around (you know what I mean, right?), then set her down and kissed her. "Sher, you have made me the happiest man alive."
"No," Casey called out, "I'm the happiest man alive!" Everyone laughed, then clapped for Luis and Sheridan. "You know, Luis," Sheridan said to her now fiancé, as they walked down the stage, "if you ever took your love away from me, I'd be down on my knees." Luis just kissed her forehead and said, "Me too, Sher. Me too."
The end! Read the sequel: Memories Back to Fan Fiction
