"Mrs Jones"

I hold her in my arms as she sleeps serenely, dreamless. I watch as her chest gently rises and gently falls with her deep breathing. I stroke her hair as it floats across our pillows. I behold her beauty and sigh, as I feel proud to be able to finally say that she is now Mrs Jones – my wife.

I had dreamt of the day when we would be as one, the day in which we vowed to be together for the rest of our lives. Today. I’ve always loved her. From the moment I cast eyes upon her, while laughing in the grounds of our school. Through all those long nights we spend together in the park with our friends, keeping each other warm, happy and loved. All those times she cursed me for be so admired by the other girls. But I never had eyes for anyone but her. Today, she knows. Today was our day. Today I married the girl of my dreams.

*

I woke up feeling pretty shaky this morning, but I was smiling. I woke up alone, with a note written in the mist on my window, ‘Got to go, wedding dress takes hours to get on, and you looked so peaceful… Love you.’

I grinned as stepped out of bed, straight onto the stupid stag-party hat my ‘best man’ made me wear last night. I chuckled, as I got ready for the day.

*

It was strange not to see my love all morning, but I knew that after today we would spend the rest of our lives together, so I just got on with it. It got to two o’clock and I had two hours before those immortal words, ‘I do’.

I opened the door to my best man and my dad. “Hey.” I was nervous.

“Alrigh’ mate?”

“Mhm. Hi dad.”

“Big day son! Are you getting ready now?”

“Just about to get changed…” I took in their appearances. Dad was wearing his best deep blue suit, while my best man was wearing his best black one. The theme was navy and white. I couldn’t wait to see my lady in her dress; she said she loved it.

I made my way up to where I knew my clothes would be, shaking – excited and anxious. I got ready and we made our way to the venue.

*

It was beautiful. The room was large and filled with rows of delicate white chairs. People were filing in and finding seats. My father made his way to the front row of seats and so did my best man. I lingered, looking at the elaborately decorated wall, ceiling and windows. There were blue and white butterfly decorations attached to every wall, balloons that stayed suspended in mid-air, alone and the ribbons and bows that lined the walls alternating from cream, to white, to navy and back. It was stunning.

*

The music started up and I stood there, terrified. Don’t ask me why… I had no second thoughts. No problems… I think it was just nerves. Anyway, I turned slowly in my spot and there she stood, radiant in the summer sun that drifted through the door around her. Her dress was beautiful, just like she had said, and she looked gorgeous. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as all our female friends and relatives gasped and awed her. Some even clapped as her dazzling eyes caught mine with a smile. I grinned like an idiot as she floated towards me. All the reasons why I love her sped through my mind as she neared.

She was inches from me and I leant into her to whisper, “You look beautiful.” No other words came to mind and ‘beautiful’ wasn’t enough, but she smiled. We faced the preacher and he smiled too.

*

“I do,” I grinned like a fool, hiding the lone tear of happiness, for only her to see. And that was it. We are married. I love her. I swept her into my arms and kissed her passionately, earning many more noises from our gathered friends. I smirked happily into the kiss before letting her go. I kept my arms tightly wrapped around her, as the music started up and chatter filled the air that surrounded us. I held onto her, just as I’m doing now, and I never want to let her go. The feel of her lips against mine will be a feeling I shall savour for the rest of my life. To protect her while she sleeps feels so right. To hold her and feel her breathing gives me life. The sound of her voice gives me reason. Her heartbeat gives me purpose. Mrs Jones, I love you.