Heartbeat

I sat down on a chair, staring at the white dress in front of me. I get up and bring my left hand to the dress, touching it and looking at my diamond ring. My mouth turns into a soft smile as my bridesmaids rush into the dressing room giving me hugs. I take off my robe and the girls help me get the dress on. Turning around, I stare at myself in the mirror.

My wedding dress was enchanting and I felt beautiful in it. It was a tulle dress with a tight off the shoulder top. The skirt started tight and then flowed out, almost like a ballerina tutu. My dress was simple but it represented me and for that, I loved it.

My four best friends, whom I chose to be my bridesmaids sat me back down on a chair and began working on my hair and makeup. My hair was put up into a tight side bun with a few curly side bangs. My maid of honor looked at me before adding a white flower pin onto the side.

"Now, you have your something borrowed," she smiled at me as I did the same.

My makeup was elegant and simple, a light pink eyeshadow with eyeliner, blush, mascara, and a light pink lipstick. When the makeup was finished, one of my friends searched for a box and opened it to find a long veil. She carefully put it on me.

"Here's your something old," she whispers as I think about my mother who wore this veil for her wedding to my father.

There was a jewelry box on the vanity inside the dressing room and I opened it up to find a white diamond necklace and blue earrings.

"Looks like I found my sometime blue," I say aloud to myself as I put the jewelry on.

There's a knock on the door that signals the wedding is about to start. My smile brightens as I put on my white closed toed high heels. My girls and I leave the dressing room and walk into the hallway. Piano music begins playing and my maid of honor walks out with my soon to be husband’s best man. The other girls and the groomsmen file out and then I hear my cue as the classic wedding music starts to play. I take a deep breath and enter through the doors with my father on my side. My eyes go straight to the groom and I softly smile- not bothering to look at anything but him. As I get close to him, he steps down and my father kisses my cheek before patting the shoulder of the man I love. My fiancé walks me up the step and we get into position, holding hands and standing across from each other. A pastor looks at us and smiles as he begins his speech.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to create a new family for these loved ones. I believe they have prepared their own vows for each other. Miss, you may start," the pastor finishes speaking and looks towards me as I take a deep breath.

"The day has finally come when I get to marry the love of my life. Matthew, you have been my number one from day one. We spent the past two years together and I have cherished every day with you. You taught me everything I know. You made me grow," a tear rolls down my cheek as I continue to profess my love. "I've learned that sometimes home isn't four walls; sometimes home is two eyes and a heartbeat. You are my home and you will always be my home. I promise to stand by you through thick and thin. I promise to care for you and love you every single day for the rest of our lives. You are my love," I finish talking and Matthew moves his hand to wipe away my tears.

"My precious Isabelle, you are everything I want and everything more than that. You mesmerize me everyday and I love you even more as the days and weeks change. Being with you these past couple of years have been the greatest. I discovered so many new things but the best was discovering how to love. Being able to call you my wife is one of the greatest things I can ever say. I never want to leave you because you are my love and my person. I promise to stay by you no matter what because I love you," Matthew finishes speaking and I squeeze his hand tightly.

"Miss Johnson, repeat after me. I, Isabelle, take thee, Matthew, to be my wedded husband."

"I, Isabelle, take thee, Matthew, to be my wedded husband."

"To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us apart."

"To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us apart," I finish my vows as my little cousin hands me a ring. Matthew puts his hand out as I slide the ring on his finger.

"Mr. Clark, repeat after me. I, Matthew, take thee, Isabelle, to be my wedded wife."

"I, Matthew, take thee, Isabelle, to be my wedded wife."

"To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us apart."

"To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us apart," Matthew finishes as my cousin goes up to him and gives him the other ring. He slides it into my finger and we smile.

"I would like to pronounce the lovely Mr. and Mrs. Clark. You may now kiss the bride," the pastor speaks out and I jump into my husband’s arms as we kiss.

We let go of each other and smile, hearing our loved ones in the audience clapping. I look at my left hand and smile realizing that I am a Clark.