I gazed into the mirror at the magnificent creature before me. It had my dark brown eyes, my peculiar eye brows, the barely noticeable freckle by the right corner of my lower lip, but I recognized nothing else. The flawless complexion preconceived by the layers of high end make-up completely erased my trade mark acne scars and blotchy pigment. Once curly strands of hair now settle smoothly in a bun on top of my head with a lace veil pinned in place. Jonathan Berkley was going to marry this unfamiliar face. Well maybe it won't be so bad to be my mother's doll for one last night I smiled to myself, winking before I left the modest chapel's dressing room with a large bouquet of magnolias. My grandfather waited for me at the open door that was flooding the hall with whimsical sounds. "Ready to go Peanut?" He mumbled. A man of few words but his sentiment was never lost to me. I could feel the reservations mixed with adoration and protection ebbing from his stance. I felt honored and overjoyed that he agreed to walk me down the aisle. I wouldn't have it any other way. I nodded my head to answer his question and to avoid getting choked up fearing the life span of my non-water proof makeup. I peeked around the corner to scan the crowd before resting my eyes on Johnathon's figure hugging his best man. I chuckled, relieved that Sam was able to make it on time. Grandfather looped his arm around mine and signalled the band to play my song Rule The World by Take That. The perfect song for the perfect celestial themed wedding and matching wedding dress which was a sapphire blue with led-embedded crystals sewn on in constellation patterns. The gorgeous night sky showcased the delicate glass architecture of the ceiling. Romantic candlelight guided my ceremonial path which luckily enough ended at Jonathon's side under the moonlight allowing my dress to shine with brilliance and cast sparkling light across the room. Giving me away was probably the hardest thing my grandfather ever had to do. Jonathon grasped me tightly once my grandfather released his grip. Jonathon winked at him knowingly before helping me up the stairs. We faced each other, our eyes bore into one another's soul as if attempting a Star Trek Volkan mind meld. The priest was merely background noise to our intense selfish passion. A couple taps on his shoulder by the priest reminded Jonathon to commence his loving vows. Sam handed him an acoustic guitar so that he may sing to me in his native tongue for which he would later translate in English for my side of the family. He placed the white gold ring on my finger. The band felt slightly cool against my caramel skin. I held his ring firmly in my hand as I struggled not to cry during my vows. Placing the ring on his finger gave way to relief from stress and pent up energy. The priest asked the audience for any objections. I smiled excitedly. "Unfortunately, I do. I object to this arrangement. This man stole my wife!" roared a voice from the back of the chapel. Before I could lay my eyes on the accuser, a thundering echo erupted through the chapel. Ralph Stalin sneered with accomplishment and fled through the chapel doors carrying a large shot gun. Jonathon collapsed at my feet. Frozen in the moment, my reality morphed into a silent motion picture. I could see the crowd of family and friends scattering in various directions. Some fled after the heartless villain, others shielded each other, our closet family members darted towards me and Jonathon but my mind failed to translate their words if they were screaming or not I couldn't tell. I was temporarily deaf to the world. Forgetting their faces, I took in the sight of my beloved's crumpled form resting on my white peep-toed shoes which were now covered in beads of ruby red and saliva. I lost myself in their unusual color. What was I suppose to do again? This shade of red filled my sight until an unearthly sound broke through my mental barrier. I could hear but now I couldn't see. A heavy force pummeled me and I could feel my body falling backwards. Something soft and firm cushioned my head. I bit my lip and tightened my eye lids. When I opened my eyes I could see my grandfather's face hovering over me. Each and every crease and wrinkle was visible. The stubble on his square chin reminded me of the times he used to tickle my neck with it when I was little. The tickle monster. "Get up! You have to get up! We have to go!" belted my exasperated grandfather. "But why?" I utter while he managed to sit me up. I snap back to my present tragic reality as I witness a paramedic securing a breathing mask over my fiancee's face. He's breathing?! Thank God! I crawl on my hands and knees to his side and kiss Jonathon's face fervently. His eyelids remained closed. "Excuse me ma'am but every second counts. We have to get him into the ambulance now before he bleeds out any further." alerted the paramedic calmly. I watched helplessly as they loaded him into the ambulance. I wanted to go with him but there wasn't enough room with all the equipment he was hooked up to. A police officer promised to escort me behind the ambulance so that I could answer questions about the shooter. But I could only focus on my beloved fighting for his life.
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