Raven stared at me as I pace back and forth. "You look nervous."
I laughed shortly. "Annoyed is more like it. I hate decisions."
Her eyes lit up a little. "Decisions? Really, you're only planning a wedding. What decisions could you possibly have?"
I sighed. "Lots. I have to pick bridesmaids first of all. But I can't pick everyone! There's you, Psycho, Dice, Bouncy, Shadow, Ice, Lily, Kit, Brooklyn, and even more girls... what if the ones I don't pick get mad? And what about the maid of honor? Naturally, I should pick Brooklyn, but what if I want to pick Psycho?"
Raven smiled. "I'll make it a little easier on ya, don't pick me."
I shook my head. "No, I'm not getting married."
She laughed out loud. "We've been through this, if you don't want decisions, then elope."
I shook my head. "No, I can do this... really... oh, I can't."
"Really, get a hold of yourself." She said, sighing in exasperation. "Maid of honor?"
I took a deep breath. "Psycho."
She sent me a quizzical look. "Really? I thought you'd pick Brooklyn."
I groaned. "See? You see what I mean? I can't do this!"
She rolled her eyes. "Just forget I ever said anything. Psycho it is. Now, bridesmaids?"
I bit my lip. "Um... Shadow, Ice, Lily, Kit, and Brooklyn... how many is that?"
"Five." Raven said in an uninterested tone.
I nodded. "Okay, that works. Now... what could Bouncy do?"
She shrugged. "Flower girl?"
I snapped my fingers and started to nod, then shook my head. "No, that won't work."
Raven frowned. "Well, I didn't tell you this but... Kit can sing real good."
I smiled. "That's perfect! Kit could do that and Psycho could be the maid of honor and then Brooklyn, Ice, Lily, Shadow, and Bouncy could be the bridesmaids!"
She sighed. "I hope you're happy, they're all going to kill me now."
I hugged her. "Thank you! Now I've got to go take care of something."
"Yeah Echo, don't mind me! I'll only be dead soon!" She yelled after me as I laughed and went downstairs.
"Kloppman?" I asked, and looked for the old man.
He walked out of the back room and smiled a little. "Somethin' wrong, Echo?"
I shook my head. "No. It's just... you've been like family to me since I came here and I was wondering if you would give me away at the wedding?"
He smiled tremulously. "I'm honored that you would ask me... but I think there's someone else that deserves the chance more."
I nodded and looked down. He must have meant Ben. "Okay." I turned to walk outside and ran into Sketch. "Matt! Look, I wanted Kloppman to give me away at the wedding, but he thinks I should ask someone else and I can't ask Ben. You've always been like a brother to me, will you do it?"
He frowned a little. "Well... I guess."
My heart sunk. "You guess?"
"You should ask Ben." He said wearily.
I shook my head. "I told you I couldn't, and anyway, I've been closer to you for longer."
He nodded, but still kept a frown on his face. "If that's what you want."
"It is." I said, smiling brightly.
He sighed. "Okay, then. Jack's at Tibby's."
"I know. I was about to go there to talk to him. You want to come?"
He shook his head. "Nah, I don't want to intrude. Besides, there's something else I need to do."
I kissed his cheek and walked to Tibby's. Jack smiled when I walked in. "Echo, having trouble trying to plan this thing?"
I laughed a little. "You have no idea. Are you?"
He nodded a little. "Yeah, but I finally decided Spot's my best man, and Blink, Racetrack, Mush, and Crutchy are the groomsmen. Have you picked anyone yet?"
"Ice, Lily, Bouncy, and Brooklyn are the bridesmaids and Psycho is the maid of honor."
Jack seemed surprised. "Funny, I thought you'd pick-"
"Brooklyn, I know." I rolled my eyes. "Don't ask."
He smiled at me. "Am I forgetting anything?"
"Um... flower girl and ring bearer?"
We both sighed and then looked at each other and smiled, saying at the same time, "Forget it."
I laughed. "So, you can trust Spot with the ring?"
He shrugged. "It's one less decision, so I hope I can."
I hugged him. "Have I ever told you that you are adorable."
"Adorable?" He asked and pulled back, sounding somewhat offended.
"Yeah, adorable." He frowned, so I sighed and rethought the statement. "Okay, handsome. Is that better?"
"Yeah... sounds more manly."
I laughed softly. "You know, when I was little I always dreamed I'd meet prince charming and he'd carry me off on a white horse." I smiled fondly and paused. "You are no prince, Jack Kelly, but you certainly are charming. I must not be doing too bad if I got at least half of what I thought I would."
"I don't have a white horse." He pointed out after I finished.
"Horses only cause trouble." I said and kissed him lightly. "Now I have to get going."
He sighed a little and unwound his arms from my waist. "All right. See you later?" I nodded and brushed my lips against his cheek. He grinned a little. "You sure you can stand to be away from me?"
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't resist a small smile. "Yes, I'm sure. I've talked to almost everyone now but some of the other girls want to go pick out some of the stuff with me... how could I say no?"
"You are a pushover."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The day before the wedding we were all gathered in the dress shop, making sure no last minute adjustments had to be made. After an eternity had passed we left and I breathed a sigh of relief. "It's so good to know we have everything taken care of now."
Ice sighed and nodded. "Yes, flowers, decorations, something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue... the whole shebang."
Psycho grinned. "Did you see the guys trying to get their suits? They all looked so nervous! I thought Jack might try to jump out a window!"
We all laughed and took the dresses to the lodging house, then went to Tibby's to kick back and relax. The boys all walked in and Jack sat beside me, smiling weakly. "Please tell me there's nothin' else ta do."
The guys exchanged mischievous looks. "Well, actually, there's something you have to do Jack." Blink said, grinning from ear to ear.
Spot nodded, then looked at me quickly. "Just a trick we're playing. Come on Jack."
Jack stood up, and followed the guys out. Spot was at the end of the procession and I stopped him before he could go out the door. "Oh, Rover!"
He turned, a look of annoyance crossing his face. "Yes, Pony?"
I rolled my eyes. "Have fun at the bachelor party, but don't get Jack thrown in jail. That's not really an ideal place for a wedding."
He grinned at me and nodded. "Right, I'll try."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I tried to calm my trembling hands as I stared in the mirror. My dress was white satin that fell to my feet. The satin itself didn't flare out any, but over it was a layer of sheer white material that trailed behind the dress in the back and had flowers embroidered near the edges of the material and on the bodice. My dark blonde hair was curled into ringlets, most of which hung loosely around my shoulders.
Brooklyn smiled a little and hugged me as she handed me my boquet of white roses and peace roses. She and the other bridesmaids were wearing sky blue organza gowns with sweetheart necklines. "It's about to start. I'm gonna go out there."
Shadow hugged me and I hugged her back, practically choking her, and the others followed suit. Psycho was the last to wish me luck. "Were you this nervous when you married Brian?" I asked with a sigh.
She laughed a little. "Yeah, but just tell yourself that you've got nothing to be worried about... You could be stuck with Rover!"
I giggled a little as she walked out the door and Sketch walked in. "Hey Chris." He said quietly, looking at the floor.
I smiled at him. "So Matt, you ready for this?"
He looked up and sent me a lopsided grin. "Not really."
I took a deep breath and tried not to cry. "Yeah, kinda scary, huh?"
He nodded. "Deffinately scary, but you finally found your prince charming... I'm happy for you. It's just.. um..." He hesitated and looked away again.
I frowned a little. "Just what?"
He sighed and walked toward the door. "I can't give you away out there, Chris."
"What? But... why?" I asked, genuinly hurt by his statement.
"There's nothing I'd love to do more," He said as he put his hand on the doorknob. "... but I'm not the one who should be doing this. So I hope you won't be too angry that I asked Ben to do it for me."
I blinked as he opened the door and Ben walked in. "Hello Col."
"Oh, Matthew." I muttered as I walked over to Sketch and wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing his cheek lightly as a few tears started to run down my cheeks. "Thank you, thank you so much."
He held me tightly for a few seconds. "I've always loved you like a sister Chrissy... Now go knock Jack dead."
I laughed a little and nodded as he walked out of the room. Ben smiled a little and I hugged him. "So, you ready to give me away? Or are you going to pass on the responsibility too?"
He laughed lightly. "Nah, I'll be glad to do it. That is... if you'll forgive me?"
I smiled tremulously. "I think you should be the one doing the forgiving. I should have asked you to do this in the first place."
He shrugged a little. "Yeah, well... you know."
We both looked at the door as the bridal march started to play and he grabbed my hand. "You ready?"
I bit my lip and finally nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready."
He took my arm and we walked down the isle where Jack was standing, looking rather nervous. He smiled when he saw Ben and I and then did a double take, followed by his eyes wandering over the audience until they fell on Sketch, who he sent a confused stare. I laughed a little and winked at Ben as we stopped in front of the preacher and Ben gave me away. Then the traditional wedding ceremony commenced, without many interruptions. Well, except Spot not being able to find the ring that Race and Blink had taken out of his pocket when he wasn't paying attention and the part where the preacher asked for objections and Spot objected... on the grounds of Brooklyn, followed by some laughter and also some eyes rolling and people groaning. The preacher smiled a little and nodded at Jack. "Now you may kiss the bride."
I blushed as Jack kissed me and I could hear the guys whistling and cheering. Lily caught my boquet and Sketch caught my garter, and then we went to Irving Hall, where Medda had offered to have the reception. Jack and I went out on the dance floor but Spot cut in. He smirked a little. "Jacky-boy's gonna have his hands full with you."
I sniffed indignantly. "What about when you marry Brookyn... eh Rover?"
"Me? Get married?" He laughed and shook his head. "I dunno, ask me when it happens. After hearing about you and Jack try to plan a wedding I'm having my doubts." He said jokingly.
I sighed a little and nodded. "Yeah.. to be quite honest I've never been so scared, excited, and nervous in my life."
He smiled. "I'm sure ya'll get ova' it."
I rolled my eyes. "Your concern for me is compelling."
He laughed a little as Sketch tapped him on the shoulder and cut in. A few of the other guys danced with me after that until finally Jack walked up and tapped Blink on the shoulder. "Mind if I dance with Echo now?"
Blink smiled. "What makes ya think ya have da right ta do that?"
"Well I am married to her." Jack said and then pointed to a table. "Get outta here."
Blink laughed a little and winked at me. "Good luck Echo... you'll need it."
I smiled at him and started to dance with Jack. "Are you regretting this yet?"
He shook his head. "No."
I grinned from ear to ear and hugged him. "Have I mentioned lately that you are absolutely the most perfect guy ever?"
He grinned a little. "Nah, why don't ya say it again?"
"Don't let it go to your head or anything." I said, laughing at him.
He looked down at me. "Whatta ya think'll happen now?"
"Now?" I asked, looking up at him.
He nodded, an uncertain look in his eyes. "Yeah... what'll happen to us from now on?"
I smiled tenderly. "Let's see, from now on. Hmm.... I dunno, how about..." I hesitated as I stood up taller so I could reach his ear and whispered softly, "They rode off into the sunset and lived happily ever after."
"Happily ever after? No matter what?" He questioned, a slightly concerned look crossing his face.
I nodded and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Yeah. It's always happily ever after for me when you're around Jack Kelly.... I love you."
He wrapped his arms around my waste and held me a little closer, replying in a quiet voice. "Yeah, me too." I smiled and held onto him while the music played, praying that things would turn out happily ever after for me and my cowboy, and remembering the words of my mother when she danced with my father, "Don't ever let go, no matter what, don't you ever let go." I closed my eyes and smiled contentedly. 'I didn't let go, thank God I didn't let go.'
"I said I wanna touch the earth
I wanna break it in my hands
I wanna grow something wild and unruly
I wanna sleep on the bare ground
in the comfort of your arms
on a pillow of blue bonnets
and a blanket made of stars
oh it sounds good to me
Cowboy, take me away
fly this girl as high as you can
into the wild blue
set me free oh I pray
closer to heaven above
and closer to you
closer to you
I wanna walk and not run
I wanna skip and not fall
I wanna look at the horizon
and not see a building rising tall
I wanna be the only one
for miles and miles
except for maybe you
and your simple smile
oh it sounds good to me
yes it sounds so good to me
Cowboy, take me away
fly this girl as high as you can
into the wild blue
set me free oh I pray
closer to heaven above
and closer to you
closer to you"
-Cowboy Take Me Away (Dixie Chics)