Chapter 25

"C'mon! Get movin!!!" the girl in front of me screamed. I was at McDonald's getting my lunch, and well, it wasn't really fast food. I was trying to keep my laughter in, but it was hard since the girl in front of me was hilarious. She kept running her mouth and telling them to get with it. I was still in San Francisco and had the day to myself since the guys had tons of interviews to do.

 "Sheesh, and they call it fast food. What an oxymoron," she said, turning around to me. I laughed and she knew I felt the same way. She looked at me and stuck her hand out. "Hey, I'm Claire," she said.

 "Delia," I said, shaking her hand. She was about my height and looked about 19. She was petite and had long brown hair, with red highlights. She was small, but she had a big mouth. She turned around and finally ordered. She got her meal and I got mine. We decided to eat together. We sat in a booth and started chowing down.

 "So, how old are you?" she asked, in between bites.

 "17," I said.

 "I'm 19," she said. We continued eating.

 "Where ya from?" she asked.

 "Boston," I said, "I'm here with my boy...um....my boyfriend," I said. I wanted to say fiancé, but I didn't want to tell her just yet.

 "Get out! So am I!" she said. We smiled. "That is so cool. I'm here for work. I work for Old Navy, and I go around to stores all around and buy clothes for them to sell. I travel a lot," she said.

 "How did you get that job so young?" I asked.

 "Family connections," she said. I nodded and we continued talking. She watched me take a bite of my double cheeseburger and saw my ring. She nearly choked on her fries.

 "Oh my Gosh! Don't tell me that's a friendship ring!" she said. I laughed.

 "I was gonna tell you later, but I guess you wanna know now. I'm engaged," I said.

 "Wow! Lemmie look at that rock!" she said, looking at my hand. "It's huge! Is he rich?! What do you parents think?!?" she asked. I explained to her what happened to everything- my cancer, my dad, meeting Darren, dating Darren, my dad dying, Daniel adopting me, living with him and Darren, my mom, and getting engaged. By the time I was done, her jaw was on the floor.

 "Whoa, now THAT'S a soap!" she said, meaning soap opera. "Wow, I'm sorry about all that Dee, but I'm SO happy for you! Can I call you Dee?" she asked.

 "Yeah! Everyone does," I said.

 "I was gonna do it anyways!" she said. We burst out in laughter.

 ~~~~~~~~~a year later~~~~~~~~~~

 Claire and I became best friends. Sometimes she even traveled around with us. She always made me laugh and I knew I could tell her anything. I turned 18 and we started to plan for the wedding. It was November at the time and the wedding was going to be Valentines Day weekend in February. We picked out the dresses for the bridesmaids. They were long red sleeveless dresses. They were kind of simple, but they were beautiful. They were going to carry red roses and I would carry a huge bouquet of white roses. February came fast and it was the week before the wedding. I was at the apartment going through the guest list one more time when Darren walked in.

 "Hey bride-to-be!" he said, closing the door.

 "Hey," I greeted him as he kissed me on my forehead.

 "Whatcha doin'?"

 "Going over the guest list. I can't believe it!! I don't even know half of these people!" I said. He took the list and looked at it. He laughed.

 "They are my relatives my mom added. You know how huge my family is," he said.

 "We’ll ask some to sit on the brides side," I said, "it will almost be empty!"

He laughed and kissed me. "I can't wait till next weekend," he whispered.

 "I know, me either," I said.

 "Well, I'm gonna take a nap, I'm really tired," he said, standing up.

 "Ok, well, of course you're tired, Daniel made you get up at 5!" I said, referring to an interview they did earlier. He laughed and kissed my hand sweetly.

 "Wanna lay down with me?" he asked.

 "Nah, I'm gonna go do some errands," I said.

 "Ok, night," he said. I smiled and gathered up the guest list. I got up and found my sunglasses and car keys. I grabbed my coat and shut the door quietly so I wouldn't wake him up. I walked out to the car and started it up. I drove to the park knowing Daniel, Karl, and Ben were there playing basketball. I got there and only saw Ben and Karl. I got out of the car.

 "Hey Dee!" Karl called out.

 "Hey!" Ben said. He was sitting on the bench off the court.

 "Hey, why aren't cha playin'?" I asked Ben.

 "Are you kidding?! Do you know how many times this guy has killed me??" Ben said. I laughed as I watched Karl make one shot after another.

 "Have you seen Daniel? I thought he was with you?" I asked.

 "He was, but got fed up that Karl was winning, like always, so he went to the pier," Ben said.

 "Ok," I said.

 "So, are you ready?" Ben asked, referring to the wedding.

 "Yeah. But I'm really nervous. I mean, I know Darren is the one I wanna spend my life with, but I'm just...scared," I said.

 "I can understand that," Ben said.

 "And I'm kinda upset that my....dad won't be able to see me," I said, quietly.

 "I'm sorry Dee. When my dad died, that devastated me too. I knew he wouldn't see me get married or grow up. But then I realized that he is watching. And even though I can't see him, he's there. Your dad is watching you Dee. He loves you very much and knows you'll look beautiful on your wedding day," Ben said. I smiled.

 "Thanks Ben," I said.

 "No prob," he said.

 "Well, I gotta find Daniel. Bye guys!" I called out.

 "See ya Dee!" Karl called from making a 3 pointer.

 "Bye Dee," Ben said. I got in the car and drove to the pier. I got there and got out of my car. I saw a figure standing by the water throwing in rocks. It was Daniel. I walked up to him.

 "Hey!" I said. He turned around, looking startled.

 "Hey," he said.

 "Did I scare you?" I asked.

 "No, I didn't hear you come up behind me," he said.

 "Whatcha thinkin' about?" I asked.

 "Everything. It's so peaceful here. It's so quiet. I love it here," he said.

 "I know, so do I. Hey Daniel?" I asked.

 "Hmm?" he asked.

 "I gotta ask you something important," I said.

 "Ok," he said.

 "Will you give me away?" I asked. He looked shocked.

 "Me?!" he asked.

 "Of course! You're my dad, aren't you?" I said, smiling. He smiled.

 "I'd love to," he said. I jumped in his arms and hugged him. We drove back to the apartment.

 We walked into the apartment and Daniel went off to his room. I looked in and saw Darren sleeping in his room. I smiled and thought about how cute he looked. I pulled back the sheets and climbed in next to him and snuggled close to him. He kept his eyes closed and wrapped his arms around me and held me close to him. We fell asleep in each other’s arms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 "DEEEE!!! YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED!!!!" Claire shouted as she ran into the apartment. She just got here for the wedding and it was the day of the wedding. Daniel and Darren were at Ben's apartment so we had the apartment to get ready.

 "AAAAAHH! I KNOW!!!!" I screamed. I was so excited. Everything was going perfect. The sun was shining bright and it was a beautiful day. Claire was my maid of honor and Mimi and Darren's sister, Tracy, and her friend, one of the Savage Garden backup singers, Angi, were my other bridesmaids. They arrived and helped me get ready. We had a small wedding party, but it was ok. They got their red satin dresses on and their hair was already done when they went to the beauty salon earlier, like I did. My hair was a bunch of spiral curls that fell in my eyes. I had my make-up and nails done. Mimi and Claire helped me in my wedding gown. It was white, sleeveless, and when it reached my hips, it flew out with a long train behind me. It was simple, but I liked it that way.

"You look so beautiful!" Tracy, Darren's sister, told me. I smiled. I was so happy and excited. I made sure I was packed for our honeymoon. Darren arranged it and told me where we were going last night. I told him I wanted to go to Hawaii, and he said that’s where we were going. It was 12:30 and the wedding started in an hour. Darren's mom stopped by to see how we were coming.

 "Darling, you look so beautiful!" she told me, with watery eyes. The limo arrived and the 6 of us rode to the church. They escorted me so I couldn't see Darren. I didn't want him to see me yet. We went into a room and checked everything. The girls got their red roses and I got my white roses. They were beautiful. The photographer came in and took some pictures of me with my bridesmaids and some of just me.

 "Claire, you have the ring?" I asked.

 "Yep, you betcha," she said. We heard a knock.

 "It's me, Daniel!" Daniel called outside the door. He walked in. He was wearing a suit and had his hair black to match it. 

 "Oh my God, Delia, you look beautiful," he said.

 "Thanks," I said, hugging him. The bridesmaids went out to the lobby of the church to find their escorts. Since Daniel was giving me away, he couldn't be an usher. Darren's brother, Peter, was his best man and was partnered up with Claire. Mimi and Karl, Ben and Tracy and Lee and Angi were together.

 "Ready?" Daniel asked as he straightened out my dress.

 "Yes," I said, smiling. I hugged him again and he handed me my bouquet of roses. He put my vial on my head and over my face. The music started and the couples began to walk down the aisle. I knew the church was packed and I got butterflies in my stomach. I squeezed Daniel's hand. Claire walked down the aisle by herself, since John was waiting with Darren at the alter. Daniel and I appeared at the door and the music changed to "The Wedding March" and everyone stood up. I held back tears of joy as I smiled. Daniel walked me down the aisle and my eyes met Darren's. He looked so happy and I felt my heart melt. He was wearing a tux and his eyes just followed mine as I reached him. Daniel kissed my cheek and Darren took my hand.

 "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join...." the priest started, but I couldn't hear him. I was starring into the eyes of the man I loved. He was starring right back into mine. I was so happy. I felt so complete. "....and who gives this woman away?" the priest asked.

 "I do," Daniel said. He kissed my cheek again and joined Darren's and his mom.

 "Darren Stanley Hayes, do you take Delia Daisy DeKator to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for comfort and strength, through richer and poor, sickness and in health?"

 "I do," he whispered, looking in my eyes.

 "Delia Daisy DeKator, do you take Darren Stanley Hayes to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for comfort and strength, through richer and poor, sickness and in health?"

 "I do," I whispered.

 "The rings please," the priest said. Peter and Claire handed us the rings.

 "Darren, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed." Darren slipped the gold band on my finger.

 "With this ring, I thee wed," he whispered. We smiled. I fought back tears and so did he.

 "Delia, with this ring, I thee wed." I slid the ring on his finger.

 "With this ring, I thee wed," I whispered. Tears ran down my cheeks as it was for everyone else in the church.

 "And now I pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Darren HAyes!" the priest said. We smiled and Darren put my vial back and we kissed each other passionately. We pulled apart and walked down the aisle hand in hand. People started to over flow the lobby and I found Daniel and jumped into his arms. I also found Ben, Karl, and Lee and hugged them. I met most of Darren's family and family friends.

 The limo arrived and we ran to it while people threw rose petals at us (we didn't like the rice idea). We kissed as we were driven to a fancy Boston Hotel where we'd have the reception and where most of our guest were spending the night. We were going to stay over night and leave the next morning for our honeymoon. My heart was beating faster and faster. We got to the hotel and took a lot of pictures with the photographer of the entire wedding party and just me and Darren.

 The reception started and after we ate, the DJ announced the first dance was for us only. Darren and I walked to the middle and wrapped our arms around each other and starred into each other’s eyes. The song was "Because of You" and it was so appropriate. We kissed at the end and they allowed everyone else to dance. We danced non-stop. I danced with Daniel, Karl, Ben, and Lee during the songs and found my Darren. We continued to dance when the DJ put a chair in the middle of the floor and said it was time for Darren to get my garter and throw it to all the single men. I burst in laughter and sat in the chair. Darren laughed and held up my dress as he found my garter on my leg. He smiled slyly and took it off with his teeth. Everyone burst in fits of laughter and Darren waved it in the air.

 "WHOO-HOO!!!" Daniel shouted. Darren tossed it over his head and Lee caught it! I laughed and grabbed my bouquet of roses. It was time to throw it to the single ladies. I threw it over my head and Mimi caught it. Mimi and Lee were forced to dance together for the next slow song. Darren and I cut the cake together and he fed me a little piece. I fed him a piece but shoved it in his face. He laughed and took a little piece and shoved it in my face too. Everyone laughed and Darren kissed me with our cake-covered faces. We continued dancing until it got late. A lot of people congratulated us and headed to their rooms. Daniel and I danced one more time before he and Lee went up to their room. Karl kissed me on the cheek.

 "You are the most beautiful bride," he said. I smiled.

 "Thanks Karl," I said. He hugged me. Ben came up to me and hugged me.

 "Your dad would be proud," he whispered. He kissed my cheek and they headed up to their room. Darren and I decided to go to our room and right before we got to the door, he picked me up and carried me in. I laughed as he gently placed me down on the bed. We changed into our pajamas and I had on red silk shirt and pants from Victoria Secrets that Mimi got me. Darren walked over to me and kissed me. We wrapped our arms around each other and he led us over to the bed. We pulled apart.

 "I love you so much," he said.

 "I love you too. And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you," I said.

 "I know," he said, kissing me. "You looked so beautiful today, well, everyday, but especially today," he said.

 "You didn't look that bad yourself," I said.

 "I love you, Mrs. Hayes," he said.

 "I love you too, Mr. Hayes," I said, as our lips met again. We kissed each other passionately and we climbed in bed. He held me close to him in his muscular arms and I could feel his steady breathing on my neck. He kissed my neck and our lips met, and this time we didn't pull apart.

THE END!

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