Chapter One
I watched as she made her way down the aisle, looking as beautiful as a princess in her white ball gown. Her dress was strapless with a fitted bodice covered in designs of lace, and a wide full skirt.
Her dress made me think of Cinderella. She had no veil or train because she feared that one of them would get in the way. She decided to go with a natural makeup look, and her blonde hair was braided and in a bun at the back of her head with a few loose hairs by her ears.
I had to admit that she looked absolutely amazing. She looked even better than I thought she would. The rows of people in the audience stared at her in awe as she walked by with a grin plastered on her lips. I couldn't believe this day had finally come.
I caught her eye and shot her the biggest grin I could. I gave her a subtle thumbs up, encouraging her to continue her journey to the alter. There was no doubt that she was the most beautiful woman in the room.
I glanced over at Scott, the lucky groom, and couldn't help but feel happy for him. He was getting the opportunity to spend the rest of his life with the greatest woman. That woman being my bestfriend my bestfriend Lacey.
I didn't know a lot about Scott, only the essential information like his age and occupation. I had every only talked to him three times, and they werent very long conversations. But if Lacey wanted to he with him and spend the rest of her life with him then I guess he couldn't be that bad.
Scott was grinning from ear to ear and looked like he was booming with excitement. He pretty much matched the excitement of the bride.
Lacey was handed off to Scott and was now standing up at the front with us. I was the maid of honour so I was right next to her. She handed me her bouquet and the ceremony began.
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I walked around the room throwing smiles at some people, and greeting others. I was trying to locate Thomas, a friend of Lacey and I. I gave him my camera to him so that he could take pictures of the ceremony because I obviously couldn't.
I would've used my assistant but she had her own things going on. I had to get Thomas because the wedding party was out back in the gardens waiting to take pictures.
I spotted Thomas across the room taking pictures of the crowd, and raised my hand to wave at him. He looked at me and pointed at my camera. I nodded my head and made a come here motion with my hand. He walked with me outside to the back gardens where my tripod was already set up.
"Ok, first we're going to do just the bride and groom," I said, already setting them up in a position. I moved them around the garden and took numerous pictures of them together in different positions.
I remember when Lacey asked me if I wanted to be the photographer when she was wedding planning. I told her that I would love to do it, and that I wouldn't charge. She then went on to explain that she didn't want a handout and wanted to pay me for the magnificent work that I was going to do. I announced that I would do it but only at half price, which she agreed too.
"Ok, and now the wedding party. Groomsman stand on your left, and bridesmaids on your right all lined up in order," I stated, focusing my camera as well as moving it back a bit to fit everyone in.
"You have to be in the picture too Ellison," Lacey pointed out, making room for me beside her. "You are my maid of honour."
I was hoping, even praying that she wouldn't notice that I wasn't in the picture. I'm not the most photogenic person in the world. I prefer to be behind the camera controlling my surroundings, instead of in front being controlled.
"Well if I'm in it then we have to switch sides. Groomsman on your right and bridesmaids on your left."
"Why does it matter if we stand over here?" Lacey questioned, with a stern look spread over her features. "You don't have to be ashamed of who you are or what is on you. You don't have to let that scar rule your life."
My hand drifted to the right side of my neck and I suddenly felt like I didn't want to be here anymore. I had a scar that ran from my jaw, down my neck, and stopped at my collarbone. It was something I was very self conscious about, like anyone would be, and sometimes made me think twice about leaving my own house. I always felt like people were staring at it.
I viewed the faces of the groomsmen and bridesmaids and they all looked positively bored. They didn't want to be out here having this conversation just like me, "please."
She must have saw the begging look that I was giving her because a sympathetic look took hold of her features, "ok. We're going to switch sides."
I let Thomas take over the camera as I made my way to the new lineup of people and stood beside Lacey. I turned the right side of my face away from the camera so it got my good side. I'm one of those people.
We took plenty more photos of the groomsmen together and the bridesmaids together, I was always making sure that my scar was out of the photos. Lacey was constantly questioning why I needed to do that, but the truth was that I didn't want her wedding photos to look bad.
After we had finished up with the photos everyone went back inside while Thomas and I packed my gear away. We put everything in the rightful place in my duffel bag, besides my camera because I would need to have it on hand for the rest of the night, and took everything to my car. We stored it in my trunk before deciding that it was time we went and joined the party
Upon going back inside I witnessed people mingling and dancing, drinks were being downed and food was being eaten. It appeared that everyone was having a good time.
I took some photos of everyone enjoying themselves and then grabbed myself a rum and coke. I let my camera dangle from my neck as I sipped my drink and looked around. I spotted Scott standing alone with a drink in his hand at the far end of the building. I quickly decided that I would go and have a chat with him, and made my way over.
I sidled up next to him and took another sip of my drink, "so you're now officially married."
"I think I've been officially married for a few hours actually," he let out a small chuckle and polished off the rest of his drink. I saw him looking towards the dance floor and followed his gaze, only to find Lacey. She was dancing with some friends, and looked as if today was the best day of her life.
"So you know the whole ordeal. Dont hurt her or I'll hurt you. Which I think is actually pretty rude to say to someone. What if something happens that you can't stop and it hurts her? So maybe I won't hurt you if you hurt her, but I will be mildly disappointed. She has been my bestfriend since we were seven. That's twenty years I've known her and watched over her."
"Trust me, I would be disappointed in myself if I hurt her too," he assured me, bringing his eyes back to mine. "I won't let her do anything really stupid or let her die on my watch, alright?"
"Well as long as I have your word," I said, finishing off the rest of my drink and bringing my camera uptk my face. I took a few pictures of Lacey dancing before turning back to him. "So I'd say today was a big success."
"Yea, with Lace planning it I'd say there was no opportunity for failure," he joked causing us both to laugh. I had to admit that he wasn't the worst guy ever, and he said he wouldn't let anything happen to Lacey. He's definitely a good guy for her, and I couldn't be any more happy for the two of them.
"I guess I should get back to taking pictures of your night, I am still on the clock," he tells me that he'll see me later as I walk away.
Later on, Lacey ran up to me and grabbed my arm with a fierce grip. She had an excited look plastered on her face and she wore a teeth showing smile.
"I saw you talking to Scott earlier and I just wanted to know what you thought of him."
"I'm fairly certain it's a little too late for what I think of him," I said with a smile. I could say that he told me he's a serial killer and she wouldn't just pass it off.
"Well you're my bestfriend and I value your opinion," she expressed as she let go of my arm and took my hands in hers.
"So if I told you that I think he's possibly the worst guy for you and that he has absolutely no personality, also talking to him makes me feel like I'm talking to a cardboard box, would you divorce him?"
"In a heartbeat," she responded jokingly. Suddenly the smile and joking expression slipped off her face, and left a serious look.
"No but seriously, you've been my bestfriend pretty much my entire life. We've been through a lot of ups and downs together and I just want to know what you think of the man that I'll be spending the rest of my life with."
I stared into her pleading eyes and let out a heavy sigh, "I think that he's a great guy. He seems funny and he's nice. I think he'll take care of you in the long run and he won't let you down."
"Ok, thank you for telling me how you feel. You are just as important to me, you are and will always be my bestfriend, don't forget that."
"I promise I won't," I promised her, pulling her into a hug. We held onto each other for a minute or so as we both entered the next faces of our lives. I let her go and hazed into her eyes, "now go find your husband and dance with him. I need to get a couple of good shots of you two dancing together."
"You got it Ellie, I won't let you down." Lacey took her leave and left me to my own devices. As long as she was happy, I was going to be happy. If she wants to spend the rest of her life with Scott, I will happily support that.
That's what bestfriends do.
