Thalia

I wasn't allowed to attend yesterday's bachelorette party, which was a complete bummer, but it was probably for the best if you think about it. They were probably gonna do something I was uncomfortable doing anyway.

Currently, we were all in Fiona's room getting ready. By we, I mean Fiona. She was already dressed. Her dress was made of beautiful pleated silk tulle in shades of ivory and blush. The sleeves had a statement wrap around off-the-shoulder design. She was getting her Maid of Honor to put little flower accessories into her halo hairstyle leaving the rest of the bridesmaids to converse amongst themselves.

Except for me because I didn't know any of them. So, I was just left to my own devices. Though all the bridesmaids wore peach dresses, they were of different designs. Mine was made of tulle silk with a matching cape. The bodice had gold designs on it along with the hem of the dress as well as the cape. I gently tugged non the cape and smiled. Fiona has always had a good fashion sense.

She suddenly turned around. "How do I look, ladies?" She asked with a grin. Everyone's voices rang out with compliments, bringing a pink hue to Fiona's cheeks. A knock resounded on the door and everyone turned to the doorway to see Leo standing there a small smile on his features at the sight of his little sister.

"Its time." He said simply. Fiona stood up, taking a deep breath before standing up and grabbing the bouquet in Leo's hand and looping her arm with his. She shot a smile at us over her shoulder and we filed out behind her.

As we arrived outside, a curtain separated our arrival from the eyes of the crowd. The rest of the groomsmen were waiting to walk out with their assigned bridesmaid. Fiona was practically bouncing from anticipation as she spoke with Leo. I couldn't hear what it was that they were saying, but based on how they were smiling at each other, I could tell I was happy. Fiona reached up quickly and hugged Leo's neck tightly before getting back into her previous position.

As it was time for the bridesmaids to file out with their escorts, each and every one of them said something to Fiona on their way past. Once it was my turn, I reached out and grasped Fiona's hand. "Congratulations." I said softly. She squeezed my hand affectionately and smiled as I parted the curtains to make my way through, one of Ricardo's Groomsmen at my side. I held my head up high and smiled as I walked down the aisle and took my place beside the other bridesmaids. I saw Peter standing among the groomsmen and he smiled softly at me, a gesture of which I returned.

I looked out into the crowd and noticed four people indefinitely: Mrs. Ronan, Simon, Rhys and...Corey.

Corey and Rhys were further back in the crowd, but Corey's ocean blue eyes and red hair were unmistakable. His eyes met mine and he stared for a heartbeat before he turned his attention away from me and onto the other bridesmaids.

I pushed down the ache in my heart, forcing myself to keep my smile on my face. I would have time to talk to Corey later. Right now, I had more important things to focus on.

Suddenly, the music changed to the light and airy tune of "Here comes the Bride".

"If everyone will, please rise." The officiant said. All the guests stood to their feet and turned just in time to see Fiona and Leo walking down the aisle. Ricardo smiled affectionately at her and instinctively straightened up.

Once Fiona was at the front of the ceremony, she turned around and hugged Leo tightly. He held her close and I saw a few tears slip from his eyes. This was the first time I'd ever seen Leo cry. He held out his hand for Ricardo to shake as Fiona handed her bouquet off to her Maid of Honor.

"Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man?" The officiant asked.

"Leonardo Ronan, her eldest brother." He answered confidently. The officiant nodded and Leo took his seat beside his mother on the front row.

"Welcome, family, friends and loved ones. We gather here today to celebrate the wedding of Fiona Ronan and Ricardo Sanchez. You have come here to share in this formal commitment they make to one another, to offer your love and support to this union, and to allow Fiona and Ricardo to start their married life together surrounded by the people dearest and most important to them.

So welcome to one and all, who have traveled from near and far. Fiona and Ricardo thank you for your presence here today and now ask for your blessing, encouragement, and lifelong support for their decision to be married."

The officiant then went into a long speech about the definition of marriage, how it was everlasting and true, what it was built upon, and how good it was that Fiona and Ricardo wanted to get married.

"We've come to the point of your ceremony where you're going to say your vows to one another. But before you do that, I ask you to remember that love—which is rooted in faith, trust, and acceptance—will be the foundation of an abiding and deepening relationship. No other ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred than those you now assume. If you are able to keep the vows you take here today, not because of any religious or civic law, but out of a desire to love and be loved by another person fully, without limitation, then your life will have joy and the home you establish will be a place in which you both will find the direction of your growth, your freedom, and your responsibility. Please now read the vows you have written for each other." The officiant said.

Ricardo turned to Fiona with a loving look in his eyes and took her hands in his before speaking.

"I Ricardo Sanchez, take you, Fiona Ronan to be my wife, my constant friend and partner, and my love. I will work to create a bond of honesty, respect, and trust; one that withstands the tides of time and change and grows along with us. I vow to honor and respect you for all that you are and will become, taking pride in who we are, both separately and together. I promise to challenge you and to accept challenges from you. I will join with you and our community in an ongoing struggle to create a world we all want to live in, where love and friendship will be recognized and celebrated in all their many forms. Our home will be a sanctuary and a respite for us and for those whom we cherish. Above all, I will give you my love freely and unconditionally. I pledge this to you from the bottom of my heart, for all the days of our lives."

Fiona smiled in return and repeated the vow.

"May I have the rings, please?" The officiant asked. A young boy walked forward with two rings on a velvet pillow. Ricardo and Fiona both picked one up. "Now," The officiant began, "Please repeat after me: I give you this ring, as a daily reminder of my love for you."

"I give you this ring, as a daily reminder of my love for you." Fiona and Ricardo said in sync as they slipped their rings on the other's finger.

"By the power of your love and commitment, and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss each other!" The officiant smiled, stepping back." Ricardo quickly swept Fiona into his arms and gave her a passionate kiss. The crowd cheered and whooped as Fiona and Ricardo made their way down the aisle, waving and smiling at their cheering guests.

The court followed out the newly weds and Peter made his way over to me. "I'm surprised that Fiona didn't do that bouquet toss thing." He said with a smile.

"You and me both." I joked.