Mom, Trish, and Jess return in their ceremonial attire. Mom looks straight out of the 80s with her red puffy dress. The ruched waist, sharp silhouette and shiny hem is giving Pretty in Pink vibes. Her blonde hair is curled under to appear as a bob. Jess is in the peach bridesmaid gown. My aunt is in a dark purple formal gown with silver heels. They look incredible! My jaw drops.

"Wowza!" Lil catcalls. "Watch out, Maddy, they're gonna steal your shine.

"You can say that again! Miss model squad." I snap my fingers to add flavor to the compliment.

"I'm not sure about your mom..." Trisha snickers, humorously. "She looks like cotton candy."

"As the kids say these days, don't be a hater." Mom claps back. We all can't help but guffaw this. Not just the new age phrase, but her boomer way of delivering it. My gut is at risk of killing me on my wedding day. I'll die of laughter. "There's the first healthy dose of joy." My mom beams at me. "There are loads more to come."

"Yep." Aunt Trish nods.

Jess brings over an iPad. It must be the latest edition from Apple. It's gigantic. "Until then, you can tune in to the live stream. 5.8 billion watchers." They accompany me and Lil on the windowsill. It's large enough to fit us all comfortably. I'm glad I can be a part of the beach time, despite not being able to join in on the fun. My eyes scan for Jace...I'd love to see him in beach wear like everyone else.

But I don't see him. Where is he? Is my fiancé fed up with the cameras? I doubt it. He's been filmed forever, it seems. He's used to audiences and the media. Maybe what the press said annoyed him. I saw the news networks interrogating him. I'm sure they've said horrible things as usual. That's probably why he departed.

My peeps survey the iPad screen, enjoying volleyball, tennis, and racing games, playing out both on land and in the water.

I text: I live you.

I realize that autocorrect has misspelled love. I roll my eyes.

Me: I meant love 🙄 stupid autocorrect

Jace: don't worry I live you too 🤍

I smile hard and reply: 🤍

"We totally underestimated the guest list." Lil chuckles.

"Yeah...well, this isn't your typical wedding. I should've never compared it to mine." Mom says, astonished. "There has to be thousands!"

"Good thing the arena isn't small." I add.

The comments on the live stream catch my attention:

CAN'T WAIT 😩😩😩

How long is this going on for? I'm just here to see a wedding 🙄

The ceremony starts at 6pm 🤓

That's gotta be one huge cake! 🤤😋

Where did the groom go 🤔

Yeah where did the sellout tech king go?

I bet the wedding dress is ugly like her 😒

Where's the whore bride? 💀

#MACY ❤️❤️❤️❤️

They already making history my OTP 😍

#JACE'SHART

#CutOutTheHart

1 year marriage it'll end in divorce 😂

#ClownWedding

#SlutBride

That island is to die for OMG 😱

This day is gonna be amazing!!!

Damn that's a lot of people! :0

Taking too long, get on with it 😤

I agree with the last comment. The beach recreational time goes on for so long. Maybe because time is taunting me. It knows how much I desire 6pm so it drags out. Many sunbathe in bikinis, laying in the white sand. Others participate in the largest tug of war I've ever seen in my life. 12 teams battle off in the water. While some play wrestling, mounting the opponents onto their shoulders over the water. A few dance to Surfing USA by The Beach Boys.  

https://youtu.be/EDb303T-B1w

There's an interactive dance floor which lights up from their every foot motion. Banquet tables of fruit kebabs and lemonade cover most of the sandy perimeter. Enough to feed an army. The door opens. It's Velma. "If I'm spotting you in the window, so are the visitors. No one can see you. Away from the window!" She waves her hands to a sofa. Her bossy mode has resurfaced. I have no argument to this. It's taboo for me to be seen. I have to be cautious, not just of human eyes, but phones as well. I'd rather not have a snapshot by a stranger be my first reveal. We retire to the sofa.

The beach Olympics conclude at 3pm as planned. Now is classic oldies time, hosted in the ballroom. I bet everyone is in awe of the magnificent mansion, just as I was. Majority of the crowd go shopping for formal attire. Taking advantage of the free mall, where everything has a $0 price tag.

Me and my crew snack on chocolate covered peanuts while watching the show. Some of the dancers are impressive. I'm guessing they've competed against Jace. Or may have been featured on Dancing with the Stars. They jam to the song Twist & Shout by The Beatles. 

https://youtu.be/2RicaUqd9Hg

There are 877k comments and 6.6 billion tuned in. I honestly think the whole world will be watching by 6pm. The numbers keep growing. I hope the live feed doesn't crash. The ballroom dancing goes on until 5:00 pm.

Two Strygent airline planes wait on the roof. I didn't even know there was landing strips up there. I guess it's as big as the house, which has to be over 10k square feet. It takes time to get all of the guests situated. Most lost track of time, finding themselves venturing the mansion as if it's a museum. The place is too much of an attraction...just like a theme park. Many of the drones are activated to locate everyone, since they have infrared and motion detection.

Everyone is on the planes and flying to the arena by 5:20pm. It doesn't take long to slip into my dress and glass slipper stilettos. Jess styles my hair into an updo. Some in the front hangs while the rest is looped into a regal tie up. The tiara is placed on my pinkish hair. It has matching earrings and a necklace that dangle like icicles. Velma and her film crew hurry us to the jet. It awaits us on the roof. Lil sprays me with perfume. A vanilla scent. Mom and Trisha arrange my bouquet. Even though it's perfect. Jess adjusts my already flawless hair.

"There are 10 camera angles." Velma coaches me. "Keep eye contact above the lenses if you stare into their line of sight. There's a microphone attached behind your collar. Try talking towards it."

"I won't lie...I don't think any of that will stick. I'm all nerves." My legs twitch and my lungs shrink.

"Don't have a panic attack." Mom consoles me. "Just deep breaths."

I practice breathing with my mother. My chest rises and falls deeply. I can do this. I'm just getting shy. There's so many people. I hope my knees don't give out! Please don't pass out! I order myself. My heart is a hummingbird...thrashing so hard. Lil hands me an ice-cold bottled water.

"I have something to kill the anxiety." Velma digs into her bag. "It's normal to be overwhelmed on your wedding day." She uncaps a prescription bottle and shakes out 2 pills.

I take her offer, knowing I need extra help. "Thank you." Did she bring these for me? Or does she take them herself?? I can't even imagine how nerve wrecking it is to modify the lives of celebrities. All the ups and downs. The media is hell for me, it must be far worse for her. Once again, I feel empathy for Vel. Her job can't be easy. The pills take time to start working. My anxiety is still building, enough to make me message Jace:

I'm bad at cooking 😬 I should've told you earlier. Don't hate me.

Jace: I'll never hate you. We'll have five star restaurants and personal chefs. I don't expect you to cook.

Me: But I want to learn your favorite food...and dessert 😔

Jace: I'll make a list...as for my favorite dessert, it's you 😏

He has me blushing, which helps with my anxiousness. He's so good to me. I love how he always eases my mind. I should add that to my vows. I wrote them an hour ago. I wonder if his are done? I hope he doesn't add the dessert part in...and embarrass me. I honestly do want to know his favorite sweets.

Although Jace doesn't have a sweet tooth. Unlike me. I can down a whole cake. I should ask his mother for his favorite recipe. My husband can't cook better than me. His stew is amazing! I have to up my game. The pills start working just as we land. I'm glad for the timing...it's a miracle the medication kicked in just in time. The clock reads 5:30pm.

We have 30 minutes to spare. There's a tent set up for the bridal party. It's large and full of needed essentials. Perfume, makeup brushes, setting sprays, breath mints, flats for when my feet hurt. Even the hair clip Meredith gave me. My mom clamps it to the back of my hair, evenly measuring the space through a glamorous mirror.

I look like a dream. A fairy brought to life.

I can't help but stare. The ivory dress, the diamond jewelry. The glitter. My ring. Which I slip off of my finger. I hate removing it, but it won't be for long.

I hand it to Velma. "Yes, right the rings. I'll gather Jace's too. Have you paced your entrance to the song?"

"Yes."

"Time mark?"

"3:27. There's a 20 second standstill before I begin walking."

"Perfect, I'll let the announcer know." She marches from the tent. "Start the introductory music." I hear her say from outside. A piano version of Here Comes the Bride revs up. 

https://youtu.be/5jsAuYNqivQ

JACE

My baby is panicking. I hope she's alright. I watch the starburst sky. It's close to sunset. I hope we don't lose too much sun, although the arena will be a light show come nightfall. I stand at the arch with the officiant. The man who will wed me and my fiancé. I note how weary Alonso is.

I'm off by myself next to this guy...without his protection. Guarding seems to be his life's purpose. His body language and eyes reveal how jittery he is. Every movement is analyzed, every time someone stands or move their hands. Every time the preacher fixes their tie. Even a swarming group of birds alert him. All is fine, I don't understand why he's so...

Just as I think this, a thunderous whizzing noise erupts the dimming sky. All are shaken by the sound. Alonso heads my way in less than a millisecond. Everyone stares at the ocean, same as me. It sounds like a rocket! The sporadic whizzing noise goes on much like a teapot climaxing to a sharp shrill. I make out a tail of white exhaust from whatever it is. The object shoots straight up in a line.

My mouth dries...my hands clutch at my pants. I know all the visitors are cloaked to me, but this is scary. Whatever is in the sky, it travels high up through the clouds. Hissing an ear-piercing whistle.

Alonso stands in front of me to take on the threat. To die for me if he has to. I hope he doesn't have to. The tail of white descends, this time it isn't in a straight line, it's curved. I spot a fire head. It's pointed our way...gaining speed fast. "Stay behind me." He says, then presses down on his earpiece. "Engage forcefield, activate shock wave breaker."

Is this a missile??? I watch in horror as the whizzing threat glides the air...towards the arena. The flaming front is menacing. Time slows. My life flashes before my eyes. My mind rush with memories.

Madison and my first dance. Our first kiss. Her body bandaged up in the hospital bed. The near stabbing. How the blade got too close to her chest. The boat of bombs courtesy of the mafia. I told myself I would let her go if any harm came. That I would walk away...that I'll love her enough to let her go. What happened to that?

The fiery object ignites the sky in red. It's blinding. Many gasps and recoil from the brightness, covering their eyes. I keep mine open, peering past Alonso to view what it is. Are we all about to die? The color red is a devil's mark. It was chosen for a reason. The redness is vibrant...the color rains down strings of fire, dropping the streaks down from the sky.

A shower of flaming confetti. We're all relieved when the stereotypical fizzing of a firecracker pops the sky. The after boom shakes the ground enough to wobble the wedding arch. I sigh in relief while the audience clap for the demonic firework. Alonso relaxes a bit, but his shoulders are still stiff. When he turns to me, I understand the look in his honey eyes without difficulty. Bacia family scare tactic, round one. There's more to come.

MADISON

"Firecrackers already?" I peek through the curtains of the tent.

"It sound huge! I wonder if it's one of those dragon ones," Lil peeps out with me. Her midnight blue hair is done up in a braided bun, like the rest of my gang.

Velma returns. "Bridesmaids get ready, the other 3 are waiting. The groomsmen are all set. Mother of the bride, you need to get seated up front, now. I labeled the chairs. Maid of Honor, who is your date?"

"A hot fling that's still lasting." She says cockily. "I'll call him."

"Is that code for Alonso?" I question.

"I wish...it's just some dumb shop worker." She places an iPhone to her ear.

"Line up, everyone." My clique files out of the tent. Leaving me alone with Velma. "No wedding veil?"

"No...the tiara and neckline is enough. Plus, I have to show off the hair clamp." I point to the back of my head.

"That's untraditional."

"Maybe...but I've decided."

Velma speaks into a mic clipped on her scarf. "Gather the flower girls, we're on in ten." She nods at me. "Good luck."

When she's gone, I pace around the tent. Debating if missing the wedding veil is going to ruin the day. Or put a curse on the wedding. Oh...I don't know! Did I make a mistake?? I hold my stomach as I pace on. Every bride wears one! What was I thinking??! "Here's a veil...if you change your mind." Jess comes to save me from my buckling mind.

"It's freaky how you just read my mind!"

"Yep, we're freaky like that." She flirts, then latches the comb piece right behind the tiara. The veil is short enough, so it doesn't drown out the detailing of my dress or my hair. Jessica hugs me. "Piss off the haters, miss spicy."

"Will do." She squeezes my hands before rushing out.