Lawless

Chapter FortyThree

For once the sun is hot on my skin and blinds my eyes as we step out the front door, hearing it loudly shut behind us. I blink repeatedly for my eyes to adjust and once they do, my panic picks up tenfold.

I make eye contact with Jace at the altar, he smirks when our eyes catch. I look away almost immediately. He's dressed in the same suit as his father who stands off to the right. Priest Collins stands at the altar, waiting to wed us.

Dad tugs on my arm, urging me to move as I stand frozen by the door. I time my breaths with my footsteps in the hope to calm myself.

The whole of Class sits in white seats with huge white bows on the back, every one of them looking at me.

I see Ma and Max standing off to the left, watching me closely, Ma pats at her eyes with a tissue while Max stands with his hands in front of him, his posture that of a soldier.

The owner of Class' grocer, Mrs Higgins sits with her husband to my right, smiling at me. Mr and Mrs Kent are off to the left; their son sitting in between them, the time Sage broke into their house and stole medical supplies long forgotten. Even Penelope's possible future husband, Jacob Cross is sat near the front, his smile too big for his face.

"Smile, Dove" Dad hisses under his breath so only I can hear, all the while keeping up his own smile.

I pull my lips into a smile with no teeth, doing my best to not cringe as I once again make eye contact with Jace at the altar.

Dad gives my hand to Jace at the end of the walkway; I ignore the will to pull my hand away. Jace and Dad shake hands before Dad stands behind me, next to Ma and Max.

I avoid eye contact with Jace, looking over his shoulder as we now face each other.

"We gather here to unite these two people in marriage" priest Collins starts off. Jace squeezes my hand, wanting me to look at him.

"Marriage, ideally, is a sharing of responsibilities, hopes, and dreams" my vision blurs as I zone out, staring in the direction of Lawless.

"It takes a special effort to grow together, survive hard times, and be loving and unselfish" I zone back in when Jace moves his head into my line of vision.

"Do you both pledge to share your lives openly with one another, and to speak the truth in love?" I look at Jace when he pinches the skin on my wrist.

Jace answer for the both of us "we do".

"Do you promise to honour and tenderly care for one another, cherish and encourage each other, stand together, through sorrows and joys, hardships and triumphs for all the days of your lives?" my eyes are dead as they stare into his, my mind dissociating and focusing on the freckle in his eye.

Jace waits a second to see if I'll say it but I don't "we do" he repeats.

"Jace, please repeat after me ... I Jace, promise to love and support you Dove and live each day with kindness, understanding, truth, humour, and passion" Jace repeats as he shoves the ring harshly onto my finger, scratching off the polish on my nail. I remain stoic, not giving him the reaction he wants.

"Dove, please repeat after me ... I Dove, promise to love and support you Jace and live each day with kindness, understanding, truth, humour, and passion" Jace once again harshly pinches my skin as I stare off into his eyes, not paying attention.

I look at priest Collins and repeat it, my voice emotionless as I continue to dissociate, nearly chocking when I have to say Jace's name.

"Go now in peace and live in love, sharing the most precious gifts you have the gifts of your lives united.  And may your days be long on this earth. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride" Jace gives me a smirk as my mind comes back, my vision becoming clear, the only thing I see is Jace's face moving closer to mine, his lips stopping just a wisp away from mine.