Blinded by hate

Till death do we part

"You will make a beautiful bride..again" my mother says kissing my cheek.

I smile at her and try to still the butterfly's in my stomach.

This time everything will have been done right.

I will wear the white dress, everyone else will be in black.

It'll be on the beach again.

I cannot wait to see Ivan.

"How did you manage to convince your aunts not to be suspicious about marrying the same man a year and 3 months later?" My mother asks me tying up my dress.

"I told them we were renewing our vows" I say laughing a little.

I spin around to look in the mirror and beam.

"Your little husband will go crazy when he see's you like that" my mother laughs.

I walk to my window and look outside at the wedding.

My wedding.

I grin stupidly and gather my dress to walk down the steps.

My father kissed both my cheeks.

"So proud of you my beautiful girl" he says.

I blink away the tears springing to my eyes.

The music plays and I hold my breath as I walk down the aisle.

I'm sure everything looks beautiful.

But all I can look at is Ivan's face.

I am delighted to see him quickly wipe away a tear.

When I finally approach him he kisses my hands.

"My beautiful wife" he says.

"Almost" I reply.

Before long it's time for the vows.

I look at him and begin to speak.

"Я знаю, ты ненавидишь всю эту сентиментальную чепуху, поэтому буду краток. Хотя путь к этому моменту был трудным, невероятно трудным. Я так счастлив быть здесь сегодня. Знать, что я выбрала сильного мужчину, чтобы провести с ним остаток своей жизни. Я люблю тебя, Иван. Спасибо за все, что ты сделал и чем пожертвовал для меня."

(I know you hate all that sentimental trash so I will keep it short. Although the journey to this moment has been hard, unbelievable hard. I am so happy to be here today. To know I have chosen thr oerfedt man to spend the rest of my life with. I love you Ivan. Thank you for all you've done and sacrificed for me.)

I wanted to tell him in his language.

He clears his throat and begins talking, in Spanish.

We really are the perfect pairing.

"Nunca conocí el amor, nunca amé con todo mi corazón, nunca deseé el amor de otro. Hasta ti. Mi Elle, te he amado durante 1460 días y planeo amarte hasta el día de mi muerte. Espero poder demostrarte cada día que soy el hombre que te mereces. Y espero que cada día que pase en esta tierra a partir de ahora sea contigo."

(I have never known love, never loved with my whole heart, never desired the love of another. Until you. My Elle, I have loved you for 1460 days and I plan to love you until the day I die. I hope I can prove to you every day that I am the man you deserve. And i hope every day i spend on this earth from now on is with you.)

I allow my tears to flow freely as I kiss him.

The crowd erupts into cheers and I kiss him again.

I turn to my mother and father and smile at them. I wink at my brothers.

I'm glad everyone is here, this time.

I don't hear the gunshot.

So much as feel it rip into my stomach.

For one moment it's the most painful things I've ever experienced.

So painful I can't even force out a real scream.

So much as a gasp as my legs buckle beneath me.

I fall on my back onto the alter.

I look and watch as the crowd runs back.

Ivan is crouching down to me.

My brothers, my fathers and my mothers all have guns pointed at the top on the cliff.

Everything goes quiet for a second.

And then Ivan's voice rips into me.

"Elle? Elle baby can you hear me hold on" he says taking his jacket to stop the blood flow.

I blink at him, he's so beautiful.

"Ivan" I say quietly.

"No, no absolutely not. I will not allow this. We will grow old together, we will have children, we will see the world. Elle hold on, people are coming please wait." He says, he's shaking so badly.

I swallow dryly.

It doesn't hurt anymore.

I know that to be a bad sign.

"Ivan please" I say quietly.

He looks at me and his expression breaks me.

"Don't let this destroy you. Your good Ivan, please don't be angry with the world" I beg him.

He shakes his head wiping his eyes.

It's hard to breathe.

"Promise me?" I ask him.

Be nods holding me face, "I promise" he whispers kissing my cheeks.

I look up and see a bright light.

I think it's time for me to go.

"ELLE" Ivan screams and the light goes away.

"Please please" he sobs into my chest.

I stroke his face softly. "Just because two people love each other doesn't mean they can make it work" I say, remembering Elliot's words.

Ivan sobs quieter.

I blink tears out my eyes.

"It's okay Ivan, we'll see each other again. In a long time, think of how much your going to have to tell me" I say.

He shakes his head.

I feel a soft voice in my ear.

"When your ready Elle"

I close my eyes before looking up into Ivan's eyes.

"It's okay, you can let go now" he says.

I smile at him before closing my eyes.

I'm ready.

I feel light like I'm flying, it's so bright I can't see anything.

And then...nothing.