Bittersweet

I Do

Chapter 34

Yuri paced the alter back and forth, nervously gripping her hair despite Monika's warnings not to mess it up.

Where is she? Did she bail? She should be here by now!

It was twenty minutes passed the time of the wedding and Natsuki and Sayori had yet to show up.

"I'm sure they're- Will you stop ruining your hair goddammit?!" Monika snapped, face palming.

"I can't help it! I'm freaking out, Monika!" Yuri said, throwing her arms in wide gestures as she continued to pace.

"Well Sayo left her phone with me and you have Ski's, right? They're probably just stuck in traffic." Monika placed a supportive hand on Yuri's shoulder.

"I hope you're right..." Yuri sighed, running a hand through her hair in attempt to smooth it back down.

~~~

Holy shit holy shit holy shit....

"Nat, what do we do?!" Sayori cried.

"Don't ask me! We just wrecked, you idiot!" Natsuki asked, still in a state of panic.

Their designated driver had failed to stop at the sign, causing the small car to collide with an oncoming truck, shattering the entire left side.

"Is everyone alright?" a man, presumably the truck's driver, asked, clutching his arm.

"We're alright." Sayori answered.

"Where'd the driver go?" Natsuki asked.

Glancing around, she saw the man, seemingly free of any major injuries, a few feet from them on the ground.

"I think he's still breathing." the man said after going over to check on the driver.

"Sir, I know this may seem kind of absurd since we kinda just wrecked the front of your car... But we're supposed to be somewhere right now. Do you think you could give us a ride?" Sayori asked.

"I wish I could, but I think the crash broke my arm. I'm terribly sorry, ladies." he tipped his hat with his good hand, cradling the other arm to his chest.

"Do you have your phone on you?" Natsuki asked them.

Sayori and the man simply shook their heads, hearing the sounds of sirens approaching.

"That must be an ambulance. I bet a passerby called when they saw the crash." the man figured with a sigh.

"What?! Sayo, we don't have time to go to a hospital! I'm already late for my own wedding for fucks sake!" Natsuki buried her face in her hands with a groan.

Natsuki bit her lip hard, feeling tears streak down her face despite the urge she felt to keep them in.

"I'm sure things will work out, Nat. Everything's gonna be just fine, got it?" Sayo shook her gently by the shoulders.

Natsuki hugged Sayori close, startling the blonde before she hugged back.

"I-I'm so stupid... M-Maybe this is a s-sign... Maybe I-I'm not m-meant to get m-married." Natsuki muttered between sobs.

"What? Nat, that's dumb. Of course you're meant to get married. Married to Yuri. Who's gonna be waiting there when we arrive, I promise. She's not gonna run away from you and neither am I." Sayori said, stroking Natsuki's hair as the baker heaved deep wails into her chest.

"P-Promise?" Natsuki mumbled into Sayori's neck.

"Promise. We'll get there." Sayori assured her.

~~~

Sayori came back from speaking to one of the officers, smiling brightly.

"Nat, guess what?" she said, tapping Natsuki's shoulder.

"What?" Natsuki said in a pout, her arms crossed as she sat on the curb.

"One of the officers says she'll give us a ride to the church!" Sayori squealed.

"Really?! Sayori you're the best!" Natsuki leaped from the ground, bouncing up and down excitedly.

"Yeah, I know. Now let's go!" Sayori grabbed Natsuki by the wrist, dragging her towards the squad car.

~~~

"I don't think she's coming..." Yuri whispered.

"Hold on. Give them a few more minutes." Monika tried reasoning.

Suddenly, the door slammed open as a panting Sayori and Natsuki ran in.

Time seemed to slow down as Yuri glanced at her.

Natsuki's pastel purple dress that swayed with each step, hugging close to her small form and was tight against her waist. The way her black heels made her appear slightly taller and her hair was tied up in a bun.

"You look great." Yuri said, the breath seemingly taken straight out of her lungs as Natsuki approached.

Yuri clutched a hand to her chest as if her heart may escape.

"Thanks. You look good, too." Natsuki smiled, blushing.

"If we're finally ready to begin..." the priest began as Yuri nodded for him to start.

~~~

"And now for the vows." he nodded as Yuri stepped forward.

(Yes, I prepared vows for them as well. You're welcome.)

"Natsuki. You mesmerize me with everything you do. You're enchanting, stunning, marvelous! I didn't know what it meant to live until I met you. You gave my life meaning, you gave me a purpose. That purpose is to be with you. And I will always be with you. I love you with every part of me. I hope you know that. I wish to be by your side until the very end, if you'll let me." Yuri said, gazing into Natsuki's eyes as a light blush dusted her cheeks.

Natsuki cleared her throat, stepping closer as well while staring down at the paper in her shaking hands.

"Y-Yuri.- Sorry...- Yuri. You're the first and only person I've ever loved. Besides maybe my mother. So I don't know much about it. But I know you'll always be there to pick up the slack when I mess up. And thanks for that. I'll try to get the hang of it, but just bear with me till I do.-" she paused to let out a nervous laugh.

"Anyway.- I can never stop thinking about you. You're just so mysterious, I can never figure you out! I hope someday I will, though. But I keep imagining holding your hand, or reading with you, or anything else we wanna do. I wanna grow old with you. I want to be with you forever and ever. I love you." Natsuki looked up, noticing that Yuri had started to cry.

"I now pronounce you wife and wife. You may kiss the bride." the priest nodded.

Yuri surged forward, tears spilling freely down her face as she picked Natsuki up in her arms.

Natsuki wrapped her arms around Yuri's neck, bringing her own face closer until their lips met.

Natsuki felt Yuri's tears against her face as she smiled into the kiss.

Yuri held Natsuki tighter, kissing her as if their lips were glued together.

Everyone was cheering and clapping, some crying, as they watched the newlyweds.

"Get 'em, gurl!" Avery shouted as her boyfriend held her up for a better view.

"Way to go, baby!" Lily screamed, wiping her wet eyes with a tissue.

Yuri and Natsuki parted, smiling widely.

Yuri glanced into Natsuki's eyes, marveling in the way they shone in the light.

Natsuki smiled wider, hugging Yuri close as her heart raced even faster.

"I love you." Natsuki said for what felt like the millionth time that day.

"I love you, too." Yuri replied, rubbing Natsuki's back gently.

Yuri set Natsuki down, intertwining their hands as they followed everyone for cake.