Annie and Carly bust into the room. Their dresses, hair, and make-up already on and done. I look at them, my stomach turning flips.

“Oh honey, don’t look so nervous!” Carly says with a smile, walking over to me.

I nod and put a smile on, ignoring the constant pulsing I’ve been hearing the past week.

“Autumn, there’s no reason to be nervous. Levi has loved you since we were kids. You both have. Just look at the way he looks at you.” Annie says, stepping forward.

She turns me to the mirror and smiles at our reflection. I stand in a satin and lace dress that falls down my body. I press down the cloth and smile, staring at myself. They’re right; I have no reason to be nervous. Levi loves me, and I love him.

Annie turns me back around and begins to handle my curls. Ever since I remembered everything it’s been like a dream, being back with Levi. I never thought it would happen. Those years stuck with the vampires, never knowing how long it had been, if they were keeping their end of the bargain, felt like it would go on forever. Then there was the Prince, the one who turned me. I shuddered.

“Stop worrying.” Annie chides me. I feel her tuck the last few strands of my curls up. “There we go.”

I begin to turn around, but pause, grabbing my stomach. It heaves itself up, making me sick. I clench my eyes and take a deep breath subduing the sickness.

“That didn’t look like a nervous gag.” Carly said, looking at me.

I look up at her and Annie. Both are staring at me. It’s Annie’s eyes that widen first.

“No way.” She says with a smile. “No way!”

“Annie, hush. Don’t say anything.” I tell her. “Levi doesn’t know yet.”

“You need to tell him!” Annie exclaims.

“I am,” I blush, “I’m going to tell him tonight, for his wedding present.”

*********************************

I straighten my tie and look in the mirror. My father stands behind me, smiling.

“Do I look okay? Are you sure this jacket fits right?” I ask him, turning to face him.

“Son, you look fine.” He chuckles. “It’s normal to be nervous.”

“I’m not nervous.” I say quickly, then take a deep breath. “Okay, maybe I am. What if she says no? What if she’s already gone?”

“Your mother just checked on her. She’s still here, and she’s just as nervous as you are.”

I look at my phone and take a deep breath. “Okay. It’s time.” I say.

My father and I walk out of my old room and down the hall. As we reach the living room I look towards my parent’s room where Autumn is getting ready. Dad smiles at me then walks toward his room. He’ll be handing Autumn off to me.

“I love you.” I whisper, knowing she’ll hear me.

I reach the sliding doors to the back yard and walk out into the night. The cool breeze calms me down as I make my way to the arch. Friends and family gather around the chairs, smiles on their faces. I stand in my spot under the arch and take a deep breath. Any moment now Autumn will walk out and we’ll bind ourselves together forever.

The music starts and Annie and Carly walk down the aisle. I feel butterflies fill my stomach, my eyes glued to the porch steps. I don’t have to wait long. She appears there, on my father’s arm. She’s so beautiful my knees feel like they’re going to give out on me.

They walk down the aisle and time feels like it’s moving so slowly. Her golden eyes reach mine and I breathe again. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath. Her smile widens so much her fangs glint in the moonlight. Some people in this town may still be wary of her, but I know she’ll never hurt anyone that doesn’t warrant it. She’s not a monster, she’s my Autumn.

My dad kisses her cheek then moves to his seat. Autumn takes the last few steps to me and smiles.

“Hi.” She whispers.

I take her in as she stands there. Her auburn hair is pulled up into a loose bun to keep her curls out of her face. In the light her skin glows like moonlight while her eyes burn like the sun.

“Hey, you look…” I pause, searching for the right word. “Stunning.”

She blushes and looks down at her shoes. I take her hands in mine and pull her close.

“Autumn Morris, you are the most beautiful person I know, inside and out. I have loved you since we were kids, growing up together in this very house. You are the love of my life and although we’ve been through quite a bit together, we’ve made here, underneath this arch, in front of our friends and family. I vow from this moment on, to love you always and forever, to care for you in sickness and in health, to protect you, and to always be honest with you.” I say, reciting my vows to her.

“Levi Belle, you have always been the one person that I could count on, the one person I knew would always be there for me, even if I thought I didn’t need help. For the longest time I was afraid of how I felt, and not being honest with you caused a lot of people a lot of pain. You are the love of my life and I am not afraid of that any more. From this day forward I vow to never hide anything from you, to be loving and caring, to protect you, and to care for you in sickness and in health.” She smiles at me.

I pull her close, sealing our vows with a kiss. Claps and shouts erupt from our gathered friends and family as we pull apart and turn to walk down the aisle.

“I love you Levi Belle.” She whispers.

“I love you too, Autumn Belle.” I reply, drawing a smile from both of us.

We all move to the reception area and Autumn smile at me, taking my hand.

“Ready darling?” She asks.

“Of course.” I say, wrapping my hand around her waist.

She picks up the knife and leans over, cutting the cake.