One kiss from Heaven (Fiona/Fable Wedding; 80th peeps)
Oct 9, 2020 22:21:51 GMT -5
Post by * on Oct 9, 2020 22:21:51 GMT -5
Fiona [Zachariah?]
The jitters were everywhere and I could feel it like all the wires in my body were being crossed. My stomach was in knots and my fingers quaked without stopping. My heart was racing as Quest had gone to deliver my need for him to show up before this walk down the aisle. I couldn’t be more happy to have Quest here, and thank Ripred she showed up a few days before because planning this to the last detail wouldn’t have been possible without her. She was my rock at this time and I remember how much she was that solid bit of life I needed after waking up into this new life where we were all broken.
“Come on, Fable…” I paced along the corridor that led to the backyard where I knew Fable and the gang would be hanging out. The wedding was less than an hour away and I’ve not been able to be near him in over twelve hours and to be honest, the sleep I received was less than satisfactory without him.
An absence that was never welcome.
Then footsteps.
It was so subtle at first, hearing the door click and the soft steps until I pressed my back against the wall, nearest where he just entered. “Fable, is that you?”
I took a deep breath, hoping that Quest’s journey had brought out the one person I desired to have in order to keep these nerves at bay that I’d been feeling for the last week. “It’s me.” His delicate voice, deep yet rich with a gentleness soothed my heart instantly and it was everything I needed. I’d yet to even get my dress on just yet, lace up the corset or even put on the matching shoes. My hair was done with a light curl, pinned up and make-up applied but right now, it just seemed all too materialistic compared to what he does for the soul.
“Fable.” I hesitate, biting into my lips. Even after five years together, I still wanted to question what my heart needed to hear. “ Are you sure you want to marry me?”
He’s startled cause he only responded with my name at first but he confirms what my heart wants to hear from him. The simple words that he wanted nothing more in his life. I wish I could see his eyes and watch his lips say those words, but per tradition, it’s against the code of marriage days. The bride was not to be seen by the groom until the music starts and the bride is escorted down the runway. I could feel my eyes welling up but I knew that Quest would kill me if I had ruined her artwork she painstakingly prepared for this day.
It’s the answer that made me mentally more aware that Fable didn’t care that I came from a broken past or that I had escaped my own death. He couldn’t care less about the scars I harbor or the mental blocks I suffer from the games. I just couldn’t seem to wrap my mind around the timing that he suddenly showed up right after my return and brought me back to life more than the capitol ever could.
“I’m just unsure of our future after today. So much has happened to us since we’ve gotten together. I’m not sure of what else there is after this. I'm scared, Fable. More than you being reaped - more than the bombs that kept me away from you for two months…”
Memories and images of the first night away from when the bombs exploded burst forth into my mind. I had felt incredibly lost without him and didn’t realize how much in fact that he made a difference in just being there. Marriage would cement my love for him and everything he embodies around me. His calm nature is something that everyone could benefit from and even now, I can sense no hostility from him nor annoyance but only the comfort and genuine love he has for us.
”I understand that you’re scared and that’s okay, but you know what? Together, we’ll be stronger than ever. We’ll thrive. We have so much more ahead of us in our lives, and I bet you, good and bad, we’ll get through it all together.” I felt overjoyed and happy hearing everything he was saying to me. So much so that I became quiet and had to wipe away a bit of moisture threatening to take away the eyeliner on my good eye. It was never easy to live life normally, and this journey that we were taking already threw us some nasty curveballs. I really wanted my family to be here and my grampa. I wanted his mom to be here to mess his hair up and tell him to stand up straight, which he often didn’t do.
“I can’t see you, but I want to feel your hand. I'm afraid if I don’t, I won’t be able to make it long enough to walk down the aisle to see your goofy-ass grin.” That’s when I found the courage to chuckle among the nerves wracking my body. Again, I find the moisture wicking away from my eye in an effort to expel the evidence that I was letting this moment take over.
With my back pressed against the wall, I slip my hand around the corner of the hallway, holding out my fingers and no sooner than I did, his hand touches mine. His fingers began lacing around my own and I instantly grip his hand and squeeze it lightly. More words were uttered but I focused on tilting my head back and closing my eyes in order to breath. To encompass the world around us into nothing but us.
Fable and I.
We were against the world in so many ways and decided that today we would dedicate our lives to each other to make each other a better person and to face everything head on. Yet, I focus on this moment of touch.
His hand was warm.
Soft.
The calluses on his fourth and fifth digits must have been worn away in the last twenty four hours cause they were so smooth. I would instantly recognize the fit, too, without a second thought. “I love you, Fable.”
”I love you too, Fiona. So much.” I felt the presence of something in his voice, detecting a bit of a smile and I wish I could see it but a moment later, Quest’s voice overcame every moment I was trying to savor; trying to keep forever.
Slowly, I unlaced my fingers from his and I craved to have his touch back once more.
****
Quest’s grin against her face told me everything I needed to know at that moment as I stood at the doorway, hidden away for one last moment as I looked around what I could see of this old house. The quiet hallway that used to house me and my grampa for years growing up. The stain on the floor from the blueberries I dropped when I was ten trying to bring my homemade pie to show. The burn marks on the wall from the tapestry that caused a fire one Ratmas. The memories that this house held were precious and was about to gain a dozen more new memories since his passing. I wanted him to be here with me, to throw me away to my husband to be, but the only thing that I could manage to use in his memory was the pocket watch clipped to the sash around my stomach. The weight of it bared against my hip.
The music began and I watched as Quest walked outside the door and caught a glimpse of her walking with Spenser down the aisle. Though I couldn’t see Fable, I knew he’d be waiting. My breaths must have stopped because I felt my old family friend step beside me.
“You ready, sweetheart? I’m sure your Grampa would be awfully jealous that I am getting to walk such a beautiful young lady down the aisle fifty years my prime.” He paused a moment with a chuckle while placing a hand on the crook of my arm while stepping in front of me. “I know if he was here right now, he’d be so proud of the woman you’ve become. He always wanted what was best for you and I’m honored that you would give me this gift.”
He leaned forward, kissing me gently against my forehead. “Vincent. I couldn’t be more happy to have you walk me. My grampa wouldn’t trust anyone else. You were his best friend.” My eyes began to glint as he fanned my face dramatically out of nowhere.
“You’ll ruin your face. Let’s just get you married already.” I nodded to him, laughing for once beyond the butterflies taking flight.
I took a heavy breath, letting it out slowly. “I’m ready.”
As I debuted, I instantly found myself looking down.
One…
Two…
“Look up.” Vincent’s voice overthrew my attention and I glanced up.
That goofy-assed grin was a thing of beauty to see upon Fable’s face and it made me feel so much better already. His white tux that fit him so well made me gawk at him in awe and the whole world seemed to just fall into place. I was supposed to be here. I was supposed to have gone through everything I did in my life to appreciate this very moment. The day that everything that happened is in the past. All the pain and fears that were present had disappeared and all I could see were happy moments in the making.
As I passed the first set of chairs, I began to notice the faces I’d not seen in years. Some of them from school or around town as this was a once in a lifetime chance to see a returning tribute live not only was I not a victor, but I shouldn’t have returned at all. It was a spectacle, to say the least.
Other faces registered as well. Annie sat with someone on the second to last row. She was the lucky one, coming back as a victor. I noted that she looked healthy and happy. Denali and Lex were also able to make it and it just seemed surreal that more than she had expected were able to make it.
I scanned through the faces again, running over several others. Bette and Carter sat to the right, nearer to the edge. Oliver sat with another young man, I assumed to be his person. In a moment of brief sadness I looked for Faux only to catch a glimpse of him seated closer to the front and my heart leapt for joy among all the others that actually came. I realigned my attention to Fable as Vincent patted my hand and passed it over to Fable’s.
His touch was back. I couldn’t help but find so much solid joy in this moment, grinning ear to ear at Fable. The greetings were recited and the appreciation of the turnout had been declared. The moment the vows were mentioned, my heart dropped when Fable recited his first.
His words were filled with all the good stuff. Enough that I had to dab at my eyes a few times to keep my face from running. As he became silent, I took my hand from his and took out a piece of paper. I took a breath before using it to guide my vows.
“Fable Aldric. What a fairytale prince you have become in my life. You showed up unannounced in my life when all hope had been previously lost. You swept me off my feet and carried me through the hardest part of my life. You stayed by my side and held me in the worst moments. You wiped away the tears of fear and replaced them with your love. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are patient and kind. Loving and caring and you made life worth living again. I promise to treat you with the same caring and loving nature you’ve shown me. I promise to be kind and patient with you. I promise to love you and honor every moment we have together, through the good times and the bad. I want to hold your hand until the last moments of our lives. I promise to be your best friend, your wife, forever.”
I slowly dropped the paper, most of the written vow unneeded because I could see the words through his eyes. The last thing I heard after exchanging the rings was the best part of it all.
One kiss created the heavens.
-----
The reception came all too quickly after everyone had been escorted into the makeshift tent; food prepared in every way. It was a grand feast for the hungry and for those that had traveled such long distances in order to attend this momentous occasion. I couldn’t wait to dance with Fable, but the guests of honor that came from other districts needed to be addressed and white gown or not, I made my way through the crowd to greet each and every one of them that graced district nine with their presence.
PAT -2218
