Military Wedding

Tell me what you think!

 

     January 15, just two weeks since I said “Yes.” to my fiancé, Joshua, over satellite phone. With him being stationed in Iraq, I knew he was doing everything in his power to come home. We already have everything planned from the dress, to the cake and after party, even his grand entrance. All perfectly planned and awaiting for his arrival.

      Instead of both of us walking down the aisle together (like I had planned it) Bethany, my sister in-law and Maid of Honor, had suggested his homecoming be a little more grand.

      “Just think of the dramatic effect it will give everyone to remember. Can’t you see it! Your standing down by the alter, the doors open to reveal Joshua. The crowd will go crazy! Can’t you just imagine the look on your face when you get to see him?” She explained.

    “Don’t worry,"Bethany said before I could even argue. “I’ve already sent him instructions and all that so you won’t have to fret over it.”

      So whether I liked it or not (which I didn’t), I went along with it thinking, “I don’t care just so long as I get to see his face again”

 

     “Honey, calm down.” My mother said. “They’ll be here, don’t worry. You know that Joshua would walk here if he had to.” She came and hugged me, careful to not wrinkle my dress.

      I took a deep breath, trying to slow my racing heart.

      She right just relax. He’ll be here, It’s only five minutes till the wedding starts.

      I began pacing faster.

      My mother suddenly went through the closed church doors, and I caught a quick glance of the people packed into the pews, all whispering to themselves.

      I can’t do this! I panicked. I can’t do this without Joshua here.

      Mother comes back dragging Uncle Arnold behind her, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere but here.

      I could relate.

     “Here, our solution.” She pronounced. “Arnold, you’re going to stand outside and give us a signal when he arrives.”

      “Outside? In the cold!” He asked.

      “Yes,” My mother said, dragging him to the door. “Outside, under the stars, in thirty-five degree weather, now go!” She shoved him out, then turned back to me. “Dear, we need to be getting in our places. It’s time!” She gave me a peck on the cheek before hurrying through the doors again.

     “Already.” I squeak, my head feel suddenly dizzy.

      I feel a strong arm slip through mine, and I look up at my father, who’s smiling.

      He kissed my forehead before saying, “Everything is going to be fine.” He assured me, and for some reason I found needed strength in those few words.

     Inside the church, the piano begins to sing and I recognize my cue.

     “Well,” I whispered to myself. “Let’s do this.”

     We walked through the church doors and the whole room erupts with excited murmuring. I smile at the familiar faces sitting in the white ribbon pews.

      Willing my stiff legs forward and in what seems like no time, we’re at the alter. My father turns so that we’re both facing the doors.

     Come on, Joshua. I prayed. After all it was a church.

     Seconds tick by, then minutes. There’s throat clearing in the audience, the piano player stops the music after ten minutes.

     I was still standing there praying when Uncle Arnold slipped back to his seat, but not until he gave me a thumbs up.

    The doors fly open, and applause erupts when the uniformed army men come walking though the doors.

     Four men line each side of the aisle while two more stand there at the door, blowing their silver horns.

     Excited murmurings ran through the crowd. This is it! He’s here. Oh, he’s here!

     The two men up front step aside to let a figure pass, but I quickly recognize the person walking down the aisle.

     Henry, one of Joshua’s dearest and oldest friend in the military, walks toward me with red rimmed eyes.

     I smile thinking how sweet it was that Henry came, now everything was perfect.

     Henry walks closer and I notice the white sword he’s carrying in his hands, then the silver writing carved on the blade.

     Joshua

     Henry stops before me and gives a salute before handing me the sword.

     “I’m sorry.” He said and the flowers I were gripping fell out of my hands as my world reduced to dark.

　

      Thunder echoed in the distant as I stood by the white granite tombstone. I read the words carved there over and over again.

                                 Joshua Stantly

                                  1990 - 2011

                             Died protecting his country

                                  and loved ones.

                             May God bless his soul.

      “Why did you leave me?” I whispered. “You said you would be there in time to say “I do.”. You told me you’d stay with me forever.” Tears stream down my face. “Why did you go?”

      Very gently, a hand touched my face and my heart stopped.

      I know that touch. I remember it.      I turn my head slowly, fearing that any sudden movement would make the touch disappear.

     It was him and he stood inches from me dressed in in bloody army fatigues. Carefully I touch his face, his eyes never leaving mine. He leaned down and kissed me once.

      “I will always protect you both.” He said, taking a couple of steps back to give me a salute.

      While his body disappeared in the wind, I laid a hand on our unborn child.

Author's Note

I kind of wrote this on the fly, so please tell me what you think!

And tell my if i need to pick another title i'm not quite sure about this one.
Sorry for the grammer mistakes, and thanks for helpping me correct them.

This piece received:
* (Featured Writing) for the Featured Writing for February contest.
* (Best love story) in the Love <3 contest
* (Killing Heartbreaker) in the Tragic Romance contest

Reviews

[WinterIce<3]

OMG IM speeccless this contest is gonna be harder than I though

[A. L. Allen]

Wow... I'm speechless. I don't know what to say that would do it enough justice. This is breathtaking. The emotions are so real, and the profound ending touched my heart. Amazing job!

[~ Stefanie ~]

This was written so well. The emotion was all there and it really touched my heart to read this. It was so sad... as some others have said I teared up a little as well. Just picturing myself going through something like this is heartwrenching. You did a fantastic job writing this. There are a few grammatical errors but it looks like people have already touched on that and I am sure you are fixing them as I type. Haha anyway this was another great piece from you. Well done!

[Tai Ryens]

A chill went down my spine when I realized that he died. This was truly a heartfelt story, very depressing and sad. I love the fact that you ended it saying that Joshua still remains in her mentality, and how she pictures her unborn sun as Joshua fades away. This was truly a heartfelt story. Good write.

[Julia Mancini]

That was a very touching story! The ending got me to tear up when he "died", but I got so happy when I found out Joshua lived. It was a very cute story. :-)

I do have some minor grammatical issues with this wonderful piece, though.

"Your standing down by the alter, the doors open to reveal Joshua, can’t you just imagine the look on your face when you get to see him" There's a run on, your misuse, and comma misuse, so it should be "You're standing down by the alter, and the doors open to reveal Joshua! Can't you just imagine the look on your face when you get to see him".
"“Arnold, your going to stand outside and give us a signal when he arrives.”" It should have you're since it's using you are as apposed to possession.
In " “I do.” " Only one apostrophe should be used since it's a quote within a quote.

[Team_Jaward_Gale]

i built such suspence it scared me when he "died" but charmed me when her came back

[13ReasonsWhy]

this legit stopped my heart. the ending was amazing and all the emotion was astounding! 100/100!!

[Savannah Marie 9]

its so sad but it shows the true nature of war. Keep them coming and dont stop writing

[Mad Ben]

It's just as nicely done as it is deeply saddening. The theme has probably been done before, but I find it quite touching, considering I am reading something like this for the same time. All kinds of questions pop up in my head - Is it autobiographic? Did it happen to a friend's friend? Was it a person with just that name or a different one? Well, I guess those are definite signs it reached the goal of its creation.

The only small issue I could see was about him doing "everything in his will". Was it a mistake or were you already referring to "his will" as in what gets read and executed after somebody died? If not, I would change it to something like "in his power".

Good work on this, was a nice read. Keep them coming!

[JRB]

Good try,, I saw war, felt its deathly sting, heard the cries of hope, tasted the tears of fear, held the life of another ,as it slipped away, read the letters never sent and even some sent but never read. Death in the wake of freedom, never ask how long have you loved or where married, it does not care, it just takes and offers no regret. That is why it called war, only death keeps score.