♡♡♡

●ARIA POV●

I spent most of my day yesterday just trying to calm my head . From my hangover to that blistering hot kiss, I definitely needed some time to myself . It was closer to 4 when Warren texted me . He said that he would be by in an hour and asked if I wanted any dinner . I didn't really care for food because I was craving him . But I suppose some nutrition never hurt anyone .

Delilah called me and we talked again about everything . She wanted to see where my head was at and if I changed my mind about anything that happened at the club. When I told her about the kiss she told me that I better bring Warren as my date . She had extended an invitation for the whole siblings since their parents had their own separate invitation per my father's request.

When Warren finally got to my apartment he swept me up in his arms and planted another electrifying kiss . It's like , everytime we touched I got sparks lighting up every nerve ending in my body . I had to catch my breath as he let me down . He was still holding onto the plastic bag with styrofoam takeouts.

"Hungry?" He asks and my stomach answered for him .

He walked into my kitchen setting our food down while I grabbed utensils and plates . We fell into a comfortable silence and then sat on the couch flipping the TV on.

"How was work?" I asked him.

"It was productive," he answers and I raise a brow .

"Was Alex there?" I nervously asked him .

"Yeah, and before you start asking for more details we obviously didn't kill each other . In fact we're working on a project so we don't have a choice," he says to me.

I relax a little bit . I still haven't faced Alex since my kiss with Warren . I know it's something I still need to confront with him . Not too much time left since the wedding is tomorrow.

"I have to get back to my parents place tonight ," I tell him.

"Oh, okay. Did you need a ride?" He asks me.

"It's fine, I have my supplies in my car now . I'll leave at about 8," that should give us another hour or so . I then sigh , remembering that I still need to talk to Alex at some point . It would be weird bringing him since he's technically not my boyfriend but it would be awful of me not to since that's what we agreed on.

"What's wrong?" Warren asks me.

"I have to talk to Alex, about tomorrow," he stays quiet as I say this , "my sister wants me to bring the man I want by my side but I feel awful if I don't bring him. We did have this agreement to go together and now I feel like crap not sticking with it."

"You bring who you feel you should bring . Regardless, my whole family will be there . My parents don't know about your arrangement yet , maybe take Alex anyway. I understand and your sister should too," he says trying to ease the war going on in my mind . I know it's just one day, but I like to consider myself someone who keeps her word.

"Okay, I'll call him on my way to my parents tonight," I say in confident resolution.

After Warren left to go back to his place and I took off to spend the night with the rest of the bridal party I called Alex . I had been quiet all day but I can't keep quiet any longer, time was winding down . And even waiting this long was unfair to everyone.

"Hey," Alex picked up .

○○○

The day of Delilah's wedding was finally here . I didn't get to the house too late and was able to do a final celebratory night with all the girls. We did face masks, checked to make sure the legs were smooth and the armpits clean . Although we had gone to spa only days ago , some of us grow hair faster than others. We gossiped and gushed about the event coming up . By the time the clock struck midnight we were all yawning.

As soon as I woke up things moved quickly. At 7 am the whole house was bustling . There was electricity coursing in the air from all the excitement happening . Delilah was already getting prepped with hair. My job was to keep her calm and relaxed .

By 10 am we were all done with hair and makeup was next . Delilah had hired a makeup artist for each of us so that it wouldn't take too long to get ready . The photographer had us scheduled in for a shoot before the ceremony so it was going to be a long morning.

We were done and finally ready by noon and the limo had just arrived a few minutes early . My mother began to cry, heck we all were, when we looked at the beautiful bride . She radiated with so much beauty that one would think she was a model stepping out of a catwalk . We hugged and tried to joke about not letting the makeup get ruined before the actual ceremony got here.

"That's why I'll be with you all day. You can cry all you want, but we made sure to waterproof the makeup," the mua [make up artist] said.

We got to the venue in half an hour . Most of it was driving up to the manor that they rented. Yes, they rented out a whole damn estate . My family wanted to splurge and so they did . I couldn't blame them because the courtyard was just breathtaking . They decorated the ceremony site with mini trees that were adorned with crystals and pearls. Each row of seats had their own Kleenex set ontop of the program and the aisle was garnished with beautiful assortment of wild flowers.

The photographer directed us to another portion of the manor and we took photos upon photos upon photos, some beautifully styled others cheesily styled. Delilah then took turns doing family photos with us but turned down the groom's first look as she held steadfast to the whole idea of not seeing the bride before the wedding. She wanted to keep that tradition.

When we were finally done with all the preceremony hoopla it was getting closer to 2 pm . The ceremony was finally here . The tears couldn't be held back as my father stood next to her . The emotion was overwhelming and the makeup artist was there touching up all the final details before the doors opened.

The wedding planner was yelling at all of us to take our places like we practiced days ago . Unlike most other wedding rehearsals , everyone couldn't get time off like me, so we had to meet at some awkward afternoon time . Because of that the rehearsal dinner ended up being small yet intimate . The Preacher's spared no expense even to the tiny group that was present .

"You look beautiful," I heard a familiar voice say as he took his place next to me .

"You clean up nicely Dylan," I respond .

"This is it, your sister is going to become part of the family, " he smiles .

"She always has been , now it's a little more official," I say back.

"This should've been us, Ar," he says with regret . I know . I feel it too Dylan, but our time has passed and too much pain has happened to make us go back, I wanted to say .

The only thing I responded with was a tight smile and a nod .

The doors opened and the first set of the bridal party walked out and down the stairs . Dylan held out his arm and I hooked mine with his as we made our descent and forward to the gazebo that awaited us. Then the main attraction , my sister began to float down the steps with my father . I heard the gasps of the crowd as they laid eyes on her beauty .

Henry was overcome with emotion as he saw his bride for the first time . He was holding back the tears but it was no use . The moment they locked eyes they both lost it. Just watching that exchange made this whole ceremony that much more sacred . If I thought that silent vow as she walked towards her groom was emotional , their actual vows were about to make me lose it even more.

"Family and Friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate the love and the future of ...." the pastor began . He did his opening remarks , made us all chuckle with his own memories of Delilah and Henry and finally signaled for their vows.

"Lilah , the first time you walked into Mr. Peterson's class I thought I saw an angel. Every guy in that room was drawn to you and it wasn't just your beauty . Your smile was a magnet and till this day that magnet is still there and much stronger. I can't believe we're finally here and that I get to call you my wife . You are my heart and wherever you are I will be there . No matter what happens I will love you and love on you until we're both wrinkly and with thinning hair," he says that last line and we all cried laughing because anyone that knows her , knows that Delilah is obsessed with her hair. He finished his vows with an I love you.

Then it was Delilah's turn, "Henry, you are my moon at night lighting up my path in darkness . You are my sun in the morning giving me energy for my day . Whatever the time is , wherever the place is , you are my one constant and lighthouse to help me through this life . I fell in love with you when I first heard that smart alec comment in Mr. Peterson's class . I'm so thankful for your kindness and generosity. We have always been family, the way you took in my own sister like she was yours, made me love you even more. Thank you for who you are and how you helped me discover the person I am today. You are my love and my light," she finishes as all of us begin to breakdown in tears.

With the closing words , "I now pronounce you husband and wife," the crowd cheered with elation . Instead of just doing a walk down the aisle , Henry swooped Delilah in his arms and ran down . Everyone hollered at his display of , what he calls , caveman love.

Again the photographer had us all ushered over while the rest of the guests gathered inside snacking while they waited for us to get the reception started. Who knew that smiling so much for pictures could be so exhausting or that you could do this for so many hours .

When we finished the photos it was closer to 6 and the guests were getting hungry. The wedding party announcement came over the mic as the MC [master of ceremony], yes we had to have an MC, announced us one by one. When the bride and groom entered we went a little wild with the affectionate whistling and cheering. They took their place on the dance floor and spun around and around and around till they got to their sweetheart table.

Then we all dispersed and made our way to our designated areas near them . When I sat down , "That was a crime Ar. You're never suppose to be more beautiful than the bride," he says as he places a kiss on my cheek.