"Where have you two been!," Cherie hisses in my ear as she directs Richie and I into position for the two of us to be on either side of our son. We take our place together at the beginning of the aisle.

"Nowhere"

"Toilet"

We both answer at the same time, receiving a scoff in return. "This better have nothing to do with Charlie. Don't you two dare ruin this wedding,"

"Yes, Mum I'd really want to ruin my own wedding," Richie sarcastically replies as the music begins and we start to walk forward.

"Don't sass your mother, you're still my child"

"Relaaaaax. Youre still fired up-,"

"You relax. I will bring you down this aisle by the ear, respect yourself parents"

All the while I'm sure the two of them also have a thick smile to match mine slapped onto their faces as we bicker under our breathes, finally reaching the end of the aisle.

Cherie kisses Richie's cheek, caressing his face as she bring her handkerchief to clear her tears, her eyes are shining with pride and love as we step away from our son. Once she lets him go, I step forward with one last tease, pinching his cheek as he tries to pry my hand, giving me a hug instead. "Don't let worry ruin this moment— just think about your wife," I kiss his cheek and step back to join Cherie in our seats in the front row.

The wedding march starts and we turn round to witness the wedding party begin to filter in. Though my vision isn't clear, I can still make out the blurred shadows of our little clan gathering around.

The music sweeps up, "The red velvet curtain is pulled back and...awww, John already has tears running down his face!," Cherie gushes as she quickly whispers detailed descriptions in my ear. I smile and nod, keeping my focus down the aisle like everybody as all we stand in unison to the blushing bride and blubbering father making their way down the aisle.

"Ronnie is a mess, I tell you!," Cherie giggles. "Oh, there he goes!," and as she describes it, I can see as clear as day. "Richie's trying so hard not to cry— awh, our baby! He looks so handsome and happy! Aw, Freddie, Deacys switching hands with him, he's kissing Laura's cheek and lifting her veil, Aw! He's giving Richie a kiss on the cheek, too!"

My eyes are crying and I'm not the least bit embarrassed. My Angel holds my hand, controlling her excitement as we sit back down, listening to the priest start the vow ceremony.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Richard and Laura— two hearts, two souls as one.

Now, before we begin the bride and groom will now receive a family gift from the grooms parents."

"We, what?," I mumble, concentration momentarily elapsing my common sense as I try to fully engage myself in the present.

"Hold this end," Cherie's fingers intertwine a thread of flowers in my left hand and a scoop of rice in my right.

After a bit of fumbling, on my part of course, we sit back down listening to the laughs and cheers of the company we keep. Laura and Richie have both shared a bit of Parsi wedded tradition, thanks to my parents slipping it in. But I'm glad they did because as I listen to their words expressed through choked up tears and the sniffling coming from Cherie beside me, I can watch while I recall one of the happiest days of my life.

"We fell in friendship, before we even knew what love could be,

We were best friends ever since I can remember and you've always accepted me for me.

Now today, in front of all of our family,

I want to tell you how I love you:

When we were just kids,

You'd protect me and my feelings and so I vowed to always do the same for you.

As we grew older, you never stopped being the one person I could confide in and knew would never pass judgement, and so I vowed to always be truthful with you.

When more friends came along and we grew our separate ways, I'd still sneak away to our secret spot and find you there waiting, like we were in sync with one brain, and so I vowed to always be open with you and come running when you call.

And, finally...

Finally, my dearest,

When we grew up, and fell in love, we discovered what all the fuss was about.

I became blinded by what was in front of me for all these years. You.

You, Laura, you've always been a part of me, you've always held your place in my heart. To fall in love with you, it— it hit me like a ton of bricks, but still you were patient, still you read my mind, and you always hold me up in your love.

And so, now, I vow:

To never let you forget about your dreams and to conquer them with you, as long as you'll have me.

To never leave your side, in good times and bad, no matter which outweighs the other.

To always speak with you and not to you and to listen when my words aren't needed.

To always be vulnerable, raw, and true.

I vow to never stop falling in love with you, Laura, because you will always be my heart."

"Freddie— hush, you're weeping worse than John," Cherie whispers in my ear as we join everyone else in congratulating the bride and groom.

"I'm n-not," I stop to clear my throat. "I'm not weeping, you are."

"Nice one," She giggles, planting a kiss on my cheek as we stand from our seats.

—————————————————

Charlie:

I sat in the chair closest to a corner slot, and for once I've no qualms about it. I have no problem letting my brother have the spotlight on his special day. I don't know why everyone, especially him, would suggest otherwise.

I'm also trying to hide away from anything that has to do with Sid. I actually can't believe he's had the nerve to stick around after that whole debacle in the men's room. But there is an open bar. And where free drinks roam, so does Sid.

I mean, sure we had some fun the last few nights, but now that's over and I'd much rather wait to see him again on any other terms— like his casket at his funeral.

Okay, what?! In 50 years or so, there. See I'm not insinuating anything.

Besides that whole problem, Rami's doing his very best to ignore me, though I guess I deserve it. Every time he accidentally looks my way, well naturally I'm already staring at him, which makes it awkward because his nose scrunches in disgust and he acts like he doesn't see me. The fact that were lined up on display at the head table for the wedding party only makes this while situation all the more painful.

Everyone starts to applaud and laugh as Richie and Laura smear cake frosting on each other, and when Laura smashes a huge piece of cake onto Richie's face, I do my best to keep my smile bright and cheerful for the cameras. All the while feeling a twinge to my heart.

With Rami's back turned toward me, further down the table, I can see the sudden pink to the tips of his ears, and even more so when he looks over his shoulder, meeting my eyes. He looks a bit...regretful? I don't know. I couldn't tell you.

What I can say, is that I've never wanted to be next to him more so than now. That last little escapade of our in his hotel room— I should've told him then....

"We've a special toast from the best man and maid of honor, everyone give it up for Rami and Charlie!"

Christ.

Slapping on the stupidest smile yet, I walk with my head held high to meet Rami in front of the table. Richie and Laura could not be any cuter as they giggle and whisper to each other.

"Wanna go first?," Rami turns to me, handing me the microphone.

The waft of liquor on his breath nearly makes me stumble backwards myself. "You're drunk," I hiss, covering the mic, but I guess this makes my question sound more like an accusation.

"Yes and you're a liar. Fine, let me," He rolls his eyes as he swipes the mic from my hand.

"So first, I'd like to say—"

"Congratulations! To the love birds letting us share in the special day!," I finish his sentence for him, glad to one up him as he falls silent, but not for very long.

He chuckles into the mic, but it's more of a slow, throaty chuckle. The kind that an evil doctor would muster during a creepy, scheming movie scene. "Oh, she cuts me off again— what else is new, Charlie?," Rami purses his lips, folding his arms as he leans back on the table now.

Everyone else must think we've rehearsed this little bit as they laugh along with him. I decide to ignore him. I'm seriously over the dramatics of men. Such overtly sensitive babies, all of them.

——————————————————-

Rami:

After wasting time standing in front of a room of strangers, I walk over to the bar, deciding to keep the liquor flowing.

As the hours dwindle away, everyone is trashed! Dancing, drinking, making lasting memories together while I sit alone.

Charlie keeps making eyes at me. She's been at it all night. I can almost feel her glare on me now— I've started to just sense it. Why c and she just leave me alone?

Once tonight is over, I'll never have to see her again. That's what I keep telling myself. I have no hand here in this whole messy family. I'll leave Richie to deal with his sister on his own.

I take a big gulp of my drink, feeling my eyes become heavier as the room begins to spin.

"What'll you say if I give you a ride home tonight? You know...when your shift is over?," I get up to leave when I hear that annoying giggle following that hideous pick up line.

"Oooh, Sid. Aren't you hear with your wife?," The bartender giggles again.

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

I spin around, sitting back on my stool, assessing the whole situation. I'm already growing more and more angry by the second at the sight of him. They're both leaned over the bar, meeting to speak in the middle. Sid reaches his hand to twirl a piece of the girls hair in front of her face, yet she smiles.

"What she don't know, won't hurt much. Plus, I'm not married, baby. I've got no ties ," he winks, but quickly peaks over at me when I slam my glass down on the counter, laughing in a drunken rage.

No ties!? No ties, haha, really? Oh, no, sure. Just a baby on the way, but what ties?

"Hey, problem there, buddy? I think you've reached your limit," Sid snickers as he looks me up and down.

The two of them don't pay me any further attention as I sit contemplating my next move. The giggling and flirting going on between the two of them, the plans they talk about for the long night ahead— it all infuriated me.

Not because he's a pig or anything, whatever, I don't even know the guy. I just think it's funny how— stopping my own train of self-destructive thoughts, I peer back at the head table. Charlie is still sitting there alone.

If she had half a brain she'd have picked me. I'll leave it at that. I've already said I want nothing else to do with this. Take yourself out of the game, Rami.

"Come on, baby. I can go all night," I have a clear side-eye view of Sid starting to feel her up. His hand slides down her back as he bends towards her, whispering in her ear until his hand reaches her butt.

It takes everything in my power not to get up right there and then. I wish I could bash his face in! Taking advantage of a heart he should have no claim over. I said Charlie would be mine and not as an ego boost of a conquest, but because I felt it. Who am I kidding? I still feel it! Yes, I know, my head is spinning, too!

"Ayy!!!," I shout, completely belligerent and ignorant. Two very dangerous combinations. Nevertheless, my slurring words don't stop me from stumbling on over towards them.

"YO!," I grip his shoulder harshly, tugging him away from his stance near the bartender. He turns around, smug smile on his face, staring at me, challenging me with his stare.

And the next thing I know... my fist connects with Sids face. My turn.

"Yeeeeeeehawwwww!," I hear some drunk bastard cry out as the two of us get rowdier. Anger mixed with heartache and alcohol pumps my adrenaline. My stag to his buck— he doesn't stand a chance.

We scuffle around the bar a bit, tipping drinks over the edge, glass crashing across the floors. I grit my teeth trying to overpower him, but he's got his height advantage, keeping us arms length away, waiting for the other to bow out. I push him away from me with all the strength I have left, he falls back, grabbing onto the bar to regain his balance. I see the shot and I take it, one swift punch to his jaw and I'm about to back away when—

"Yippe cayee motherf-," Richie shouts, digging his shoe into Sids gut with a couple of kicks.

"Stop it! He didn't do anything— stop!," the bartender cries.

I hold the side of my head, feeling a head rush and stepping back to see a slew of people breaking up the fight.

"Get out!," Laura wags her finger in my face. My mouth drops open and I have no words to say. At least none that are coming to me in this moment. "You could've just left it, but no. Stop being jealous."

She turns away from me before I get a chance to speak, or gather my thoughts. Truthfully, I'm not in the right state of mind for all of this. Whatever! I tried. I seen a wrong and I was trying to make it right.

——————————————————-

Charlie:

A knot starts to form in my stomach while sit here, just spying on the two of them. I couldn't give a shit about Sid flirting like a drooling dog with the barmaid. Good for her— please, take him away.

The thing is I can see the way that Rami's reacting to it. His jaw just out as he clenches his teeth, his nostrils flare and his eyes remain on the ground before him like he's thinking really hard about his next move.

Everything goes down in a flash. I try to hurry across the banquet hall to get to them. I can't even understand what they're shouting about! Both of them sound like mumbling drunks, getting closer makes no difference.

I can't push past the crowd of guests that are trying to intervene, and by the time they disperse, Rami's gone, Sid is walking out, and Laura's trying to calm down a seething Richie as she pulls him toward the private room.

Kicking off my heels to catch up with them, I charge full steam ahead. "Wait up! Rich! Wait!"

He turns around, lifting his hand up, showing his palm. "Charlie...," he starts off slowly. "I've really had enough. I need to be alone— just for a minute damnit. Can't you understand that. For once!?," his voice is much to soft for the way his words hit me.

He spins about, walking away from me and leaving Laura behind as well. She looks up at me, quickly biting her lip. "You know, you could have left the drama for another day, Charlie. No wonder you didn't want to tell me about your little fling the other day."

She goes to walk away from me too, but I catch her arm. "Where's Rami?," Is all I ask. It's all I have on my mind to ask right now.

"I told him to leave. He ruined my wedding and so did you!," She says through tears.

"I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to Laura, honest!," She shakes her head, sipping her tear drops from her cheek as she walks off to be with Richie.

By the time I reach the exit, my hearts ready to explode. I feel like I'm in a race against time as I try to scan the parking lot, hoping that I'm not too late.

He can't possibly drive in his condition. Did he even bring a car? I think the guys had their own limo just like the bridal party. He has to be around here somewhere.

I hug my arms around myself, feeling the chill breeze blow through the delicate fabric of my dress. Why didn't I have the courage to just face him. I start to nibble my nails, anxiously hoping for all of this to just go away. I should have just told him the truth when everything between us was going great?! Ughh, why did I ever drag Sid into this?

I feel my eyes begin to water when suddenly, a cough makes me snap out of cursing myself. I turn to look down the walk path to see Rami sitting underneath the decorative string lights, on a bench, all by himself.

He's already staring at me. Has he been watching me freak out this whole time? Carefully watching my feet as I creep along the cold concrete, I start to walk over towards him. He gets up from his seat on the bench with a heavy sigh, meeting me halfway.

Tugging the long patch of hair at the nape of his neck, his smile stiffen as he looks down at his feet. "You know, I thought you were better than that," He looks up into my eyes and I'm at a loss of words. The light in his eyes has never dimmed this way before and the way he's looking at me...he may as well spit on the ground at my feet!

"Guess you were right," he shrugs, taking his suit jacket off as he walks closer to me, breaking the stand off to drape it around my shivering shoulders. For a moment I think he's maybe seen right through my whole charade as he tugs the lapels closed and lifts my chin with his other hand. The stench of liquor radiating off of him is worse than earlier, but I hold my breath to keep from getting queasy.

Looking into his dreamy, clouded eyes, a sting of regret pangs my heart. "I forgot to leave my heart out of this— it's my fault, not yours, Char. I hope you're happy with him.."

His words are steady now, gone are the splattering slurs of his drunken rampage. His voice is soft and gentle. This goodbye isn't what I thought it'd be. It hurts.

My only reply is to shake my head at his words. I don't want to get angry here. I don't want to make this even worse. What if he never talks to me again. Should I just spit it out now?

"I hope he cleans up his act and takes you to dance the next time you're sitting in a corner all alone," His fingers tie into my dangling hair. He twists the lock, placing it behind my ear. "I hope he holds you close and tells you how you make his heart skip a beat with every little thing you do," he pulls away now, tucking his hands into his pockets, his shoulders slumping forward as his eyes entrance me. "Because if I ever got the chance, I'd do all that for you and more..."

His lips are so close to mine; his eyes look into mine and I want so badly just to lean forward and fall into him. "Rami, the truth is, it's not like that. Me and Sid are—,"

"You know I really wish you'd stop acting like we were nothing. Just a little acknowledgement would suffice, Char come on. I have feelings," he laughs, but nothings funny. It's more of a scoff as he backs up, grinning with all his teeth as his face starts to blush and his green eyes sparkle as they well up with tears.

"You aren't nothing," I say, stepping forward, trying to get closer to him again. "Rami, you've made me so happy. I've never had this ache before!"

"You've always kept yourself locked up. Don't make this pretty now. I'm glad that this," he motions between us, his fingers twitching. "I'm glad this is over. I knew you had reservations about us, about anyone finding out, and now I know why!"

He huffs, his hard stare feels so rough before he turns away from me, walking towards the parking lot. "Would you just wait! Just give me a minute to explain and it'll all make sense, I swear!"

"I told myself that you were right for me," he says, still with his back towards me as he walks ahead. "But we don't make sense together," he turns to me, walking up to grab my cold hands, his own trembling inside my grasp as my fingers quickly tighten to his hold.

"We do. We do make sense. I was just scared, but I don't care anymore. I—"