On the eve of Annie and Shawn's wedding. There was so much preparation for the wedding.
Mariah had insisted on spending the night at Annie's house, even Shawn younger sister came over and spent the night with them.
Annie could swear that she had never seen so many people troop in and out of a building as they did that day. Mariah's orders were endless and the deliveries kept coming.
Annie just kept observing everything, she'd only respond to the questions concerning her likes and dislikes. She didn't order anyone around.
All of Shawn's family had come from far and wide. His elder brother was pretty calm and nice person though, well all his family members were especially his elder brother.
Shawn looked forward to it with so much excitement while Annie on the other hand didn't act as if the wedding was tomorrow.
Shawn had called her and kept on telling her how excited he was, how he couldn't wait to marry her, how he wanted her all to himself.
Annie felt sick, all these didn't mean anything without her daughter by her side. She only tried to smile to everyone. No one seemed to notice her pain so there was no need showing it out.
"Tomorrow is the day Babe." Shawn couldn't hold his excitement.
Annie chuckled, "Yeah."
"Gosh. I'm so happy I could..."
"Do something crazy?" Annie rolled her eyes and laughed softly.
Shawn smiled, "Something like that."
"Well please don't, you don't wanna do something stupid and get into trouble now, do you?" She laughed.
He laughed too.
"I can't wait."
"Well I can." She said to more to herself than to him.
"What was that?"
"Oh nothing. Just as excited as you are , hehe."
"Oh. Okay."
"I have to hang up now, there's a lot of preparation here." She said hoping he'd buy that.
"Okay. Love you babe. Bye."
"Bye." She hung up.
******
It was the morning of Annie's wedding.
She was being dressed, Mariah walked in, "Isn't she beautiful?" She held her chin.
Annie blushed a little.
Her wedding dress was indeed beautiful with a lot of pretty little white flowers adorning it. She was wearing a diamond tiara on her head, white gloves up to her elbows and diamond necklaces.The make-up artist had done such a wonderful job on her face, she was truly looking Angelic.
Danielle came into the room.
"Goodness Annie! Look at you!" She gushed excited.
Annie forced a smile.
"Shawn is definitely gonna fall in love all over again!" She laughed.
"Place the veil over her face Danielle."
Danielle did so and spoke into her ears, "This is the beginning of a new life for you Annie. So please try forgetting your past. Please don't ruin anything today, these people have been so kind to accept you to be their daughter-in-law."
"Yes Danielle."
"Bless you dear." She smiled.
Annie hugged her tight. Mariah watched them and smiled.
"C'mon now dear, everyone is waiting."
Robert came in, "C'mon everyone is..." His eyes landed on Annie.
"Oh wow. My sister is looking sweet hey?" He laughed and walked towards her.
"I wish you a happy married life in advance. I wish you all the best." He smiled and wiped a tear.
"Oh Robert, don't tell me you're crying." Mariah shook her head smiling.
He laughed looking at his head and looked back at her, "Be happy dear. Please don't in any way offend your in-laws okay?"
She nodded teary.
"Don't cry now or you'll ruin your make-up and I don't want that to happen."
She hugged him, he responded to it patting her head.
"I love you Robert." She whispered.
"I love you too."
Danielle smiled.
"C'mon now, everyone's waiting." Mariah said.
They broke the hug.
"C'mon now." He told her, "I'll walk you down the aisle."
They all left the room.
Danielle led her to the car waiting outside for them.
"Lead her safely to the church okay?" Robert told the driver.
"Yes sir."
He turned to face Danielle, "Everything in order?"
"Sure." She replied.
The driver ignited the engine, it coughed to life. He began to drive slowly towards the gate.
"Take care while driving!" He shouted after the moving car.
******
The whole place was filled to the brim. The wedding was taking place in a Catholic church. The wedding was attended by the top elites all over the country. The press was also there to capture the event.
Shawn was already at the altar awaiting Annie's arrival. He was on an immaculate white tuxedo with perfect white expensive shoes.
Soon Annie arrived. Robert was waiting for her.
Annie was surprised to see him waiting for her, "How did you?"
"Don't ask." He smiled.
He extended his arm, "Shall we?"
She locked her arms in his, "We shall." She smiled at him.
The media was already flashing lights at them. Annie felt shy, she had never been in front of so many cameras before. She breathed in and continued her walk to the church.
Shawn looked at his watch, he was getting impatient. Where was she?
Suddenly the doors opened. Robert and Annie walked in. Annie looked so graceful, walking down the aisle in gracious steps.
There was some murmurs from the crowd. Shawn was mesmerized and almost forgot himself.
"Watch it man! You're drooling!" His best man, Nathan ,hit him playfully.
"Do I have a choice?" He asked still lost in her beauty.
She reached the altar and stood in front of Shawn. He smiled widely at her. Feeling a little bit shy, she dropped her gaze.
"You can begin now priest." He said.
The priest began the prayers.
*****
"The wedding has just begun!"
"Right now?"
"Yeah. The priest just begun the prayers. You have to hurry else you won't be able to stop this wedding!"
"Oh my gosh." He panicked, Annie couldn't marry something else.
"What are you doing?"
"I have to think of a way to get there very fast." He rubbed his neck.
"Well take a taxi-cab. What other option is there to be considered?"
"When I mean fast, I mean super fast!" He spread his hands.
"Don't stand there talking all day, you're wasting time."
"Oh yeah. I should get going." He walked towards the door.
"Ain't you taking the girl along?"
He held his head, "Oh yeah, the girl."
"I'll go get her."
He paced up and down the parlor. His mind was far from settled.
"Here she is."
He looked at her, "Ready to go?"
"Yeah."
"Let's go then."
*****
"Do you Annie Larry promise to take Shawn Roger as your husband?"
She sighed, "I do."
"Do you Shawn Roger promise to take Annie Larry as your wife?"
"I definitely do." He grinned.
"Do you Annie Larry promise to be with Shawn Roger ,to have and to hold, to love and to cherish,for better for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?
"I do." She said.
"
Do you Shawn Roger promise to be with Annie Larry, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish,for better for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?
"Yes I do."
"Therefore if anyone knows of any lawful impediment why these two should not be joined in matrimony, speak now or be silent forever."
The congregation was silent.
"Since there's no lawful impediment, I pronounce you..."
"Momma stop!"