No Exceptions

Twenty Five

🎵You Are Enough- Sleeping At Last🎵

It was 4:00pm and I was ready to go, feeling like a 1950's starlet. I stood up from Skye's workspace and spun around watching my petticoat rise up, reminding me of a flower in bloom. I giggled as Skye handed over my beautiful bouquet made of yellow and white roses.
I looked over and whistled at her "Woo woo Skye, you're gorgeous!" She had made herself a sky blue halter dress made of satin to match her crystal eyes. Her hair was pinned in a intricate configuration of waves and curls, absolutely stunning.
Skye blew me a kiss "thanks babe! Nothing on you though" we hugged cautiously, careful not to smudge our faces.

We left the room as she shut the door behind us. Out of nowhere a hand grabbed me and I halted. I looked over my shoulder to see Sherry.
"Rackel! Can I steal you away for a moment?" I looked over to Skye as she smiled and nodded, taking my bouquet and standing to the edge.

Sherry led me into her room, she looked both ways down the corridor before finally shutting the door. I sat on her bed and she quickly joined me, taking my hands in hers.
"You look absolutely breathtaking"
I stuck my tongue out at her and we sat in silence for a moment. I broke the silence
"you said you wanted to talk to me earlier?"
Sherry tucked her hair behind her ear and took a deep breath; I'd learnt that this was her 'tell' when she was nervous.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" She blurted "I mean you're not doing this for us? Everyone... well ALMOST everyone is over the moon that they get to go back to their loved ones! I just wanted to make sure you were happy" I looked into her eyes, there were slight crinkle lines revealing her concern.

I squeezed her hands "Sherry, I love him! I've gotten to know him and the good he's capable of" Sherry started shaking her head in protest but I continued
"Look, I've seen terrible things happen! In this world good men do unspeakable things to keep everything turning. Sometimes, like in Negan's case, they do so many bad things they lose themselves. I've failed to bring a loved one from the brink before, but I believe I can do it with him, I'm succeeding doing that with Negan."
She smiled at me in a noncommittal fashion "he has changed since you turned up"
"Don't worry about me! We love each other and I think this'll be good for all of us. Please stop stressing and just be happy! I am!"
She sighed in defeat and kissed me on the cheek "I'm not glad about the circumstances, but I'm happy I met you, that you're part of my life"
"Me to" I patted gently under my eyes, feeling ridiculously weepy.
"God, what is wrong with me?" I flapped my hands, attempting to dry my eyes. "Skye's going to kill me if I smudge her handy work"
"I'll let you go Rackel, I've held you up long enough"
"It's ok, I just feel so giddy! It's almost sickening" I stood up and left the room. When I opened the door I nearly bowled Skye straight over, she hadn't been quick enough to hide the fact that she was eavesdropping.
"Like what you heard sweetie?" I teased as her face turned bright red
She looked up at me "I'm glad you're here to"
I took a deep breath, knowing I had to keep it together telling her this:
"I love you Skye! You're an amazing young woman and I'm the luckiest person in the world to have you in my life" my breathing started to get shaky but I was able to recompose myself.

I walked slowly towards the garden, the place I promised to meet Negan last night. We paused as Skye quickly pulled the veil over my face and we rounded the corner. Nearly all the Sanctuary's residents were present, creating an aisle straight through the middle of the courtyard. As I approached the entryway all eyes were on me, some people even applauded. I felt so much love and acceptance I was beaming. I looked down towards the end of the makeshift aisle to see the man of my dreams standing there, blinding me with his megawatt smile, a smile I knew was just for me. He looked perfect, like the man I'd said I'd marry growing up. He had his hair slicked back and a classic white blazer with black pants. He had a crisp vintage style dress shirt with pleats across the front with a perfectly placed black tie. He was my perfect counterpart, my John F Kennedy to his Jackie.

I looked over to Skye again as we continued on "is this your handy work?" Signalling to Negan.
She smiled in acknowledgement "I've been working on it for a while" she whispered in a mischievous tone. I was eagerly making my way down to him now, eyes locked as I mouthed il mio amore. When I reached the end Skye grabbed my flowers and Negan grabbed my hands.
"I love you Rackel"
"I love you to"
He flicked my veil over and pulled me in for a kiss, the people around us laughing and applauding at our disregard for tradition.
When we finally stopped he kissed next to my ear and whispered "I can't wait to get you out of that beautiful dress baby!"
I smirked at him, neither can I, I thought to myself.