Behind The Sea

As she stood in front of the mirror in the back room, she was visibly shaking. Today was Jane's wedding, and she was doing what almost all women do on their wedding days: having second thoughts. She took a deep breath, and smoothed any stray brunette hairs that might have tried to escape her French Twist. She looked beautiful, the white dress layered with hand placed pearls along the bias, bringing out her blue eyes. The dress had been almost impossible to find, and when she had found it, Jane almost fell down because of the price tag. But her mother had told her not to worry; it would be taken care of. So they bought it; the amazingly overpriced, drop dead gorgeous dress. The door opened and in walked Jane's Made-of-Honor, Bess.

"Oh, you look magnificent! Joshua won't be able to take his eyes off of you!" Bess said, teasing her. Bess had been Jane's best friend since third grade, where Bess gave Jane the pink crayon when all that was left was the ugly black one. Ever since then the duo has had their ups and downs, but inside they are each other's half. 20 years later, and the two still have their Girl's Night Out every Friday. Bess advanced toward Jane, holding out her hands for her to take. Jane took them, and Bess began swinging them back and forth like they used to when they were little. Bess looked Jane straight in the eyes and stopped swinging there hands.

"Oh, Jane, you're going to do great!" Bess said encouragingly, cocking her head to the side.

"But I'm so nervous! What if I freeze and don't make it to the 'I do' part? What if I get so nervous, that I run out of the church! That's happened before, you know!"

Bess chuckled, giving Jane's hands a final squeeze before dropping them.

"That only happens in the movies, you know that. Everything will be okay."

Bess, married with three kids, knew what she was talking about. She too had been through this whole 'second thought' business, and it turned out that she really was worrying about nothing. The marriage went smoothly, and she and Tim were doing quite well. Bess was completely confident that Jane and Joshua were soul mates, and that they would be together forever, eternally.

Bess pulled Jane into a quick hug before taking her hand again, and leading her out the door and into the waiting hallway. The flower girls were there, whispering excitedly. Bess whispered something to them and they stood at attention, ready to proceed into the isle when the music started. It seemed like less than three seconds before the traditional wedding tune filled the entire church. Jane's stomach churned, and she felt like the was ready to throw up. Her father appeared at her side, taking her arm in his and they began their walk down the isle. It seemed like they were walking across Asia it took so long.

Jane could see him. She could see Joshua standing at the end of the isle, waiting for her with the biggest smile on his face she had ever seen. She couldn't help but grin at him in return. They reached the alter and Joshua took her hands in his, just as Bess had done not five minutes before.

"We are gathered here today…" The priest began stating the vows in which they were to follow, and all Jane could do was look into Joshua's eyes. Joshua was tall, with short brown hair and soft brown eyes. When Jane and Joshua had been together in high school, everyone said they should date because they would make a cute couple. And now look where they are! They're getting married!

"Do you, Joshua Caleb Andrews, take this lady to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The priest asked. Jane seemed to come back to reality at that moment, not wanting to miss her soon to be husband's magic words.

"I do," Joshua replied, squeezing Jane's hands.

"And do you, Jane Elizabeth Trending, take his man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

And just like that, the two words escaped her lips and floated into the air above them. She spoke them as if they had been made to be spoken by her:

"I do."

"Then by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you, man and wife. You may now kiss the bride," the Priest concluded, shutting his book. The whole congregation cheered as Joshua kissed his new wife, tears streaming down both of their parents' cheeks. They had done it; they were married.

60 Years Later

Jane Andrews sat on her front porch, watching the sun fade away behind the sea. She had always wondered what it was like, to be behind the sea. She knew the world was round, but it always seemed like there should be something that resides there, just hidden out of site. The porch screen door opened and slammed shut, and the old wooden boards creaked as Joshua joined Jane in the swinging hammock. He was old now, 88, she, 87. Jane still thought he was the most handsome man in the world, and thought that anyone who called Brad Pitt attractive had lost their minds. After 60 years of marriage with four beautiful fully grown children, the happy couple couldn't imagine life without each other. And just as Hans Margolius said, "One man by himself is nothing. Two people who belong together make a world."

Alright! Well I really don't know why people liked this story...it seems too generic. Again the page length was an issue (the original copy had more than 10 pages) and I have no idea how I was able to shorten it to just two pages. I think it sucks, but my teacher thought is was good, and a friend suggested I post it for you guys. I am currently searching for an old story (and I mean old) that I wrote when I was in 6th grade. My teacher then thought it was 'exceptionally good for someone of such a young age', so I am searching through all my old files. I still have the hard copy so I might as well just retype it (it shouldn't take more than 15 minutes). Again if you have a suggestion for a short story I am always open, seeing as how I always have a hard time writing short stories, though I am able to write these...(I think if I keep the plot extremely limited it turns out alright) I constantly want to add more and more things to a single story and I'm always told 'No! Don't do that!' Anyway now I am rambling, so I will leave you for now :)

Bella

PS I am (believe it or not) working on another chapter for Paranormal Lifestyles and I hope to have it up soon.