by Ashley Nemer
The two of them walked down their sidewalk and stepped in front of the tent that they had put back up that they used at Thanksgiving. Amelia's breath was caught in her throat. While she had been inside the house finishing up the menus someone had changed everything. The tent was decorated in white lights and flowers.
"What is going on?" She looked around and saw no one else but them standing there. "I thought we were all going to start singing tonight? Did they all back out?"
Sam grinned at Amelia and took her hand. "No, they are still going to come sing."
"Then where are they?"
He smirked at her, "You know what I love about you Amelia?"
She glanced at him then back around looking at everyone. "What did you do?" She inquired.
"I love that no matter how much you plan, no matter how smart you are, I can still surprise you every now and then."
Sam took a small velvet box out of his jacket pocket and placed his right knee on the ground. He opened the lid and a light pink gem sparkled back at her. "Amelia, I love you. Everyone here knows that. We don't know how long we have together but every second of that time I want to spend it with you by my side."
Amelia's voice caught in her throat, her hand went to cover her heart and tears formed in her eyes. "Sam..." She said softly.
"I know that you and I don't talk about the future much, but you're my future. I know it, you know it. Let's make it official. I want you forever to be mine."
"Oh Sam." She was crying now. She moved her head up and down as she walked to close the short distance between them. She let him place the ring on her finger and smiled as he stood and took her hands in his.
"Is that a yes?" He inquired with a grinning smirk.
"It is. I still think we are way too young, but I do love you. I love you so much."
"I love you too. Now, how about a wedding?"
"What?" She let out a shout.
"Surprise!" She heard everyone in the community yell out at once and suddenly they all appeared out of nowhere.
Anthony walked up to her smiling. He pulled her in for a hug and held her close. "I promise I will kick his butt if he ever treats you badly. I am so happy for you two."
Amelia laughed at her brother's comments and hugged him back, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"What and ruin the surprise?" Anthony shook Sam's hand, "Guess we're really brothers now."
"Well may as well make it the truth since it's been that way for years."
"Where is Sunny?" Amelia looked around, and found her across the street talking to a boy. She raised her arm up and said, "Who is that?"
Anthony and Sam both looked in the direction she was pointing in. "That's Brody, Natalie's brother."
"Oh. Okay, let's leave her be for now."
Anthony hugged his sister again and then sent a signal over to Sarah. There was suddenly a string of music playing, that's when Amelia realized someone had found a way to pipe in music down into the tent.
"The waltz?" She chuckled at Sam. "What?"
"I thought you would want to have something formal and fancy for our day."
"Sam I am in jeans and a sweater we're not getting married right this second. I don't have the right outfit!"
"Excuse me, I believe we have that covered." Sarah said as her and Sunny walked over to her. "Sunny here found something she thinks you will like. Come with us."
Amelia couldn't believe what was happening. In the middle of the end of the world; she was getting married. An unplanned and unexpected wedding.
When they were alone Amelia grabbed Sunny's hand, "Sunny, I can't do this."
Sunny and Sarah smiled at her, "Yes you can," they both said.
"You love him Amelia." Sunny grinned at her.
"We hurt you though, how would this affect you?"
Sunny shook her head, "Amelia I'm sorry. I should have talked to you. I promise, I want this for you."
Amelia looked at Sarah, "What about you, I don't want you and Anthony really moving in together, I'll miss him terribly."
Sarah took Amelia by her shoulders, shook her a little, then looked at her square in the face. "Do you love him?"
"Yes."
"Then what else do you need Amy? Our world is dying, we don't know how much longer we have to live. Don't settle for the old ways. Empower yourself today."
"I just, this isn't what I pictured."
It was Sunny's turn to look at her with authority. "I have been hiding something from you. And I am ready to be honest."
Sarah and Amelia both looked down at Sunny. "Does she know about the rain?" Sunny asked.
"What rain?" Sarah questioned.
"I can control the weather, make it rain. It's kind of, well, I don't know. It's weird, but I can do it." Sunny felt brave as she spoke about her secret.
"How cool is that!" Sarah exclaimed. "Man, I wish I had some cool witchy powers, I'm totally jealous!"
"I can do more. I'm getting stronger the more I practice. Here." Sunny reached her hand into her pocket and pulled out a ring. "This was Sam's dads."
"How did you get this?" Amelia asked.
"I went to his house when he told me what he was planning."
"How? I didn't know anyone went back there." Sarah looked questioning at Sunny.
"I can sort of, transport myself places. That night I yelled at you I halfway went home. I was there in like shadow only my body was in my room, but my spirit wasn't. I was freaking out and that's when I fell and you all heard me crying."
"What?" Amelia and Sarah said together.
"And since then I've been practicing. Now I can poof places either as a full person or as a spirit. It's kinda cool. Anyway, I went to Sam's house and found the ring."
"But wasn't it on his dad?" Amelia asked.
Sunny looked up at her and smiled, "No, it was on his dresser. It's my wedding present for you both."
Sarah and Amelia gasped at the same time and all three girls hugged.
It was Sarah who spoke next, "You know us three are going to be family forever right. Because I am going to marry your brother. I'm not going to be foolish like you and deny the future. You will both be my sisters."
Amelia was crying now, holding the ring in her hand. "I love you both, I've always wanted sisters!"
The three of them took a few moments to cry and then Sarah spoke up. "It's my turn for surprises. Here you go." She walked over to a table and took the lid off of a box and pulled out a wedding dress.
"Oh, my word!" Amelia's voice was elevated in excitement.
"Natalie and I went into town, we found the most expensive dress possible. Do you like it?"
"It's perfect!" Amelia ran her hands over it and cried some more. "I need to shower." All three girls laughed and nodded together. "I can't get married all dirty. You have to tell him to postpone it for at least two hours."
Sam came walking around the corner smiling like the Cheshire Cat. "I'll give you one hour and I'm timing you, go!"
Amelia grinned at him and then quickly nodded to the other ladies and they all ran towards her house.
Anthony looked at his sister as she ran towards the house with the other two ladies in his world that completed his family.
"Somehow we have found a way to be blessed during this time." He said to Sam.
"Yeah, I don't know how we would have all survived without one another."
Natalie and John walked up together laughing and smiled at them. "Big night for you two. Gaining a wife and brother." Natalie seemed to have become a member of their community relatively easily. It almost was as if she had been there from the start.
"It's a day I wish we could record somehow."
Natalie grinned and said, "Ah hah, I have a wedding present for the groom." She reached into the bag she was carrying and pulled out a Polaroid camera. "Happy wedding day!"
Anthony looked at Sam's face and saw the happiness in his eyes. This was truly a day to rejoice. The end hadn't won, hadn't defeated them.
"Thank you, Natalie, I
don't know what to say."
"You don't need to say anything, you got me water that first night we were here. Call it even. Hope you two have lots of happiness!"
Anthony watched as Sam hugged Natalie. He was happy for his best friend. But it was hard for him to think of his sister belonging to him, someone else. She and he had been through life together from the start, he didn't want to think of her seeking out someone else for help.
But then he realized for the last year and a half she already had. Even before they were officially dating. They had been floating together while they were in school too. It was as if the shock was hitting him all over again, he wished Sarah was with him.
Sarah. She brought him such easy peace inside his chaotic mind.
"Man, you okay?" Sam said to him.
"Yeah, just thinking of my sister. It's going to be weird."
"But not a bad weird I hope, I mean we've known each other for our whole lives. Nothing is going to change."
"Well one big thing will change." John said while laughing and winking at Natalie.
"Oh man don't say that, it's my sister!" Anthony protested.
Sam's face had his classic grin back. "I know, I can't wait."
"Don't make me beat your ass right here before you actually get married."
"Nah, I promise to be a gentleman."
Natalie was the first to burst into laughter and they all eventually let it blow over. "In light of this new development, how about I let you know that I suggested to Sunny to spend the night over at Anthony and Sarah's. I would take her with me, but I think her, and Brody, are flirting and I'm not okay with that just yet."
Sam nodded in agreement, "Yeah me too, def not ready for all that yet."
"I think Sarah already planned for that actually, because she was making up a guest bed and I wasn't sure why. Makes sense now." Anthony had begun openly glaring at Sam now.
"Look man you're the one who told me to go ahead with this you can't get mad at me, we're all adults you know!"
John stepped in between the two of them teasingly. "Boys do I need to separate you."
"I'm fine man, I just, it's my sister, I love her. I want her safe."
"I know Anthony, I love her too. I'll keep her safe."
While they were all talking the other ladies of the community had brought out food and plates. They were setting everything up as nice as it could be and Anthony realized they weren't dressed. "Dude, we need to change."
Sam looked down and nodded, "Yeah we do. See y'all soon. Wedding starts in 30."
AS AMELIA STEPPED OUT of her house Anthony was there waiting for her with his arm extended out. "May I escort, my beautiful sister, to her groom?"
"Oh Anthony." She sniffled and nodded, "Yes of course."
They walked along the concrete path, the sun had begun to fade, and someone had lighted up all the trees. The street looked perfect, white iced trees illuminated each driveway and the tent had the lgihts set up. She was getting married by candle light, she saw at least fifty handles displayed.
"It's so perfect."
"Only the best for the number one woman in my life."
"Sarah's sliding into that spot Bub."
"No, no one will replace you twin."
"Sam's not replacing you either Anthony."
As she set foot into the tent she heard the music start. Everyone stood and looked back at her. She saw Sunny standing next to Sarah, both holding flowers. They had given Amelia her bouquet after she came out of the shower. Sam was wearing a light gray suit and a tie that matched the ring. He was the most handsome person she had ever seen. John was standing in the middle between Sunny and Sam. She had decided Sunny should be the maid of honor and assumed John was doing the service.
"You're not going to marry me?" She asked Anthony.
"Someone has to give you away. That's my job. Mom and Dad would be proud of everything you've done here. I have to represent them."
They started their walk down the aisle and she felt the tears start again. She did her best to hold them in. When they reached Sam, everyone sat down behind her. Anthony placed her hand in Sam's and grinned at her.
John started, "Who here gives this woman a way."
"I do," Anthony spoke with confidence, that warmed Amelia down to the core of her bones.
Sam and Anthony shook hands, then Anthony went to sit down on the left side of the audience.
"We're gathered today to join in union Sam and Amelia. But it is more than that. It's the start of the continuation of our world. Their first to carry the torches our parents passed onto us. They're our beacon of hope. Together, along with their family and friends, they will help our community survive past this year and into many more to come."
As John spoke Amelia couldn't stop focusing on the ring in her hand and how Sunny acquired it. So much was changing, nothing was the same as it was two months ago, six months ago or two years ago, before all of this happened. As she felt her heart start to race she heard John call her name.
"Amelia, do you take Sam Martin to be your husband? To have and to hold, for better or worse, sickness or health, in the apocalypse or normal life, zombies and all, as long as you both shall live?"
Amelia grinned up at Sam, "I do."
"And Sam, do you take Amelia Kay to be your wife? To have and to hold, for better or worse, sickness or health, in the apocalypse or normal life, zombies and all, as long as you both shall live?"
Sam stepped closer, "Without a doubt, I do."
"The rings please." John reached his hand out and they both placed their rings in his hand. After he made the sign of the cross and said a small blessing over them he said, "Each of you take your ring and place it on your partner's finger and repeat after me."
They both reached for their rings simultaneously and waited for the instructions.
"This ring is a symbol of my love and affection to you. May you always wear it, and may it provide you protection for all of our lives."
They repeated the lines, and both were grinning at one another.
"By the power vested in me by Mr. Anthony Davis I now declare you Mr. and Mrs. Wells. You may kiss your bride."
They leaned into one another, as he kissed her, all the worries and trepidation's she had felt just moments ago vanished. This was the right choice. This was love. She heard everyone around them start to clap, she managed to tune it all out. She was married, and this was the man she wanted forever.
Before she had a chance to say anything he leaned over and scooped her up in his arms and spun her around. She heard someone call out, "Smile!" Sam turned them towards Natalie and we both smiled. She captured a picture of them, a picture. Amelia started to cry. It was the perfect wedding and there were pictures. This was truly her day, a day she could have forever.
"Thank you, Sam. This was great."
"It was my pleasure to give this to you. You work so hard for everyone else. We all wanted you to have something that was just yours. Now come on, let's take more pictures and eat. I'm starved!"
Chapter Eleven - Testing Boundaries
WHEN PEOPLE READ ABOUT the apocalyptic stories in the past, it never occurred to anyone to discuss how they went from 'the world is coming to an end' to 'survival'. This is what Sunny was having complications with, and what caused her to seek out more and more books about dystopian literature. It began to worry Sam, she was spending all her time over the last two months reading. Whether it was The Hunger Games, Divergent or 1984 she was trying too hard. Sam wanted her to have more fun, but he feared that since the wedding she had withdrawn further inside herself and now he didn't know what to do about it.
Without much thought about his actions he walked into Sunny's room one day when she was out with Amelia. He had wanted to take the opportunity to see what she had been doing with all her time alone in her room besides reading. At first, he hadn't noticed anything wrong, when he looked closer at her dresser he saw a book. A book that he knew he had seen before but didn't know from where. Whe
n he walked closer to it he got a feeling in his gut that told him something wasn't okay.
He reached his arm out and let his fingers trace over the cover. Something that felt like electricity shot through his arm and it made him jump backwards. Sam shook his arm out, rubbed the muscles. He was more curious now, how could a book sitting on a dresser hold static electricity like that. He reached his arm back out and this time instead of tracing the cover he opened it. The first page said family bible. That's where he had seen it, at his grandparent's house before. As he started to turn the pages he realized this wasn't a traditional family bible, it was something, more devious.
Sam let his curiosity get the better of him and he continued thumbing through the pages of the leather-bound book. It was calling to him, he felt it in his bones. Something was compelling him to keep looking. It wasn't until he stepped back from the dresser and let his eyes focus on something else that he realized the pages he read out of the book weren't written in English. After rubbing his eyes and blinking a lot he looked back at the text and guessed it was some form of Arabic.
"Why did my grandparents have this?" He said out loud to no one.
He closed the book and stepped out of his cousin's room and shut the door as if he wasn't in there. What was she up to? They had known she was controlling the weather, but he had never taken the time to analyze what else she may be doing. How had she even gotten that book into her room? As far as he knew no one had taken her to her home, let alone their grandparents place. Something wasn't sitting right with him over this.
"Sam, we're home!" He heard Amelia's voice call out from downstairs. His wife, he couldn't stop smiling every time he said that, his wife's voice always made him feel good.
"Hey my favorite ladies!" He called to them as he traveled down the stairs and greeted them in the foyer. "How was shopping?"
"You know it wasn't like real shopping Sam." Sunny teased him.
"Let's see, was it at a mall?" He asked.
"Yes." Sunny replied.
"Did you use bags and lots of them?" He grinned, looking at the bags they each held in their clutches.
"Duh." Sunny rolled her eyes as she lifted her arms up.