Page 94 of Picture Us

Fake retching, Drew clenched their jaw. “I wanted to hurt her before she could hurt me.”

“And?” Diana raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing Drew with every look.

“I’ll never do it again.”

Taking in a deep suck of air, Diana nodded and took another leisurely sip of coffee. When she set the mug down on the counter, she stood up and took off her bathrobe, a pair of pajama pants and a plain t-shirt underneath. “Alright, let’s go.”

Drew tilted their head, holding their hand out for the keys. “I have a license.”

Diana laughed. “Oh I know. But I’ll be damned if I miss this. I would pay money to watch you grovel.”

With a goofy grin, Drew headed for the door. But they paused at the doorway. “Do you maybe want to get changed?”

“Nope.” Diana shook her head as she threw on her sneakers and opened the door.

38

ROSE

Rose was already exhaustedon her third coffee of the day. Having spent most of the morning taking pictures of Ellen’s Bridal Suite and Fin’s Grooms Suite, Rose had even finished the first look shoot. It was one of the most beautiful moments Rose had ever witnessed but it also shattered her heart.

Fin cried seeing her soon-to-be wife. Ellen held back tears to not ruin her makeup. And Rose snapped as many pictures as she could with watery eyes.

It would have been beautiful to shoot it with Drew, to have someone to hold as her best friends promised forever to each other.

Now, she stood at the back of the ceremony space, dozens of white, folding chairs perfectly aligned into rows, waiting for her friends to walk down the aisle. She took a few shots of the crowd waiting, their family and friends all smiling. Just as they thought, the ceremony space was perfect. The cold air off the lake made the leaves change color a little faster than everywhere else, giving each tree a slight pop of color.

Before she knew it, the music picked up and everyone took their seats. They rose as Fin walked down the aisle, greeting everyone as she did. Rose took a few from a distance, but let the videographers take center stage.

After Fin got into position at the altar, the officiant standing next to them, the music began a sweeping cover of Make You Feel My Love. Rose felt her breathing hitch in her chest as the song began, the opening notes pulling at her heart strings.

And without much of a wait, Ellen appeared in her stunning gown. The train grazed the grass underfoot as she slowly made her way to Finley.Wow, she looks amazing. Rose smiled, winking at Ellen as she walked past.

Ellen clutched her chest and mouthedthank youto Rose.

Lifting her camera, Rose took more shots of them. Ellen’s dress flowed elegantly behind her as she made her way to Fin, who was already crying. Despite having seen Ellen in the first look, she still couldn’t stop the tears.

Rose’s own eyes watered as she watched them meet at the altar. There, Fin helped Ellen up the few steps. Everyone took their seats as the ceremony commenced.

Glancing around the wedding, the officiant began her speech. The entire time, Ellen and Fin stared deeply into each other’s eyes.

When it came time to read their vows, Fin started. “Ellen, you took a chance on me as Juniors in college, letting me take you out for cheap ice cream. And as soon as you said yet then, I dreamed of the day we’d get to say yes forever.”

She waxed poetic about their love story for a moment, explaining the hardships they had been through together – lost pets, terrible apartments, endless career changes.

Fin smiled. “But, Ellen, there is no one on this planet I would ever wish to do it all with. You make me laugh on my darkest days and I hope I can try everyday to bring out that beautiful smile of yours.”

Wiping at the corner of her eye, Ellen tried to keep her composure. Her bridesmaid passed her a folded piece of paper that Ellen held tightly.

Rose took a few more shots. They hadn’t asked her to take any pictures of the ceremony, wanting her to enjoy it without feeling like she had to work. But she was inspired. The light was stunning and she wanted to have these forever, even if it was just for herself. It was the reminder she needed that her love was out there.

Ellen looked at the crowd, her eyes catching on Rose at the back of the crowd. Smiling, Ellen looked down at her paper. “We’ve been talking a lot lately about how we got here, to this day. Not everyone knows this – well really only one person here does.” Ellen winked at Rose, “But we have broken up three times. And every time, we found our way back. It wasn’t because we were perfect people or because we had solved every issue we ever had. It was because no matter what happened, I always wanted to fall asleep next to Fin. I always wanted to be better for her.”

Taking a staggered breath, Ellen released the tension in her shoulders. “And that’s what love is all about. Hoping that you can find each other in the darkness and be a light.”

As much as it was their ceremony, Rose knew Ellen was talking to her. Telling her that if she wanted to, the love she wanted was already waiting for her.

Before she knew it, the officiant was smiling. “I now pronounce you: married.”

---