Page 8 of A Winter's Wedding

“I can’t give anything away, but it’s looking like a good day to have a wedding.” He nodded that he was done and thanked her before walking away.

The room was quickly filling to the max. Staff busied themselves with corralling couples to certain areas of the room. A paramedic and firefighter positioned themselves near one of the doors with an EXIT sign lit up in green above their heads. Margarete moved through the crowd with ease, greeting many of the couples.

“I should walk around and get some more sound bites,” America said. “Will you hold our chairs? I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

America weaved between the couples, being careful not to step on any dress trains, or coattails. Every kind of dress imaginable was on full display, but the more people huddled together, the more stifling the room became and the harder it was for her to move amongst the people. She let her breathing normalize and spotted a rather unique looking couple, dressed in matching silver sequined suits from head to toe.

She approached them. “Hello, my name is America and I’m a journalist with Jet Trek Magazine. Can I ask you about your rather spectacular outfits?”

One of the men answered, “We met on New Years eve in Times Square. Fitting, isn’t it?”

America agreed. “Six weeks ago? Why did you choose Las Vegas, and specifically this event, to make it official?”

“When you know, you know. Plus, what better place to get married than the city known for so many famous weddings?”

“Like Britney…”

“And Bennifer. Can’t forget about them.”

“Or Zach and Kelly.”

“Zach and Kelly?” America stopped their listing.

“You know,” the first man chuckled. “FromSaved by the Bell.”

“I don’t know if you can count that one, it was just a show.” America giggled along with them.

“Just a show?” one of them said and placed a hand over his wounded heart.

“I get it. You want your wedding to be in good company?”

“Absolutely, and with all these other beautiful people. Who wouldn’t want to get married here, like this?”

Me, she thought,that’s who. As fun as the event looked to be for the waiting couples, it wasn’t the kind of wedding she would ever have wanted for herself. She thanked the couple for their time and congratulated them on their marriage.

Snaking her way through the room and talking to a few stand-out couples, the crush of bodies only intensified. She thought it was best she return to the stage and find Leo before getting lost in the sea of tulle and crystals. She arrived beside Leo just as the officiant entered the stage from the back side behind all the draping.

He tapped on the microphone and waited for the room to quiet. “Good morning to all of you beautiful, glowing brides and grooms here today. If everyone is finished registering, what do you say we begin?”

The people cheered and the sound was deafening. As the room stilled again, the lively atmosphere was replaced with one that felt more serious, as though each person present realized the magnitude of what was about to happen. Leo took America’s hand and pulled it to his lap as they sat off to one end of the long stage. Even though she and Leo were a week away from their own wedding, the weight of their choice was in the air around them too. She looked down at the ring on her finger. The delicate lace setting and tiny stones fashioned in the shape of a snowflake reminded her of the reason she loved him so much. He had known her before really getting to know her, like their love was meant to be.

“We are gathered here today, to celebrate the joining of two souls in matrimony. As this is a civil ceremony, you will simply repeat after me. I, say your name, take you to be my lawfully wedded spouse.”

The unison in which the group repeated was beautiful; a choir of people professing their love. So much tenderness could be heard in the way they emphasized certain syllables. She caught Leo mouthing the words. “Are you practicing?” she leaned over and whispered.

“Why not?” he said and ran his free hand through his blond hair.

The officiant continued, “Before these witnesses, I vow to love you… Care for you… And honor you all the days of our lives.” When the couples finished, he said what everyone was waiting for. “You may now seal your union with a kiss.”

Leo tugged America towards him. His eyes were full of love and maybe a tear, though he would never admit it, and he licked his lips. She knew what he wanted and leaned into him, shoulder to shoulder. She loved this man more than words could describe, which was a lot to say considering she was a writer for a living, but some things were indescribable.

America closed her eyes and felt the warmth of Leo’s pillowy lips touch hers. She returned the kiss and just let their connection last, not wanting the delicious kiss to end. The room was theirs in that moment. She could have heard a pin drop but for the rustling of hundreds of taffeta skirts and crinolines. As the couples broke off their kissing, the noise loudened until all she and Leo could do was giggle through the clapping and cheers.

“I love you,” America said, and Leo mouthed the words back to her. She was more excited than ever to marry this man in one week’s time.

The couples all congratulated each other, and she and Leo stood and joined the applause from their little corner. Even the first responders celebrated, and she swore one of the men wiped a tear off his cheek. The enthusiasm was palpable, like the hearts of all the people present beat in time with one another.

Several minutes went by before the representative from Guinness came to the mic. “Congratulations. I know you’re ready to begin your honeymoons but first we have to tabulate the official results. As you know, the current record was set in 2019 in New York City in honor of the city’s newI heart NYcampaign. If you’re successful here today, with a total of four thousand and two couples, then Las Vegas Nevada will hold the record as America’s city of love.”

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