Page 90 of Victorious: Part 2
Cedar, who’s traded his casual shirt for what appears to be the nicest button-down he packed, clasps Phoenix on the shoulder. “Kid, you’re about to marry an angel.”
“Oh, I am fully aware,” Phoenix says simply, never taking his eyes off me.
The chapel Meadow found is exactly what you’d expect from a Vegas Elvis wedding venue. Gloriously tacky and absolutely perfect. The Elvis who’s going to marry us is indeed classic Vegas Elvis, complete with the white jumpsuit and sideburns that defy physics.
As we wait for our turn, I find myself getting nervous for the first time all night. Not about marrying Phoenix, that feels as right as breathing, but about the magnitude of what we’re doing.
“Hey,” Phoenix says softly, appearing beside me. “Having second thoughts?”
“No,” I say immediately. “No second thoughts. Just, wow! We’rereallydoing this.”
“We really are.” He takes my hand, steadying both of us. “Anyregrets?”
“Only that it took us this long to figure out we’re meant to be together forever,” I say, meaning every word.
Meadow thrusts a bouquet of fake flowers into my hands from the chapel’s gift shop, but they are beautiful in their own ridiculous way. “Every bride needs flowers,” she declares, the brightest smile lining her face, finally.
“Meadow, honey, you look beautiful,” Cedar says gently.
“Clover’s the beautiful one. And this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed. True love in Vegas with Elvis. It’s like a fairy tale, Cedar.”
He pulls her to him, a genuine smile crossing his face at seeing her so happy. Which only makes me even happier in this moment.
And then the clerk calls us up.
Phoenix leans in, pressing a kiss to my cheek as he stands. “Don’t back out on me now, Reel Girl.”
Biting down on my bottom lip, I shake my head before he starts to walk into the Chapel with Cedar. “I’ll be the one walking toward you and the rest of our lives, Presley.”
He winks at me, and then he’s out of my sight.
I stand with Meadow, trying to fight those butterflies in my stomach as she tousles my hair and fluffs around with my dress. But then, suddenly, she reaches out, gripping my hand in hers, forcing me to look at her. “Stop. Stop and take it all in. Just breathe.”
I don’t know how she knew, but I close my eyes and draw in a long, deep breath. She places her hand on my chest over my heart, and I keep my eyes closed. “Just feel, Clover… is he in here?”
An overwhelming sensation rushes over me. A sensation of warmth. Phoenix told me I was his warmth, but he is mine too. I open my watering eyes, looking right at Meadow, trying tokeep my shit together, and she simply smiles in understanding. “Then let’s go get you married. This is soexciting!”Meadow claps her hands together like she might physically explode from joy, looping her arm with mine as we make our way through the chapel doors.
“I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You” is playing softly through the speakers, because, of course, it is.
It’s Elvis.
It’s fate.
And it’s perfect.
The aisle is only about ten steps long, but walking down it toward Phoenix feels like the longest and shortest journey of my life. I’m not even sure if I’m walking straight. My heart pounds in rhythm with the music, my heels are slightly unsteady thanks to the whiskey still dancing in my system, and my emotions are already one giant raw nerve. But Phoenix, he’s standing there like he was carved from something ancient, serene, and strong, staring at me as though I hung the moon and strung the stars personally just for him.
And maybe I did.
When I reach him, he takes both my hands in his, our fingers weaving together like they’ve always known how. We’re both trembling.
Could be nerves.
Could be love.
Could be alcohol.
Probably all three.
