ALTHOUGH IT'S ALWAYS CROWDED,
YOU STILL CAN FIND SOME ROOM
FOR BROKEN HEARTED LOVERS

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

5 Years Later

The isle...

Different from the hallway to 225. Ottie and Austin had been waiting patiently, working on themselves, and their relationship. Austin had agreed to go to rehab, and it strengthened their bond. He healed, has been clean for two years. Ottie played a huge part it in, although she wouldn't want the credit.

Using her fingers, she taps the lipstick into her lips, a burgundy blended out, before being coated in a clear gloss. Ottie looks at herself in the mirror, donned in whites, she has to wait for the moment, and now that it was so close, it feels like it's years ago.

And yet, ten more minutes and she will tangle arms with her dad. Long time no see, ever since she left home to work at Andromeda, Ottie barely talked to her dad. Though, he wasn't going to leave her alone on her big day. Behind her, "Oh, look at you!" Maria stands with his hand on her chest, trying very hard not to cry, or her mascara will smudge. It's waterproof, but that's never really the truth, is it? "My little Ottilie pie..."

Ottie laughs, rising to her feet, and twisting her dress in the process. Maria helps her fix it, and pulls her veil over her face. "You're gonna make me cry." She laughs again, finding Maria's expression to be quite hilarious.

A knock on the door, "Come in!" Maria calls. Her eyes roll playfully when she sees her ex-husband, though she can't pretend for too long. He's Ottie's dad, and although they've been separate, Maria still enjoys seeing the man's face.

"Ottie." He holds her daughter in a warm embrace. "You've grown so much."

"Dad..." Ottie looks down, cheeks turning red.

Her dad presses his lips in a thin line and admires her daughter. "So, you're getting married, huh?"

The three of them hear the band outside start strumming gentle tunes, signaling the start of Ottie and Austin's wedding.

Ottie is wearing a big dress, one with layers, and lace etching each layer, decorated with elegant pearls, matching the one around her neck. The exact one Austin gifted her way back. She smiles at far they've come, and tangles her arm with her dad's after Maria leaves to take her seat outside.

She sits at a table with Damian and little Priscilla. She had grown now, almost six years old. Maria became a mom for the third time, and there was nothing that made her happier than being at the wedding of her oldest daughter. They were seated across Holly and Oliver. Both excited out of their minds, both in love, both expecting. Holly turned in her chair, holding her baby bump in the process. Oliver was taking good care of his pregnant wife, no matter how many late-night cravings there were.

The green field, peppered with their closest friends and family, sounds lively with the cutlery and glass tinging, though those sounds turn into applauds quickly when the live band begins to play 'Can't Help Falling In Love' as Ottie and her dad walk down the isle.

Upon the white carpet, she greets everyone seated, waving at Holly, who waves back with double the excitement. "You look incredible." She mouths, making Ottie giggle. At the same table, Ottie finds Hugo staring at her. He is lost in his sister's happiness. Eyes filled with tears. She blows him a kiss, and Hugo immediately blows one back.

Damian and Maria sit proudly, showing Priscilla where to look by pointing at the bride walking down the isle. When Priscilla does look, she claps joyfully. "A princess!" She points, giggling, making Ottie giggle too.

Eyes gazing at the other tables, Ottie spots Sanne and Mees. They came back all the way back, just because she offered an invitation, and Lola was honored to host them. They were sitting hand in hand, their free hands on their chests, watching the wedding in awe.

On the other end, Austin stands with his hands on his mouth. Eyes wide, fully focusing on Ottie, and the way she smiles. She beams under the sun, lights him up every time he sees her. He clears his throat as she approaches him, eyes locked on each other's. Austin, wearing a classy black suit as to not overshadow her, which he believes he could never do anyways, holds out his hand out for her. "You look beautiful."

"You do too." Ottie whispers backing, talking her place on the stage. Her dad leaves to take a seat in the audience, and applauds start simmering as everyone locks in with admiring eyes.

Young love, with its ups and downs, as if written in ink, solidified in history.

"We are gathered here today to witness the sacred union of Ottilie Crawford and Austin Butler." The officiant began. We stand here to honor and celebrate the love shared between these two people, as they come together to start their new life with a solemn vow, surrounded by their closest family and friends."

The audience applauds.

"As we stand here to mark this occasion, we remember that what matters is not the ceremony itself, but the love and companionship you will share throughout your married life."

When Austin looks at Ottie, he sees sparks. His pearly whites on display, he winks at her, while the officiant calls: "To honor the strength of love and the role it plays in our lives, Ottilie Crawford and Austin Butler have called upon their nearest and dearest to share readings that have moved them."

For Ottie, it was Hugo.

He stands between them, a peace of paper in his hand, and his lips against the mic. Hugo looks at his sister and smiles. "I've always relied on you, ever since I was a little kid. I needed you to play with me, and keep me entertained, so I'd always get angry when you'd play with your Barbies-" they laugh. "but as an adult, I rely on you in different ways." He turns to Austin, smiling pompously. They were together in rehab, have grown quite a strong bond. "I don't get angry at you for loving someone, just know that I'll always be at your house." He makes the audience laugh again, before clearing his throat, and unfolding the paper. "So, to tell you all the ways I rely on you now, I decided to read a poem called 'I Rely On You'- I know, original- by a guy named Hovis Presley..." He begins: "I rely on you like a skoda needs suspension, like the aged need a pension, like a trampoline needs tension, like a bunjee jump needs apprehension. I rely on you like a camera needs a shutter, like a gambler needs a flutter, like a golfer needs a putter, like a buttered scone involves some butter." His voice starts to crack, and a knot forms in his throat. "I rely on you like an Acrobat needs ice cool nerve, like a hairpin needs a drastic curve, like an HGV needs endless derv, like an outside left needs a body swerve. I rely on you like a handyman needs pliers, like an auctioneer needs buyers, like a laundromat needs driers, like The Good Life needed Richard Briers. I rely on you like a water vole needs water, like a brick outhouse needs mortar, like a lemming to the slaughter, Ryan's just Ryan without his daughter... I rely on you."

The audience cheers loudly, shedding tears as they did. Ottie herself sheds a tear, pulling Hugo in for a hug, forgetting the ceremony. Hugo had talked to her about it. How much she helped him, but Ottie didn't take any credit for that either. All she wanted was to see her brother happy, and it was working out. "That was beautiful, Hugo."

"Not as beautiful as you." He kisses her cheek and returns to his seat while everyone claps him off.

-

On Austin's side, his mother did her reading, like how every other mother would. Proud, and endlessly happy with her son. Once the applause simmered, the officiant takes his place again, standing between the yet to be wed. "Your wedding vows are sacred declarations of love for each other. Please put your hands together as you declare these vows to one another. Ottilie Crawford, you may start."

Her hands in his, Ottie begins, but not before taking a deep breath. "Austin..." Her voice starts to shake, and she can't seem to keep her tears from rolling down her face. He looks absolutely beautiful in the sunlight. "We met almost seven years ago at Andromeda, and the first day I ever saw you, I knew you were special. Your black shirt, black pants, black shoes-" she giggles through her tears and Austin squeezes her hands to encourage her. "were the reflection of your feelings. I could always see it in your eyes, and all I wanted to do was make you feel better. We had our ups and down, fights, make-ups, but if you asked me what my favorite memory of us is, I'd say Christmas. The first time we ever told each other 'I love you.' Because I believe that to be the truest thing I've ever spoken. Although our disagreements, our arguments, or even our silent days, I still love you-" her voice cracks. "I still love you like I've loved no one before. This is the happiest day of my life, but I'm glad I can comfortably say it is your happiest day too, because I can tell by the way you look at me. I see something in your eyes that no one else sees, and I'd like to keep it that way. You're my person, and I'm yours. So I, Ottilie Crawford, take you, Austin Butler to be my wedded husband. I promise to stay by your side through thick and thin, through good and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health. I vow to love you unconditionally for the rest of my life."

Austin cries with her, and so does the audience, cheering.

"Austin Butler, please now make your vows." The officiant says.

He nods, teary eyes locked onto hers. "Ottie... You're the love of my life. Andromeda was I place I used to escape from my past, and ironically, you were there writing my future. I am certain of the fact that we share many things in common, but if I had to be honest, I would say the same thing you did. Christmas was when I told you 'I love you' for the first time, and it was the realest thing I said in a long time. You make me a better person, and I can't wait to see who you'll make me five years into our marriage. I'll drink milk straight from the carton and you'll yell at me, but it'll still be the greatest morning of my life, and I can't wait for that to be my life. I want you to be in every single second of my life, and am quite honestly bummed that you weren't in the first half of it, but that doesn't natter because the day I met you, was the day I was born. It was the start of something new, and I'm glad you caught on to it. So I, Austin Butler, take you, Ottilie Crawford to be my wedded wife. I promise to stay by your side through thick and thin, through good and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health. I vow to love you unconditionally for the rest of my life."

Another wave of tears hit the audience as they cheer loudly.

Ottie sheds many more tears, smiling up at him.

The officiant finally raises his hands to shush everybody, before turning to Ottie with a smile. "Do you, Ottilie Crawford, take this man to be your wedded husband?"

She smiles. "I do."

Applause.

"Do you, Austin Butler, take this woman to be your wedded wife?"

"I do." He smiles.

More applause, both families cheer joyfully.

"By the power vested in me, I pronounce you, husband and wife! You may miss the bride."

Austin lifts Ottie's veil, pulling her in for a gentle kiss on the lips as everyone claps cheerfully.

Tears of joy spills out of everyone, though the celebration lasts for not too long when someone screams in agony. Ottie and Austin look into the crowd to see Holly crouching by the table.

"You okay?!" Oliver bends down, panic written in is face, just like the rest of the people around them. Maria and Damian rise to their feet too.

"The baby!" Holly yelps. "The baby's coming!"

Immediately, everyone in the crowd gathers around while Oliver and Hugo hold Holly by each arm and help her to the car to rush her to the hospital. Damian, Maria, and Priscilla follow in the car behind, while Ottie and Austin accompany Holly and Oliver. In the backseat, "Okay, breathe!" Ottie fans Holly's face, eyes filled with concern. She needs to change the subject to distract Holly from the contractions, so stutters. "Uhm- Holly! Did you guys decide on a name yet?!"

"Yes!" Holly hollers back, breathing in and out.

Nodding, "What is it?" Ottie asks.

"Elvis!"

The End.