The first day of forever
Ocean had been imagining what her wedding would be like ever since she was a little kid.
Obviously, her ideas had changed and developed over the years. She no longer wanted to ride to the ceremony on a unicorn, that was a big change from when she was six. And she no longer wanted her mom and dad to walk her down the aisle.
Hell, she didn’t even want a groom at her wedding, that was probably the biggest change.
Because today, Ocean was actually, honestly, marrying her best friend. The person who’d been by her side literally forever, and who knew her better than anyone else.
Today, Ocean was marrying Constance Blackwood.
The day had started stressfully, as expected. Ocean had planned everything to the minute, and that meant that when she woke up an hour late to Noel practically breaking down her bedroom door, she panicked.
Thank God she had Noel and Ricky there to help her get everything done, or she would’ve actually lost it.
But with Ricky making sure she had her vows and backing their “Ocean emergency bag” (containing a backup bouquet, a backup copy of the vows, a backup veil, an inhaler for Ocean’s asthma, a hairbrush, some ribbon, emergency perfume and body spray, and more makeup than Ocean knew what to do with, just in case she needed touch ups).
With Noel wonders with her hair and makeup, Ocean felt a little bad for Constance, honestly. Because while Savannah was good with makeup, she wasn’t Noel. He was INCREDIBLE. And the fact that he was insisting Ocean not see the makeup before her whole look was done had her really excited.
So Ricky signed to her excitedly to keep her distracted while Noel worked, until it was time for her to put on the dress.
Ocean hadn’t seen her dress properly in days, and she loved it. It wasn’t quite the traditional white dress she’d always imagined, but when she saw it, she knew it was the one.
It was a beautiful light blue, with white gloves, tiny white flowers around the collar, and a white ribbon bow around the waist. Ocean paired it with white tights and light blue ballet flats. She’d originally wanted heels, but had opted against them when she fell over one too many times and Noel deemed her unteachable.
When she put the dress on, it felt right. Ocean was terrified she’d get cold feet today, but she didn’t. Far from it. She knew that marrying Constance was the right thing. It was the best thing she could ever do.
Then, Noel put her veil on her head, alongside a white flower crown, and turned her toward the mirror.
“God, I’m good,” he joked. “And before you comment on that, take a look.”
When she looked in the mirror, Ocean barely recognised herself. It was her, obviously, but it looked like the best version of her.
Noel had gone surprisingly minimal with the makeup, using it to highlight Ocean’s best features, with natural eyeshadow highlighting the blue of her eyes, a bit of blush to make give her cheeks a natural looking glow and a little bit of pink lipstick. Her hair was down, with a little braid just at the front and her flower crown looked perfect with it. Everything seemed to compliment each other, and she looked perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
“Wow,” Ocean whispered, twirling around. “Noel, thank you so much for-“
“SHIT!” Noel yelled, staring at something Ricky was showing them. “WE’RE GOING TO BE LATE!”
“For what?” Ocean asked, then she saw the time. The ceremony was in half an hour.
“The car’s outside,” Ricky signed. “Let’s go right now. We’ll be on time, don’t worry.”
All Ocean could think was that they had better be on time, because the thought of Constance waiting at the alter broke her heart.
“I’ll text Mischa in the car, so Constance doesn’t think you stood her up,” Noel said as they ran down the stairs to the car. “The bouquet is already there, you look amazing, and don’t fucking panic for the love of god. Honestly, the one time you aren’t early for something.”
“And it’s my own wedding,” Ocean nodded. “Of course it is.”
-
After all of the panic, Ocean did end up making it to the wedding in time, and she stood at the edge of the park, waiting to hear her music to cue her to walk down the aisle, where Constance would be waiting. Ricky was already there, and Noel was waiting beside her.
The decision of who was going to walk her down the aisle wasn’t a difficult one. Her parents were never there for her, they never understood her, so they were out. And Constance’s were there with her, so even though they’d practically raised Ocean too, she couldn’t ask that of them. So that left Noel. Her best man, and, as much as she hated to admit it, someone who’d been there for her since childhood.
And as the music started up and Ocean took Noel’s arm and started walking up, ready for her big moment. But, for once, that wasn’t what she was thinking about. All she was thinking about was that she was about to make a promise to spend her entire life with Constance. And she couldn’t wait.
A piano cover of one of Ocean’s favourite songs played as she walked with Noel, trying to keep her pace slow. It was difficult, because she was so excited, and because Constance looked so beautiful.
Her hair was down, and her dress had a white top with long sleeves, and it was light blue at the top of the skirt, fading to pinks and oranges and yellows as it went down. Her flower crown was orange and yellow, firey and beautiful. Constance was a beautiful bridal sunset, and a perfect contrast to Ocean. They complimented each other.
And Ocean wanted to run down the aisle, but she knew Noel would kill her, given how he tightened his grip on her arm. A smile lit up her face, and she saw Constance smiling too.
And as she reached the alter, she handed off her bouquet to Noel and he stood aside, beside Ricky. Mischa stood on the other side, obviously and hilariously trying not to cry.
And Penny stood at the alter, officiating the ceremony.
Ocean felt like the luckiest girl in the world. Because even though her parents weren’t there, she was surrounded by people who love her. And she was happy, more than she had ever been. Sure, maybe her wedding day wasn’t quite perfect (since getting here, she’d been informed the cake was the wrong colour and one of the photographers had called in sick, but luckily Ocean had a backup, because of course she did), but it was everything she wanted. She had to remind herself of that. No matter what went wrong, it would be okay. Because today was about her and Constance, and they were going to spend the rest of their lives together.
And when Ocean looked at her bride, she saw tears in her eyes, and she felt them in her own.
This was everything she’d ever wanted.
Constance was everything she’d ever wanted. Everything she’d needed.
And Ocean was suddenly overjoyed at Constance’s decision to keep their vows private, just for them, at the end of the ceremony. They had the notes, and they would trade them and read them in a special little moment, just the two of them. Which was good, because right now, Ocean wasn’t sure if she could speak without bursting into tears.
There were so many emotions, and all of them were good. Today was her day, and her girlfriend’s. Her soon to be wife’s.
Ocean would be lying if she said she remembered much of what was said during her ceremony. She’d spent the whole time standing with Constance, gripping her hand and waiting.
And also thanking God that Ricky was the one holding the rings and not Mischa, because Mischa had somehow managed to lose their backups in the twenty minutes he’d had them. Still, thanks to Ricky, the ceremony went off without a hitch.
Ocean had made many difficult decisions in life, and overthought a million things, but standing there, looking into Constance’s eyes, saying “I do” was the easiest thing she’d ever had to do.
And when Penny announced that they were married, Ocean’s heart lit up, and she laughed and Constance pulled her in and kissed her. The two of them pulled away and giggled, giddy, excited.
They were married. Not just girlfriends. WIVES.
And as they walked back down the aisle as brides, Constance whispered her first words to Ocean, the ones that would start their marriage.
“If you told us about this as kids, we’d never have believed it.”
And Ocean knew she was right. They’d changed a lot, and they’d both grown, but they’d done it together.
And that’s how she knew that they could get through anything together.
Today was the first day of forever.