Chapter 2
Melinda rolled her eyes as she mother fussed with her hair for the hundredth time since she had entered the room. “Mother, please, it looks fine.”
“Are you going to settle for fine on your wedding day?” Lian May asked looking at her daughter.
“We can’t spend all day trying to make my hair perfect. It’s an outdoor wedding so I’m sure the wind will mess it up a bit too.” She told her mother.
“Why can’t you be positive, Melinda?” Lian complained.
“Mom.” She murmured and turned her head when her father walked in. She smiled at the look on the face.
“Mellie, you look so beautiful.” He told her as he walked over.
She hugged him gently and smiled. “Thank you, Dad. Is it time to start already?” She asked.
William nodded. “Jemma was rushing around and ushered me in here. She said Phillip is on his way to the altar.”
Melinda smiled and laughed softly. “Okay.” She hugged her mom lightly before watching her walk out. She turned to her father and frowned. “Dad, don’t cry.” She murmured and touched his shoulder. “You’ve done this before.”
“Yes, but I have always liked Phillip.” He admitted as he opened the door for her. “Ready?”
Melinda nodded and smiled. She walked out with him and looped her arm with his when he offered it. She steadied her breathing as they reached the start of the aisle and the music started. She glanced around at everyone that was now standing and watching her. It was so nice to see everyone there and together.
As soon as she spotted Phil, her eyes didn’t move from him. He looked amazingly handsome and so in love. Her smile widened and she was pretty sure he said wow. She was too far away to hear him but she saw his lips move. It was cute. She watched as he stepped forward and she felt her father’s grip tighten on her arm. She tore her gaze away from Phil to look at her father gently. She kissed his cheek lightly and looked back at Phil. She took his hand and squeezed it gently as they stepped forward.
She offered Daisy a smile before she focused on the man in front of her. She listened to Daisy happily and looked at Phil expectantly when she said it was time for the vows. She rose an eyebrow when he didn’t say anything. “Phil.” She said softly and laughed a bit when realized what was going on.
“Okay.” She squeezed his hands as he cleared his throat and started.“I thought long and hard about what to say and I probably should have written down but I'll be short because we've wasted enough time.” She smiled fondly and looked into his eyes. He was so sweet and sincere. “But really there isn't much to say because so much of it you already know. You've been by my side for years and have supported me unconditionally. Through all of the good and bad, you were there and we were in love even if we didn't admit it. I promise to be there with you through whatever comes our way next but I really hope it's not more aliens.” She could tell he was getting emotional and she understood because she had tears in her own eyes. “I love you, Melinda, with all my heart.” She felt tears roll down her cheeks and leaned into his touch gratefully when he wiped them away.
“I can't believe we're actually here...years ago I may have dreamed of this but those dreams were shattered.” She tried not to think of Bahrain but images flashed through her mind. She stopped taking a moment to compose herself. She took a deep breath and was reassured by him squeezing her hands. “But that day you convinced me to come back was the start of something I could have never imagined. It was the start of us rebuilding what I had lost before. You gave me hope and the family I never thought I deserved. I should have expected it though, you were never one to give up and you always had that hope in your eyes. You saw what I didn't. You gave me a chance to be happy again and I am. You've always been the rock in my life. I could always turn to you and now we finally came to our senses. I'm so happy to be marrying you, Phil. I love you so much.”
There was a quiet moment before she heard Daisy speak again. “Now for the rings.”
Melinda accepted the ring from Daisy and looked at Phil as he repeated after Daisy. “I, Phillip J. Coulson, give you, Melinda Qiaolian May, this ring.” She watched as he took her hand in his. “As a symbol of my love and devotion to you.” She looked back up at his face when he slipped the ring onto her finger.
Now it was her turn. “I, Melinda Qiaolian May, give you, Phillip J. Coulson, this ring.” She smiled at the feeling of her own ring on her finger as she took his hand. “As a symbol of my love and devotion to you.” She slid the ring onto his finger slowly before meeting her eyes with his.
She was caught up the moment and barely heard what Daisy said next. Before she knew it, Phil was kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back lovingly. She looked at him as they pulled back and she didn’t think she could smile any wider.
“May I present to you all, Mr. and Mrs. Phillip J. Coulson.” Daisy said behind the couple.
“What would you do if I lifted you up and carried you down the aisle?” She heard him ask as he wrapped his arm around her waist and she laughed a bit. She leaned into his side as they faced their guests. She looked at her parents and was happy to see the looks on their faces. She leaned in when he kissed her temple and smiled at everyone as they walked down the aisle. Everything was perfect.