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KEY: "Melinda wasn't in my dream," I murmured. "We're back, and this time, nothing can stop us. Now that we have my sister with us," Tess said. "But you guys are dead," Casey said. "Sara killed Derek, and I killed Tess." "Well, I never died, I just lost my leg," Melinda pointed out. "And I would do anything for Tess." "My sister found us and revived us. She saved our lives." "Melinda is your sister? Go figure," I said. "Hello again, Sara," Melinda said. "So nice to see you again. And you, too, Mr. Lifeguard." She looked at Casey. He glared back at her. "So, before we go and kill Maria and Ben, we're going to kill you first. Just to make you suffer," Derek said gleefully. Quick as lightning, he grabbed Meg and pointed a gun at her head. "Meg!" I yelled. Before I could move, Tess and Melinda grabbed me. "Stop it! Let me go!" I pushed against the two of them, but it was no use. "Casey!" He ran towards me and Meg, but Tess pulled a gun out and aimed it at Casey. "Not so fast, Casey. Listen carefully, or both of them die." She pointed the gun at me. I pleaded with my eyes. "Help me." He knew what I was saying, because I think he knew that I was terrified. "What is it, Tess." I never did like her that much. "Okay. You do one thing for us. Go and turn Ben in for murder. Tim's murder." "But he didn't do it! You did." Tess and Melinda tightened their hold on Sara. I was determined to save both of them, no matter what. "Remember, you do this right, or both of them die." "Well, if I do it, what do I get in return?" "One of them. You choose." "No. Both of them." "Only one, or neither of them." How was I supposed to choose between these sisters? There was Meg, the older one, who was my best friend; and then there was Sara, the younger one, my fiancée, whom I loved dearly. I couldn't risk losing both of them. I had a plan. "Let Sara go," I said, firmly. "You go and tell the police that Ben killed Tim first," Melinda countered. "No. You let her go. NOW." "Fine." Tess and Melinda let her go. She ran to me. "Casey, we have to save Meg." "I know. I have a plan." "Okay, quit with the chit chat. Go and tell the police," Derek interrupted. "Sara comes with me." "She stays," Derek argued. "She comes. That's final." And we started to walk out the door when Meg screamed. "NO!" Casey and Sara turned around. They came face to face with Derek and Tess pointing guns in their faces. "NO! Don't take them. Take me," I said. Melinda, who was holding me down, said, "What?" "Don't hurt them. They deserve to be happy. I know my sister hasn't had a lot in her life, but she has Casey, and they deserve to live a good life." "Meg, no. Don't do this. We're going to save you," Sara said. "Sara, listen. I know that I've taken a lot of things from you. I didn't mean to. But now, you have a wonderful fiancé that cares about you," at the mention of Casey being Sara's fiancé, Melinda raised an eyebrow, "and your life is so full of happiness. Mine sucks. I don't deserve you guys." "Don't say that," Casey said. "Come on, Derek. Go ahead. Shoot me." "No, Meg," Sara said, but I didn't listen to her. I kept looking at Derek, and he finally looked at me. And he started to fade. So did Tess. Melinda was the only one left, and the three of us turned on her. She hobbled out and never came back. "What was that all about?" Meg asked. "You know what, Meg? I think it was a test." "Of what, Sara?" "Our loyalty to each other. To make sure that our relationships are strong enough to withstand anything. I guess they are," I said. "Meg, I'm so lucky to have you as a sister. I love you." I smiled, and so did she, and we hugged. Casey watched. "And Meg," he added, "you're a great friend." When he said "friend," he looked at me. "Thanks." "Oh, Casey, you're a good friend, too. Friends forever." And they hugged. Then Casey turned to me. "Sara. I don't know what I'd do without you." He hugged me, and he whispered, "I love you so much." We got ready at my parents' house. Meg, Vanessa and Maria helped me with my dress. "Sara, you look stunning," my sister said. "Casey is going to freak when he sees you, that's how good you look." "Thanks, Meg." We got the rest of my stuff on, the garter, the jewelry (I was wearing a diamond bracelet that Casey had given me for our wedding day, plus a pair of diamond earrings that my parents had presented me with, and my engagement ring), and the tiara with the veil. When my parents saw me, they gasped. "Sara, honey, you look so beautiful. Almost like an angel," my mom said. "You look happy," my dad added. "I am happy," I said. "This is going to be the best day of my life." "I am so happy for you, Sara," Meg said. She hugged me. She also had tears in her eyes. "I know you make Casey happy. And I know you're crazy about him. I wish the two of you the best life that two people could ever have." "Thank you, Meg. You don't know how much that means to me." My eyes were starting to water, too. "Don't cry, Sara. Your makeup will get all runny and we'll have to do it again," Maria reminded me. "Okay," I said. I looked at the clock on the wall. "You guys, it's almost time to go," I said. A chill ran through me. Today I was going to get married! "Let's go, then," Vanessa said. Michael, Ben and I arrived at the church. I could hardly wait for the wedding to begin. "Are you ready?" Michael asked. "I hope so," I responded. We walked into the church. Hank and Joan were there already, so that meant that Sara was here. I didn't look for her. I'd see her soon enough. I looked out into the congregation. There was Ricardo and Gabi; Emily, Brad, Caitlin, and Bette; some of the other lifeguards, and... Oh, my gosh. Was that...? I walked up to the woman sitting in the second pew. "Mom, is that you?" I asked her. She nodded. "Oh, my gosh!" I hugged her. "Mom, what are you doing here?" "I came to see my son's wedding, Casey." I smiled. "But how did you know?" "I have my sources. And who is going to be my new daughter-in-law?" "Sara Cummings. Wait till you see her, Mom. She's beautiful." "I can tell you like her." "Like her? I'm going to marry her, Mom. I love her." "I can see. You said her last name is Cummings? Is she related to Meg Cummings?" "You remember Meg? Sara is Meg's little sister." "Oh, I see. If she's anything like Meg, I know I'll like her." "Mom, we'll talk more after the wedding. I have to go now. But wait until you see Sara. You'll be amazed." I left. It was time for the wedding. I looked at my sister. She was radiant. It looked like she was glowing. "Come on, Sara, let's get you married," Maria said. The usher opened the doors and we walked through, me first, then Maria, and then Vanessa. I saw Michael look at Vanessa in an admiring way. They were going to get married soon, too, after all. I tried not to look at Ben, because it was here where we had our almost wedding. We were all good friends now, but still, it kinda bugged. When we reached the altar, they closed the doors again, and the organist started playing the wedding march. The doors opened once more, and there stood my sister, arm in arm with my dad. I looked at Casey. He had the happiest look on his face, like he had been locked up for many, many years and he had just been told he could go free. Sara had the brightest smile. I saw a woman that looked familiar, but I couldn't place her. It bothered me, because I knew I should have known that woman. I'd try to remember later. But right then Sara reached the altar and the wedding was about to start. Sara was approaching the altar, with the most beautiful smile I'd ever seen on her. Her eyes were glistening, and her dress was amazing. I glanced at my mom, and she nodded at me. I think she agreed with me. Soon, she reached the altar. Hank said to me, "Take care of her, Casey," "I will, Hank. I promise." Then Sara kissed her dad on the cheek. He said to her, "Look at you, all grown up and about to be married. It seems like yesterday that you were a tiny baby. But one thing's still the same: You're as beautiful now as you were then. I hope you have a happy life, sweetheart." And he kissed her on the forehead. "Thanks, Dad," Sara said. There were tears in her eyes. Hank left, and Sara turned to me. "Sara, you look beautiful," I told her. "I feel beautiful. Today is going to be the first day for the rest of our lives together, Casey. Did you realize that?" "Yes. Now let's get on with the wedding." Father Antonio started the Mass, and it went by quickly. It was really a blur, until we got to the vows. "The rings, please?" Father asked. Michael handed me Sara's ring. I turned to her and said, "Sara, you make me feel like no one has ever made me feel before. You brought out a part of me that I didn't even know I had. I believe with all my heart that God sent you to me, to be my angel, my living miracle. Because we are a miracle. Without you, my life would be dark, and gloomy, and I would have no idea what its meaning was. I just want you to know that from this day forth, I promise to love you, honor you, and cherish you, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." I slipped the ring on her finger. "May God bless this sign of our love in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." I made the Sign of the Cross over the ring. Meg handed me Casey's ring. "Casey, I don't know where I'd be without you. You saved me from the horrible life I once had and turned it into a joy, a living paradise. Every day I wake up and thank God for you walking into my life. You guide me into doing what is right, and you are always there for me when I need you. I am so lucky to have you, and I don't understand how someone I love so much loves me too. But what matters is that we do love each other, and I promise you from this day forth to be true to you, to love, honor, and cherish you, in good times and bad, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." I put the ring on his finger. "May God bless this sign of our love in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." I made the Sign of the Cross over the ring. "Well, there's nothing left to say except this," Father Antonio interjected. "I pronounce you husband and wife. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Casey Mitchum. You may now kiss the bride." Casey looked at me for a split second, and then he kissed me. Everyone was applauding for us. After the kiss, we walked out, arm in arm. Meg and Michael followed us, and then Ben, Vanessa and Maria. My mom was smiling, tears in her eyes. I was looking out at the congregation when Casey told me, "Look. There's my mom. See her?" He pointed to her and I saw her wave. "She had cancer, but she's in remission now. I haven't seen her in years." "Oh, Casey, I'm so happy that your mom is here." "She's your mom, too, now." He smiled at me. "Oh, yeah, huh?" I said. We laughed. We got into our limo (yes, limo, Ben paid for it) and rode to our reception.
Parts in green type are written from Sara's point of view.
Purple type=Meg's viewpoint.
Blue type=Casey's viewpoint.
PART FIVE
I gasped. Derek, Tess, and Melinda Fall were on the doorstep.
The months passed quickly, and soon it was June 17. Wedding day! I was so excited. We had planned everything out. Casey and I were going to get married in St. Joseph's Mission, with Father Antonio celebrating our marriage. Meg was my maid of honor, and Michael was Casey's best man. My bridesmaids were Vanessa and Maria, and the groomsman was Ben. The bridesmaids' dresses were satin, lavender, and they were sleevless. The dresses were half-backless, and they touched the floor. There was a tiny bow on the shoulder, and the dresses were not "poofy." My dress looked almost like it, but it was white, and instead of the bow, there was a sort of shawl that went over the shoulders. The part of the back that covered my back was see through, with little tiny silver dots all over. The shawl was made out of the same material, and so was the skirt of the dress. (That part was over the satin.) My veil was made out of the same material, also, but it was attached to a tiara, which would be nested in my hair.
PART SIX Sara and I arrived and ran into my mom. "Hi, Mom," I greeted her. "Didn't this used to be Elaine's Waffle Shop?" she asked. "Yes, but Sara's parents took over it and turned it into--ta-da!-- the Shock Wave. Like it?" "Yes. It's really nice. Oh, and Sara, so nice to meet you. Casey has told me so much about you," my mom said. "I can imagine. It's so nice to meet you, too." "Now I know why Casey's so crazy about you. I'm glad to have you as my new daughter-in-law." "Thank you. I hope I'll be a good one," Sara replied. "I'm sure you will," my mom complimented. Just then, the bridal party arrived, so we had to go inside. We ran into a crowd of people, who of course let us through, and they started playing music. Sara danced with her dad for the first dance. When the song was over they played another song, which was familar, and Sara and I danced to it. I was dancing with my father when my husband cut in. "Excuse me," Casey asked my dad, "but can I please dance with my wife?" "Of course," my dad said. He smiled. I took Sara in my arms and we started dancing. Suddenly the song was over and another one came on. I whispered in her ear, "You know the words to this song, right?' "Yeah," she responded. "Oh, well, you're going to hear them anyway," I told her. And I proceeded to say: *I do cherish you for the rest of my life, During the interlude I kissed her on the forehead. And then I went on with the song. *In my world, before you, lived outside my emotions, I looked at her then and said, "I love you, Sara Mitchum." At that, she smiled. "I am so lucky to have you in my life, Casey. I'm never gonna let you go." "Good." I kissed her. After the dance, we did a little partying, and cut the cake. Then it was time to throw the bouquet. Now, since practically everyone that was at the wedding was married, not a lot of people were there to catch the bouquet. There was Bette, and then Emily, and Meg, and a few other people. I threw the bouquet over my shoulder, and I heard someone say, "I got it!" I turned around, and my sister was holding my bouquet, which was white roses, carnations, lilies and daisies tied with a light purple ribbon. "Oh, my gosh! Congrats!" I hugged my sister. After a while, I proposed a toast. "To my sister and new brother-in-law, I just want to say that I hope you have a wonderful and happy life together. I know I can count on both of you to be there for me, and I want you to know that I'll always be there for both of you. I love you guys. Don't ever change." "Hear, hear," someone else said. We all raised our glasses and clinked them. And then my dad said, "To my beautiful daughter and her new husband, I hope you have a blessed life. I hope that you take care of each other when your parents are gone, and that you can be a good example to other couples." He raised his glass. "Cheers." And we clinked glasses again. Another person spoke up. "To Casey and Sara. I know that you love each other very, very much, and I hope that love will keep on burning for the rest of your marriage. You have been great friends to me, and I know that our friendship will keep going strong. May your life be filled with many blessings. Cheers." Michael raised his glass. More clinking. "I propose another toast," said a woman. It was the same one that I couldn't put my finger on. Maybe I'd find out who she was. "To my son and new daughter-in-law, I just want to say, I hope your life is full of happiness and joy, and that your love for each other will see you through anything. May God bless you, and the years you have to come. Cheers." Casey's mom? Oh. Wow. I hadn't seen her for a while, but it was a good thing that she could make it to Casey and Sara's wedding. After the toasts were done, I went up to her and said, "Mrs. Mitchum? Hi, it's me, Meg." Sara was standing nearby and heard me. She turned around. "Hi, Meg." "I wasn't talking to you, Sara. I was talking to Alexandra." "Oh. Sorry." She smiled and went back to what she was doing. "Hello, Meg. Nice to see you again," Casey's mom greeted me. "You, too. So how are you?" I asked. "I'm okay. Today marks four years that I've been cancer-free, did you know that?" "No. That's great! So next year, if the cancer doesn't come back, then you'll be considered cured?" "That's right. And it would be Casey and Sara's one year anniversary." "Wow. That's really great. I wonder what else will happen that day..." Speaking of moms, today my mom is now considered cured from her cancer. Today, we celebrate many things. We met at the church again, but now Sara was wearing a pale yellow dress, carrying Rachel in her arms. Rachel was dressed in her baptismal gown and her little pink ribbon. We were gathered around the baptismal font, Sara, Rachel, Meg, Jude (Meg's husband; they got married a few months ago), my parents-in-law and me. This was my mom's, Hank's, and Joan's first grandchild. Meg was Rachel's godmother, and Jude was her godfather. When Father Antonio poured holy water on my daughter's head, she started to cry a little. I was the closest one to her, so I picked her up. "Shh," I gently whispered. I rocked her in my arms. "Everything's going to be okay, honey. Look. See? There's Mommy, and your auntie and uncle, and Daddy's right here. It's going to be okay." Rachel looked up at me, and I swear she gave me a look that said, "I know, Daddy. I know." She stopped fussing. After the baptism, we went back home to Surf Central. (Meg had moved in with Jude, so Surf Central was really now our home.) My mom came with us. She, Hank and Joan wanted to see their granddaughter. At home, when everyone was gathered around Rachel, I took Sara out of the commotion and said, "Sara, look. Look at us. We're happy as can be. We have a beautiful daughter that looks just like her mother; she has a grandmother that can now live her life freely, and she has two wonderful parents that love each other." I looked at her. "We're going to have a great life, Sara. I just know it." She smiled, and we looked on as our extended family gathered around Rachel. "Casey, you know what?" I looked at my wife. "What?" "I love you." Her eyes were shining, and she was smiling. "I love you, too." She drew closer to me and we watched our daughter, together.
Our reception was at the Shock Wave. It was closed for the day, in honor of the wedding. Hank and Joan (excuse me, my parents-in-law) had cleared out the tables to make a dance floor. There was plenty of food, plenty of people, but most of all, plenty of love.
you don't have to think twice
I will love you still, from the depths of my soul,
it's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you:
If you're asking, 'Do I love you this much?' I do.*
didn't know where I was going
'till that day I found you
How you opened my life to a new paradise
In a world torn by change,
still with all my heart, to my dying day...
I cherish you, my baby, this much I know is true,
for the rest of my life, you don't have to think twice
I will always love you, baby, this much I promise you
from the depths of my soul, it's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you:
If you're asking, 'Do I love you this much?' baby, I do.*
Today was June 17, the year after Sara and I got married. Today we were celebrating our first wedding anniversary, and our daughter Rachel Nicole's baptism. Rachel's beautiful. She looks just like her mom.