The Wedding is On (ORP! JOIN IN PEOPLE)

[Dallas/Fort Worth, TX]

You are hereby cordially invited to the wedding of

William Worth Jones
And
Caroline Alexis Jones

On the date of December the 16, 2011, at 5 pm.

It had taken forever to get everything ready, and he and Caro had pushed the date back twice, when he'd gotten sick thanks to the war, mostly doing with the PTSD the young blond Texan still had issues with. But today was the day, and it was nearing the hour too. Staring in the mirror, he took a slow breath. The young man was dressed in an elegant white tux, with a soft, baby blue tie, to match his bride's color choice, and his heart sped as he wondered what she'd look like. He knew the colors were soft blue and white, because that was how the chapel itself was decked out. He'd even gone through the trouble of going behind Caro's back, and having some dyed-blue roses added to the arrangement, just to see that pretty face of hers light up. His heart swelled at the thought, and he gave his reflection a tiny smile. His twin stood beside him, surprisingly? He was smiling as well, dressed in white, with a black tie, like all the groomsmen were.

He was terrified, but couldn't be happier, knowing his little Caroline, the way he'd gotten through the hellish months he'd spent in Afghanistan, was in a room right across the way, waiting to see her groom as anxiously as he waited to see his bride. He knew that everything would be perfect, and it would be the best event...Looking to his brother, he grinned wryly, "You're all dressed up an' ya still look like shit." Dall grinned back, his blond hair still a bit of a mess as usual, "I don't look as much a mess as you, mr. groom. Look at you. You're all but squealing. Don't turn into a girl on me." Those eyes were soft, though, the two teasing eachother in a brotherly manner. So when Dallas' lips quirked into a smile, and the scar on one side of his face crinkled, Worth felt a twinge of guilt, "Don' think we ever though' I'd be th' one t' get married ever." This brought another smirk, "Nah. I thought you were GAY."

He took a deep breath, wondering where Al was.....how Caro was doing. More importantly...where was his mom? This made him absolutely nervous. Wasn't the bride supposed to be the one freaking out on their wedding day? Why was he the one turning into a wreck? But when his brother saw the nerves of his face, he couldn't help but pat his twin, and go to the radio, flicking on a song that the two had loved ever since they were boys. God Gave Me You popped on the Radio, making those pretty gray eyes of the twin getting married turn softly down, soft tears pricking his eyes, "Yer a dick, Dallie..." The elder smiled kindly, "Love ya too, Worthie. I'm gonna go check on think. Breathe, okay?"

The younger of the two took his brother's advice, taking a low, deep breath, and letthing himself think about all of it. Think back to when he and Caro first got together, to that night under the moonlight, and all the days after, spent picknicing, horseback riding, teasing eachother. Then...his mind flashed to the night he'd left. The wonderful night that the two of them had given eachother EVERYTHING for the first time. They'd waited til it was right, and when niether of them had known he was coming back....it had seemed like the right time. He remembered getting up...kissing her goodbye, and getting on that bus. His fingers fluttered under his sleeve, brushing over the white rose, with the yellow tips that hid beneath. God...the memory of her was what got him through the war.

And then his favourite memory....the memory of stepping off the plane to a vision in white, with golden hair and baby blues that just pierced his heart. The memory of spinning her around, both of them crying. Then....putting her down, kneeling, and presenting the ring that she was still wearing, the beautiful diamond and blue-topaz ring he'd saved for months to afford. Then asking the perfect little lady of his life to marry him. It was all of that which had culminated in this moment....this perfect....stunning moment that left Worth speechless as he still stared in amazement at the mirror. Was this really him? Did he really look like a man, standing here, his hair still a very short cut from his tour? Was this really happeneing?

Of course it was.....and he wouldn't have it any other way.

[North Carolina]

Now, the date had been put off twice already - for good reason, she rationalized (hell, she worried about Worth then more than he'd known), but still. The day itself was finally here, getting close to the time as well. Caroline's heart fluttered in her chest. The anxious butterflies were kicking back to life, incessant, and she studied her reflection for a few long moments.

She didn't look nearly as nervous as she felt -- the girl in the mirror wore white, a strapless number; her hair pulled back loosely, in light waves over the nape of her neck. A delicate, lacy veil covering the pale blonde. She smiled faintly, and her reflection smiled back. The mirroring almost reassuring to her, in a way. Glancing down to adjust her skirt, the shine of her ring caught the light; easing her anxiety just a bit. Was she supposed to be this nervous? Mother of all that is good and holy, she couldn't even--

Relax. Take a breath before you pass out, genius.

The State closed her eyes for a moment and exhaled slowly, trying to ease the rapid fluttering of her heart. She could do this. Stop being so nervous. Stop it now. Honestly? She hadn't thought she'd be standing here, right at this moment. About to be married.

Before she could control herself, tears stung at her eyes. She just couldn't believe it, she guessed. (Why were her hands shaking so much?) Vision blurry, the image in the mirror distorted; don't cry, she chided herself. You're happy, aren't you? Yes. Then stop it. Take it easy. Trying to distract herself, her thoughts strayed elsewhere; to other people. To the other, her fiance, in the room across the way. Was he freaking out as much as she was?

Behind her, the door creaked open - someone else? The State turned in their direction, wondering.

[America]

I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one, she told me so
___________________

The day had finally come, and honestly, Alfred couldn't believe it. The day that he had to give away one of his little girls, the first was the hardest he supposed. It had to be Caroline though, his sweet little Southern Belle. It felt like it was only yesterday that she was a little girl, he not much older than her when he found her and her twin brother. From that day, he helped raise the two. Looking after them like an older brother, later as they all grew, they had come to see him as a father figure. Even though when it happened, he wasn't ready for that kind of responsibility. He took it though, and even though there were a ton of trials, they all overcame them. Somehow. Their big, drawn-out, dysfunctional family that had only continued to spread and grow.

This day he thought would never come, and in a way, he wished it hadn't. As much as he wished that she didn't have to grow up, that she would remain his little girl forever, he knew that it wasn't the case. Worth was a good kid, he knew that he would take care of her. Alfred had to remember that, she would be taken care of and loved. She was settling down with the one that she loved, and honestly...He couldn't have felt happier for her.

That didn't change that she was his little girl, he would be there for her. Like he had promised her when the big news came, he would be there and support her. She needed it, the support from her dad.

Adjusting the tie around his neck and knocking on the door, he opened it and poked his head inside with a grin. "Knock knock, it's just me Caro." Walking inside and closing the door behind him, he couldn't help but stare at the girl in front of him. She looked like the angel that he always thought that she was, glowing and beautiful. His smile changed to a knowing, proud one when he walked up to her as seeing the shake and the red from what he was sure was crying from nerves. He reached forward, taking her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. He was beaming, despite the tears that were prickling in his own eyes.

"Ya look beautiful kiddo..." That's all he could really think of to say, at least at the moment. His brain felt as though it were running a million miles a minute, so fast that he couldn't comprehend what he was thinking or to fast to go from his head to his mouth. Regardless, what he really thought would come out during these last few moments that he had with her before he walked her down the aisle, that much he was sure of.

Hopefully.

And she still means the world to me, just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl

Time changes everything, life must go on
And I'm not gonna stand in your way
___________________

[North Carolina]

Knock, knock.

She did her best to blink back her tears when she realized who it was, offering the tiniest of smiles. "Hey," She moved forward to meet Alfred halfway, making sure not to trip and fall (inwardly cursing heels the whole way). Her hand trembled lightly in his, out of nerves and nothing more. She could see it as though it was yesterday, when she was younger. Al had been barely older than her and Joshua. An elder brother figure, a father, all at once.

They'd all grown up together, and now -- now, for her at least, this was it. In effect, leaving what she'd once known behind. (It'd still be there, of course. Family is family no matter what happens, but still... Another chapter in the story, so to speak.) She squeezed his hand tightly, trying her hardest not to tear up once more. How many times was this, now?

God, she was going to spend a lot of her time crying today, wasn't she?

Her mind and heart were racing, a million miles a minute at the very least. Biting the inside of her cheek, her smile brightened just a bit. "T - thanks. Y'don' look so bad yerself." She gently straightened his tie, the gesture affectionate; it was, just a little, so she could distract herself by doing something. At least they had this time, before she headed down the aisle. (And hopefully there was no falling involved in said aisle. Hopefully.)


_________________________________
A/N: I CANNOT HOLD ALL THESE EMOTIONS

[America]

He smiles
"There goes my life
___________________

Alfred couldn't help but smile when she met him half-way, his thumb rubbing along her knuckles and carefully rubbing away the threatening tears from her eyes that had wanted to fall. Couldn't have her make-up messed up on the big day...Right? He choked a laugh when he saw her nearly trip over her dress, shaking his head before speaking in a shaky tone. "Careful Caro, ya don't wanna fall and break somethin' on your big day, right? I don't think a visit to the hospital is in the plan today, though if it's what you two planned, then I can't stop ya."

Try and throw in some humor, that's all he could really do to keep herself, and himself, from breaking. Looking down when she began to adjust and fix his tie, he leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. Hey, anything to try and keep her calm. Couldn't have her in hysterics...At least, not yet. She hadn't even walked down the aisle yet. "Don't ya think ya need to focus more on yourself and not me kid?"

Though, he could understand her big bundle of jumbled nerves. He was going to be heading down that way too, so were several others in the near future but Caro...His sweet little Caro...Was the first.

Without thinking, his arms wrapped around her waist as he pulled her into a tight, fatherly hug. He stayed quiet for a moment as his body gave a small tremble as if he were trying to keep his composure. Though truth being told, it wasn't working all that well. Whatever he wanted to say...It needed to be said. "I love ya so much Caroline...I hope ya know that. I just wanna see ya happy."

There goes my future, my everything
I love you Daddy, good night
There goes my life"
___________________

[Texas]

Skinned knees, climbing trees
Moments may be lost somewhere in time
But the sweetest memories are never left behind

[/b] She shook her head and then kissed his cheek, before letting him go on his way, her attention moving to the closed door.

She felt like her hand was shaking a bit as she turned the knob and opened it. Walking in, Texas couldn't help put feel something rise into her throat. She saw her son standing in front of the mirror, but instead of the man he was, she saw the little boy, standing and staring up at her. She remembered when she first put him and his brother in a suit, Dallas having ripped it off the next second as she had been focused on Worth, though Worthy did nothing as she had straightened his tie, getting them ready to go to mass that day. She had to take a deep breath, blinking her eyes as she felt tears welling up and she sighed softly, taking another step further into the room. "When did ya grow up from being my baby boy to this young man Worth." She moved over to him, gently placing a hand onto his shoulder before hugging him. "I'm so proud of ya. Feels like this days come so fast." Pulling back, she kissed his forehead softly, realizing she was starting to cry, something the hardened state didn't like to do in front of people, but her children had seen her cry before. Taking a step back so that she didn't mess up his suit, she wiped her eyes carefully to not mess up the make up she had put on.[/ul]

I'm so proud of who you are
The man you've become

[Kentucky]

Isabelle had shown up with Toni, not too long ago, shooing him to go sit as she walked towards the back room, where she knew that Caro had all the bridesmaids dresses. Walking into the room, she smiled shyly at Alfred, before disappearing quickly into the back, flushed and nervous. D-dammit...She wouldn't be able to hear almost anything in the ceremony, and it kind of made her sad. In the side room, the young woman stripped out of her jeans, boots, and top, sliding herself into the beautiful blue dress, letting dark hair down, and taming it enough to put it up in a twist . Taking a slow breath, the dark haired young woman stared at herself, in a bit of shock. She looked like a girl. Doing her makeup carefully, Izzy stared at the young woman who was staring back at her.

That woman shouldn't have existed, not really. So when she finished tying the dress on, Izzy nearly broke down in tears. Who was this? But no...She couldn't let herself break down. Not on Caro's wedding day. WAlking out into the main room again, she looked at Caroline with a weak smile, "Congra'ulashons." It spoke volumes on how much had been going on with Izzy, that her voice was so muffled, even from her mouth. The young southerner may have been losing her hearing rapidly, but that didn't matter, "I'm so happy for you." Her words were slow and deliberate as she stumbled over them, before moving to sweep Caroline, her sister, and best friend, into a strong HUG.

Looking over the other, she moved her to sit, smiling at Alfred, and carefully moved to take the makeup kit she knew was in the room. "I can fix it for ya, 'f ya want..."

[Dallas/Fort Worth, TX]

Was he really a man? Honestly? And then...the one woman he was hoping to see walked in. His mother. Those gray eyes looked back at her, and he saw the woman he remembered as a child. His memories flashed him back to watching her straighten his tie, getting ready for mass, and making faces at Dallas over her shoulder, as he tore off the suit. He resisted the tears that pricked his eyes, though he couldn't fight them long as she spoke, "When did ya grow up from being my baby boy to this young man Worth." A soft sob choked him, and he wrapped his arms around her tightly. Being with his mother again...it made him realize how much he'd missed this.

After all, when he'd been torn off to War, he'd lost so much. Friends...'brothers'....It made the young man lay his head against the woman's shoulder. Seeing his mama in this dress...made him think of when they were really little, his mother wearing her night clothes as she tucked him into bed. He could remember whispered stories at night....his mother holding him as he fell asleep after a bad dream, teaching him everything he knew. He also remembered when she first started to teach him how to shoot...how to ride a horse....his mother had taught him all his firsts. Everything he was...

"There's only one reason tha' there's a man standin' before ya, mama." he murmured softly, "An' that's cus of you, mama. If it weren't for you, there wouldn't be a man before ya today....I wouldn't be..." He choked, tears fluttering into his eyes as he smiled weakly at her, "I wouldn't'a been able to become the man ya see before ya, mama." He sniffled, rubbing his eyes, feeling the tears spilling from them.

[North Carolina]

"I don't think a visit to the hospital is in the plan today, though if it's what you two planned, then I can't stop ya."

She laughed softly, the sound more choked than she'd intended. It was just like him to lighten things up like this, or at least try to. Her bright smile wavered, and she squeezed his hand tightly. "Tha's not in th'plan - least, hope not." She closed her eyes for a mere second as he leaned down to kiss her forehead, trying to calm her bundle of jumbled, excited nerves. There seemed to be no end to the emotions today. The nervousness, the excitement, the anxiety.. Pushing that aside for a moment, the state made a squeaking noise in the back of her throat as she was pulled into a tight hug. Resting her chin on his shoulder. He was struggling not to break composure as much as she was; she could tell by the shake in his voice and tone. "Love y'too, Al. Always will, y'derp." She wrapped her arms tight around him, letting out a soft, low breath.

She caught movement out of the corner of her eye as they broke apart, and her heart leapt up into her throat again. Izzy...
She scurried toward the other State; she really did clean up beautifully. Her muffled voice, though... Had her hearing gotten worse? "Sis..." She allowed herself to be pulled into the strongest of bearhugs (besides Alfred's), holding the other just as tightly. "Y'look great, an'..." She paused and frowned, trying to recall what she'd learned. Brightening, she signed it out, hands hesitating here and there out of nerves and worry. How're your ears?

[America]

You're an angel in my arms
And how I love you so
Yet I know the day will come
That I'll have to let you go
__________________

Even as he held her back and gently rubbing at her back in a more comforting manner, he listened to what she had to say as he gave a cracked chuckle in return. "Let's hope that's not the plan, otherwise I'll have to throw the paramedic out of the driver's seat, speed there, and dammit if I have to be the pastor or something like that at the hospital, I will. I just want to see ya happy Caro..." Leaning back to look at her with a smile, gently brushing the tears from her eyes with his thumbs even though a couple of stray tears had finally trickled down his own cheeks. Words couldn't describe just how proud he was of her, of the woman that she had become from the little girl that she used to be. "That's all I've ever wanted, for all of ya."

This was it, it was now or never. Now that he had the chance to say what he really needed to say.

"I can't even begin to tell ya just how proud I am of you kiddo, you've grown into an incredible and beautiful young woman...No thanks to me, but that doesn't stop me from just admiring who you have become. I want you to have nothing but the best, and I actually wanna give ya something." Releasing her for just a minute, he began to rifle through his inside suit pocket. Soft curses soon joined the shuffle of fabric until he finally found what he was looking for. A old gold cross with what appeared to be dark blue sapphires covering the front, the small pendant twirling faintly as it dangled from the chain. "I've had this thing for many years, it once belonged to a very dear friend of mine...But now, I want to give it to you."

Before she could give her answer, he turned at the sound of the door creaking open. His smile grew at the sight of Isabelle, wiping his cheeks with his free hand. She really did clean up nice, she looked absolutely stunning. His smile soon faltered at her speech, beginning to chew on his inner cheek. It sounded like her hearing was getting worse... "Ya really do clean up nice Iz."

Until then I'll hold you gently
With tenderness and care
And let you know your daddy
Forever will be there
__________________

[Kentucky]

When her sister signed to her about her ears, she'd been smiling because of the 'you look great' she'd read off the other's lips. She fell silent for a moment, taking a slow breath as she thought of what she was going to say, "They're fine..." She mumbled, smiling slightly, gently teasing the other's hair back into place, as she smiled. Sure, she was lying through her teeth about the whole 'fine' thing, but nonetheless, she was the sort to downplay her problems. Gently, she cleaned Caroline's eyes, then glanced to Al, smiling that nervous smile of hers.

"Thank you both...It feels weird, bein' in a dress though." The horseback riding girl was SO not used to having a skirt around her ankles, and heels on her feet, so sitting by Caroline like this was a nice change from standing in a way she didn't quite feel used to. Her own voice in her head was starting to piss her off, though, so she slowly signed, /Congradulations, Caroline. I'm so proud of you, for all of this. You're so lucky./

[North Carolina]

She nodded quietly as Al spoke, her tiny smile twitching a bit and widening. He really was proud of her, wasn't he? Hold the tears back for a while, she chided herself. You haven't even walked down the aisle yet. No hysterics. She let out a long exhale to steady her nerves, eyes widening as he drew the pendant from the inside suit pocket. It was... beautiful, really. Reaching almost tentatively, she gently took the pendant in her hands; murmuring softly, almost shakily. "Tha - thank you, Al. So much. This means a lot t'me." Her hands trembled just a bit, but for the most part, she'd controlled her emotions well enough (for now).

Her sister, though, seemed to feel very out of place in a dress, in a formal situation like this. The State placed a gentle hand on her back, rubbing small circles. She had a feeling though, that Isabelle wasn't 'fine' as she said she was. It worried her, honestly, things like this. She kept up a smile, though, watching carefully as she signed. Honestly, it was a wonder she was even comprehending any of this. Iz, I'm so happy. Thank you, for being here. I love you, remember that.

[America]

She'll change her name today
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away
Standing in the bride room just staring at her
_______________________

Alfred couldn't help the soft chuckle at Caroline's reaction to both what he had said and the reaction she gave for his gift to her. She was really trying not to cry, though he wouldn't blame her at all if she actually did. He was honestly surprised that he hadn't started yet, given the circumstances. The young Southern belle was one of his girls, but she was the first to be let go. He smiled at the two girls, carefully taking the pendant from her hands and unclasped it to place it around her neck.

He could feel his eyes getting misty with just this small little act, in a way, it was his way to tell himself that he was giving her away and that he was losing one of his baby girls. Fixing the clasp and backing away to let the pendant fall on her chest, his hand rose to run the heel of his palm along his wet eyes underneath his glasses. He wouldn't cry, at least one of them didn't need to cry during this whole process. A smile crossed his lips, leaning downward slightly to kiss the top of her forehead. "Hold onto it Caro, I've had it for a long time. I was savin' it, just for a special occasion just like this."

Turning to look back toward Izzy, his smile fell only slightly. Her hearing was getting worse, that much was obvious and he doubted that there was anything that any of them could do to even fix it. That, and she looked extremely uncomfortable in the dress she was wearing. He smiled softly toward the both of them when they hugged, placing his hands on top of both of their heads. "Y'know neither of ya are makin' this any easier to deal with, right?"

She asked me what I'm thinkin'
And I said I'm not sure
I just feel like I'm losin' my baby girl
_______________________

[Texas]

[/i]
To know you've found the one[/size][/center]


Feeling his arms wrap around her, Texas couldn't help but hug her son back. She laid her head gently on top of his, letting out a soft sigh. She couldn't help but be happy about everything that was going on, she was so proud of Worth. He had grown up in so many ways, right before her eyes. His decision to go off and fight had surprised her, but she had let him go, knowing that she wouldn't be able to go and stop him. There had been times when she just would go off with her boys, fight alongside her troops, but when she had her children to look out after, that had changed.

She could feel the tears starting to prickle more in her eyes and she closed them, just hugging her boy tight to her. She knew you weren't supposed to pick favorites from your children, but Worth had always done things to make her proud. He didn't go out looking for trouble like Dall or Austin, and he kept his heritage showing he was proud of it.

It was strange how fast things seemed to have go, but it really was years ago when Worth and Dallas were little boys. She had fought for her freedom, for her children's freedom, the hardship was worth it to be standing here, about to see her son get married. His words made her smile, even through the tears and she stepped back some, her hands on his shoulders, just taking him in. "All I did was show ya tha things ya needed to help ya grow. You persevered and did tha things you did to come this far. I love ya Worth." She leaned down, kissing the top of his head. "Ta think, my little boys gettin married. Any chance we can get yer two wilder brother's settled down?" She winked at him, chuckling to herself.

I'll be blessed 'cause your my son
But I'll always see the boy, in the man you've become

[/ul]Back Where I Come From - Kenny Chesney