Everything after Oliver's impromptu proposal was a blur up until they got to the cheap, kitschy wedding chapel. Oliver suddenly had a tattoo on his ring finger, a thick black line that he couldn't remember getting. He thought the coke wasn't working for him but it must have just had a delayed reaction as everything came into effect simultaneously. He was surprised he could still stand.
Nora clung onto his arm as they staggered to the reception of the shitty chapel.
"Hello and welcome to The Chapel of Love," An old lady croaked at them.
She slipped Oliver and Nora two forms to fill out. Oliver attempted to fill his out but his vision was too blurred. The words seemed wriggle uncontrollably around the page. Noticing his struggle, Nora took it from him and filled it in quickly for him.
"Can I interest you in the deluxe platinum package for twenty dollars extra? It comes with a veil and bouquet," The receptionist droned as they handed back the forms.
"Yeah, why not!" Oliver laughed. His voice felt foreign, like it wasn't coming from his mouth. Was he dissociating already? That didn't usually kick in until his fourth bump.
The lady stopped typing and looked up at him. "Really?" She asked dryly.
He smiled and nodded, slipping her all the money in his left pocket. "Yes."
Her personality did a one-eighty as her eyes registered the cash in front of her. "Excellent! If you just take a number. The wait time is currently half an hour-" She leaned in closer to him. "-but you can go in once the current couple is out."
Nora clapped her hands together and squealed as they were handed a a cheap, crinkled plastic veil and a bunch of glittery plastic flowers.
"I wish you two eternal happiness."
Eternal happiness. Oliver's heart jumped at the word eternal. Forever. They would be married forever. That meant him and Charlie would never get back together. He would remain in the past, a distant memory. Was he ready to let him go like that?
They returned to the sticky waiting area where they found Sienna on the phone. She winked at Oliver.
"It's Charlie K. He says congratulations."
Oliver froze. Why did she call him? He didn't want him to find out! Of course he would have eventually found out but he wasn't ready to let him know just yet. Sienna was fun to hang around with but Oliver forgot how mischievous and sly she could be. She just called him to cause trouble because Sienna thrived on trouble. She loved watching relationships crumble around her.
"Ugh, it's fine Oliver. You don't have to keep pretending that he's not your dealer," Nora sighed, rubbing his arm.
Oh, she knew nothing.
"H-He isn't."
Sienna smiled wickedly. "Here, talk to Oliver," She said to Charlie before handing the phone to Oliver.
Oliver would have flipped out if it weren't for Nora standing right beside him. Talking to Charlie was the last thing he wanted. He knew that if he talked to Charlie, he might change his mind.
He hesitantly took the phone and looked back at Nora to make sure she wasn't suspicious of anything.
He scurried away, out of earshot and put the phone to his ear quick enough to hear Charlie's protests.
"Sienna, no, don't give him the phone. I don't want to-"
"Hey..." Oliver sighed softly, interrupting him.
Charlie stopped talking abruptly. Oliver wished he would continue. Hearing his voice was better than the silence.
"Please say something...."
"I have nothing to say," Charlie said in a frigid tone void of emotion.
Oliver suddenly felt very sober. Nothing to muffle the pain.
"Don't be like that-"
"Do you want me to congratulate you? Do you want me to say I'm happy for you?"
He knew exactly what he wanted Charlie to say. Oliver looked at Nora as she chatted to Sienna. He had this over-looming feeling that he was making a mistake.
"No... I just... I miss you."
Say it. Charlie, please say it. He suddenly wanted nothing more than for Charlie to object. He wanted Charlie to tell him not to go through with the wedding. That he was making a mistake. That would have been all it took for him not to marry Nora.
Perhaps he would even would choose Charlie this time.
"Stop making this harder than it already is. You can't do that." Charlie was beginning to get agitated..
Oh god. Oliver's chest was so sore. He just wanted to be with him.
"Do what?"
"Miss me! Y-You can't- you- ugh! Oliver, you chose her! So, anything we had is over. Move on."
He loved Nora but for some reason all he wanted to do right there and then was go to Charlie.
"I can't lose you..."
"You already have."
"I want you-"
"Yeah well this may come as a surprise to you but you can't have everything you want."
"You're not listening to me..."
Charlie sighed. "Congrats on your wedding. I hope you're happy. I hope this helps you find peace."
"But-"
Charlie swiftly hung up before Oliver could finish his sentence. Oliver shut his eyes. What was he doing? Why couldn't he just be happy with Nora? His glassy eyes darted to Nora then back to the phone.
Two options laid ahead of him. He could just leave. He could walk out of the chapel and ignore everything and everyone until he reached Charlie's house. Maybe Charlie would take him back. Maybe he wouldn't. Or he could get the wedding over and have his happy ever after with Nora. Shove all his worries down into the Pandora's box embedded in his chest, never to be opened again. He would live a long happy life with her and eventually the heartbreak would ease and keep easing until it eventually disappeared completely.
Nora was good to him, good for him. He had to pick her. Slowly, he made his way back to her and hugged her, much to her surprise. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap, planting a long kiss on her glossy lips.
"I love you," He whispered, trying to get rid of the image of another man in his head.
Nora beamed widely and tightened her arms around his neck. "Forever, babe," She giggled back.
A loud ding went off as the doors into the chapel dramatically swung open and two men in tuxedos walked out hand in hand. Oh the irony.
"Let's go get married," Oliver whispered into Nora's ear. His voice was shakier than usual. Whether it was from the nerves or heartbreak he didn't know.
Oliver was the first to stumble down the isle and towards the ordained minister to the sound of Sienna's band's alt-version of 'Here Comes the Bride'. Then Nora retraced his footsteps, landing opposite him at the altar.
He couldn't focus on the ragged minister's speech. He zoned out during his rants of love until Nora slightly nudged him.
"Huh?"
"The vows," The minister said.
Nora's eyes bugged out expectingly at him as she awaited his big, emphatic declaration of love.
"Uh, yeah. Um..." Nothing but silence came out of his mouth. He could see Nora slowly grow anxious and angsty.
All he had to do was tell her the truth. And the truth was that he really loved her. So why couldn't he say it out loud?
He knew what he would say to Charlie if he was with him.
"You make me happy..." He began. "You helped me in so many ways. You came into my life when I was in a dark place and you have been my light ever since. You changed me and you have opened up my eyes to new possibilities. I'm so sorry for all the shit I put you through. I'm so sorry...I....um..."
He cleared his throat after realising his vows were directed at someone else. He had to redirect them back to the girl of his dreams.
"We belong with each other. There is no one else for either of us, no one else for me but you. I love you... Nora."
Nora smiled as they both let out a sigh of relief. At least that part was over. Nora began her vows just as Oliver zoned out again, tuning back as she reached the end of them.
"..... I'm done with worrying about the future. I love you Oliver Scott."
How could he ever doubt what they had? She loved him the most in the entire fucked up world. She really cared about him unlike everyone else. Oliver mouthed 'I love you' at her as the priest rambled on and her face lit up magnificently. She was good for him.
"Do you Oliver Scott take Nora Laurent-"
"Lawrence-" She corrected him.
"Sorry, Nora Lawrence to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
He looked at her and slowly nodded.
"I do."
"And do you, Nora Lawrence, take Oliver Scott to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
He saw her flick her eyes in Sienna's direction. She looked pensive and Oliver's heart slowed. A small part of him wanted her to say 'no'. If she did there would be no obstacle between him and Charlie. Not that Nora was an obstacle. Was she? His brain was going into overdrive. He didn't know what he wanted.
No. He had to be with Nora. That was the plan. He couldn't keep just changing his mind. It wasn't fair on Nora. He was devoted to her. She was the only one for him.
"I... I do."
"By the power vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Nora leaned in to kiss him as his arms wrapped around her waist. They were officially married.
Oliver and Nora once watched a 1967 movie called 'The Graduate' (recommended by Spencer). At the end of the movie, the main character Benjamin crashes the wedding of his love, Elaine and they escape together. They're euphoric until they get on the bus and settle down. The final shot of the film is of their delighted, elated expressions shifting to looks of uncertainty and regret as the bus drives away. The film ends on a negative note, a stark contrast to the joy one would expect of a couple in love reuniting.
As Nora and Oliver hesitantly walked down the aisle, realising what they had just done, Oliver felt very much like Benjamin and he had a stinging feeling that Nora felt the same way. It was probably just the alcohol in their systems. They would feel much better the next morning. But a niggling feeling in Oliver made him nervous that that feeling of uncertainty would last their entire lives.
⢠⢠â¢
In the words of the great Nicki Minaj; YIKES.
Gilded Butterflies, Chapter 29 for the wedding from Nora's POV. I recommend rereading it to get a feel of her emotions during this scene.
Love,
-hexed