Chapter 1 - Kiss The Bride

Kwon Yuri stood in the dressing room looking into the mirror, sweat beads forming on her forehead. She had never felt more nervous in her life. Today was indeed going to be a fateful day; it would be the day where she would utter those two little words and be bound to the woman of her dreams for the rest of her life. Today Kwon Yuri was going to be married to Jessica Jung.

Yuri and Jessica had begun dating in their senior year at Seoul High School. It didn't take long for them or their friends to see that they were destined to be together. Once they graduated from college, Yuri had asked for Jessica's hand in marriage on a bended knee. Jessica had immediately accepted and threw her arms around Yuri’s neck, crying tears of joy. Neither of them would ever forget that day.

Yuri fidgeted uneasily as Sooyoung, her “best man”, tried desperately to adjust her tie. In the mirror Yuri could see her father and brother, Jae, standing by the door, smiling at her. Yuri tried to give a grin in return but it turned out terribly weak. She was too nervous to smile. It felt as though there were a swarm of butterflies fluttering about in her stomach.

When Yuri’s tie was perfectly straight Mr. Kwon clapped Yuri on the shoulder and said, "Never seen you look better with a tie on," with a slight grin.

Though Yuri looked beautiful in her new tailored tuxedo, her hair was still a bit messed up. The hairdresser had tried everything to get it to stay in place and for the most part it did, but stray little pieces of hair stuck up here and there and there was nothing she could do about it. Yuri sighed as Sooyoung walked up beside her.

"Don’t be nervous, Yuri," said Sooyoung, patting her friend on the back. Instead of consoling her, this just made Yuri's stomach feel worse.

"Easy for you to say..." Yuri muttered. She then broke away from her friends and family and sat down on the chair in the corner, putting her head into her hands. "You’re not the one getting married," she mumbled.

Sooyoung and Jae rolled their eyes at each other as Yuri picked up her carnation from the end table and fastened it to her suit.

"Come on, Yuri. Cheer up. People might think you’re at a funeral," said Jae, kneeling down beside Yuri and giving her a playful punch in the arm. "You're getting married to the love of your life. What's there to be nervous about? You should be happy because Jessica loves you and wants to spend the rest of her life with you. That's all that matters, really."

Yuri smiled at her brother. He always had a way with making her feel better. "You know..." she began, getting up from her seat and brushing herself off, "You're right."

*****

"Jessica, would you stop fidgeting? Let me fix your dress.” Kim Hyoyeon yelled at her long-time friend Jessica.

"Sorry, Hyo," Jessica said, straightening up a bit as Hyoyeon pulled at the veil planted on her head.

Jessica could remember being a bridesmaid at Hyoyeon's wedding only a year ago. It had been absolutely magnificent but now that it was her turn to be the bride it seemed anything but magnificent. Nerve-wrecking was more like it; she had been struggling to calm down all morning.

"Hyoyeon?" Jessica asked as her friend finished adjusting her veil for her.

"Yes, Jessica?"

" You weren't nervous when you married Sooyoung, were you?"

"Of course I was! I just hid it well, Jessica." she gave her friend a wink, "You know, I was so nervous I had to breathe into a paper bag to calm down before I walked the aisle. But afterwards I looked back and saw that it was for nothing. No worries, Jessica. Now come on, it’s almost time for you and Yuri to tie the knot," she said, opening the dressing room door.

Jessica took one last look into the mirror, gave a confident nod and walked out the door past Hyoyeon.

*****

A few minutes later Yuri stood waiting at the altar, music from the church organ filling her ears and behind her stood Sooyoung, smiling broadly. Mr. Kwon and Jae were sitting in front of her with the rest of the family. Like most everyone else, they were staring down the aisle, waiting for Jessica to appear. Yuri had not seen her since the night before and she felt as though the anticipation was killing her. Her heart was drumming rapidly against her ribs.

All the guests were quiet as the little flower girl progressed up the isle to where Yuri stood tall with a fervent expression on. Her fingers were tangled together until she twisted them through her raven black hair. Sooyoung chuckled from behind Yuri, looking at her nervous friend, who was already sweating over taking her chances with her true love. The flower girl was directed to stand next to Yuri's parents, after throwing the last of the white petals to the ground in front of the altar.

The air was silent for a brief moment before the music began, signaling for the bride to walk down the aisle. The white polished doors opened and Yuri felt her stomach tighten. There were no words for this moment. Jessica appeared at the door, dressed in gleaming white. The lights of the church cast a wonderful glow upon her as she walked down the aisle. Yuri's stomach fluttered as Jessica smiled at her.

Mr. Jung came to Jessica's side to guide her up the church aisle, giving her away to Yuri. She gladly took hold of Jessica's cold hand, helping her up onto the stage of the altar. Mr. Jung then took his place beside his wife, who was sitting in the front row. 

Jessica's dress was simple, but she loved it just the same. Her mother had been wed in the dress and now she was doing the same. It was made of plain white silk and its long train left a trail behind her. Her auburn hair was placed up in an elegant bun upon her head, away from her radiant face.

They stared into each other's eyes as they said their vows. Their smiles grew as they exchanged rings. Sooyoung did not delay in pulling the two golden bands from her pocket and handing them to the couple. She was honored to help this union.

"Kwon Yuri, do you take Jessica Jung to be your wedded wife?"

"I do."

"Jessica Jung, do you take Kwon Yuri to be your wife?"

"I do."

"You may kiss the bride." The minister stepped back, away from the couple. 

Jessica and Yuri kissed and bound themselves to each other for life. Many people in the audience began to cry while others clapped, some whistled, and some cheered. 

To Yuri their kiss seemed to last forever and she had a bit of trouble pulling away from Jessica. She wanted it to last forever, for it was the sweetest one they had ever shared. It was Jessica who pulled away. They stared into each other's eyes, completely blocking out the rest of the world. 

Together at last.

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