cellythefloshie

The harsh lighting in the bathroom made the flush across Maddie’s face more prominent than ever as Harper, who was standing behind her clipped the 15 dollar veil they’d bought on the way into her hair. Maddie half turned, examining her short white dress and heels before turning to her sister. They’d bought the dress in a rush at a boutique down the street, and a woman with blue glittery eyeshadow said it was “to die for” and she was right. It was perfect for the occasion.

Harper was smiling widely at her, her own drunken flush across her cheeks. Her eyeliner was slightly smudged from crying, both from the cup win and Seth’s random proposal in the hallway of the arena “This shit is so crazy.” She said clasping her hands under her chin excitedly “Your sure right?”

“Hell yeah.” Maddie said with a wink.

In the other room, the entirety of the Carolina Hurricanes, staff, coaches, family, the Stanley cup and its keeper was crammed into the small chapel area. There wasn’t a single hand that wasn’t holding a drink and the vibes were so high the roof could have been blown right off. These was a buzz in the air that would never be able to be replicated for a normal wedding. And today seemed as good a reason as any.

The organ was playing lowly in the background as Seth made his way out of the men’s room followed by his brother and then Andrei. He was wearing the suit he’d worn to the game, minus the tie which had been lost an hour ago. A loud round of applause went up as he came down the aisle, high fived Elvis and found his spot at the front by the altar. It was then that he noticed Svech was wearing a jacket with no shirt underneath and PK had no shoes on. This was the absolute best time of his life.

To his left, the Stanley cup gleamed in the first row, seated on two chairs pushed together. The neon from the flashing sign in the lobby twisted into two hearts and an arrow reflected off the names engraved on the cup from the last 50 years. A cup that his name would soon be on.

The chapel director appeared at the end of the aisle and clapped her hands.

“Ahem!” She yelled. All eyes turned towards her and the noise died down. She grinned “The bride is ready. Places people!”

Everyone rushed to a seat, some having to stand, some sharing one chair. A nervous jolt of energy went from his head to his toes as the organ started again, louder this time. Harper came around the corner, holding a bouquet of bright pink flowers tied with a shiny black ribbon. She was wearing a short black dress with black heels that strapped at the ankle. Her hair was half up, and she wore hooped earrings. Svech leaned into the aisle and his mouth fell open slightly as he watched her make her way down the aisle towards them. She winked at him when she reached the end and came forward to give Seth a hug and a kiss on the cheek before taking her place across from him.

As “here comes the bride” came over the organ a loud drunken cheer went up from the audience as Maddie materialized behind a sheer white curtain that had been blocking the entrance to the chapel. She came slowly up the aisle, heels clicking across the floor as until she was standing across from him grinning.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” Elvis said from his spot between them, pushing hair off his forehead and lowering his glasses down his nose slightly. His white suit glittered under the lights as he pulled the microphone closer to his mouth “We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of these two beautiful souls. If anyone can see a reasons why these two shouldn’t be wed today speak now. If not, sit down and enjoy the show.” The crowd laughed and cheered and Elvis pulled out a leather clad, bedazzled Bible from the pocket of his suit.

On the outside this whole thing looked ridiculous. But a big stuffy church wedding wasn’t who Seth and Maddie were. And they didn’t need a priest to tell them anything about love. They knew enough about that.

He turned to Maddie first “Madison Alexander do you take Seth Jarvis to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love, honor, and cherish?" He asked surveying her over his glasses.

Maddie grinned at him “I do Elvis.”

“Thank you very much.” He said quickly turning to Seth and doing a little shimmy as he did somewhere behind Maddie Harper snorted out a laugh and cleared her throat to cover it up “Seth Jarvis do you take Madison Alexander to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love, honor, and cherish?"

“Hell yeah I do Elvis!” He said amidst the cheers and whistles.

The rings, which Harper handed to Maddie weren’t their actual rings, but a placeholder till they got back home to Carolina. They were fake and gaudy looking, but considering the venue they fit in perfectly. Harper handed Seth’s to his brother, and the scooted back behind Madison as Elvis continued.

“Like a fountain of love, flowing endlessly, these rings and the love they represent will nourish you, in this life and the next. The ring is only a symbol. It shows the world that you belong to someone, just as they belong to your heart. But remember as you wear them, that your care, devotion, and concern for one another are the true signs of your love.”

He smiled at Madison “Repeat after me darlin, I give you this ring as a token of my love. You are the only one for me."

Madison did so and slid the ring up Seth’s finger. And then it was his turn to say the words and put hers on.

Elvis spoke a little about love, with heartfelt music playing in the background as he did. At one point he even pulled out a ukulele and sang a tune. Even though it was silly, the words he said we all true. As they moved to their vows, he handed Seth a small laminated card to read from.

Seth cleared his throat and blinked “I promise to always love you tender, and never leave you at Heartbreak Hotel. I promise to never step on your blue suede shoes, or treat you like a fool. I will never have a suspicious mind. And from this day forward, I promise to be your hunka hunka burning love." Seth’s teammates were making noises somewhere between laughing and yelling as Elvis turned to Madison and handed her, her own card to read from, which was more or less the same.

“I promise to never leave you in Heartbreak Hotel, or have a suspicious mind. I promise to love you tender, and love you sweet, and never let you go. You have made my life complete, and I promise to always love you so. Because your kisses lift me higher, like the sweet song of a choir. You light my morning sky, with burning love.” She said giggling out the last part.

“WOOOOOO!” Someone screamed from the audience as Maddie finished speaking. Harper was in stitches behind her, tears leaking from her eyes as the applause rose up again.

Maddie was shaking in anticipation as Elvis finally closed his bible, cleared his throat and a spotlight shone down on them "By the power vested in me, and on behalf of the King of Rock 'n' Roll and the great state of Las Vegas , I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!”

The room erupted as Seth pulled Maddie forward and kissed her like never before. In the background someone popped a champagne bottle, and gold confetti exploded from the corners and ceiling and rained down on them.

Amongst the screaming Viva Las Vegas played loudly from the band and Elvis grabbed mic and started to sing.

When they broke apart Maddie was laughing and crying “This is so tacky. But it’s the best day of my life.”

“Mine too. I love you Mrs. Jarvis.”

“I love you too Mr. Jarvis.”