What It Is To Burn

Andy watched as slowly one by one his best friends and bandmates walked down the aisle and he felt his heart stop as he took everything in. The aisle was filled with leaves, going from deep red to pure white rose petals and at the very end was an arbor that was covered in ivy, but twisted within the ivy were moss green and light orange roses. There were two huge trees that were shading everyone from the falling sun and hanging from the almost barren branches were crystal chandeliers that were giving off a soft glow. The white chairs, all of which were filled with their guests at this point, had chocolate brown ribbons tied around them and going through the bows on the back were two roses-moss green and orange. Andy held his breath as finally all of the guys were lined up, with Ashley being the closest to the alter and Andy knew it was his turn.

He was careful as he walked down the aisle, moving slowly as everyone clapped him on the back or squeezed his arm as he passed. At the very end Andy was met by his father and mother, who both looked happy as they stood to give him a hug each. His mother was already crying, her crystal blue eyes red rimmed and Andy only smirked as he bent down, kissing her on the side of her head as he hugged her and then straightened up. There was a small woman standing underneath the arbor, their Justice of the Peace.

Neither Andy nor Dess were religious and so it didn’t really make sense for them to have a religious ceremony. Andy shook hands with the small woman, who gave him an encouraging smile and then he turned to Ashley. The bassist smiled widely at him and Andy laughed as he looked past Ash and saw that CC was giving him a wide smile and a thumbs up, while Jake was also smiling at him. Jinxx was currently hooking his violin up to the small speaker system-he would be playing various songs while they waited and he would also be playing the girls down the aisle as well as Dess.


“Everything looks really great man…” Ash said to him softly and Andy smirked as he took everything in one more time and looked down at his best friend. Ashley had the same moss green rose in his front pocket as the rest of the guys and Andy was currently focusing on that to try and keep calm.

“Odessa did all of it-I now know why she was stressing out so much.” Andy said, running a hand through his short black hair. Everything looked perfect-like a fairytale and as Andy looked up he smiled…the sun was beginning to set and he knew that the time was coming closer and closer.

“I can’t wait to see her and I’m sure the rest of the girls look lovely as well…” Ashley added the last part in with a smirk and Andy could only shake his head. Ash would probably always have a thing for Dess, but Andy was hoping that a certain red head could steal the heart of his best friend and make it work this time around.

“I love you man…” Andy said suddenly and he turned around, his long arms wrapping around Ashley’s neck and the two hugged for a solid minute. Andy knew that things had been rough over the past year for everyone and he was just happy that they had all been able to come together to get to this point.

“I love you too…” Ashley said in his ear lowly and Andy only smirked as Jake, CC and Jinxx gave them strange looks and Andy broke away from Ashley with a smile. Both guys moved to straighten everything out, Andy making sure that his flower stayed hidden as best as he could get it.

“You sure you two shouldn’t be getting married?” CC laughed and everyone in the front row giggled and Andy felt a blush creep up his neck. He looked over towards his right and noticed that both Aunt Kitty and Rose Montgomery were sitting there and Andy silently approached the two women with a soft smile on his face.


The two women were sitting there chatting to one another quietly and at first Andy didn’t want to interrupt. He loved Aunt Kitty-the elderly woman had been there for him when Dess was having her breakdown and often enough he would call her and ask her what he should do. Her ill fated intervention had been the last time he had asked anything of her-mostly because he felt terrible at how it had ended. The elderly woman looked nice in a light pink dress with a white sweater over it and Andy smiled as he cleared his throat and the tiny woman finally noticed him.

The two of them said nothing as she rose; only coming to his chest and Andy reached out and hugged her tightly. Rose stood as well and as Aunt Kitty let him go Andy took in the woman that would be his mother in law in less than ten minutes. Her brown hair was up and out of her face and she was wearing a deep blue dress with a matching jacket. She smiled up at him and even though the two of them didn’t see eye to eye very often, Andy pulled her in for a hug and smiled as she hugged him back tightly.


“It’s good to see you here Rose.” Andy said as he pulled away and looked down into her gentle brown eyes.

“I know I’m not Odessa’s favorite person right now, but I had to be here-she’s my only child now and I can’t miss this.” Rose said softly and Andy smiled down at her as he reached down and took her hand in his. He noticed that she still had on her wedding band and he knew that although it seemed like Rose Montgomery had put the past behind her-Andy knew that she still mourned the loss of her husband deeply.

“I’m sure Kitty has told you of Dess’ health?” Andy asked, his voice as low as he could make it and he knew in that instant that Rose knew by the dark look in her eyes.

“She has and while I am worried-I have faith that whatever is going on with Odessa…it’s not what we all think it is.” She had a glimmer in her eyes, almost like she knew something he didn’t and Andy only smiled as he nodded his head and leaned down to place a soft kiss against her cheek.

“Well I guess I better get back over there. By the look Kit is giving me I think we’re ready to start.” Andy said as he turned to go, but stopped as he felt Rose tug on the hand that she was still holding.

“Andy?”

“Yeah?” He turned towards her, his blue eyes shining and Rose only smiled softly as she looked up at the person who had saved her daughter time and time again.

“I love you and I can’t wait to have you as my son-in-law.” She smiled at him and Andy reached down and wrapped his arms around her neck as he hugged her tightly.

“I love you too Rose. Wish me good luck!” He laughed as he pulled away and moved to stand in his designated spot.


Everyone had grown quiet and Andy felt his heart stop beating as Jinxx switched over to playing their Overture and everyone turned slightly in their seats as they watched the procession begin.


Dess looked out and smiled as Missy, her five year old cousin, began to walk down the aisle, her black shoes dark against the ombre leaves that was the focal point of the aisle and she felt relieved. Jinxx was playing the Overture and the small girl was doing a good job of walking in time to the music and dropping her leaves at just the right moment. Dess watched as the leaves fell to the ground and she felt the tears come to her eyes as she caught a quick glimpse of Andy in his all black suit.

Kit moved slightly, smirking over her shoulder and Dess only crossed her eyes at her best friend as she watched Sammi begin to walk down towards the end of the aisle. Her palms felt sweaty and Dess was worried that she would drop her bouquet at any moment. She double checked that the two pictures were hanging down from the silk covered stems and she also made sure that her secret flower was well hidden and yet pointed towards her to remain easily accessible.

Ella was next and Dess smiled as she noticed Jake’s eyes grow wide and she knew that one day it would be Ella in her position and Jake in Andy’s and it made her heart grow warm.

Beth began to walk and Jinxx kept playing and as Dess looked over Kit’s shoulder she saw that Andy had caught site of her. Well, not all of her since Kit was doing a damn good job of hiding her, but she could see that Andy was smirking really widely at that moment. Finally it was Kit’s turn and Dess had to hold in her laughter as she noticed Ashley’s jaw drop. Kit looked amazing in her teal dress, her red hair flowing behind her as she walked as slowly as she could and in that moment Dess knew it was now or never.

As Kit continued down the aisle, Dess looked towards the sky and smiled. She knew that her father and Moira were looking down at her and she felt a small comfort enter her heart. Finally Jinxx stopped playing and all eyes were on her. The music was soft at first, but Dess saw Andy smile softly as their song came from Jinxx’s fingers. I Caught Fire would always be for them-they had caught fire so many times it was a wonder that either one of them was still alive.

Dess inhaled a deep breath as she began to walk slowly towards Andy and she felt her eyes grow wide as he looked at her, his blue eyes shining with tears. He looked handsome standing there in all black, with his light orange rose sticking out against the darkness. His black hair was mostly slicked back, except for his bangs and Dess smiled as she noticed that he had no eyeliner or makeup on. She felt her hands shaking and she tried to remind herself to breathe as she passed by people slowly. She knew her tears were falling down her cheeks in that moment, but Dess didn’t care-she was walking towards the man of her dreams and that’s all that mattered.

As she walked, Dess thought over all they had been through in their lives together. The moment they had met Dess knew that Andy was different than a lot of guys. First off he looked her in the eyes and not down at her chest within the first five minutes of their meeting. Also he was so incredibly easy to talk to-he made her laugh within the first minute and that wasn’t always easy. He never pushed her-sure he wanted her to come on tour with him, but it was never said in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. He enjoyed surprising her-their first encounter had been a huge surprise and he had never stopped surprising her since that moment.

When they began to get more serious-Andy seemed to be completely devoted to her-he went to the end of the world for her. They both lost a lot of sleep those first few months and Dess could only smile as she remembered both of them falling asleep at the keyboard or with their phones on top of their faces due to late night chatting.

When they had finally decided to be with one another-something in Dess felt complete. She felt like she could do anything with Andy and she knew that he would always support her in her choices when it came to her life. Then Moira got sick and Dess feared that that would chase Andy away. Who would want to deal with such a loss in only the first few days of a new relationship?

Most guys would leave-kissing her goodbye as they apologized and swore up and down that they could still be friends. Not Andy-he was there for her and Moira and had treated the small girl like his own flesh and blood. He cared about Moira and not just as a fan but as a person who loved him deeply. Losing Moira had been a huge devastation for Odessa and she knew that that entire summer she had been impossible to be around.

Moody-mopey-crying constantly. Who would want to deal with that? She was sure that Andy would disappear, but no…once again he surprised her by sticking around and helping her cope in only ways that he could think of. He held her as she cried in her sleep, he was there for her when she would have emotional break downs and he stayed by her side even when she pushed him away.

Dess had tried to find ways to push Andy away-even believing something so heinous as to the fact that he would cheat on her. Andy would never cheat-he was completely devoted to her in every way, but Dess had pushed him away regardless. Finally Dess had accepted the loss of her sister and even though she had been scared of losing Andy-she knew that she would rather live with the thought of his eventual death than to ever be without him in her life.

The past year had been filled with nothing but stress and sickness for Dess and the past summer had been their hardest yet. A hot summer spent on a bus with the same people for two months straight and eventually Andy and Ashley were at one another’s throats. Dess had tried to be there for him, but with a blossoming T-shirt line and her own sickness knocking at the door-she found herself barely able to take care of her own health and sanity.

Yet here they all were-Andy and Ashley standing next to one another and Dess was solid in her health-having finally started gaining weight in the month before their wedding. She still felt poorly every morning after waking up, but none of that mattered now. Dess smiled through her tears as she approached Andy and noticed that his own cheeks were wet with his own happy tears.

He looked so happy standing there with his hands folded in front of him, but as she approached, Dess noticed that in his hands was clasped a single white flower. Her tears grew heavier as Dess realized what it was and she smiled through her tears as she pulled out her own.

A single white Camellia.

Andy felt his breath catch in his throat as Kit finished walking down the aisle and he could clearly see Dess at the other end. She looked like pure Heaven standing there before him, her dress pure white against the fading sun and her face was slightly cloaked by her white veil. He knew she wouldn’t have a black veil and he was happy to see her bouquet consisted of orange and moss green roses, with delicate ivy dripping down around her small hands.

Something was hanging down from her flowers and Andy smiled-she hadn’t told him much about her look for this wedding, but she had told him about the pictures that she would be carrying down the aisle with her. As she got closer, Andy felt the tears prick his eyes as he was fully able to take her in.

He started at the top-her solid blonde hair was up and out of her face, although of course she had her bangs down and in her eyes. She had a small pearl and diamond headband where her veil met her hair and it sparkled in the fading light as she continued to walk towards him slowly. Andy smirked as he noticed that Dess was crying softly and seeing her walking towards him-walking towards her eternal destiny with him and Andy felt his tears begin to fall down his cheeks. Her eyes were made up lightly, her lips light pink and smirking slightly and Andy felt his heart stop as he continued to take her in.

Dess’ dress was unbelievable with a tight beaded corset top that pushed her up just enough to be interesting but not so much to where it took away from the overall effect. The bottom of her dress had to be made from hundreds of layers of tulle and it swished in the soft wind as she walked towards him slowly.

As he watched Dess-his Odessa- walk towards him, Andy couldn’t help but be taken back to the past two years that they had been together. That summer had started out rough-he had broken ribs and none of them were sure of where they were going to be or if he would fully recover, but Andy pushed through. They ended up coming to the tour late, but better late than never. He had thought he was falling for a girl that was on the tour with her own band, but that only turned in to a small fling which had ended almost as quickly as it had begun.

He had been drunk almost the entire time-he was lonely and needed some way to numb himself. Andy smirked as he remembered Ashley waking him up on that hot July morning-telling him to get the fuck up because it was his turn to go check on the merch tent. Andy dragged his feet until finally he left the bus more because he needed time to himself than wanting to check on the merch tent.

Andy knew that if he had never gone to their tent, he would have never bumped into the girl of his dreams-she never would of stuck around for their set and they never would have connected the way that they had. All Andy could remember was standing there, watching the crowd pass by in waves until suddenly there was a small blonde girl standing in front of him fanning herself with one hand as she held onto one of their tent poles with the other. He looked down, about to ask her to move, when he noticed a tattoo-a Batman tattoo. He knew in that moment that this wasn’t any normal girl and that he had to talk to her.

Speaking to Dess had been incredible and it had been nice being able to talk to someone about something other than him or his band. Everything had moved so quickly and soon he was onstage and gazing down in to those beautiful light green eyes of hers. He tried wooing her, but Dess was having none of it. But the first time they kissed had been electric and Andy smirked as he remembered begging her to come on tour with him. For some reason, even in those first few moments he couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from her.

Their time spent apart had been excruciating and it almost made him sad to think back on it. Late nights spent giggling in the darkness until one or the both of them fell asleep. It had felt so good when Dess finally gave in and admitted that she loved him-it made his heart soar to think about it now. Days later a bomb had been dropped and Dess found her world turned upside down with the sickness of her sister. Andy vowed to stay by her side-he couldn’t leave her in her time of need and he stayed with her until finally they had to say goodbye to the one girl whom they both loved.

Andy felt his tears grow as he remembered that day, but he sniffed loudly and the memory changed. Seeing Dess finally accept him and to accept his proposal and the idea of their house together had been one of the best days of his life. Holding her, loving her-he couldn’t imagine a life without this amazing girl.

As she finally made her approach and Andy could see that she was holding her bouquet with one hand while the other gripped something else he smirked. Andy knew what she was doing and he had his own flower to hand over to her as soon as she got near enough. Dess smiled at him as she faced him and Andy moved to pull her veil up with one hand-his other was gripping a small white flower as she cried and looked down at his hands. He only smirked as Dess revealed her own flower and soon they were facing one another, their hands held out as Dess passed her bouquet to Kit silently and then she laughed.

They were both holding Camellia flowers out to one another-they held one another’s destinies in their hands as they smiled and knew that this was it for them.

This was their promise of forever.

Notes

It's starting! It's starting! Oh how lovely it would all look with the swaying branches, the leaves golden and orange. Ugh...if only.
Want to read their vows? Then I need FIVE comments from FIVE DIFFERENT people and I will update tomorrow!

Also, I have a lot of photos, including Dess' dress that will be posted on the tumblr, so check it out.

What It Is To Burn Tumblr