Be the Bride (Latest Community Story)

Based on the Idea as voted for on YT - Toby takes his sisters place at the alter!

Enjoy....

Be the Bride

Sitting across from each other, I can tell my sister, Amelia, is more nervous about this than I am. See, we’ve both agreed to shave our heads for charity. She’s losing a lot more than I am in this, but we’ve agreed to do it together.

About a year ago, or father was diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully, he’s now in remission, but unfortunately, due to it being a bone cancer, he lost both his legs. What Amelia and I are doing is trying to raise some money to get him two prosthetic legs.

Right now, we are just waiting for the hairdresser to work their magic. And by magic, I mean, attacking our hairlines with the lawn mower.

“Hey, Toby….?” Darren, her fiancé, whispers.

Darren is tall, dark, and handsome. He’s everything I assume a woman wants in a man, plus he’s like awesome. Not only does he get along well with everyone in my family, but he and I get on like we are soul mates.

“Yeah?”

“Amelia looks like she’s going to puke, dude.”

Glaring, she snaps at us both. “I do not!”

Darren holds his hands up, knowing we’ve been caught. “Y-You kinda do, darling….” he replies, rushing to stand by her side. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea so close to the wedding.”

Vemon in my sister's eyes, she stares up at Darren from her seat. My dude’s in trouble with the misses. I gotta say something to take the heat.

“She’s always like this, Darren,” I say, knowing it’ll trigger her. “She’s never been good with change or big moments. We all think she’s on little on the spectrum.

Immediately, Amelia’s fury is directed towards me. I feel her glare burning straight through me.

“You NEED to stop saying that about me, Toby,” Amelia hisses. She then calls over to the hairdresser. “I want to go first and show these two idiots I’m not scared of doing this for my father!”

Amelia begins to mumble to herself, almost like she’s putting a curse on me as the hairdresser begins the process. Darren stands beside me as we both watch in curiosity as my sister’s long hair falls into clumps around her.

“Dude….” Darren whispers and fist bumps me. “Nice save. She’s been real aggy with me since we got engaged. Any idea as to why?”

“She’s a woman,” I reply plainly, like it’s an unspoken code between men

“I heard that, Douche,” Amelia snarks, peering around the hairdresser to once again glare in my direction,

 “Only joking, Sis!” I snigger with a cheeky grin.

She sits back in the chair and sighs. Darren then looks at me worried, but I shrug it off.

After a few more minutes, Darren leans down to me again. “You work with her, Toby. She must have said the reason why she didn’t want to have a bachelorette party?”

I look up at him and frown. “Why would she tell me such a thing?”

“I dunno…” Darren looks away briefly before leaning closer. “I thought you and her have a mystical bond. Like, can’t you feel each other's emotions or something?”

I frown harder. “We’re twins, dude. We aren’t a hive mind.”

“Y-Yeah….” He chuckles. “S-Some times I think she doesn’t—”

At that moment, the hairdresser steps aside. “Finished. Ready for the grand unveiling?”

Sitting across from me, with a face like thunder, is my sister, looking somewhat akin to an egg mixed with Dr Evil from Austin Powers.

I can’t help but laugh at her.

“OMG! That’s so funny! Look at you!”

Amelia pouts before looking at me with a mischievous grin. “You’re turn, Douche.”

Just like that, the Hairdesser descends on me like a mad scientist. Moments later, they are going to town on my head, running stripes from back to front like they really are mowing the lawn.

“Babe, you look....” I hear Darren say to Amelia over the sound of the clippers vibrating my head.

“Don’t start, Darren,” Amelia replies. “It’s for my father so he can walk me down the aisle.”

“I know, darling.”

“Then stop looking at me like I’m a freak.”

“I-I’m not, darling.”

They bicker for what feels like an eternity, but finally fall quiet as the hairdresser steps aside, revealing me, smooth and shiny, like a perfect little egg.

Amelia’s face lights up. “I shall call him Mini Me….” she jokes, quoting the film.

I run my hand over the top of my head, confirming I’m completely bald, just like my sister. For the first time in my life, I have no lush locks, only the unfamiliar feel of bare, flaky skin that’s never known the sun.

“I probably look like a rough and ready, right, Darren, with hair like this?”

Darren glances in my direction, barely interested. “S-Sure, dude.” He turns his attention back to Amelia. “All I’m saying is that a wig wouldn’t be expensive.”

Ignoring him, Amelia smirks in my direction. “What an eggcellent hair cut, brother. Suits you.”

“Funny,” I reply, sticking out my tongue. “I’m eggcited to be seen as a hard man with this new look.” I flex, making them all stare at me like I’m an idiot.

“Hard Man?” Amelia questions with a silly grin on her face. “Sorry, Toby, they aren’t words I’d ever associate with you.”

“What?” I flex again.

“Dude,” Darren shakes his head. “Stop. Ain't nobody going to think you’re a ‘hard man’. He gives me an honest smile. “You’re too puny.”

“Puny!?”

“Ha, yeah!” Amelia grins. “Remember last month when I beat you in an armwrestle. You’re puny, one hundred percent!”

“I am not!” I pout, just like my sister did before. “I’ve just got an old sporting injury in my wrist, that’s all. It wasn’t a fair fight.”

“Sporting injury?” Darren stifles a laugh. “Is that what we’re calling that personal activity now?”

He pauses, glances between us, and suddenly looks a little flustered. Darren wastes no time lining us up side by side, and with all the seriousness of an army inspector, he circles us, scrutinizing from every angle.

“Darren!” Amelia grunts, stopping him from pacing around us with a punch to his shoulder. “What is it!?”

“Goodness gravy!” he answers, standing directly in front of us both, pointing. “Now you’ve both had your hair cut off, you look identical!”

“Dude….” I say with condescension. “We’re twins.”

“No, seriously!” Darren steps closer. “It’s uncanny.”

I turn to look at my sister, and I can see the fury building up behind her eyes. She’s gritting her teeth so hard I think they might crack. Darren is so oblivious to when he’s putting his foot in his mouth, it’s unreal.

I’ve gotta say something before my sister goes nuclear.

“Ah, dude….” I try to laugh off the tension building. “I’m sure it’s clear who is who. My sister has such a….” I stare him in the eyes so he gets the picture. “Wonderfully feminine figure.”

Darren tilts his head, and I instantly know what’s coming. He’s about to shove his foot so far down his throat, he’ll be crapping shoe laces for weeks.

“You two have, like, the same figure,” he says, completely missing my attempts to save him.

Amelia detonates. She launches herself at him, hammering his chest with her fists. ‘You jerk!’”

I watch Darren flail helplessly against Amelia’s furious onslaught, like a man caught in a tornado of tiny fists. I can only chuckle. There’s no saving him this time. Sure, Amelia and I might look kinda similar, but dude… come on.

Honestly…

It’s a wonder she’s agreed to marry this guy. He’s clueless, I swear.

Ah, but then again, he is fun to be around, that’s for sure.

Months later, and the day of the wedding…

“Toby. Toby!”

I turn around to see my Mom frantically rushing around in her dress. She looks stunning, and I’m so happy for her after the year we’ve had.

“Mom,” I gush. “You look… amazing.”

“Y-Yeah, yeah, thanks.” She forces a smile, looking around us like she’s lost the plot.

“Are you okay?”

She looks me in the eyes. “No, not really. I’ve lost your sister. We’ve not seen her all morning, and we’ve gotta do her makeup!” Mom starts to threat, and I can see her gritting her teeth hard. “We’ve gotta leave for the church soon, and she’s gone bloody AWOL! Have you seen her!?”

I look around the immediate halls of the house we grew up in.

“Erm…no…” I grab the lapels of my suit with pride. “I’ve been getting ready. What do you think, Mom? I look dapper, no?”

“Yes… very nice, son,” she says, barely glancing my way. Then, as if dragged by some invisible force, her eyes actually take me in, and she tilts her head to the side.

“It’s a little baggy on you. Did you not get it fitted?”

“I. Did. Not.”

“You really should have,” she says, pacing away in the other direction. “If you see your sister…” she shouts back as she storms off. “Tell her she’s needed in the master bedroom!”

Glum, I just nod my head. “Yes.. Mom…”

Scratching my head, I give it some thought. Amelia was acting awfully squirrely last night. I put it down to cold feet, but now I think about it, she kept saying really odd things, like she wished she were me, rather than her.

Then it occurs to me.

When we were younger, the two of us would go down to the pool house and hide in the back room whenever we’d done something naughty. It was the perfect hiding place because Mom never liked going in there.

It’s full of spiders.

Going downstairs to find everyone in our family going nuts about her disappearance, I try to get someone's attention, but they all talk over me. Pretty normal for my family, actually. So, I decide to test my theory and head down to the old pool house myself.

Careful not to get my suit dirty on the old, creaky sliding doors, I step into the musty pool house and look around. All is quiet, as expected, but as I move further inside and towards the back room, I can hear my sister sobbing.

Slowly, I push open the door.

Inside, sitting on a bean bag in a fluffy white robe is my sister. She looks back at me with misty eyes, and instantly, she points at the door.

“Fuck off, Toby!” she hisses. “I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

I say nothing, but I don’t leave.

Amelia’s glare eventually softens, and I take it as my cue to slip inside, easing the door shut behind me. The wedding is only hours away, yet she’s nowhere near ready—no makeup, nails untouched, short hair unstyled, and obviously not wearing her dress.

“H-Hey….” I say, approaching carefully in case she decides to bite.

She grunts in reply.

“What’s going on, Amelia? Everyone is freaking out that you’ve done a runner or something.”

She looks up at me and wipes away the tears in her eyes. “Are they mad?”

I roll my eyes and try not to be too honest. “Mom’s a little frantic, yeah.”

Amelia shifts uncomfortably. I can tell something is bothering her, but I’m just not quite sure what to say to her. She’s clearly got cold feet about the wedding, so it’s on me to reassure her.

“Y’know….” I pull another bean back next to her and sit. As I do, dust billows all around me, making me cough.

“Urgh,” I groan, brushing it off my suit.

Amelia softly smiles. “Sorry. It’s very dusty, I know.” She then reaches across to brush my shoulder. “I like that suit.”

“Yeah!?”

“I do.” She nods.

“Mom doesn’t,” I say with a longing sigh.

Amelia throws her head back. “Urgh, I know. That woman, I swear, wants to control everything.” A single tear dribbles down her cheek. “I needed to get away from her. She was doing my head in.”

“She’s just excited, Amelia,” I answer honestly. “The family hasn’t had much to look forward to in recent months.”

Instantly, her head drops, and she curls in on herself, holding her legs to her chest. “I know…”

I take a breath in. “A lot of pressure, huh?”

Amelia’s eyes flood with tears. She brings her hands to her face and begins to sob. From the way her shoulders are shaking, I can tell she’s been hiding something from us all. Maybe it’s all been too much?

“You….” I wonder if I should ask, but I know my sister more than I’d care to admit. “…do want to get married, yeah?”

She curls up tighter like she’s hiding from the question

“Darren’s a really good guy,” I state, being honest. “Everyone really likes him. He’ll make a fantastic husband!”

Through her fingers, I see her tear-wiped eyes glaring at me. “You marry him then.”

I chuckle, thinking it’s a joke, but I feel Amelia’s stare burning into my soul. Clearly, she doesn’t want to marry him.

“W-What are you saying?” I ask.

“If you like him so much, Toby,” she repeats with more muster than before. “You marry him.”

“Amelia…. be serious.”

“I am,” she hisses, lifting her head to look at me through the tears. “You and everyone in this family loves him so much, why don’t you marry him so I don’t have to!”

“err……?”

Amelia tuts and turns away from me. Then, after a moment, she looks back at me with an almost sinister-looking smile. She wipes the tears from her eyes and leans towards me. “H-How did you know I was here, Toby?”

I think for a moment, expecting this to be a trick question, but I can’t work out her angle, so I’m just honest in my reply. “Because we are twins and I know you better than anyone.”

Silence as my sister just stares at me intently.

“Take my place.”

“What?”

Take my place! Be the bride!”

What!?”

“Toby, I don’t want to marry Darren! He’s lovely, but I just don’t love him, and I don’t want to call the wedding off. It’ll break Dad's heart after we worked so hard to give him back his legs!”

My eyes wide, I look at the expression on her face, and I can tell she’s serious about this. I can understand not wanting to let our father down after everything he’s been through, but me taking her place as her doesn’t fix the fact that she doesn’t want to get married in the first place.

“Sis, I don’t think—”

She stops me and shakes her head.

“Don’t, Toby. I know what you’re going to say. Please, just take my place at the wedding until I can sort out how I feel.”

I look down at myself and then at my hands. “B-But even if I said yes, they’d know I’m not you.”

Amelia’s face drops, and she gives me a sarcastic stare. “Who are you kidding?”

I look at her in disbelief. I don’t know which one of us should be more offended.

Look, Toby.’ Amelia pulls me up, then stands shoulder to shoulder with me, sizing me up with her eyes. ‘My chest? Practically non-existent—it’s all bra, so you’re fine there. Our hair’s basically the same. And sure, you don’t have hips like mine, but the dress will cover that.

“A-Amelia…. I can’t.”

“Sure, you can,” she forces a smile. “For me, for dad, for the family. Please….?”

“B-But what about after the wedding. Darren’s going to notice I’ve got extra danglely bits!”

Amelia cracks a smile and stifles a laugh. “Don’t worry, Toby. This story probably won’t go further than one part, so you’re safe.”

“W-What?”

“Don’t worry.” Amelia starts unbuttoning my suit jacket. “Here, take this off and let me wear it. Then, once you’re in my robe, we can head back upstairs. I’ll cover for you, say you just got cold feet. Mom will have you fitted into the dress in no time, and before you know it… the wedding will be over!”

“So…. we’re doing this?”

“Speak softer, Amelia,” she says with a smirk, now starting to unbutton my shirt. “Speak like you’re an angel.”

Letting out the longest sigh, I brush away her hands and start to undress myself. I turn away from her, getting a little embarrassed by the situation.

“Turn around, too. I don’t want you to see anything.”

“Yeah, fine,” Amelia agrees. “Just hurry up.”

As I slide off my trousers and pass them back to her, I genuinely can’t believe I’m doing this. I didn’t even agree to it; it’s just kinda happening.

“Amelia?”

“Yeah?” she says, as I hear her putting on my trousers.

“What if people talk to me and I say something stupid?”

“Stop worrying. Everyone will be drunk by early evening and won’t remember. You’re safe pretending to me. Just be at the altar ready to say ‘I do’.”

“Fair,” I reply, pulling off my nicely ironed shirt, and I pass it back to her.

“Just…” Amelia stops as she puts on my shirt in thought. “Just make sure dad doesn’t find out. It’s important to me he gets to walk his little girl down the aisle…”

I nod. “Agreed.”

After some awkward moments, I’m standing before my sister wearing her fluffy white robe. It’s made even more awkward as she looks down at my hairy legs.

“What?” I ask, watching her winch as she does up the jacket to my suit.

“N-Nothing.”

“I’ll give you nothing, sis.”

Her gaze meets mine, and she gives me a soft smile before tilting her head to one side. “Brother,” she corrects, coughing out the gruffest voice she can muster.

I roll my eyes as she coughs again and repeats herself.

“Don’t hurt yourself,” I say, putting on an exaggerated version of her voice.

She narrows her eyes and stares. “I do not sound like that. I’m not some sort of Barbie doll on a high.”

“Well…” I fold my arms and get all sassy. “I don’t sound like Barry White is gargling razor blades. So, sort it or we aren’t doing this!”

Not finding my comment funny, Amelia huffs out a sigh before grabbing hold of my arm. She almost pulls me flat on my ass, but as I catch up, she drags me through the pool house and towards the main house.

As we step inside, reactions towards me are very different. Everyone is looking at me like I’m some sad sap and treating me as such.

“Mom!” Amelia shouts, still dragging me through the house. “I found her! No need to panic! She just went for a walk to clear her head!”

“Did I indeed….?” I mutter.

Mom appears like Homer Simpson coming through the bushes. She grabs hold of my hands tight, and I can see the tears misting her eyes.

“Oh, sweetheart. Are you okay? We all thought you’d done a runner!”

I look around at some of my family, all staring at me like I know the meaning of life, and I’m about to depart that wisdom. A little nervous, I glare in my sister’s direction, wanting some help.

“N-No….” I eventually answer, as my sister just shrugs. “I-I…I’m fine. Just…um… needed to clear my head.

“My goodness!” Mom gasps, reacting to my voice. “You went outside in just that robe? No wonder your poor voice is all raspy. You’ve probably caught a cold, you silly girl!”

“S-Sorry….”

Mom breathes a sigh of relief. I can see the stress draining from her face in real time, but that doesn’t stop her from snatching at my arms to drag me upstairs. However, Mom stops just before we head upstairs and glares a Amelia for a moment.

It’s tense. We wonder if we’ve been caught, but then, in true ‘Mom’ fashion, she just makes a comment about my sister’s appearance.

“Toby,” she complains with a shake of her head. “That suit really doesn’t fit you very well.”

Amelia looks at me in surprise, so I just shrug.

“Go and get it pinned back or something, boy.” Mom clicks her fingers and points at my auntie. “Go see Auntie Eustace. She’ll help you.”

She shakes her head again and pulls me towards her. “You’re brother, Amelia. Can’t even be bothered to look nice for your big day!”

“I-I… think he looks nice,” I say as Mom almost pulls me over.

“Urgh,” Mom groans, now guiding me up the stairs, clutching me so tight she’s cutting the circulation in my hand. “You two always stick up for each other like that. Why did I have to have twins of all things?”

The master bedroom had been transformed into what could only be described as a bridal conversion centre. I’m shoved inside by Mom, who mentions having to work double speed to catch up with the schedule.

I just manage to catch my sister’s worried smile as the door is closed behind me. It only cements that this is happening. I’m taking my sister’s place and no one is the wiser!

First comes the shower.

“Amelia!” Mom complains, looking at my legs. “Do you have no shame, girl? Look how hairy your legs are!

“Erm…” I look down, and my face goes bright red. I feel embarrassed, but I really shouldn’t.

“Get in that bathroom and sort yourself out!” Mom commands. Clicking her fingers and pointing. “It’s an everything shower, sweetheart, okay?”

Steam fills the room as I push through the most brutal hygiene routine of my life. I shave myself down to the brink of vanishing, scrub until my skin feels sandblasted, and drown under layers of moisturiser.

By the end, I reek like I’ve crashed through a beauty shop where every shelf exploded at once, leaving me smothered in flowery perfume.

I stumble out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom in a haze, but it doesn’t stop there.

The wedding dress and its many components had been laid out across the bed like a gauntlet. I’d seen Amelia complain about it before, but nothing has prepared me for the acrobatics required to wiggle into stockings without laddering them.

I can tell Mom is starting to get suspicious of me and my inability to get dressed in this stuff. I can’t tell her the reason why, so I just blame it on nerves.

Next comes the delicate ‘string’ like underwear. I think the least said about that, the better. Let’s just say it’s like a string bag carrying too many oranges.

Then comes the dress.

Layers of silk, satin, and whatever other mystical fabrics designers use to torture brides. I take one look at the corset-type thing and know I’m in for a rough ride. It begs the question. How did this situation even happen?

Mom yanks at the laces with the strength of a medieval executioner, crushing and shaping me all in one swift movement.

“Oh, stop being so dramatic, Amelia!” Mom grumbles as she ties me into it.

“Y-Y-Yes… Mom.” I wheeze in reply.

“You’ve got to look nice for your handsome man.” Mom continues with an almost ominous tone in her voice. “That young man is dishy, and you need to look your best, sweetheart.”

By the time the dress is on, I feel like I’ve been swallowed by a white whale. The sheer weight of it surprises me!

It drapes heavy on my shoulders, the sleeves press down what little muscle I can claim, and the skirt pools endlessly around me. But then there’s the slit… it rides so far up my thigh it feels dangerously close to exposing my secret.

But there is no time to complain. I’m plonked down in front of the makeup station where an army of brushes, powders, and lipsticks is set out.

The makeup artist goes to work with ruthless precision. They contour, highlight, and fuss until my face feels like a canvas in a Bob Ross video. I can almost feel the lovely little tree in the layer of makeup dust pressed around my eyes. That’s not to mention the sheer amount of goop they put on my fingernails.

I survive without anyone knowing, and they stand me in front of the mirror, wobbling slightly in my sister’s high heels.

Swoons and gasps ripple through the room. In the mirror, my sister stares back at me. The dress hugs her frame like a second skin, every curve shaped to perfection, her face, almost regal, like a beauty queen.

Yet, it isn’t my sister staring back at me in the reflection.

It’s me…

I’m the girl in the mirror, and as that realisation processes in my brain, my breath catches in my throat.

Am I really about to stand in front of all our friends and family like this?

Mom stands just behind me, misty-eyed.

“Oh, Amelia, my beautiful girl,” she whispers, hugging me from behind. “I can’t wait for your father to see you looking like a princess. He’s going to be so happy.”

I turn my body from side to side, looking at every angle of myself wearing my sister’s wedding dress. I’m speechless. I’m stunned…. I’m beautiful.

“Y-You really think he’s going to be happy?” I ask, allowing myself to get whisked away with the excitement.

Mom just nods, and tears roll down her cheek.

She then fans her eyes and bites her lip. “W-We don’t have time for crying…” Mom forces herself to laugh. “We’ve gotta get you to the church.”

Mom opens the door, and standing just outside, with a sheepish expression, is my sister. She looks like she’s pressing her ear to the door the entire time. Her face, however, quickly changes as she sees me wearing all her wedding day splendour

I can tell she’s about to cry, but before she does, I punch her in the shoulder. “Alright, BROTHER!” I say, reminding her to keep character.

“Doesn’t your sister look amazing, Toby?” Mom asking, holding her hands together and looking at me with a delight smile.

“Y-Yeah…. Mom.” Amelia agrees before looking me in the eyes to whisper. “Thank you.” She grabs hold of my hands. “Dad’s going to be so happy, Sister,” she continues, talking aloud. “You should be very proud of yourself for doing this.

“Yes.” Mom smiles at us getting along, before clapping her hands. “Right, team bride!” She declares to us all. “It’s time. Let’s get going!”

Just as I’m about to blindly follow, Amelia holds me back. Waiting for Mom and the others to be out of earshot, Amelia speaks to me with tears forming behind her eyes.

“Y-You look really nice, Toby.”

“Thanks.” I throw my arms out and look down at myself wearing this monster of a dress. “I feel stupid.”

“You’re doing the right thing.” My sister comments with a reassuring smile. “This is exactly what the family needs, and I’m so proud of you for being strong enough to take my place.”

I give her an exhausted look, but I can’t help my smile softly

“I guess right now, I don’t have a choice. Even if I told everyone that I’m not really you, Amelia, they’d find it hard to believe. You look so much like me in that suit, and I deffo don’t look like a guy right now.”

Amelia giggles. “How’s the underwear?”

“Tiny and nesting up my where the sun doesn’t shine.”

Ameila chuckles and lights up into a bright smile. The sort of smile I haven’t seen from her in what feels like an age.

“Darren’s in for a shock later,” I continue, hamming up the amusement of the situation.

Amelia continues to laugh out loud, and it’s frankly, it’s nice to see her smiling like this.

“Just…” she tries to talk, but makes herself laugh. “J-Just tell him you’ve got a headache. That’s what I do, so he’ll be used to it!”

“Noted,” I reply, finding it hard not to laugh with her.

However, our laughter is cut short as Mom appears once again, like she’s merging through walls. “Amelia!” she says, trying to hide her frustration. “Come on. The limo is waiting!”

Before I know it, I’m stuffed into the back of it. Mom is sitting beside me, and Amelia is sitting across. We can’t help but smile at each other as everyone keeps telling me just how beautiful I am.

It’s kinda nice. I’ve never felt so good about myself in all my years as a boy.

No one says nice things to men or me, for that matter….

The limo ride doesn’t take long, though it feels like forever with Mom fussing over my veil and Amelia trying her best not to burst into nervous laughter every time she looks at me.

When we finally pull up outside the church, I see our friends, family, and way too many people who’ll definitely notice if I screw this up. They all shuffle into the building, leaving just the bridal procession waiting outside

Something I never thought in my wildest of dreams I’d be part of, yet here I am…

The doors swing open and the bridesmaids descend first, all sparkling with excitement. When I step out, clutching the bouquet like it’s the only thing tethering me to reality, they let out a chorus of gasps.

“Oh my God, Amelia, you look stunning!” Amelia’s best friend gushes.

“So, pretty!” another adds. “Even with that short hair, do!”

“Beautiful!” they all chirp together. “Like an angel!”

I just smile, cheeks burning, nodding politely like this is all perfectly normal. Inside, though, my brain is doing backflips. They really think I’m her. They actually think I’m Amelia.

Mom beams, proud as anything, and ushers me toward the church doors. Amelia lingers just behind, hidden in her suit, biting her lip like she’s watching in amazement as our switcheroo is going off without a hitch.

Then the moment I dread arrives.

Dad.

He waits at the entrance, standing tall with his new legs, dressed sharp in a suit that makes him look ten years younger. When his eyes land on me, they widen. For a moment, I swear he forgets to breathe.

“My… my beautiful girl…” he whispers, voice cracking with raw emotion. His hands tremble as he reaches for mine. “You… you look like your mother did on our wedding day.”

I force myself to smile, fighting the lump in my throat. “T-Thanks, Dad,” I manage, my voice shaky but soft.

His eyes glisten, and for the first time in years, tears roll freely down his cheeks. “I can’t tell you how proud I am… to be the one to walk you down the aisle.”

I tighten my grip on Dad’s hand, give him my biggest, bravest smile, and whisper: “I’m happy you’re holding my hand too, Dad.”

He nods, straightening with all the dignity in the world. Together, we turn toward the church doors, and I have to ready myself for what is to come.

However, Dad whispers to me as we all stand in a line, waiting to go inside to the music.

“Amelia,” he says softly, so no one else hears. “You know what I think about a lot?”

I look at my father, and he has an honest expression. “I…I don’t, Dad.” I reply.

“I think about when I’ll leave this world and what I’ll leave behind.”

I grip his hand tighter. “Don’t say things like that, Dad.”

He smiles, and between him on his new prosthetic legs and me teetering in high heels, we wobble together as if the faintest breeze could knock us both over.

“Let me finish.” He says sternly, before turning to look me deep in the eyes. “Don’t tell your mother I asked you this, but….” He grips my hand tighter. “Is this really what you want, or are you just marrying this man for my sake?

“D-Dad..?” I reply, confused

“Sweetpea….” he smiles softly. “As much as I’m the proudest of fathers right now, holding the hand of my beautiful daughter on her wedding day, I can’t help but feel you aren’t happy.”

I’m stunned. I look in every direction but at him.

He’s not wrong. I’ve noticed how Amelia has been shrinking in on herself in recently months. I put it down to Dad’s illness and the pressure of getting married, but maybe…just maybe. She isn’t actually happy.

“I could,” he chuckles to himself. “I could fall over right now, Sweetpea, and make a howl out like I’ve been shot, giving you a chance to run away in those silly shoes you're wearing.”

“Dad…?”

“Just give me the word, Amelia, and you’ll do it for you. If you’re not happy marrying this guy, I’ll help you escape!”

“Dad……?”

He stops laughing to himself and looks off into the distance in thought. “I’m serious, Amelia,” he says with a heartfelt tone. “I can’t stand the idea of leaving you behind in this world unhappy.” He brings his hand to my face and touches my cheek. “Sweetpea. I’d happily miss out on walking you down the aisle if it meant that when I do depart this world, my little girl is happy.”

I don’t know what to say. My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. Dad’s hand is warm in mine, trembling slightly, and I can feel his sincerity radiating through every word. He means it. He’d let me run.

But the image of his face when he first saw me in this dress floods my mind.

That pure, unfiltered joy. After everything he’s been through. After the cancer, the surgeries, the endless recovery… how could I take that from him?

My chest tightens. For a split second, I consider his idea of escape.

I ponder calling the whole thing off, blurting out the truth, saying Amelia doesn’t want this. But the thought of Dad being disappointed, not getting this moment with his daughter, almost haunts me.

Could I live with myself, taking this from him?

The music then swells, echoing through the church doors, and before I can gather my thoughts, they open wide. All eyes turn toward us. My heart pounds, but I grip Dad’s hand tighter.

We step forward together. His new legs move carefully, steady, and strong just as I do in my high heels. We are a perfect pair, and he beams like he’s been waiting for this moment his entire life.

The aisle stretches out like a marathon, and every pair of eyes feels like it’s drilling into me. Every rustle of fabric, every whisper bounces off the walls, but I keep my chin high even as the bouquet trembles in my hands. The heels pinch, the dress tries to eat me alive, but all of it fades the moment I catch Dad’s proud smile.

It cuts through everything, the music, the guests, the suffocating pressure of pretending to be Amelia.

And then we’re at the altar. Darren stands tall, nervous, and almost shaking in his boots. His eyes glisten when he looks at me, and I can almost convince myself he sees Amelia, not me.

Dad squeezes my hand one last time before placing it gently into Darren’s. His voice wavers as he whispers: “Thank you, Amelia. Go be happy for me.”

I swallow hard, forcing a smile, even as my stomach twists.

Standing here in my sister’s dress, pretending to be her, is the most surreal, uncomfortable thing I’ve ever done. But behind me, I can feel Dad’s joy, beaming so brightly it overshadows everything else.

“Amelia, you look beautiful,” Darren gushes, as his hands sweat all over mine

“Thanks, dude,” I reply, as I catch my sister’s gaze. She’s expressionless, staring at me, standing in for her.  

“Thank you for being my bride.” Darren grips my hands, making me look up at his blushing face.

I can’t help but smile back at him, but no words come to mind.  

I mean, what do I say to that?

You’re welcome….?

Anyways, I nearly screw it all up at the vows.

My throat goes dry, my palms sweat, and for a moment I forget what I’m supposed to. Darren’s looking at me with these wide, expectant eyes, but somehow, I stumble through the words without giving the game away.

Then comes the kiss.

Darren leans in, the church erupting into applause, and I have to do everything within my power not to recoil away. But his lips are soft, gentle, almost shy. He doesn’t linger, just brushes against me with respect.

I do think he had chicken nuggets for breakfast….

Slipping the wedding band onto my finger isn’t much better. The damn thing barely squeezes on. I have to twist and shove it down. Darn thing wasn’t meant for my fat fingers.

But once we’re outside, taking photos, things get kinda fun.

I don’t know what’s come over me, but I actually enjoy being in front of the camera. Everyone’s cheering, the bridesmaids are fussing, and for once in my life I’m the centre of attention.

It feels nice. It’s a very welcome change and I even catch Ameila genuinely smiling.

The speeches are a riot. Darren’s best man roasts him so hard I nearly choke on my champagne. Dad manages a heartfelt few words without crying too much, though Mom weeps enough for both of them.

Everyone’s laughing, smiling, so happy, and I realize that for the first time in a long time, our family actually feels whole again.

For moments, I feel bad knowing it’s all pretend, but I can’t help but enjoy it as the drinks flow and the compliments keep coming.

Surprisingly, now I’m not his ‘bro’, Darren is the perfect gentleman.

He doesn’t let go of my hand all night, opens doors, pulls out chairs, and even makes sure I don’t trip on the stupid heels when we cut the cake.

Speaking of which, the cake. Absolute chaos. The crowd chants until Darren smears frosting on my nose, and I retaliate by shoving a chunk in his mouth.

The photos are going to be legendary.

The first dance is terrifying at first. I don’t know the steps, my dress keeps trying to trip me, and my feet are screaming. But Darren holds me steady, spinning me like I actually belong out there.

By the time the music ends, the whole room is cheering, and I’m laughing like an idiot until he drops me in his arms and plants the kiss directly on my lips. Much to everyone’s delight, even my sisters…

Hours blur together after that. Drinks flow, toasts are made, and Auntie Eustace is dancing on a table by the end of it. Everyone’s drunk and loud and joyful.

Then the taxi pulls up. Our chariot to the newlyweds to their hotel suite. My stomach twists as Darren helps me inside, and my head buzzes from all the champagne.

He sits next to me and his hand rests on my thigh.

“Duude…” I slur at him, still laughing at Auntie Eustace’s dancing. “This was so much fun!”

“Yeah.” Darren looks into my eyes and smiles. “It’s been wonderful.”

I don’t know how long the journey to the hotel is, or actually, how we got from the car to the hotel room, but before I know it, I’m taking off my heels and throwing them unceremoniously across the room.

“Fuck those hurt!” I hiss, catching myself on a nearby wall as the room spins

Darren laughs from just behind me, and seconds later, his hands are on my sides and he’s pinning me against the wall. I look up at him, innocent to what’s happening.

“Hi.”

“Hey, sexy.”

He kisses my neck, and I laugh at that fact.

“Dude…” I chuckle as he gives me a hickey

“Shhhh,” Darrens puts a finger on my lips. “I want this, and we need to consummate our marriage.”

I laugh nervously this time, although I don’t fight his wandering hands as they discover my body.

“D-Darren… you should know—”

“Shhh, Darling,” he replies, and he gently bites my neck. “It’s more fun when left unsaid…”

PATREON EXTRA

“W-What?”

Darren picks me up with ease. He holds me in his arms and looks down at me. “I’ve fallen in love with you all over, today, Amelia.”

I gasp, helpless in his arms.

He knows…

Throwing me onto the bed, my dress billows out around me. Before I know what’s happening, Darren is splitting my legs apart and making himself comfortable between my thighs.

He leans forward with a soft smile and kisses my chest, making his way to my lips, before his hands rub across my corset.

“D-Darren….?”

He stops and looks down at me. “Do you want me to stop?”

“I…just don’t understand.”

“Neither do I,” he admits, before planting a kiss on my lips. “You were my friend, but now, my blushing bride, and now I want to make my wife for real.”

“Y-You do?”

“Yes, he stops and holds my cheek with his hand. “Do…you?”

I have no idea if it was the drink talking or spending the entire day pretending to be my sister, a woman, but I just nod.

I nod with surprising intent, knowing exactly what that means.

He doesn’t say a word more, he kisses me passionately, before sliding off the bed to get naked. The room spins wildly, but I’m able to focus on him. I watch him unsheathe his sword and, once again, get between my thighs.

Some lotion is gently placed in a key area, and I’m truly taking my sister’s place.

I’m his wife, and he’s filling up my world in more ways than one!

“Dude!” I scream, gripping onto his shoulders, and he hits deep

“Good girl!” he moans back, thrusting.

Mayonnaise flows, and it’s a perfect moment for a perfectly strange day.

Exhausted, we lay together. My head on his chest. He strokes my face, and I can’t help but wonder what this means.

“Darren,” I ask, looking into his eyes. “What does this mean?”

“I don’t know and don’t care.” He says with a bright smile. “But I’m interested to find out….”

“Yeah?” I reply, touching his manly chest

“Aren’t you?” He asks, kissing my forehead. “My darling wife…”