#3

Anyone walking past the old, ornate church at 3:21 p.m. on that bright Saturday afternoon would have smiled at the sight of the bride and groom stepping lightly out the doors, identical grins on their faces as they ducked the flying rice and waved acknowledgement to the gathered well-wishers.

Anyone walking past the old, ornate church at 3:25 p.m. on that same bright Saturday afternoon probably wouldn't have noticed the sadness in the eyes of the maid of honor as she stood at the top of the steps and watched the bride and groom drive away. A forced smile on her face and a half-hearted wave as her sister drove off into the proverbial sunset with the man she loved.

"It's okay, sweetie." A comforting arm settled around Emily's shoulders.

She looked up at her father with an embarrassed smile. "I'm fine, Dad. Don't worry about me."

"This is all for the best."

"Of course it is." Emily straightened her shoulders. "They will be very happy together." She gave her father a more genuine smile. "I really do wish them all the best, you know."

"I know Em." He hugged her closer and told her what she dreaded hearing the most. "You are only sixteen, hon. This infatuation with Michael will pass, and you'll meet someone who will make you forget all about the heartache you are feeling."

Emily forced another smile and blinked back tears. She didn't need to be reminded how young she was. She didn't want to hear how she would meet someone else. And she knew in her heart, she would never forget Michael. The only part of her dad's speech that Emily appreciated was simply the fact that he acknowledged her feelings and didn't just brush them off as unimportant.

"Michael who? Right?" Emily saw her dad's smile reflect something like relief as he patted her shoulder and turned her back towards the church doors.

"That's my girl." He led her to the pew at the front of the church where he had left his overcoat.

Emily followed her dad back outside to the church parking lot and let him help her into the front seat of their older model sedan. She stared blankly at the passing scenery as they drove slowly towards their home.

Later she would have to put on a great act and not let people see how devastated she felt at the loss of her dream. The dream of someday being Mrs. Michael Carson. The dream that he would wait for her. That he would one day wake up and see her as a woman and not his girlfriend's little sister.

Emily suppressed a sigh. She loved her sister. She really did. She just wished her sister hadn't been quite as pretty, or quite as sweet. Not quite right for Michael so that he would one day be available for her to marry instead of becoming his sister-in-law.

Now Emily got to look forward to holidays and occasional Sunday family dinners with them. Down the road she would probably be their babysitter once they started a family.

The thoughts made Emily's stomach clench and she again fought back threatening tears.

I am being so selfish.' Emily thought to herself as she brushed away a stray tear that had escaped her battle. 'I really am just a spoiled 16 year-old girl who never had a chance and let my imagination run away with my heart.' She almost looked around for a pen and paper to write that last thought down. Nice and melodramatic. Her writer's gene was starting to kick in and overwrite her heartbreak.

Emily shifted in her seat instead and leaned forward, turning the knob on the car radio to a popular station that was playing an upbeat familiar tune.

'Admitting it is half the battle.' Emily almost smiled. 'From here on out I am going to put Michael firmly where he belongs--as a brother-in-law who is crazy about my sister. And maybe someday I'll find someone just like him.'

Emily leaned her head against the window and offered a genuine smile to her now-whistling father.

'Yes.' She thought, 'Someone exactly like him. Except he'll love me back. And that will make all the difference.'