by Alicia Rae
“See you there,” I agreed, delighted, knowing he would always keep a smile on my face.
And then, he was gone. I stood there, longing to go after him and kiss him. I knew it was not only against tradition, but we were also short on time with the unexpected delays.
A knock sounded at the door, which was still somewhat ajar.
A gentleman cleared his throat. “May I come in?”
My breath caught at the sound. I knew who that voice belonged to. My father was here.
“Time to get ready!” Abbey said, startling me, before she scurried off.
“Yep! Can’t be late for our weddings!” Gail agreed, running after Abbey.
“Uh…” Lily pointed to the other girls. “I’m going to go with them…and help with the dresses.”
I nodded, not quite having found my voice. On a deep breath, I stepped forward and opened the door.
My dad was dressed in a black tux. His dark brown hair was parted on the far left side and neatly combed. He nervously tucked his hands in his pockets. “I know we have a long way to go to make things right between us, but nothing would give me greater pleasure and honor than if you’d let me walk you down the aisle today.”
“Yes,” I said, emotions clogging my airways. “I’d like that.” I blinked back tears. “Very much so.”
Dad came to hug me, and while embracing him, my eyes traveled over to see my mother sitting in a wheelchair. She was wearing a plum dress with rhinestones displayed against the bust.
Mom was here, out of the house for the first time in months. I was not strong enough to move her and take her out by myself, and my father had always been busy. Nevertheless, today, they were here, together, for me.
“Mom,” I blubbered, maneuvering myself to gently hug her.
“Audrey,” she said almost as a prayer, squeezing me tighter with her frail body.
When I drew back, I noticed she had a bouquet of flowers in her hand. “When you were little, I had a garden full of roses.” She smiled up at me while picking up the arrangement. “Out of all the colors I planted every year, you always picked my white ones, so I thought you could have them on your wedding day.”
When she handed me the flowers, I began crying again. I noticed white lace wrapped around the bouquet, and in the center, a blue angel was clasped to it. I peered down at my mother with inquisitive eyes.
“The lace is part of my wedding dress all those years ago when I married your father, and the angel was my mother’s from her wedding day.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “Something old and something blue to bring you good luck.”
Unthinkable love filled every part of my heart, soothing and healing the past and laying down new pavement for the future.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much it means to me that you’re both here.” Shame dawned on me because I hadn’t even had time to think about my parents’ presence today or how they would have been affected by not having the opportunity to see Blake and I exchange our wedding vows. Somehow, Blake, had managed to create miracles in hours.
I’m going to kiss that man senseless at the altar.
And I don’t care who’s watching. They can just close their eyes.
My dad brought me back to the present. “Audrey, you look beautiful,” he said in awe, stepping back to give me a once-over. Then, he frowned. “Wait,” he said softly, “aren’t you supposed be wearing white? Or is this something new the kids are doing these days?”
I laughed. “I just found out ten minutes ago that I’m a bride and not a bridesmaid, so I’m going to be making a quick change.”
“Then, we’d better let you get ready.” Mom winked.
“I couldn’t agree with you more.” I grinned. “I’ll see you both soon.”
Kyle extended his arm to Lily. “Shall we go and watch our families say ‘I do,’ beautiful wife of mine?”
Lily beamed up at her husband with so much love that, “Aw,” filled the air.
“Yes, husband of mine.” She set her hands on his chest and reached up on her toes to kiss him sweetly. When they parted, Lily had his handkerchief. “I’m going to need this, but I promise, I’ll give it back.”
Kyle’s chest shook with laughter as he bent forward to kiss Lily’s lips once more. It was as if he couldn’t resist. He drew back and softly replied, “Okay, matchmaker who started it all, let’s go.”
Together, the two of them walked down the aisle arm in arm.
Next, Abbey’s father glanced over at her with a loving smile. “Are you ready for this, sweetheart?” Gavin asked his daughter.
Abbey rotated to face him. Her brown hair was styled in a fabulous updo, and her veil flowed down her back. “Yes, more than ever,” Abbey replied, blinking back tears.
Her princess-styled dress was a slender fit on top. A silver brooch sparkled from her waist before flowing out into long pieces of tulle, making her look like a princess.
They began a slow walk down the aisle.
The look on Jason’s face when he first saw Abbey was one I’d never forget. I could feel his happiness and love for her.
It was Gail’s turn now. Her eyes beamed as brightly as her stunning gown. It was similar to Abbey’s, except Gail’s bust was covered in white pearls that had been sewn onto the flowers. A ribbon wrapped around her waist and held a single white flower at her hip. The tulle was fluffy with long layers on the bottom to give the dress a fuller look.
Her father slipped his arm through hers and said, “I’m so proud of you, honey. I couldn’t have found a better man for you than Damon if I had tried myself.”
“Thank you, Dad.” Gail smiled affectionately, looking at him. “Can we go get him now?”
Her dad laughed. “Of course.”
As I watched the two of them begin the journey to the altar, Damon stood patiently, watching his bride with love and warmth filling his features.
I couldn’t help but feel anxious and excited to know that Blake was waiting for me, too.
“It’s your turn,” Dad said, patting my hand that I didn’t realize was shaking until now. “You okay?” he asked in a concerned voice.
“Yes,” I answered nervously. “I just can’t wait to get to him, Dad.”
“All right then”—he smiled at me—“let’s go get him.”
As we began to walk down the pathway, Blake finally came into view. He was standing with his hands crossed in front of him, and his smile was breathtaking. Our eyes met and locked on one another. I could feel his love all the way across the room. It looked as though he was forcing himself to remain in his stance and wait for me to arrive, and I felt the very same. I had to remind myself that it was not ladylike to run to the altar.
All I could think about was him—the way it felt when I was with him, the way he made every day brighter and full of laughter and love, how he had so easily worked his way into my heart. I was never going to let him go. He was it for me.
The pastor was the first to speak as he welcomed all the guests. He explained that today was a very special uniting of three brothers and their marriages and that he was honored to be a part of such a gathering.
When it was time to exchange the vows, he informed the guests that all six of us—Jason and Abbey, Damon and Gail, and Blake and me—had written our vows, blending the words until the six of us had perfected them. Each couple would read the pledged promises aloud, just like in regular tradition, and say them to the partner.
I smiled, remembering the few slight touches I had made with the girls after putting on my wedding dress.
Abbey and Jason recited their vows first, and then Gail and Damon followed. Each of them gazed straight at their partner. Tears trickled in my eyes at how much meaning the vows held.
When it was Blake’s and my turn, I tried to keep my voice steady and strong. “I promise to love you, to honor you, to be faithful to you, and to cherish you for eternity. I give you my very heart and soul.” I smiled, looking directly into Blake
’s eyes. My heart was beating so loudly in my ears. “I promise to uphold all your dreams and make them my own, so as one, we can achieve them together. Our lives will forever be one from this day forward. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love you for eternity.”
Blake lifted his hand and oh-so gently rubbed the pad of this thumb on my cheek to brush away my tears as he said, “I promise to laugh with you, to treasure you, and to be your shoulder to lean on when the tears flow, and I will wipe them away. In good times and in bad, I vow my never-ending pledge to love, protect, and cherish you for all of eternity. I will always be faithful and honor you as you stand by my side.” His hand caressed my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. “I promise to value all your dreams as my own, and as one, we will conquer anything in our path. Our lives are one from this day forward. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, you’ll always be mine, and I’ll always be yours.” His voice was thick with emotions. “You’re my heart and soul, Audrey. I’ll love you for eternity.”
“You’re mine, too,” I whispered.
The pastor announced, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” The pastor faintly cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, you may now kiss your bride.”
“Finally,” Blake said under his breath, revealing his soft dimple that I adored to no end. He stepped into me as he pulled me forward, making our bodies press firmly against one another, and then his mouth crashed down on mine.
I lifted to my toes, grabbed his nape, and pulled him closer still. All the while, I held on for dear life, kissing him with such fierce passion and love. I felt his love flowing into me, and I gave it back, thoroughly kissing him with everything I had in me.
When the crowd started making noises in the background, we finally broke apart. Just when I thought I should be embarrassed by tackling my husband in public, I glanced around to see Abbey and Jason, Gail and Damon, and even Kyle and Lily all drawing back with huge grins on their faces, too.
Suddenly, I didn’t feel so guilty.
“All right, ladies and gents!” Lily said, gathering us all at the front of the altar.
We all crowded in as she lifted her phone.
“Smile for our first family selfie!” she said before snapping the shot with her iPhone.
The entire crowd roared with laughter and applause. Afterward, we began the procession in our assigned order.
Halfway down the aisle, Blake leaned over and whispered in my ear, “You’re finally mine, Mrs. Johnson.”
I snuggled into him and lifted my face to his, mindful we were still walking. “Just you and me,” I agreed.
“Yes”—he kissed my temple—“just you and me for eternity.”
Five Years Later
~Lily~
It was a cool summer night, and the wind was lightly blowing around our fifth annual campfire celebration. I nestled into my lawn chair and covered my round belly with a blanket to keep Baby Blimp Number Three nice and warm. All the while, I listened to my eldest daughter, Natalie Ann’s, laughter as she ran around the yard, playing tag with her older cousin, Pearl.
To my left, little Maggie and Tyler sat on a blue-checkered blanket in front of their parents, Jason and Abbey. The two of them smiled while watching their youngest children duke it out with yellow Tonka trucks and building blocks versus Barbies and their cars.
Abbey covered her mouth and chuckled into Jason’s chest as Maggie finally got mad. She spun around, moved all her toys to the other side, and gave her brother the silent treatment.
Damon sat on the other side of them with his baby boy, Nathan Daniels. Damon rubbed his hand up and down the baby’s back as he slept peacefully in his daddy’s arms. Gail sat next to her husband, holding their two-year-old, Bethany, in her lap, singing a melody to her that I knew so well as a mother. Bethany smiled up at her mother with her little peach fuzz blowing in the slight breeze.
Audrey and Blake were lying on the grass at my right, teaching their two-year-old twins, Hunter and Gabrielle, how to stack building blocks that Tyler had shared with them. I smiled at seeing the glee in Audrey’s eyes as she gazed at her children. She and I had formed a special bond over the last four years since she had lost her mother to lung cancer. A loss of a life was such a deep, all-consuming heartache that I knew all too well. I’d tried to be there for her every step of the way, reminding my friend that Rosanne would always be with her, a part of her, in every milestone in her life.
Just then, I heard footsteps behind me. Expecting it to be Kyle, I turned around slowly, as my center of gravity was rapidly shifting these days, to help him settle our two children around the fire. I wasn’t prepared to see Colton Kingston, an old friend of Kyle’s whom he had met back in summer camp as a young teen, making his way across the lawn with a certain grace only a cowboy had.
Colton was in a pair of blue jeans and a blue-and-white plaid collared shirt that was cuffed at his well-built forearms, exposing a hint of his tattooed sleeve on his left arm. His light-brown leather boots and hat were worn, the way they should be on a true cowboy.
He came to a stop in front of me and tilted his head up, revealing his baby-blue eyes beneath the rim of his hat. He smiled a genuine, broad smile that exposed his perfectly white teeth, full lips, and the most handsome dimples. His smile was one that always made anyone smile in return just because it was that outgoing and catching.
“Hey, little lady.” He gathered me in for a friendly hug.
I squeezed him back as best I could around my growing belly.
The sound of his voice was so good to hear. “How have you been?”
“Colton! It’s so great to see you!” I beamed, drawing back. “We are all doing extremely well.” My hands came to my stomach. “As you can see, we are getting ready for Baby Blimp Number Three!”
“Three!” He smiled in awe. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you!” I glanced around, looking for Kyle. “He should be out here any moment with Natalie Ann and Michael. I’m sure you’re anxious to see him.”
Colton pointed toward the garage. “I just came from there. Kyle is in the garage with his parents and your munchkins. He said he’d be out shortly.”
“Oh, okay,” I answered, thinking I should probably go give him a hand.
Then, it suddenly dawned on me that Colton was here alone. It was unusual because the few times I had seen him in the past, Paige Summers was always at his side. I glanced behind him just to be sure before meeting his stare.
“Where’s Paige?” I asked.
His eyes altered, losing their light, and I immediately regretted my question.
“She left quite some time ago,” he offered as his only explanation, as though it was too painful to continue.
To hear the lonely agony in his tone was enough to make my heart fall into my stomach. I could feel the pain pouring out of him.
How could I not know about this?
Paige and Colton had been best friends since they were five. If anyone was destined to be together, it was those two. My heart was breaking for him.
“What?” I swallowed, feeling a lump form in my throat. “What happened?”
Colton briefly looked over at the fire and then back at me. I had never seen so much sorrow flit across someone’s eyes before, especially Colton’s. He was one of the rare men whose heart held no bounds at showing kindness. He loved with everything he had to give and everything he was, and his compassion was unceasing for those close to his heart. He had a natural gift to touch lives around him.
He stepped forward and gently threw his tattooed arm over my shoulder. “Not today, Lily.” He guided me toward the fire pit. “Maybe another time.”
“All right, just know we are here if you ever need us,” I offered.
“Hey, man!” Jason exclaimed out of the blue, catching sight of Colton. He rose from his chair, as did Abbey, Damon, and Gail. “Long time no see. Where did you disappear to?”
I didn’t c
atch his answer as my attention was redirected to hearing the sound of my husband’s voice, followed by my little man.
“Sorry, kiddo,” Kyle said regretfully. “No Power Wheels tonight, but we can get them out tomorrow if you’d like.”
Our three-year-old, Michael, said, “Ah, man.”
Michael laid eyes on me and came running for me. “Mommy!” he cried.
I picked him up and kissed his cheek. “What’s wrong, my sweet boy?” I asked right as Kyle reached me and set his hand on the small of my back.
He turned those blue eyes on me, the very same ones he’d gotten from his father that could make a woman weak in her knees. “Daddy said I can’t ride my four-weerer.”
“Oh, honey.” I patted his back tenderly to soothe him while biting my lip to hide my amusement. Those Ws, Ls, and Rs were a mouthful for kids. “That’s because it’s too dark outside to ride your four-wheeler, and we don’t want you to get hurt.” I went for the distraction tactic I remembered my mother using on me as a kid. “How about we roast lots of marshmallows and make yummy s’mores instead?”
He rubbed away the little tear in his eye that was trying to escape. Then, he looked up at me, his eyes brightening by the second. “Can we use lots of chocolate, too?”
Kyle chuckled.
“Of course we can.” I smiled and kissed his cheek again, unable to resist his soft skin. “You know Mommy loves her chocolate.”
“Yes.” Michael chuckled, filling my heart and soul with its sweet, sweet sound.
Kyle gently leaned in and kissed my temple with his warm lips, making my heart beat faster in my chest. “Is there enough chocolate for me, too?” he asked between the two of us.
“I don’t know,” I teased and looked at Michael. “Do you think there is enough chocolate to share with Daddy?”
“Yes.” Michael chortled again. “We have to share with Daddy and Natalie Ann.” He opened his arms real big. “And the whole family!”
I briefly kissed his lips. “You have such a big heart.”
