by Michael Dean
“We have been hard at work on the wedding again. Everything looks to be in place. I’m just a few weeks away from being Mrs. Leo Cutler.”
She sounded excited.
“I can hardly wait, babe.” I too was excited. All this good news coming at me at once made me feel warm inside. Along with the very dark days I knew were ahead of me, there was also some light among the darkness. I needed to keep focus on that. As for Elysia, once being my earthbound daughter, I thought it best to keep that secret for myself for the time being.
Doing as we agreed, I waited another week before I returned back to town. The first place I hit was home. Scruffy greeted me at the door when I arrived.
“Long time no see, homie!” He burst towards me with a handshake and a bro hug.
“No doubt.” I patted his back and walked into my home.
“Mom and Dad are out shopping. They’ll be glad to know that you’re back when they return.”
“So, you all are feeling okay? Everyone was pretty down and out around here before I left.” I inquired, playing dumb.
“Oh yeah, man. Not sure what that was all about. No one could figure out what was wrong with us or the Lewises. We’re all good now.”
We both took a seat in the living room and turned on the television.
“That’s good to hear, bro. So, other than that, what else has been going on while I was out?”
“Not really that much. I’ve learned a lot in MMA class, as well as college. Our parents have been busy helping Shade and her mom with the wedding. That’s pretty much it.”
“Cool.”
“You must have been very busy.” He gently slugged me on the shoulder.
“Why do you say that?”
“The world has chilled out big time since you left. Mayhem was breaking out all over the place. Once you set out to slow it down, it got quiet. Great job, brotha.”
“Hey…that’s what I do.” I grinned in bewilderment.
I hadn’t done a thing and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why Christian had simmered down his minions and his main attack dog, War. That was strange.
It may have meant nothing. Christian may have seen that I was no longer rushing out to save the world all the time, no longer playing his little games and he decided to drop the charade. But something deep within me knew that it was never that simple when it came to Christian. There had to be something else going on that I was yet to be aware of.
Scruffy and I spent the rest of the day catching up. When our parents returned home, we did the same. As a matter of fact, that is what we did for the next few weeks until the date of the wedding had approached. I was sure to step out for a couple days here and there in order to avoid any kind of sickness mishaps again. I knew I had to be around them much longer than a couple of weeks for that stuff to occur again, but I didn’t want to take any chances.
Regardless of those concerns within me, the day of the wedding had arrived. The staging area for the men was our home while Shade and the women prepared at the Lewis’s. These were also the locations of the bachelor and bachelorette parties. As for our party, it was basically cigars and poker, pretty tame by all standards, which suited me just fine.
I hadn’t seen Shade for an entire week prior to the wedding. I was gripped with anticipation to see her again because I knew when I did it would be the last time I saw her as Shade Lewis, my girlfriend, but now she would be Shade Cutler, my beautiful wife.
“Well my man, today is the day. Over the past year I’ve gained a brother and today I will be gaining a sister.” Scruffy adjusted the tie on his tux.
“Yeah you will, my question is, when will I be gaining a sister?” I teased him about his and Sandra’s relationship as he fumbled around to help me with my tux now.
“Funny you should ask, Leo my boy. I have a surprise of my own coming.” He smiled and bounced his eyebrows.
“Really now? When will this take place?” I inquired.
“Soon…very soon as a matter of fact…you’ll see.” He patted me on the shoulder.
“You boys done in there?” Benjamin called out to us.
“Leo. It’s crazy to think that at one time, when we were in school, you were just this guy, well, at least I thought you were just a regular guy, drooling all over yourself over the pretty brunette in our class. Now, here the two of you are, committing to each other for eternity. Congratulations my old friend.” He stopped me before we walked out into the living room where all the guys were waiting and gave me a warm hug.
“Man, I didn’t even get to participate in the wedding rehearsal. I hope I know what to do today.” I fretted.
“Well, everyone else did. All you have to do is walk down the aisle and stand there looking dumb while you wait for Shade.” He teased me as he brushed some lint off the shoulders of my tux.
“Thank you for always being there, my friend, my brother. Thank you for giving me the courage to pursue her. I wouldn’t be here without you…in many ways. I love you, my friend.” I embraced him again.
“I love you too, bro. Now, let’s go get you married.”
“Sounds good.”
We walked out into the living room where my father, Richard, and Sheriff Taylor were awaiting us.
“It’s about time.” Richard pointed to the watch on his wrist.
“Yeah, Leo, you’re going to be late for your own wedding. I think you forget that the woman owns you after today. If you’re late, you’ll never hear the end of it…for the rest of your lives together.” Benjamin joked.
Richard chimed in, “Yeah, the last thing you want to do is cash in your one and only ‘get out of jail free’ card on day one.”
Then Sheriff Taylor got in on the fun about me, “Very true. Save that card for when you want to ditch out on her shopping for something like a ballgame. At least the nagging will only go on for a few years instead of your entire life when you make that first mistake.” All the men in the room started laughing while Scruff and I both looked a little stupefied.
After they stopped laughing, Benjamin slipped in one last word before we headed outside, “Okay, we better take it easy on him, gentlemen, can’t have Leo here bailing out before his commitment to misery begins.” He winked.
They all chuckled again.
“Okay, okay, we are talking about my daughter here. Besides, you’re right Ben, we can’t have that, I still have my shotgun all shined up just in case,” Richard added.
“Thanks for that, guys.” I rolled my eyes and headed out the door as everyone laughed yet again.
“That’s what we’re here for, Leo my boy,” Sheriff Taylor said.
When we got outside, we piled into our vehicles and made our way to the Gold Rock River. We joked and laughed the entire ride and when we got there I was stunned to see how many people had showed up from around town. It wasn’t a huge crowd or anything, but more than I thought would be there.
“Where did these people come from?” I questioned Benjamin who Scruffy and I were riding with.
“These are the grateful people who came to show their support to you and Shade. You know, those whose children you helped to bring home. Even Mr. Veitoni is out there somewhere. Sam even got his little niece and nephew in on this to be the ring bearer and flower girl too.” Benjamin answered.
“So many have done so much for us. I don’t know what to say,” I said, astonished.
“So have you, Leo. So have you.” Benjamin smiled.
“Very cool,” Scruffy added as we parked and got out of the vehicle.
As I started to take in the festive environment, I noticed all the hard work that had been put into place on behalf of Shade and I. There was about seven rows of white chairs, about eight in each row, on either side of a walkway that had a white runner laid out that led to the altar. There was a magnificent arch that was engulfed in various flowers standing over the entry point of the walkway. On the back of the last row of chairs, on both sides, was a white tapestry hung and pinned at connecting point
s on the chairs with flowers. It was beautiful.
At the altar where the preacher was prepping himself waiting for us, was another huge white arch towering over the top of the altar. Behind the main stage was some sort of white backdrop that you could see through. Attached to that was more tapestries and flowers. You could see right through it all. We’d be facing the beautiful Gold Rock River as we said our vows. The location was right in the exact spot where Shade and I frequented. We were tying the knot at our most beloved spot.
Off in the distance, about fifty to seventy-five yards away was a gigantic, open ended white tent where there looked to be various tables and people preparing food. A good size hardwood floor had been placed down over the grass underneath it. Strung out all around the tent were white, Christmas-looking lights, for lack of a better description, and more tapestries that hung around the poles that held the tent into the ground. This is where our reception was going to be held apparently.
After taking everything in, the men all gathered together off in the distance away from where everyone else was gathering at their seats. Sheriff Taylor was making sure his nephew knew what to do in regards to the rings, Richard was on the phone with Anne trying to get an estimated time of arrival for the bride and I was feeling a very human-like emotion…nervous.
Music began to play over a PA system that surrounded the guests in front of the altar, signaling for us to get into place. I had yet to see Shade’s arrival so I was a little confused about the timing of the music coming on.
“Here we go man, let’s get you into place.” Scruffy patted me on the back and we started to shuffle around into a line.
Scruffy was giving me instructions on when I was to walk to the altar as we approached the arch that led us to it. First Scruffy began to walk down the aisle to the front, then Sheriff Taylor, followed by Benjamin, the ring bearer and myself. Richard didn’t walk up with us and hung back at the arch.
Just as I reached the altar by the preacher, I looked over and saw a white limousine heading towards the gathering. It pulled up a short distance away from us all. One by one, Anne, Amanda, Sandra and the flower girl all strolled out of the limo. They were wearing beautiful black dresses with some sort of white flowers pinned to the breast of the garments. They all looked ravishing. Shade had yet to reveal herself and I could feel the butterflies move from within my stomach to my throat as I watched the girls, except for Anne who remained standing by the door of the limo, walk down the aisle in time to the music playing as they gathered in a straight line, like us guys, directly across from us. The flower girl came last and dropped rose petals all along the runner. Besides the location of her father standing in our line at a position behind me, only one spot had yet to be filled, the location where the bride needed to stand.
I watched Richard walk up to the limo and stand by the door. After we stood there for a couple more minutes, and after more tension rose within me, the music stopped and switched to something a little more elegant, signaling for everyone to stand up and await the bride. I watched as Richard extended his hand into the limo and saw another hand grab unto his.
From out of the vehicle stepped one of the most jaw dropping sights I had ever seen. It was as if Shade was in slow motion as she stood straight after stepping out of the limo and took the arm of her father. Her dress was magnificent. Naturally it was white, with a white, very see-through veil hiding her face. Her mother gave her a kiss as she handed her the bouquet. Richard sighed in a corky manner at his daughter as they started to walk towards the first arch.
Anne stayed behind Shade and lifted the somewhat lengthy train at the back of her dress. In perfect rhythm to the music, daughter and father walked together towards me. Richard looked a little saddened the closer the pair got to the altar. I don’t think it was because she was marrying me, I hope, but I sensed it was more because he knew this was the last time his baby girl was his own.
Once they got within a few steps of where we were all standing, they stopped, and so did the music. Anne released Shade’s train and stood in line with the rest of the bridesmaids. The preacher greeted and welcomed everyone to our wedding before asking who gave away the bride. Richard replied that he did and leaned in to kiss his daughter on the cheek on top of the thin veil. Shade then joined me in front of the preacher as Richard stood behind me with the rest of the groomsmen.
The preacher led us into the process, going through the formalities. After we took our vows to one another, the preacher mentioned that Shade had something she wanted to share with me. I was a little put off with this part because I had no idea that I needed to prepare something to say. I needed to think fast because Shade pulled out a small piece of paper and began to read from it.
She cleared her throat and with a nervous voice and shaking hands, she read her thoughts about me out loud so everyone could hear.
“Leo, I can remember you being this shy young…boy,” we both made eye contact as she paused and giggled a bit, “sitting in class, afraid to make eye contact with me, turning away from me every time our eyes met. Little did I know that you would become everything I have ever wanted in someone. You are strong, confident, and fearless. When I am with you, I feel safe. Like nothing in the world, no matter what that may be, can get to me when you’re by my side. I feel peace when I hear your voice and strength when I am in your embrace. I know if I am ever lost, you’ll always be the one who finds me.” She smiled at me and cleared her throat some more as she continued.
“You once told me that anything is possible,” she reached up and pulled at the necklace that was around her neck.
It was, of course, the little space rock I gave her when we first got together. With how radiant she looked, I didn’t even notice she was wearing it around her neck.
“You were right. The fact that we are standing here today, joining as one, is proof positive of that statement. Anything is possible for us. There is no end unless be both give in. I need you to be here, therefore, I know you always will be. I love you with all my heart, Leo Cutler. I am your second chance.”
Shade smiled and folded up the paper, reaching behind her, giving it to Sandra. Her touching sentiments nearly left me speechless. I needed to think quickly though as the preacher turned to me and asked if I had anything to say to Shade.
I paused for a second, trying to think on my feet, and turned to the crowd and said, “I’m already starting out as a bad husband. I didn’t realize I needed to prepare something to read to her.” The people chuckled a bit as I continued. “But, I’ll just speak from the heart. I hope that will do.” I turned to face Shade.
“I, too, remember sitting in class with you. I was shy. Afraid of how I felt about you. So intimidated by your beauty. You refer to me as your strength, your safety, but it is you who has saved me. You have brought to me what no other soul could ever do; a life, a reason to push forward and face the obstacles that are in our way, a reason to love. You are the woman that has soothed the savage beast. In that effect is the reflection of your strength.”
I knew I wasn’t supposed to do this yet, but I reached over and pulled up her veil.
“On our first date, we stood at the fountain in the Gardens of Zeus and flipped a coin into the water. We never told each other what we wished for, but today, I will tell you that my wish came true. I wished to be with you forever.”
Shade’s eyes welled up and she quickly released one hand from her bouquet to wipe her tears before it ruined her makeup.
“At that time, we also shared our first kiss. Today, we get to share another first kiss…the first kiss of many in the rest of our lives together. I have risked it all for you, just as you have for me. Because of that, I will always come back to you…always. I love you Shade, more than you could ever know and I promise to watch over you, as long as you promise to watch over me. Thank you for this second chance.”
I leaned in and kissed her. Again, I knew I wasn’t supposed to do this move yet, but I couldn’t help myself. When we broke from ou
r kiss, we looked around a little sheepishly. I noticed that both of our mothers were wiping tears from their eyes while giggling at our spontaneity at the same time.
The preacher reeled us back in with our swapping of I do’s and requested the ring bearer do his duty. Shade and I reached down and untied our rings, first me placing her ring on her finger, than her placing my ring on mine. The preacher gave me permission to kiss the bride, again, and of course I followed suit.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. and Mrs. Leo and Shade Cutler.” He professed as everyone clapped. The music came back on as the two of us held hands and smiled at our guests. We slowly walked down the aisle together. A few men, like Mr. Criner, Meredith’s father, reached out and shook my hand. We came across Mr. Veitoni and he nearly tackled the two of us as he kissed us both on either side of my cheeks and offered us a free meal at his restaurant whenever we wanted to cash it in for celebration of our union.
Once we got away from the wedding area, we were directed by the wedding planner where we needed to walk next. She pointed us in the direction of the reception area under the tent. The groomsmen and bridesmaids had joined hands and were walking behind us as we strolled.
“Well, you’re my wife. What a trip.”
“Yes, yes I am. Boy did you get lucky.” She teased and we laughed.
“I sure did. Now let’s go have some cake that I won’t enjoy.” I joked back.
“Don’t worry babe, I will.” She stuck it to me again as we got directed to sit in the middle of the head table.
What an amazing day this truly was for me. I couldn’t believe I had somehow gotten here. In this moment it was time to appreciate our day in the sun before I worried about what lay before us upon the horizon.
CHAPTER 6
RECEPTION
Once the wedding party gathered at the head table and sat down, the guests began to pile in to take their seats at each of the scattered tables. A three tiered wedding cake sat directly in front of Shade and me. At the very top of it I noticed the little bride and groom figures reeked of irony. The bride had angel wings sprouting from her back while the groom had little devil horns and black wings coming from his back side.
