“Are Tara and Aidan gonna be okay with this? Aren’t we going to be stealing a little bit of their thunder?”
Heather blows a raspberry with her lips and says, “Trust me. They’ve had enough of the limelight in the last few months to last a lifetime. They want nothing more than a quiet little gathering with a bunch of their friends. In fact, they would be thrilled if people thought that this was our wedding instead of theirs. It might even help with the paparazzi situation. It’s too bad that Tara and I aren’t even remotely the same size. That would’ve been handy for the dress situation.”
“Gidget, you look phenomenal. I think that that peachy-orangey color looks stunning on you. So, if you think that I would prefer you in something else, you’re just wrong. We are going to be lucky enough to have two wedding days. For this wedding day, that dress is perfect. You can surprise me with something else later, okay?”
Heather’s eyes cloud with tears as she replies, “I don’t know how you do it, Cowboy. But, you always know the perfect thing to say to me. Come on, let’s go shock the heck out of people. This will be more fun than announcing our engagement.”
Heather finds my parents first, so I let her collect them while I find Jeff, Kiera and Mindy. We shepherd them all into the pool room where Justice Gardner is waiting for us, still wearing his official robes. Mindy eyes them suspiciously. “Am I getting adopted again?” she asks abruptly.
Heather laughs out loud. “No, Mouse. I think you know why you’re here.” Heather pauses dramatically.
Mindy is quiet for a moment as she thinks about what Heather said. Suddenly, her eyes widen as she exclaims, “No way!”
Heather giggles at Mindy’s reaction. She nods and confirms, “Yes, way.”
Mindy starts jumping up and down. “I told you he would say yes!”
Sally and Harold look back and forth between us and Sally declares, “I’m sorry, but I’m still lost.”
“The Judge-man is going to marry Uncle Ty and Aunt Heather right now. But that’s okay because they’re not really my aunt and uncle. They are just pretend family because they’re best friends, so we just call them family. Sometimes, your friends are better than real family. It’s kind of like being adopted, but not really, right Judge-man?”
Judge Gardner smiles at Mindy. “You’re absolutely right, young lady. I’ve always considered your mom to be like my daughter even though we’re not really family. But, her family has always been really good friends with mine.”
I look over at my mom and it’s clear that she’s still processing what Mindy said. I can tell when she fully unscrambles all the words because she shakes her head as if to reorder the words and try again. “Wait! You’re getting married! Today? As in right now? You’re not going to invite any other family members or people from town? I’m so confused. Is somebody sick or dying?”
The look of panic on my mom’s face breaks my heart. I didn’t expect her to take the news in a negative light.
“No Mom, it’s nothing like that.” I hasten to reassure her. “Heather and I always planned to get married as quickly as we could. Uncle Sam just decided to move up our timetable more quickly than we had anticipated.”
“What do you mean?” my dad interrupts sharply. “What’s happened now?” he asks with a narrowed glare. “Don’t even think about sugarcoating it. I watch the news and I know all about ISIS.”
My shoulders slump a little in defeat. I wanted to avoid talking about this as long as possible. The more I talk about it, the more I run the risk of saying something I absolutely should not disclose. I sigh as I say, “Yes, there will be an operation underway; but as usual, I cannot disclose anything about it. Heather is aware that I’m going but is also in the dark about the details. She sensed my unease about the uncertainty of being able to protect her if I was shipped out of the country. So, she made arrangements for Justice Gardener to do a small civil ceremony until I can get back and we can have a large wedding for the family to attend. So, for today it’s just us.”
“But, what about Heather’s family?” my mom asks.
“Mrs. Colton I understand your concern but my sister was not able to make it today because she’s on assignment with her job and my brother had to work today as well. I was not able to give them advance notice of the wedding. But, they’ll be at the next one. As far as my parents go, I doubt that they would care enough about my life to even bother attending my wedding. But, even if they were interested, after the way they treated Tyler and I, I’m not sure that they would be invited.”
“That’s too bad. You strike me as a lovely young woman. I suppose that’s their loss. Please promise me you’ll take care of Tyler. He seems to think he doesn’t deserve to be taken care of. You and I both know that’s not true. Can you try to convince him that he’s worth saving?”
Heather’s eyes fill with instant empathy. She instantly leaves my side and runs over to hug my mom. “Of course I will. Your son is everything to me. He taught me how to love and respect myself, so the very least I can do is return the favor. With all that he does for me and everyone around him, it’s beyond me how he doesn’t see himself as heroic. Perhaps one day he’ll understand that none of what happened was his fault. But, you can be sure I will spend a lifetime trying to convince him of that fact. Your son is hands-down the finest human being I know— both inside and out.”
Harold slaps Ty on the back and comments, “Son, I don’t know how you lucked out and found this one, but she’s absolutely perfect. Hurry up and marry her before she gets away.”
Everyone in the room chuckles at his sentiment. “Don’t worry about it, Dad I plan on it,” I reply.
“On that note, shall I begin?” Judge Gardner asks.
Heather and I nod eagerly in unison.
Judge Gardner meets my parent’s eyes at the side of the room and teasingly asks, “Aren’t they just too cute for words?”
My parents nod eagerly and snap a couple pictures with their cell phones.
“Do you have anything specific you’d like me to use?”
Much to my surprise, Heather nods. “These are the ones that my grandparents used. Can you use them? I hope our marriage last as long as theirs did.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll just have you read the vows instead of repeating after me. I think it sounds more natural that way. Would you like to go first Heather?”
“Yes please,” she answers softly clearing her throat and unfolding a piece of paper she had cupped in her hand.
“I, Heather Lydia LaBianca take you Tyler Joseph Colton to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.”
All of my teasing words are coming back to haunt me right now. When my friends got married, I openly teased them about becoming emotional wrecks at what was essentially a walking, talking advertisement for Hallmark cards. I really didn’t understand what makes this day different from any other time a woman dresses up and makes herself presentable. But, now that I’m looking down at the woman who will be my wife in mere minutes, I totally get the feeling of being able to move heaven and earth and all the planets between to make her happy. My eyes mist over at the emotions contained in the simple words passed from generation to generation.
Heather squeezes my hand as she passes me the vows. I have to swallow a lump in my throat when I recognize the handwriting as that of her grandmother from all of the paperwork that I helped her sort through when we went to Texas. I felt that I had gotten to know the feisty woman that Heather adored so much through reading her love letters and diaries when we were trying to prove her intent in court. I can only imagine what this means to Heather to bring this moment full circle.
I grasp Heather’s h
ands in my own and get a little lost in her blue eyes as she blinks away tears. I carefully repeat the words on the page, my voice full of emotion. “I, Tyler Joseph Colton take you Heather Lydia LaBianca, to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.”
I make the mistake of glancing over at my parents. My dad is wiping away tears with the back of his hand. The sight of that is almost enough to make me lose it right there. I’ve only seen my dad cry on a handful of occasions. The last time I remember him truly breaking down was at my bedside in Germany. But, the smile on his face makes it clear that these are happy tears. It feels incredible to make my parents proud for a change. I know that they have long ago forgiven me for the bad choices I made when I was younger, but I still feel terrible for letting them down. I would do anything I could to erase the pain that I caused them. Yet, had I not made those choices, I wouldn’t be standing where I am right now.
Justice Gardner looks at Heather. “Do you have rings to exchange?”
“Yes, we do, your Honor,” she answers.
He rolls his eyes. “How many times do I have to explain this? Unless you’re standing in front of my bench, my name is William.”
Heather giggles. “Whatever you say, sir.”
Justice Gardner just shakes his head. “You guys are a lost cause.”
“What can I say? I was raised with good Southern manners, sir,” she teases.
I look at Heather with sheer panic on my face. “Gidget, I hate to tell you this but you’ve caught me without a ring again.”
Heather winks at me. “Don’t worry, Cowboy. I’ve got you covered. I’m not the middle child for nothing. I’m always prepared for every contingency.”
Heather fishes a little silk pouch out of her bosom area. She whispers in a not so quiet stage whisper, “Sometimes my body type has its own advantages.”
My mom who has also struggled with an ample pear-shaped figure her whole life just laughs and says, “Amen to that.”
Mindy just shakes her head as she asks, “Are all wedding ceremonies this weird?”
Justice Gardener laughs. “This group likes to add its own little flair, that’s for sure,” he remarks as he hands the rings to Jeff. He turns to Heather and hands her the other ring. “Heather, please repeat after me.”
I give you this ring
as a reminder
that I will love, honor, and cherish you,
in all times,
in all places,
and in all ways, forever.
I have to catch my breath as she slides the hard metal ring on my finger. I’ve never heard more beautiful words in my life, she could not have chosen a more perfect vow. They are everything I feared I would never hear. As the ring settles in place it’s almost as if I can feel a hole in my heart physically heal over. For the first time in years I feel like I can take a full breath. The weight on my chest is gone. I don’t even realize that I’m crying until Heather wipes away a tear with the pad of her thumb.
“It’s all right, Cowboy. I know you’re really a marshmallow. You don’t have to pretend with me,” she teases.
“I know. You’ve had my number for a while now.”
Jeff hands me two rings. I realize one is Heather’s engagement ring and the other is her grandmother’s wedding band. I didn’t realize it until now how well they complement each other. Maybe that’s why Heather was so drawn to her engagement ring. It took her about two and a half seconds to choose her ring when we went shopping. I offered her a much more expensive ring, but she couldn’t be talked out of the one she chose.
“Tyler, as you place the ring on Heather’s finger, please repeat after me,” Justice Gardner instructs.
I give you this ring
as a reminder
that I will love, honor, and cherish you,
in all times,
in all places,
and in all ways, forever.
As I repeat the simple vows, I can barely keep my voice from cracking with emotion as I repeat them. My hands are shaking so violently as I place the rings on her fingers that you’d never guess that I sometimes help the bomb disposal unit in the field. Usually, I have ice in my veins when the pressure is on. But, it seems all bets are off today. It’s like I’m starring in my own sappy Hallmark special.
As I’m lost in my thoughts, I almost miss the fact that Justice Garner is rapidly moving forward with the ceremony.
“Now, by the power vested in me by the State of Oregon, I hereby pronounce that Tyler Colton and Heather LaBianca are now husband and wife. Officer Colton, you may now kiss your bride. After all, she practically made miracles happen to pull this off.”
I flash the judge a wide grin as I respond, “I know! Isn’t my wife amazing?”
I pull Heather close to me and give her a long, deep thorough kiss. Eventually my dad pipes up from the corner of the room and says, “Son, I know you just got married and all, but you have to remember there are children present in this room.”
“Oh, I’m used to it. All the grown-ups around me are always kissing. It’s like watching the soap operas at Grummy’s house. I think it’s gross but, whatever.” Mindy replies with a shrug.
My mom just laughs as she remarks, “Just give yourself a few years honey, you won’t think it’s so gross then.”
“Let’s hope it’s more than just a few years,” Jeff mutters under his breath. He turns to me and louder he says, “Well, it’s true what they say. Couple-hood is contagious. We’ve managed to marry everybody off in our little group. I wonder who’s next?”
Justice Gardner looks a little startled by Jeff’s question. He opens his mouth to speak then closes it and starts again as he looks back and forth between Jeff and Kiera.
Jeff and Kiera look at him quizzically. “What?” they ask curiously.
“Well,” he begins cautiously, “if I were a betting man, I might lay odds on Denny and Gwendolyn.”
Jeff looks a little shell-shocked, Kiera much less so. “Really? My mom swears they’re just friends,” he argues.
Justice Gardner nods sagely. “In my experience, there’s a thin line between friendship and love. I’m just saying I’m not sure which side of the line Denny’s on. It’s been a long time since Karen died. I just haven’t seen him this happy in a really long time and I think Gwendolyn is responsible for that.”
“I have to say, I think I agree with you. At first, I was a little weirded out by our parents were dating, but I’ve gotten used to it now and I actually think it’s kind of cute. They’ve both been through so much. They deserve to find love again. If they make each other happy, I’m all for it,” Kiera responds with a shrug.
Justice Gardner spreads some paperwork out on a nearby pool table and pulls a fancy gold-plated pin out of his pocket. “I have one formality I need you, as Tyler and Heather’s friends and family, to take care of before this is all official. As witnesses to this union, I need you to sign this paperwork.”
“Can I sign too?” asks Mindy.
“Unfortunately, the official witnesses have to be grown-ups, but there is a small space on the certificate where I can draw in a line so you can have a space to sign your name,” Justice Gardner explains.
“Awesome!” Mindy responds. “I know how to write my name in cursive too.”
My mom laughs and says, “Great, let’s get this over with. I can’t wait to cut into that cake. I’ve heard great things about Heather’s cooking and I’m looking forward to it.”
“Where in the world have you been?” Tara asks as I run into the kitchen. “I figured you’d be back here obsessing over every little detail.”
I loop an apron over my head and carefully give Tara a side hug so I don�
�t mess up her impeccable hair and makeup. I whisper in her ear, “Would you believe I just got married?”
Initially, she looks shocked but then a thoughtful expression crosses her face.
“Huh… I guess Mouse called this one a while back, didn’t she?”
I nod, “That she did. I don’t know how, but she did.”
Tara smiles, “I’m starting to understand how people feel when they encounter me. It’s odd being on the other side of things. So, how do you feel about the change of plans?” she asks.
Her question surprises me. I haven’t really even taken a moment to stop to think about it. It all happened so fast, it seems like a blur. “Excited, scared, elated, amazed— I’m not sure. I guess I feel a lot of everything. It’s hard to feel truly blissful about getting married when I know in a few short hours I’m going to have to say goodbye. If I let myself think about it too much I get really scared because I don’t even know if it’s our last goodbye.”
“So, it’s official then? Tyler got the call?” Tara asks.
I nod tearfully. For the first time all day, the full weight of that sinks in. “Tara, I’ve got less than forty-eight hours to be his wife, then I have to send him off to fight the stupid terrorists. This isn’t one of my video games. They’re frickin’ beheading people now! What if he never comes back?”
Tara gathers me into a hug.
“I’m going to get makeup on your beautiful dress,” I mumble as I grab a napkin and wipe my eyes. “Your wedding pictures will be ruined.”
Tara raises an eyebrow at me. “Do I look like I care? Honestly, I don’t care if no one ever takes another picture of me for as long as I live.”
“I know you feel that way now, but someday you’ll want to show your grandkids your wedding pictures and you don’t want my mascara blobbed in the middle of them.”
“Well, you’ll always be more important to me than any dumb pictures. Seriously, Heather you can’t think that way. You’re going to be Tyler’s wife for decades to come. His deployment is only a temporary thing. Joy and Tiers is going to keep you incredibly busy. Hopefully time will pass in the blink of an eye. The Girlfriend Posse will do our best to keep you distracted, I promise. Besides, you have the wedding of the century to plan for, right? Because I know you well enough to know you’re not going to pass up another opportunity to cram me into a froufrou dress, especially since I’ve started wearing them now.”
Joy and Tiers Page 28
