I giggle. “That’s what I said. But she quickly corrected me. She said she was cooking for her friends’ wedding.”
Knock, knock.
Callie opens the door, and my sweet dad takes one look at me and immediately covers his face to hide his tears.
“Dad.”
“I just need a minute.”
Oh. My heart.
“How is my little girl so grown up?”
I shrug my shoulders, my voice trapped in my throat. The emotions of the day are starting to get the best of me.
Callie reaches behind me to attach the long veil to the back of my hair. I’d gone back and forth about how to wear it, but Charlene styled it so beautifully I couldn’t imagine putting it up.
“It’s that time,” my father says seeming to have controlled his earlier reaction.
We head downstairs and wait for the signal to proceed. My eyes scan the area to the left. It appears to be a staging area for the food and cakes for the reception. One more ceremony after mine and the party will be under way. My eyes land on the four grooms’ cakes and I bend over in a fit of giggles.
“What?” My dad asks in shock.
“Look.” I point toward the four tier cake surrounded by comical smaller confections. One is a simple cake with what appears to be a heavy steel chain linked with a heavy ball. There is one that is shaped like a fish. A small sunfish. The third is shaped like a T-bone steak with a can of beer beside it. The last is decorated like a Chicago Bears football helmet. Guess that one belongs to my soon to be husband.
“Ha. Can’t wait to bite into that steak.” Dad chuckles.
As the wedding march begins to play, we make our way down the aisle to Jason. He’s standing tall, beaming at me in his full Captain’s uniform. Once I get closer, I can see the unshed tears in his eyes.
“Hi, short stuff.”
“Hi,” I say dreamily up at him. Holy shit. How is this my life right now?
The Chief rattles off vows that must feel like he’s starring in an episode ofGroundHog Day.In the blink of an eye, the vows are over and the rings are on our fingers. He pronounces us husband and wife and gives Jason a kind smile.
“Jason.”
“Yes, sir?”
“You may kiss your bride.”
It’s as if he knew he’d have to give him permission to kiss in front of him.
Jason cups my face with his large, calloused hands and kisses me like his very life depends on it. My head is practically spinning in the aftermath. I almost don’t realize it’s time to walk back down the aisle to our song until I hear the disco beat and bend over cackling again.
Of all the songs. “Finally” by CeCe Peniston.This man. Something tells me there will never be a dull moment with him around.
Ellie
“Charlene, is it too tight?” I run my hands down my flowy simple dress. It has a bohemian feel about it and I instantly fell in love with it. It hugs my curves without making me self-conscious. The look and feel of it is perfect for a summer outdoor wedding. If only I hadn’t sampled so much of the food lately.
“Babe, are you crazy? It looks perfect.” She comes closer. “You look perfect.”
Charlene had woven my auburn locks into a half up-do that was both intricate and whimsical all at the same time. She’d placed a few sprigs of brightly colored wild flowers in the back in lieu of a veil.
“And your makeup is flawless if I say so myself. You’re positively glowing.”
“Thank you for helping me with everything. Is Harrison here with Harlow? I knew there was some concern about getting everyone here.”
