Jerry opened the door and did his best to clear a path for Cold and Jimmy to quickly step into the restaurant. Jimmy kept his head down, trying to shut out the screaming voices and camera flashes. It was overwhelming, and even when the doors of the restaurant swung closed behind them, he could still hear the roar of voices.
His chest was starting to feel too tight, and he was instantly transported back to that dank basement where Gary had held him prisoner. The terror washed over him in a suffocating wave, and he was instantly nauseous. He could feel his hands shaking, and he clung to Cold like a lifeline. “Shit. I’m sorry. It’s, it’s just all so... loud. It’s too loud.”
Cold cradled Jimmy close, guiding him to the banquet room as he said, “There. It’s over now. I’ll make sure they’re gone by the time we leave, I promise.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Breathe for me, Jimmy,” Cold went on, that ridiculously rich voice of his chasing away Jimmy’s panic. “Breathe.”
Jimmy took a big breath, exhaling slowly and offering a shaky smile. “I’m okay.”
Cold opened his mouth to speak again but he was interrupted when Rowena spotted them, loudly squealing, “Hey! There’s the happy couple! Come on, get your butts in here!”
“We’re coming!” Jimmy called back, his smile brighter when he saw everyone waiting for them. His father, Maury, Dario, and all the Gentlemen were here. He saw Charlie standing off to the side, staring their way, but Jimmy quickly deduced it wasn’t him or Cold that the federal agent had his eyes on.
It was Jerry, who was also looking right back with the oddest smirk on his face.
“Rehearsal is super easy!” Rowena announced loudly. “Jules and Roddy will be waiting at the altar with the priest guy. Maury walks with me down the aisle, then Daddy Poe walks Baby Poe down the aisle and boom! It’s time to get married! How easy is that?”
“Really? That’s it?” Jimmy laughed, hugging his father in greeting and exchanging a big grin.
“Thought there would be a bit more to it?” David teased.
“Meh.” Rowena waved her hand and shrugged. “More or less!”
Cold held out Jimmy’s chair for him to sit down, taking his seat at the head of the table. He was amused by his sister’s rushed rehearsal summary, smirking as he drawled, “Well, I suppose that’s the plan then.”
“Right,” Jules grunted, “now we can get to the part of the rehearsal dinner that matters. The dinner!”
“Sounds great,” David agreed, smiling warmly at Jimmy from across the table. “You okay, sport? You look a little spooked.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Jimmy mumbled, scratching at the back of his neck. “All those reporters outside sort of freaked me out. It’s been a pretty crazy week. Month. Whatever.”
David reached over the table to pat Jimmy’s hand. “Don’t worry about them. You and Roderick have a bright future ahead of you, and I’m so happy I get to be a part of it tomorrow. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Jimmy gushed.
Maury plopped down next to Jimmy, grabbing him in a rough hug around his shoulders. “I love you, too, you cheeky lil’ shit. Look at you! All fancy and shit now, livin’ big.”
“Living happy,” Jimmy said firmly. “And I love you, Maury. I kinda wish both you and my dad were walking me down the aisle.”
“Maury’s welcome to join me,” David offered with a warm smile. “He’s helped raise you, you know.”
“Nah,” Maury said, shaking his head. “I was only helpin’ out ‘cause you couldn’t do your fatherly thing. You’ve already missed too fuckin’ much, David. This? This is all you, my friend.”
“Thank you,” David said, casually wiping at his eyes. “That’s very kind of you, Maury.”
Jimmy felt a warm hand on his knee, turning to find Cold smiling at him. He reached down to lace their fingers together, enjoying the quiet affection.
There was a time in Jimmy’s life where he didn’t think his father was ever going to get out of prison, and yet, here he was, free and hours away from giving him away to the love of his life.
Things were much better now compared to the sad days of only having a few bucks and nineteen cents in his pocket.
Since Rowena had taken care of her version of the rehearsal, everyone began to order their meals. The food arrived quickly and the drinks flowed while Jimmy drifted in and out of various conversations.
As dessert made its rounds, Cold excused himself for a brief moment to talk to Tamerlane outside. Dario took the opportunity to come bouncing over, rapidly tapping Jimmy’s shoulder.
“Hey, Dario!” Jimmy grinned and set down his fork. “What’s up?”
