“You look beautiful,” was his only response. I rolled my eyes. “You can butter someone else’s biscuit today, but not mine.”
As I continued to do my best ignoring Jace, the violins started to play, our cue to begin walking.
Slowly, we walked side-by-side, trying to follow the pace of the music.
Take a step, pause. Take a step, pause.
As we made our way down the aisle, Jace walked with a slight limp. His foot must have been bothering him. No matter how mad I was at him, I still felt bad that I was the source of his pain. It was the empath in me.
Colt stood up front at the end of the aisle, next to the preacher. By the way he kept pulling his shoulders back and taking deep breaths, he was as nervous as Ellie.
Ahead of us, June Bug walked in pace with the music, scattering rose petals as she made her way toward Colt, who smiled down at her as she led us. He was beyond proud of her, and everyone in the room could tell. Love was literally in the air.
As Jace and I reached the front of the aisle, we took our places on either side of Colt. The violinists stopped playing for a moment as everyone settled into their positions. After everyone was ready, they picked up their instruments and played again, a deeper and slower piece this time. At the end of the aisle, the doors that had been open as the bridal party entered were now closed, with Ellie on the other side––anticipation filling the room.
As the doors opened slowly, everyone could see Ellie standing in the doorway. Standing next to her was Charlie, Colt’s dad. Charlie was the only father figure Ellie had after her parents passed away. By the time wedding planning was in fullswing, Ellie began worrying about who would walk her down the aisle. But anytime she brought it up, everyone suggested the same person—Charlie. The entire town knew he would do it in a heartbeat. When she finally got the courage to ask him, he cried. To this day, he denies crying, but everyone knows the truth.
As they walked down the aisle, Ellie’s train skimmed the ground behind her, her veil floating gracefully along its length. Crying must have run in the family, because to absolutely no one’s surprise, Colt’s eyes welled up as Ellie made her way toward the altar. He was quick to wipe away any evidence while all eyes were on her. I smiled, knowing how deeply Colt cared for Ellie, how he’d swooped in and saved her at just the right moment, like her own version of Prince Charming. Ellie and Colt’s love was the real deal—the kind you only read about in books—and I yearned for the day I could experience the same kind of love.
Colt and Ellie’s vows were nothing short of perfection. There wasn’t a single person in the room who didn’t have to wipe away a tear at some point. Of course, June Bug was oblivious to it all. She stood there, swinging her hips from side to side so her poofy princess dress would swing along with her. The spitting image of her momma, June Bug was just happy for any opportunity to dress up and become a real-life Cinderella.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the preacher said.
Colt swooped Ellie into his arms, cradling her softly as he pressed his lips to hers, sealing the deal they’d been building toward since they were barely old enough to hop on a horse.
Cheers erupted around the room, everyone standing to clap for the new happy couple.
“I proudly introduce Mr. and Mrs. McKinley,” the preacher announced as Colt and Ellie turned toward the crowd, basking in the atmosphere of love.
“Well, that was something, wasn’t it,” Jace said, nudging my arm. I rolled my eyes.
“Pretty sure I saw you crying,” I said, waiting to see if he’d admit to it.
“Real men aren’t afraid to show emotions. I learned that in therapy.”
Therapy? Whether I liked it or not, he had piqued my curiosity. “You go to therapy?” I asked, not sure he would give me more information than he already had.
“Yep. Sometimes once a week. Sometimes once a month. It just depends on how I’ve been feeling lately,” he admitted without hesitation.
“What made you want to start going to therapy?”
“That’s a conversation for another time,” he responded nonchalantly, walking away––giving me nothing more on the subject.
Last night Jace had mentioned something about not having a perfect life, that everyone had their own demons to fight. My best guess was that whatever he meant had something to do with his need to go to therapy––they were connected in some way. My investigative self would dig deeper another time, when I wasn’t standing in a floor-length silk dress in the middle of a wedding chapel.
The night continued with everyone mingling happily, dancing to the music, and getting full from slices of wedding cake and small bites of hors d'oeuvres. A slow song started to play, providing a break from the upbeat pop music, and everyone began to partner up. As I exited the dance floor, single as a Pringle, Grant walked up to me and asked me to dance. I happily accepted his offer, returning to the spot I had been only moments ago, but this time with a dance partner.
“I’d say today went off without a hitch,” Grant said, locking his hand in with mine, placing his other hand firmly against my lower back as we swayed to the slow tempo.
“Ellie looked beautiful, and Colt looked mesmerized. Can’t ask for much more than that.”
“Tell me one thing,” he said, looking past me and into the crowd.
“Sure.”
“How come every time I get near you, Jace looks at me like he’s got lasers in his eyes, aimed straight at me, ready to put me six feet under,” he asked, chuckling. I turned around quickly, trying to find the culprit. Tucked away in the corner, behind the tall cake that Molly had handcrafted for her brother’s wedding, was none other than Jace himself with his arms crossed and brows furrowed––not even trying to hide his frustration.
I turned back toward Grant, with every intention of ignoring the man-sized toddler in the corner about to throw a temper tantrum.
