I quickly check my phone to see if there’s any more updates from Christopher, but thankfully nothing has happened since the mini-fire accident he messaged about three hours ago. I slide my phone back into my pocket when I notice the wedding planner standing at the bottom of the grand staircase.
I march toward her, Rob standing guard as I ignore the fans who are loitering in the area.
“Have we missed the speeches?”
“I believe they’re just about to start.” She lowers her clipboard to study it.
“Great. Is there a way you could slide me inside without anyone noticing?”
Her gaze flicks between me, the entrance, and a side door.
“Err. Well, there is this side room.” She points to the door to her right, inconspicuous to passers-by. “That leads into a holding area for the bride and DJ.”
“Alexander, Alexander!” The small gaggle of fans calls out, trying to get my attention. But Rob ensures I’m left unbothered.
“I’m not staying for long. I just want to catch one of the speeches,” I say.
“Okay, follow me,” she says, sliding the clipboard under her arm.
I leave Rob to fend off the fans while I head through the door and into a small room that looks eerily similar to the backstage dressing rooms I’ve been in over the last year.
I head to the door on the other side and slowly crack it open, to look out into the ballroom, lit with a beautiful lilac tone. The guests are working their way through the last bits of their meals. Opposite of me, a DJ sets up his decks, and in front of him, a technician appears to be working on an LED dance floor.
I scan the room, looking for Christopher, like a metal detector searching for treasure. The sound of clinking glass grabs my attention, and I spot him grabbing cue cards and a microphone before rising to his feet at the middle table next to his sister.
My heart instantly warms at the sight.
“Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and of course, the happy couple Kelly and Daniel. If I could have your attention for just a few brief moments. I promise to keep this brief, unlike one of Kelly’s infamous retail therapy sessions.” Christopher coughs twice as the room erupts into laughter.
I open the door slightly to get a better view, feeling safe with everyone’s back turned toward me.
“My name is Christopher Foster, and as many of you know, I am the proud brother of the stunning bride, Kelly. I must say, standing here today, I feel like Aunt Brenda at an all you can eat buffet—overwhelmed and yet inexplicably joyful.” He points his cue cards at who I assume is the aunt in question.
There’s a lightness to his voice, a sense of calmness in his posture.
His effortless charm lifts the corners of my mouth upward.
“Kelly, when you first told me you were getting married, I was momentarily concerned. I mean, who would take care ofyour extensive skin care regime? Pluck your facial hairs for you, squeeze your zits?” Christopher pauses as Kelly whacks him in the leg, to more laughs from the crowd. “But then I met your beloved, Daniel, who I must say is the perfect match for you. I mean, he’s no match for me, but is a perfect match for you nonetheless.”
That cheeky grin of his rises as he shrugs his shoulders like—Hey what can I say?
“Daniel. Remember marriage is about compromise, and when I say compromise, I mean agreeing with everything Kelly says. Just think of it as a learning exercise in patience. After all, you are doing the Lord’s work.”
The warm feeling inside my heart washes all over my body as I watch Christopher get the crowd to eat out of the palm of his hand. He takes a short pause, allowing the laughter to ring out.
I desperately want to catch his attention before I have to leave, but this is his moment in the spotlight. His turn to shine, not mine. And so I patiently wait, holding on to the doorframe with my hand.
“I’d also like to remind you that all sales are final, and you won’t be able to return or exchange Kelly now that you’ve signed on the dotted like. So, good luck with that.” Christopher turns his attention from Daniel back to Kelly.
“Kelly, as I look at you today, I know our father would have been proud. Proud that he no longer has to fund your limited-edition handbag collection. But, all jokes aside, I wish he was here to see how beautiful you look today.” Christopher reaches for Kelly’s hand, lifting her up for everyone to see.
I manage to catch Christopher’s eye as his gaze moves across the room in my direction. I wave at him crazily, like one of my fans in the front row. He acknowledges me with a nod and a smile before returning his attention to Kelly.
“Before I wrap this up, I just want to leave you with a quotefrom an ancient philosopher. Love is like one of Kelly’s farts. You can’t see it or feel it, but you always know it’s there.”
The crowd bursts into applause as Kelly shoves her brother into his chair. He puts his arm around her before grabbing his glass of champagne, lifting it high.
“To the happy couple. May your marriage burn strong and bright and not go up in flames like Kelly’s wedding dress.” Christopher drops the mic and his cue cards and knocks back the champagne in one.
