“I know my limits,” I say casually.
He tightens it just a little too tight, our eyes meet, and he cracks up. “Just a little warning. What kind of older brother would I be if I letshit slide now?”
I shake my head, smoothing the tie down my front and then adjust my sleeves with sharp movements.
“One more thing,” Bobby pulls out a small gift box, and the guys all gather around me.
I eye them all as they stare back at me with dopey grins on their faces. “Stop trying to make me cry, you assholes.”
Snickering, Tom takes the lead and hands me the box. “Just open it and don’t be a pussy.”
“You know they all took bets on if he’s crying or not at the ceremony, right?” Bobby says.
“Oh, I know, I took the over on the number.” Billy rubs his hands together quickly, with a grin. “What about you?”
“Definitely over.” Bobby elbows me. “Help a brother out, huh, let a few tears fall and make sure I get laid tonight.”
“That’s my fucking sister, man!”
“Now you know how I feel.” Adam shudders.
Chuckling at his disgust, I open the box. Inside are the most beautiful pair of cufflinks I’ve ever seen.
“Check the engravement.”
I tilt one to the side and it reads ‘J+F, always’. I feel my nose tingle. I snap the box shut, tilting my head back, pinching the bridge of my nose. I get some hard back pats and pushes, grumbles of ‘I love you, man’.
“Fuck you guys,” I say with no malice at all. I sniff a few times, shaking out my neck and shoulders. “Alright, hook me up,” I hand the box back to Bobby and he and Adam each pull one out while I extend my arms. Securing them in place, we all adjust our lapels and smooth down our suits.
“Let’s go get you married!”
twenty-five
FRANCESCA
The morning is filled with joyous chaos. The girls have their dresses on, hair and makeup done. My mom is glowing as the mother of the bride in a rose gold, floor length dress.
Jackson hasn’t said a word in the last few weeks of planning, but I know today is hard for him, without his mom. It’s not something he talks about much; though he has voiced to me he feels he let her down. I told him he’s more than made up for that time of his life, becoming a man I am proud to have by my side.
So, before my dad walks me down the aisle, Jackson will walk my mom down the aisle. She quietly asked him to do her the honor, and I’m unsure which one it means more to.
“No tears today! When I put this dress on, I don’t want to hear one freaking sniffle, you hear me!” I yell at everyone pointing my finger at them. My blood pressure is rising the closer we get to getting into the limo to take us to the field. But it’s not from fear or doubt. It’s from excitement.
It’s from love.
I woke up early this morning, before sunrise and stepped out the back door for a few moments of alone time before all the hustle and bustle began: the air cool,just a week out from Christmas. I looked towards Adam’s house and saw it was still dark.
Me: I’m sure you’re still sleeping but I wanted to be the first to say I love you on our wedding day
I sent a quick text, grinning to myself as I picture him grumbling about me beating him to the punch this morning. There is a reason he is a number one coach, he has a must-win mindset in everything he does, including something as small as being the first to send a text in the morning.
I could feel the anticipation building, and I could sense the town was just coming to life, preparing for our Wedding Day. It’s a strange feeling, being the focal point of something so momentous to others. What was once a day I planned for just Jackson and I to share with our families, has turned into a day we will share with everyone who has had a part in our life from the beginning up through now.
The town of Christmas has cheered us on since that first picture, marked with the hashtag #oldfriendsnewflame, went viral.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The girls help me into my dress, then slip my shoes on for me.
