Davy wailed harder, and she finally picked him up, his screams echoing through the cavernous space.
“He needs to be upstairs. He’s messing with my audio,” Gunnar hissed, tapping his headset.
“I want to stay!” Davy wailed.
“Then you need to calm down,” Garrett told him.
Davy reached for me, and I took him from Penny. I patted him on the back, and he started to quiet down. “Do you think you can make it?” I asked him.
The string quartet started playing a more lively march.
“That’s your cue,” Gunnar said, waving to Avery’s stepmom and Trevor. They started down the aisle, walking in time with the song.
“You’re next,” Gunnar told me. Davy was still clinging to my neck. I tried to peel him off of me, and he gave a little cry. We all winced.
“I swear, if he messes up my audio…”
“Just send the bridesmaids and groomsmen down,” Penny told Gunnar urgently.
The procession took off. Arlo and Henry were antsy as they hung back with me and Davy. Though many of the bridesmaids looked like they had been drinking, they managed to make it down the aisle in one piece.
“Okay, Davy,” I told him. “I’m going down with the judge. Then it’s your turn.”
“No,” he said.
“Just bring him along,” Edna barked. “Honestly, this isn’t the worst wedding I’ve ever officiated, if you can believe it. I had one last week where the couple in question showed up in full furry costumes.”
I readjusted Davy, taking the pillow from him so he wouldn’t drop it, and took off down the long aisle. There was laughter as we approached the arch of flowers.
“Man, that was a long aisle,” Ida was complaining when I took my spot to the left of Judge Edna and faced the aisle. “My hips can’t take it. I need some ibuprofen.”
“Ida,” her sister hissed.
The music changed to the wedding march. The audience focused their attention on the back of the room as Avery floated down the aisle.
64
Avery
Fortunately, I did not have to maneuver down the grand staircase. Otherwise I would have for sure tripped and fallen. Dana had put me on the elevator, though I could barely fit inside with all the layers of satin. As I took my spot at the head of the aisle, Penny adjusted my veil and helped Henry and Arlo pick up the long train. Then she opened a box the size of a small casket and took out my bridal bouquet. I groaned when she handed it to me.
“Why is this so big?” I said, hefting an elaborate waterfall bouquet of white roses and greenery that trailed almost to the floor.
“I think you owe me an apology,” my father interjected. He glared at my wrist.
As one last “fuck you” to my father, I had put on the watch he had given me. I was sorely tempted to tell him to stuff it, but I was so close to inheriting the house. My grandmother wanted me to complete this one last gesture, and then the estate would be mine.
At the end of the long aisle, Blade was there cradling his little brother Davy in his arms. My heart melted. He really was a good guy.
“I am sorry Blade disrespected you,” I said to my father, hoping I sounded halfway sincere. “I’m sure it won’t happen again.”
Because after this, I hope I’ll never have to deal with you again.
The wedding march played. Chad stiffly held out his arm, and I took it. As I walked down the aisle, I finally felt giddy, like a real bride on her wedding day. Hideous dress notwithstanding, I was going to marry Blade, the love of my life, then have a party to celebrate with our family and friends.
I glanced to the audience. Through the gauzy veil, I realized there were some not-so-friendly people in attendance as well. Nathan was sitting close to the front beside Stacy, who looked triumphant. Come to think of it, Cassie also looked smug when I took my place beside Blade.
My father didn’t say a word, just turned and took his seat. Blade’s little brothers carefully arranged the train behind me.
