AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My parents flank Hayley’s mom and the open seat on the aisle where Jack will be. Evie is already crying behind them, while Andy is giving us his patented wink as Eli and I take our places with our presider. An acoustic version of her favorite Forest Blakk song is what she’s chosen to meet me with. When that song plays, I know it’s time.
Dylan appears seemingly from nowhere. She’s in a flowy high-waisted gown. It’s a pale shade of pink only a couple ticks darker than the runner she’s walking on. At first I get Eli’s reaction from the corner of my eye, but the closer she gets to me I can’t resist. I turn my head and he’s as proud as I’ve ever seen. He’s still as happy as the first night they met.
Dylan gives me a subtle wink as Eli steps around me, breaching protocol, to assist her to her spot. He allows her to hit her mark, kisses the back of her hand and makes his way back to my side. There is a deafening silence then Hayley’s song begins. Eli pats my shoulder as he whispers. “Here we go, Brother.”
I’ve promised Hayley I will look down until she’s at the back of the aisle. Eli will signal me so my first look at her will be in front of everyone. My hands are folded together in front of me as I shift my weight back and forth from right to left and back again. I take about three deep breaths and hear Eli gasp under his breath. I don’t know if that was the signal or not. I’m looking anyway.
There is absolutely nothing that could have prepared me for this moment.
With the sun as her spotlight, she stands at the back of our guests on Jack’s arm looking indescribable. Her hair floats down her back in what I’m assuming is a very loose braid. Tiny flowers are pinned in and around the crown and right side of her head. She told me her earrings were the ones Lily wore on her wedding day.
Beyond that, she needs nothing.
The dress she’s wearing is more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen. The wide straps fit perfectly on her shoulders and the deep V in the front fades to her waistline. The lace of the dress seems to float back behind her for miles. The vine pattern of the lace is also a reminder of our trellis day. The day we took it all back.
The feelings I have are overwhelming. I wish my brother could be by my side physically, even though I know he’s here. I can’t believe this is my life. Hayley is more stunning now than ever. My right arm crosses my chest as my left shields my eyes and the few tears that have come from nowhere. Eli pats my back as a reminder to watch and take it all in.
The closer she gets to me, the more details I see. The flowers have pale and vibrant pink hues to them with a pale blue center. Mikey waves to Hayley and she waves back. He begins to reach out for her as she passes. Hayley stops her father so she can lean in to give him a snuggle and a kiss. I think my heart may have just exploded.
I never thought to ask Eli what you go through while standing here before you get your bride’s hand in yours. I wonder if it’s the same for everyone. I just know I want to touch her and never let her go. I know the officiant has started speaking. I can’t hear anything but her heart and mine until they ask who gives this woman to this man. Jack tells him with a seeming ease. “Her mother, brother, and I do.”
Hayley
I’ve never been more aware of how quickly life can change, especially these past several months.
Wes and I started in this sort of forbidden fairy tale. Then we were in a whirlwind that nearly destroyed us. Now, I think we’re as happy as we’ve ever been. Wes left his firm and took Gabi’s offer. Now they’re partners and quickly rising to the top across the US as one of the most sought after firms for athletic representation. I’ve even started working for them.
I was always happy working with Eli and Dad. I could have stayed there and done well. Wes and Gabi came to me needing help. It started with one project then it became two. After that it was clear the firm they were trying to build needed someone with artistic and graphic ability. I wanted the challenge and the excitement of building something from the ground up. They found a marketing manager who was of elite status, and we bonded immediately. She and I now lead that whole department.
The other thing I’m most proud of is turning what has happened to me since I was thirteen into a way I can help others. Once Dylan could see I was in a good place, she approached me about becoming a mentor and a liaison for ALITE. What happened to me, and what I could struggle with forever, is something that many artists, especially dancers, can and have experienced. She wanted to erase some of the stigma behind it and wanted my help. I couldn’t say yes fast enough.
We built that component from step one. In the first three months, I was able to source our first support group with help from my therapist. I could relate to these young men and women in a way that many couldn’t. I never thought I’d be able to be as free with my experiences and emotions like that. It makes all the really tough times I’ve been through all worth it in the end.
I’ve dreamed of my wedding day nearly as long as I can remember. I was the girl who had Barbie weddings every weekend from the time I was six until I stopped playing with them. I searched catalogs online and when it was prom time, I would get that dress quickly then look through the wedding gowns and dream.
I don’t have to dream anymore.
This day has been perfect from the moment I woke up. My father brought me a light breakfast on a tray and sat with me to eat. It felt right to start the day with the first man I ever loved. Before he took my tray, he leaned in with a kiss on my forehead, told me how much he loved me, and how proud he is that I'm his daughter.
The entire time I was getting my hair and makeup done in the back wing of the house, I could hear everything that was going on. I heard all the trucks come for setup, I heard my grandparents arrive, I heard the sound check for the musicians. However the best sound of the day was my soon-to-be husband and my brother bounding through the front door like I’d heard them do a thousand times. Wes shouted I love you to me. I shouted it back with a giggle.
The surprise of the day was Wes’s reaction to me as I came down the aisle to him. His tears nearly stopped me. I pulled my hand tighter around my father’s arm in a last effort to not completely fall apart and ruin my makeup. He gave my hand a gentle pat in a silent way of offering me courage and comfort. Once my hand was in Wes’s, I saw nothing but him.
The Hamptons compound is aglow with lights, laughter, music, and everyone close to us. I love that the pool guest house has the shutters closed on it so Wes and I can use it as a small escape to take care of personal things or just to have a private minute to breathe. As I’m refreshing my makeup and taking a look at my hair, my new handsome husband walks in, closing the door behind him.
“I would have thought you’d run away before the wedding, not after.” He smirks before bending down to kiss my cheek.
“I just needed a minute or two…to take care of a few things.”
“I see. May I join you now?”
“I’d be mad if you didn’t.”
He opens his tuxedo jacket and sets his half-empty cocktail on the table next to him. “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?”
“I don’t know. Maybe once or twice.” I smile. “If there weren’t a hundred or so people outside right now, I’d keep you here for a while.”
“I recall how you like formal attire and sex. We could always leave your wedding dress on later and consider it a challenge.
