A wedding isn’t common here with so few people. When there is one, it’s attended by the entire area. I know up at the house, the tables are brimming with food brought by our family to celebrate with us.
“Naw,” I say without having to think about it. I hear the faint sound of the bagpipe start up at the house and my stomach does a flip. “Fuck,” I whisper, placing a hand over my midsection to try to calm the butterflies down. I can hear George and Robbie laughing behind me. Then the catcalls from the men start up.
“I was saving my money for yer woman’s garter, but I’ll give it tae ye now if ye need tae run,” one of my uncles booms out.
“There are trails up here a man can get lost in for years, just so ye know,” adds a cousin from my mam’s side.
“Last chance before ye find yer balls sitting on the mantle, lad.” What is with people and my man bits? I glance at Claire’s friends. They’re looking around with curiosity, except for Colin, he just has a wide grin. I appreciate that everyone is trying to stick with English so her friends can understand what’s happening. I’m not sure, however, this was a good idea.
“It’s a family thing. Ignore it,” I tell them.
“I think it’s fantastic,” Colin says. “I hear the ferry runs at night, if you hurry, you can still catch it. Ouch!” he exclaims, rubbing his shoulder where Maggie punched him.
Soon Claire’s friends have joined in taunting me. The barbs get racier the closer the piper gets until he stops. Everyone immediately goes silent as they stand. I step into the aisle a little farther hoping to get a glimpse of Claire but there are too many people between us.
Suddenly the piper starts back up, stepping down the aisle toward me. He walks to the front before peeling off to the side to wait to lead us out. Next are our parents, Claire’s mom and stepdad walk to their seats and my parents do the same. Lily and Sienna walk down the aisle next carrying armloads of heather. When they turn to stand to the side, I see her.
“She’s beautiful,” I whisper as George and Robbie step to either side of me, a hand on each of my shoulders.
“That she is.” George laughs, slapping me on the chest before grabbing Robbie to step back to the side. Claire stands with her arm looped through Aiden’s at the back of the aisle. She has an arm full of heather and thistle. For a second I wonder who had the guts to cut her thistle to carry.
“Dinnae hold yer breath, you’ll pass oot,” I hear George say behind me. I take a deep breath feeling a little light-headed for a second. “Dinnae hyperventilate either, idiot.”
Claire has on a simple white dress that billows around her in the wind that blows constantly here. She has a huge grin on her face that I find myself matching when she starts down the aisle.
When they are halfway down the aisle, Preacher speaks out, “Who gives this lass tae this man.” To most people, it sounds barbaric to still be given away, but it’s how we do things up here.
Aiden clears his throat before speaking. “I give this woman to this man.” He steps to me, taking my hand before adding, “Until his dying breath.” His eyes narrow on mine as he squeezes my hand. I nod at him. He glares at me a few more minutes before joining his family in their seats at the front.
After he’s settled, my parents stand back up. Mam unfolds our tartan handing it to Da and my brothers. They drape it over Claire’s shoulders, my mam pinning it with our family crest.
“This brooch was Alex’s Gran’s. It was given tae her by Alexander’s family on their wedding day. Alex was named after him. Now it’s yers.” Mam’s voice breaks at the end. She hugs Claire before returning to her seat, dabbing at her eyes.
My brothers and Da each give her a kiss on the cheek before Da escorts her the rest of the way to me. Taking her hand, we turn to Preacher, who has a suspiciously red nose.
“How much scotch did ye drink?” I whisper to him.
“Naw that much, ye twat,” he answers me, barely moving his lips as he smiles at our guests. He begins speaking, trying not to slur his words.
“You all smell like a distillery,” Claire whispers at me. She cuts her eyes at my brothers, who try their best to look serious.
“Da thought it might settle my nerves.”
“Why are you nervous? At least you can understand what’s going on.” I listen for a moment, rolling my eyes.
“English, Preacher,” I remind him. Without missing a beat he continues on in English. I look out, finding Rory. Her glare would make any man cower and it’s focused right on her husband. “He’s naw gonnae make it through the night. Look at Rory’s face.” Claire has to work at stifling a giggle when she finds Rory.
“Shut up or Rory’s gaun tae kill all of us,” George whispers, leaning forward. Claire and I attempt to turn serious when we both refocus on Preacher’s words, which are in Gaelic again.
“Rings,” George mouths to Lily, holding Claire’s up when they’re asked for. She nods at him, pulling a ring off of her thumb I hadn’t noticed before. When they are both resting on his Bible, Preacher continues.
“He’s blessed the rings so now he’s asking for vows,” I whisper to Claire. “I’ll go first,” I say louder, taking both of her hands so she’s facing me. “Claire, dae ye want tae know how I know God exists?” She tilts her head at me. I’ve missed this woman so much, I can barely stand still.
“It’s the only reason for why ye chose that day in the fall tae walk by the pitch. It’s the only reason I looked up at that moment and saw ye. There isnae another reason why, when I finally chased ye down in the library, yer table was empty waiting for me tae sit down. I also know, deep in my heart, that there isnae another explanation for why, in a state with a population five times the size of the entire country of Scotland I would find ye again on that pitch in Texas.”
I wipe a tear off of her cheek. “Even if ye did knock me down a notch or two.”
“You deserved it,” she laughs. I can hear a ripple of laughter from our guests.
