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Jack’s father stopped in front of one of the doors and turned to face her. Amelie felt her hand instinctively go to her throat. “Now, please hear what it is I’m about to tell you. I know that a fine young lady such as yourself can understand the gravity of what’s happening here. Whether this marriage is right or not, or even whether or not Jack wants to go through with it—is not the question we should be asking ourselves at the moment.” He looked from side to side before continuing. “The fact of the matter is that we’re here. Along with three hundred other people—many of who have spent a great deal of time and money to be here today. People such as the bride’s family, for instance. My son… is many things. But he is not a coward. Nor will I allow him to act like one.”
Amelie stepped back and eyed the man from head to toe. The way she felt was written all over her face. “I beg your pardon. Your son happens to be one of the finest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She turned, opened the door, and slipped inside.
Jack was sitting in a leather chair staring at something in his hands. He did not look up when she closed the door. Amelie slowly made her way to where he was sitting and lowered herself to the floor in front of him. She reached upward and grabbed the tip of his chin with her finger forcing him to look at her. “You wanted to see me?”
He eyed her cautiously and held her gaze for a moment before he spoke, his words slow and careful when he did. “They’re all waiting, huh?”
She nodded slightly. “Let them wait. I’ve yet to attend a wedding that started on time…”
He handed what he’d been holding to her. She took the envelope. “From my mother. For my wedding day. Only I can’t bring myself to open it… I thought… maybe…”
“I could read it for you,” she said, finishing his sentence.
“Yeah.” He didn’t take his eyes off hers. “But I also wanted to apologize in person.”
She waved him off. “It’s ok. Really.”
He searched her eyes suspiciously. “Is it though?”
Tears filled her eyes then. She bit her lip. “It will be.”
“I don’t know if I can do this,” he whispered, as a stray tear slid down his cheek.
Amelie leaned forward and wiped it with her thumb. “Yes. You can. You’re going to be a daddy, Jack,” she said, her tears spilling over. She smiled a little and wiped her nose on the back of her hand. “You know how much you’ve always wanted that.”
He nodded. “I know.”
“You’re going to be fine.”
“And you? How will you be?”
Amelie inhaled, and then let the breath out slowly. “Me? I’ll be fine...”
Jack searched her face. “Amelie, I need you to be honest with me. No bullshit, all right?
Amelie thought about what he’d asked and paused for a second before answering. She willed herself to make this the most convincing lie she’d ever told. “You know, Jack, I’ve really given it a lot of thought… and the truth is it never would’ve worked between us anyhow. Even if things hadn’t happened like they have. There’s such disparity in what we want out of life right now. I have my life… and yours is here. You want a wife and children. You want to settle down. And let’s just say that’s not what I want. But look around you, Jack. You’re getting everything you want here today.”
“Not everything,” he interrupted.
She looked at him with understanding and continued. “With us, there were always too many false starts. I believe that what’s meant to be usually has a way of working out… and with us, it never did. Call it timing, call it fate, call it what you want. It is what it is. Sometimes in the end, the girl doesn't always get the boy—and that's ok. Life goes on. You know better than anyone that some love stories never get their happy ending… but it doesn't make them any less of a love story though, does it? It doesn't make the love the two shared any less relevant.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
“So, you see, this is really all for the best,” Amelie cheered, forcing a smile.
Jack glanced at his watch and reached out, touching the letter in her hands. “Will you read it? Please.”
She drew a deep breath. “I’d be honored.”
Amelie carefully opened the envelope, removed the letter, unfolded it, and began reading.
My Dearest Jack,
Wow. Here we are on your wedding day. I have imagined this day so many times—starting from the day I found out I was pregnant with you. It’s an occasion I guess every mother dreams about. And even though I can’t be there in person to tell you myself, I want you to know that I am so over the moon happy for you today, on this day, the day you make the most important commitment of your life.
I’m sure that most mothers who write to their children on their wedding day probably give some sort of list telling them which steps to take (or not take) for a successful marriage, or some advice of that sort—but not me. I’m not going to give you the secrets to a long, lasting, happy marriage—after all, by now we know that I never got the chance to have one. But what I will say is this: love each other immensely—prepare for the “what ifs” in life but never stop taking it day by day. I think too many people get caught up in focusing on either what’s happened in the past or what will happen in the future—without giving much thought to the present. Don’t be one of them, Jack. Love your wife every single moment of the day. Stay focused on what’s right in front of you, not what comes next—or what came before. Don’t ever take her —or anything of it—for granted. Be grateful every day for the life you have and the love that you have found.
You are about to enter into one of the most meaningful relationships one can have as a human being. So make the most of it—not just today—but every day. Don’t get complacent, thinking “I Do” is somehow crossing the finish line—that the work stops there. “I Do” is merely the beginning of one of the most difficult and yet one of the most beautiful races that you will run in all your life. Cherish it. Work hard at it. Always remember that it will be whatever you decide to make it.
