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On one of the fingers gently gripping my own is her mother’s wedding ring that Hawke returned to her three months ago. From the moment he handed her the ring, she placed it on her opposite hand and has never removed it. According to Sumner, the ring is her good luck omen, and she has continuously thanked the man who will be giving her away in an hour.
“You look like you are about to pop, ma’am.” The hairdresser comments on my large, round belly.
“We have four more weeks to go, but I don’t believe I’ll last that long,” I respond with a smile.
“I can’t wait,” Sumner squeals.
“There, all done.”
Placing the small mirror behind her head, the hairdresser shows Sumner just how beautiful she looks. Her long blondish hair flows loosely under the centrally placed hairpiece, which is attached to the intersections of her braids. Not wanting it totally off her face, the tendrils that hang on either side of her face complete look. Thankfully in her panic, she didn’t start to cry; otherwise, we’d be redoing her makeup which she painstakingly applied earlier this morning.
Regardless of what Hawke, Tatum, and I have said, Sumner insisted on covering the scar across her neck. She may have dealt with what happened to her when she was attacked, but now and again, she becomes self-conscious of how her scar looks. I’ve tried to work with her to determine what her triggers may be, but neither of us has been able to find the exact one that does it.
“You look gorgeous, sweetheart,” Hawke gushes as he enters the room.
Not wanting to cry, she thanks him before shooing him out of the room. If anyone can bring on the waterworks, it’ll be Hawke. Laughing to lighten the mood, he agrees, but not before alerting us that Sumner’s grandparents have arrived and are en route to the Brooklyn Winery.
Following tradition, Sumner made Tatum stay with his parents last night, leaving her, Abi, and myself to have a girls' night. Once Abi was asleep, Sumner started talking about her grandparents, telling me how excited she was that they were attending the wedding. It’s been over ten years since she last saw her grandparents on her mom’s side. Because it hurt too much to keep handing her back to her father, they reluctantly distanced themselves. When she returned to Brooklyn after her father’s incarceration, she reconnected with them, much to their delight. Until now, she has only spoken with them over the phone but is looking forward to seeing them today.
“I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be,” she sighs.
Hawke puts his head back into the room and advises that the car has arrived downstairs. Sumner tells Hawke to lead the way as she lets out a large sigh.
“You make it sound like this is a chore.”
Glancing in my direction, Sumner admits it feels like it is at this point. Both she and Tatum have been planning this day for the last six months, and now that the day is here, she’s not feeling as excited as she thought. She places her hand in mine for reassurance while I tell her that her feelings are common and to remember who is waiting for her and what the day means.
“Shall we go?” Hawke calls from the door.
With a large smile now on her face, Sumner leans in to kiss my cheek. When she again thanks me for helping keep her calm, I brush her off and tell her it’s my job to be there for her no matter the reason.
EPILOGUE
Hawke
There was a time when, as a father, I’d been looking forward to the day when I’d be able to be a part of my daughter Christina’s wedding. Sadly, after her death, I resigned myself to the fact I’d never get the opportunity, and then Sumner crashed into my life. That girl gave my life purpose, a redirection, so to speak, when all I could see before me was a life of work and loneliness.
It was a dream come true and an honor when she asked me to walk her down the aisle. It also came as a shock as I’d believed she would have asked her maternal grandfather after they’d reconnected. I’ve come to understand that the best things in this life are not always a given, and there is always an element of surprise when they come my way.
Escorting Sumner down to the waiting car, a very heavily pregnant Emily and I do our best to keep our girl smiling so that she doesn’t spiral with fear. When the rush ends and you come down from your high, it can be far from exhilarating, which appears to be happening with Sumner. Once we arrive at the venue, all that will change; we just need to keep her distracted until then.
“Oh, my God, I feel terrible,” she suddenly exclaims once the driver pulls away from the curb. “I never asked how Abi is behaving or if she is okay.”
It never ceases to amaze me how the simplest things can set a person off. Beside her, Emily gently reminds Sumner that Abigail has been with Hadley all day and is fine. Her little bundle of joy has loved chasing Grace and Mackenna around. All three girls are now waiting for our arrival at the Brooklyn Winery. A sense of relief washes over her features, and she smiles again.
“We are here, sir,” the driver announces.
Turning my head back around, I smile.
“Here we go, sweetheart.”
“Take a deep breath,” Em whispers. “This is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Please relax and have fun.”
As we exit the car, Hadley greets us at the entrance. “Everyone is ready,” she beams.
“It’s now or now,” Sumner exhales with a smile.
EPILOGUE
