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A year later
“Slow down, Ron,” I called out, shaking my head. “Or you’re going to trip and fall.”
Ron glanced over his shoulders and gave me a sheepish smile. “Sorry, dad.”
“Come here.” I beckoned him forward. He gave the other kids a look before he trudged over, his head hung low. Once he was within reach, I pulled him to me and draped an arm over his shoulders. “You look very handsome today. Has your mom seen you yet?”
Ron tilted his head back to look up at me. “Yes, and she started crying.”
I chuckled and smoothed his hair back. “Because she’s happy.”
Ron tilted his head to the side and frowned. “Shouldn’t mommy smile if she’s happy?”
I crouched so I was at eye level with him. “Sometimes when people are really happy, the only way they can express that is if they cry.”
Ron nodded.
“You do look very handsome,” I added, pausing to adjust the bow tie around his neck. “Do you remember what you’re supposed to do today?”
“I’m the flower boy, so I’m supposed to walk in front of mommy and throw flower petals.”
I smiled and patted his hands. “Exactly. Aunty Taylor will give you the petals when it’s time.”
Ron shifted from one foot to the other and wrinkled his nose. “Why is mommy taking so long? We’ve already been here for hours.”
“Because she wants to look pretty.”
Ron’s eyebrows drew together. “Mommy always looks pretty, dad.”
“I know, but she wants to look extra pretty.”
“Can I go play with the other kids now?”
“Don’t get your suit dirty.” I stood up and ruffled his hair. “And don’t go too far.”
Ron gave me a bright smile before he sprinted away in the direction of the kids gathered on the far side of the garden. He stopped where they stood in a circle and peered at something on the floor. I straightened my back and brushed lint off of my collar. Next to me, my father stood in a black and white suit, his salt and pepper hair brushed away from his forehead.
“We’re not running late, are we?”
“Everyone expects the bride to be a little late,” he assured me with a smile. “The garden looks great though.”
“It really does, but I can’t take credit. Rachel chose the hotel.”
I glanced out at the white chairs, placed on either side of a pathway, with a red carpet leading up to the altar, and smiled. Behind me, a priest in red and gold stood underneath an archway full of flowers. He shifted from one foot to the other and spoke to a young boy dressed in white and red who stood a few feet behind him. Guests in suits and dresses filled every part of the garden, their conversation rising and falling around me.
Now and again, I heard the sound of glasses tinkling against each other.
A few feet away, a band dressed in black and white was setting up on a small makeshift stage. I stood up straighter when the soft strings of a violin began to play, and everyone hurried to their seats. I scanned the area and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Taylor in a lilac dress, Ron’s hand tucked into hers. She gave me a small nod and ushered Ron in front of her.
He tossed flower petals with a bright smile as he walked down the aisle.
Taylor followed close behind, a myriad of emotions dancing across her face.
Everyone stood up when Rachel appeared in a white dress with a V-neck and a long train that moved behind her. Her golden hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders, the veil artfully placed with a tiara on top of her head. She held a bouquet up to her chest, and her lips stretched into a smile when she saw me.
I stopped breathing until she reached me and tucked her arm into the crook of my elbow. My heart started back up again when everyone sat down, and the priest began to talk. I couldn’t stop sneaking glances at Rachel and grinning to myself.
By the time the priest told me I could kiss her, my stomach was full of butterflies.
