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Snatching up our bouquets, we walk toward the double doors that lead out to the beach. Outside, we can hear the ukulele player humming a joyous ballad. We stand by the doors, and I take her pinky in mine. Swinging our hands back and forth as we wait in the queue for her to walk to her future husband.
“Big waves,” I whisper. Looking at her in her white dress. Head to toe, she is the definition of perfection.
“Big rewards,” she finishes, gazing back at me.
Day after day, year after year, she has been the constant. Unwavering. Unspoken bond that even we can’t explain. A relationship that has never felt forced or face-valued. One of understanding, acceptance, and genuine love.
Mr. Withers stands before us, offering his arm. She loops her arm in his, releasing our grasp. Stepping in front of them both, I turn and walk through the open doors and sheer curtains, down the aisle. Friends who became family fill this open space. People from all walks of our lives are here to share in this moment.
My heart swells with pride seeing Lawson and Leland standing upfront, looking handsome as ever. I admire the way they cleaned up nicely. Giving Lawson a wink, I take my place opposite of them. The ukulele player stops as the minister addresses the crowd, and asks them to stand. The rolling waves behind the venue clap with excitement each time the water breaks at its peak. I drop my head to appreciate the applause the ocean offers. A violinist plays the wedding march and the crowd of people shuffles to face the large framed doors that float open. I gaze to the front row where my man sits, smiling.
Releasing a deep breath, I look over at Lawson. Desperately wanting to see his reaction when Massey walks down the aisle. The moment she floats through the doors, any tough guy exterior he may have had buckles under the weight of his emotions. Lawson has always been the kid in our family to show his emotions. Always needing the physical and mental assurance that he is enough.
He is trying to wipe the tears of happiness away as fast as they are falling. He’s babbling to Leland how he’s the luckiest fucker on this island, in this world, and ever living. That bastard, now I am crying.
Massey glides down and stands just in front of Lawson. Mr. Withers takes both her hands in his, and kisses the top of her knuckles. “Be good to one another,” he whispers to both of them.
Lawson offers his palm, with Massey quickly sliding her delicate hand in his. Their eyes never leaving the other.
The officiant starts the service with a traditional Hawaiian prayer that offers blessing upon the couple. One for happiness, health, and babies. Lawson wiggles his eyebrows at Massey, whose face turns a perfect shade of red.
I’m surprised to find out that they both wrote their vows. I shouldn’t be surprised, but I figured with the emotional weight of just getting married, doing the traditional vows would be a welcomed alleviation.
“Lawson, I’ve known you my entire life. You were my very first crush that started when I was twelve. A boy made fun of me at school, and you didn’t hesitate to stand up for me. One swift punch to his face and he was stumbling backward. You hit him so hard in the face, then told him he’d be lucky to have a nerd like me as a friend.” Massey makes everyone laugh. “I fell in love with you that day, even though you called me a nerd. Then at our high school graduation you held up a sign that said ‘Good luck in prison Collins and Massey.’ You even came to my college graduation, where you held a sign that said ‘Good luck at the North Pole.’ When I asked why the North Pole, you explained that the North Pole is the highest point on earth. The destination for the world’s navigation. You said I was always your family’s North Pole. We’ve seen each other through the good times and a lot more of the harder times. I love everything about you and I will love you until my last breath.”
Lawson wipes more tears from his eyes and Leland slaps him on the shoulder, a showing of support.
“Wow.” Lawson coughs. “My turn I guess.”
He continues to swipe more tears falling from his eyes and does his best to clear his throat.
“Massey, I have loved you my whole life,” he chokes each word. Everyone looks stunned, including me. “You are someone I knew who was going to do great things. I never imagined that you would give me the time of day. I made it my mission to help keep a watchful eye out for you and let you hang around just so I could be close to you. The moment Collins sold you out was the best day of my life. Well, compared to today, it’s now the second-best day of my life. Every moment with you is time I treasure. You taught me love is to have patience, trust is unwavering, and life is worth the pain to get to days like today. I promise to do whatever I can to make you smile every day, and know that I will love you with every ounce of me.”
Well, I’ll be damned. This kid has a way of words.
The officiant proceeds with the service as I zone out. There is a quiet stillness that surrounds me as I watch the people I love celebrate. There is a sense of privilege to witness Lawson give Massey our mother’s ring. It wasn’t her engagement or wedding ring, she threw that in the ocean, but it was a ring that she wore all the time. Leland insisted that Lawson have it.
When it’s finally time to kiss the bride, Lawson barely lets the officiant finish before he kisses her. Swinging her body to dip her in the most perfect way. Lifting her back and steadying her on her feet, they turn and walk down the aisle. Lawson is beaming like a school kid. He stops them midway before picking her up, carrying her the rest of the way.
I follow along with Leland to leave the ceremony. He drapes his arm around my shoulder, tugging me along to the exit, where we meet up with Taylor and Victor. Victor’s green button-down shirt, matched with his beige suit, makes his eyes radiate brighter with such happiness. He opens the door of my beloved Chevelle and helps me slide onto her smooth leather seats. He rushes around and dips into the driver’s seat, offering me a wink as he buckles in.
“Time to party.” He shimmies his shoulders with the biggest, goofiest grin.
Dusk falls over the Oceanside cliff and the orange and red colors that paint the sky are created by the heavens. They’ve decorated the outdoor tent with a diverse assortment of white flowers. It’s beautiful in contrast to the guest and the colorful attire Lawson and Massey requested everyone to wear.
The DJ introduces the newlywed couple as Lawson and Massey shuffle through the opening of the tent. My brother spins her into his embrace before dipping her once again. Pulling her up to him, he wraps his arms around her and encourages her to follow his lead. Their first dance to “Dream a little Dream of Me,” by Doris Day echoes from the speakers.
Victor pulls my seat closer to him, wrapping an arm around the back of my chair. His fingers trace along my bare shoulder. He’s complimented my ocean blue strapless dress numerous times today. Before the ceremony, his fingertips traced the outline of the sweetheart neckline. Grazing over the crevice of my breast. This push-up bra is doing wonders for my confidence.
I lean further into Victor and let my body melt to his side. With a wistful sigh, I say, “This is nice.”
“Yeah, it is.” He rubs my arm. “Is this what you envision when we get married?”
I giggle at his poor attempt to extract any response to that kind of question. “When? Well, we can discuss that further if you propose.”
Victor takes his other hand, grasping my left hand in his, and runs his fingers along mine where a ring should sit, will sit? Yeah, will sit. My eyes hold his gaze, searching for words to express how I’m feeling. Contentment. Comfort. Excited. Calm… Loved. In the pit of my stomach, it feels like he is searching for the same words to speak out loud. But this silent conversation is more than I could ever say.
When the song ends, they announce the food is ready. Buffet style, and true to Hawaiian style, it’s a smoked pig and all the good sides that come with it. The crowded room erupts with laughter as we fill plates to the rim. Each person here has somewhat contributed to raising us, supporting us, and loving us as a large extended family. So many years of struggle and heartache were well worth the pain of leading to moments like today.
