“Baby, I’m home.”
“Did you have fun?”
I walk into the bathroom; she is covered in bubbles.
“I did, did you?”
“I had a great day. The party lasted longer than I thought so I was late getting the kids.”
“Molly was fine with that?”
“She was; she actually offered to keep them overnight, but I picked them up anyway.”
I’m glad that Emma picked them up. Molly hasn’t kept the kids overnight yet, although she has everything she needs for them to stay. Baby steps, one hour at a time, I remind myself. I’m not ready for them to stay overnight with Molly.
“I’m going to shower and try to wash this fish smell off in the kids’ bathroom.”
“Toss your clothes in the washer, too, will you?”
“These clothes?” I ask, jokingly, pointing to my lucky fishing shirt.
“Yes, those clothes are stinking up my house,” she says as she crinkles her nose.
I wasn’t going to kiss her until after I showered, but I just changed my mind. I slowly walk over to her with a grin on my lips.
“Kiss me, then I’ll shower.”
“Will you shower first before I kiss you? You stink.” She giggles.
I walk even closer to her and kneel down beside her, as I try to look serious. She laughs and plugs her nose.
“Did you just say, ‘I stink’? We’re not even married yet and you think I stink.” I hold my hand over my heart like her words crushed me.
“Alec, don’t — you stink. You need a shower.” She laughs as she tries to scoot away from me. “On second thought, I think you should burn those nasty clothes. I don’t want them in my washer.”
I laugh and say, “Kiss me and then I’ll shower.”
“I’d rather kiss you after your shower,” she says, laughing.
“Kiss me first, and then I’ll shower.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.” She kisses me quickly before she plugs her nose and scoots away from me. I stand up and say, “I’ll shower, but I’m keeping the clothes. This is my lucky fishing shirt.” I walk out the door and close it behind me.
I can hear her say, “We’ll see about that.”
The next morning we wake up and Raelynn is excited. “Daddy, I have to go to Walmart. I have an idea.”
Raelynn still doesn’t leave the house much since the shooting at the school. If my daughter wants to leave the house, we’ll leave. Baby steps, remember?
“Rae, I have some things I need to get, too,” Emma says.
“No, it’s a surprise. You can’t see it, Emma. It’s for you.”
Emma looks to Raelynn and smiles. “Ok, James and I will stay home.”
“I want to go to Walmart, too,” James says.
“Ok, I’ll stay home and…”
“Bake?” I ask hopefully.
“And bake,” Emma confirms.
James, Raelynn, and I go to Walmart and Rae loads up the basket with glitter.
“I thought we just bought glitter the other day.”
“Daddy, I bought the wrong color.”
“What color do you need?”
“It has to be silver. It’s a surprise for Emma,” she says.
James adds, “Momma is going to love it. It’s a surprise, Alec, so we can’t tell you.”
I smile and put more silver glitter in the basket before paying for it and heading home. When we get home, the house smells of pumpkin. I inhale deeply because anything made with pumpkin has got to be good. When I walk into the kitchen, I am pleasantly surprised to find pumpkin rolls on the table.
The week flies by, and tonight is our rehearsal dinner. Emma took this week and next week off work to prepare for the wedding. The lawn care workers are here today and mom is outside directing and guiding them where to trim, edge, mow, and spray. I’m sure they already know; it’s their job. I put it in my memory to tip them extra.
After the rehearsal dinner is over tonight, James and I will be heading to my parents’ house for the night. Emma and Raelynn will be staying all night at the house. I know the rule about not seeing the bride before the wedding. It’s superstitious, but I’ll go along with it. Emma believes it’s bad luck, and who am I to argue?
We show up to the rehearsal dinner and Raelynn asks, “What’s mommy doing here?”
I whisper to Emma, “That’s a good question.”
“We needed a photographer,” she whispers back. “Hi, Molly, I see you have your camera.”
Molly hugs Raelynn and James. “I do.” Molly holds up her very large and expensive camera. “I have already started taking pictures. I hope that’s all right.”
“That’s perfect. I want some action pictures and some candid shots as well. Poses are nice, but I did want a variety of mixed shots,” Emma says.
“If you don’t mind later, could I get some shots of me and Rae? It’s been awhile.”
“No, not at all.”
Emma takes my hand and we walk into the already busy banquet hall.
“I didn’t realize Molly was our photographer.”
“She’s the best around. I checked others and no one compared to the quality of her work.”
I smile at our guests and add, “So I should assume my ex-wife will be at our wedding.”
Emma waves and smiles to our guests and says, “You should.” She leaves me and joins our family and friends.
“Is everything all right, Daddy?”
“It’s fine, Raelynn.”
I watch as James and Raelynn run over to the table where the Grannie Nannies are seated. I head straight to the bar where the guys are.
“Need a drink?” Mason asks.
“I may need two,” I say as I watch my ex-wife maneuver around the room with her camera in hand. I nod to the bartender to bring me a double.
Mason laughs and says, “Does this have to do with your ex-wife being here?”
I look at him; he is smiling.
“Don’t start.”
“You didn’t know?”
“You have to ask?”
I tip the shot back and I order another round for all of us.
“Hi, Alec,” Angel says as she hugs me. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” I down another drink and decide that should be enough to take the edge off.
“I ordered you a cranberry juice,” Mason says as he hands Angel her drink.
“Great, thank you. I just looked at Molly’s portfolio and she does amazing work,” Angel says as she takes a drink of her juice.
“Alec is a little upset because his ex-wife will be at his wedding,” Mason says.
He laughs and I now can hear Vincent and Donovan laugh, too.
“Alec, if it doesn’t bother Emma, it shouldn’t bother you,” Angel says honestly. “Besides, you’ll have the best wedding pictures out of all of us. I thought our photographer was good, but I think Molly has him beat.”
“Thanks, Angel.” I look around the room and add, “I have to mingle; enjoy.”
I walk away from the bar already feeling better. I don’t know if it’s the alcohol or what Angel has said. Emma comes up and kisses me, and I soon forget where Molly is. I am thankful she is blending in with the crowd.
“Are you still mad?” Emma is smiling, and her smile makes me smile.
“Not mad — ‘shocked’ is a better word.”
“Are you still shocked?” she jokes.
“If it doesn’t bother my soon-to-be wife that my ex-wife is at our rehearsal dinner, it shouldn’t bother me.”
“Good, because as odd as all this sounds, now that you worded it like that, I’m fine with it. But would you mind if we call her Molly, or Raelynn’s mom?”
Someone says, “Smile,” and we look at the camera.
“Molly wants us to smile,” I say, almost laughing.
Emma looks at me and she is also laughing. After several pictures, Molly leaves.
“See, this isn’t awkward at all,” I s
ay, laughing.
Brooke
Before the wedding begins, I walk around and make sure everything is in its place. The bar is set up and the bartenders are in place. Drinks before the wedding: This is a brilliant idea. “Champagne, please,” I tell the bartender.
“Drinking before the wedding, are ya?” my husband says from behind me.
I turn around and see Brice. Molly comes up and snaps a few candid shots of Brice and me. “I thought I would; our children are at the sitter’s and I’m not driving tonight. Would you like a glass of champagne?” I ask Brice.
“I’ll have a Corona, please,” he tells the bartender.
“Lime?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Molly and a few other guests join us at the open bar. Molly introduces us to her friends: Bobby and his wife, Leah. I remember the name, but Bobby doesn’t look like what I thought he would. He is buff, tall, and extremely good looking. Mason and Angel come up to us with the twins. Angel introduces the twins to everyone and I ask to hold one.
Ana and Alex are dark-haired babies with dark eyes. Bobby’s wife, Leah, holds Ana and I hold Alex.
“Oh, Angel and Mason, they are beautiful.” I smile and kiss the baby on the forehead.
Angel and Mason stand nearby, admiring their own children. “Thank you, Brooke. We think so, too.”
Bobby takes the baby from Leah and says, “With luck, we’ll have one of these next year.”
Brice lightly touches the babies’ dark hair and says, “Us, too. A little girl would be nice.”
“Or a little boy,” I add.
“Brice and Bobby laugh and Bobby says, “You can’t go wrong with a boy or a girl.”
“How is your book coming, Brooke?” Angel asks.
“Great, thank you. Hoping to have it self-published by the end of the year.”
Mason says, “That soon? That’s very impressive.”
“Thank you, what’ll be impressive is if it sells,” I say, laughing.
Molly takes more photos and excuses herself. Soft music begins to play and we all take our seats. Before sitting down, we brush off the silver glitter from the seats. I smile because I know this is Raelynn’s surprise decorative contribution to the wedding. “Looks like there are going to be some glittery butts at the wedding,” I say, laughing.
Brice sits close and runs his thumb across my bare shoulder. I rest my head on his shoulder and he kisses my head. “We don’t have near enough alone time together,” he says.
“No, we don’t. This feels like a date,” I admit.
Brice smiles and says, “Remind me to date you more often.”
“I’ll be right back. I want to check on Emma. A marriage takes precedence over a date.”
“True, but sometimes you need to date your wife.”
Emma
“Emma, I swear you are the most beautiful bride ever.”
I look at myself in the full-length mirror in my and Alec’s bedroom and say, “Thank you, mom.”
The curtains and blinds that are normally opened are now closed. I love the natural light and the view of the lake from the bedroom, but because of the wedding beginning soon, Mom and Cheryl closed all the blinds in the house so I can’t see out and Alec can’t see in.
I want to look outside at the gazebo, but I’m not allowed to see it. Alec, with the help of the Grannie Nannies, was responsible for taking care of the wedding decorations. Oh, yeah, Raelynn and James also helped.
“May I just have a peek outside, please?” I beg. “I just want to see what it looks like.”
“No peeking,” my mom insists.
Molly is also here, taking pictures of us getting ready. “But I will tell you this,” Molly says as she takes more pictures from the bedroom window, “it is totally gorgeous.” Molly takes posed and candid shots as we are in preparation for the wedding.
My mom puts my veil on and I begin to cry. Doris wipes away the tears and smiles. “You know you’ll ruin your makeup.”
“I know, but I can’t help it.”
“Take a deep breath,” Brooke says. I laugh and sniffle and she says, “It’s almost time.” I can only nod. “Do you have your something old, sheer, stolen, and beer?”
“Brooke, shut up.” And I have to laugh. I know she is doing this so I won’t cry. I have my something old, new, borrowed, and blue. Thank you very much.”
“Old, new, borrowed, and blue, that’s it. What do you have old?”
“My grandmother’s monogramed handkerchief.”
“New is your wedding dress. What’s borrowed?” she asks.
“The pearl necklace I borrowed from you.”
“And it looks beautiful, by the way.”
“Thank you, very much.” I giggle.
“Blue? I don’t see blue.”
I say shyly as I clear my throat, “And you won’t see it either.”
“Okay, I know what that would be. Good choice.”
My mom looks out the window and says, “It’s time, Emma. We need to go. Stay here and wait for your dad.”
“Don’t cry, Emma,” Raelynn says as sweetly as she can.
I hug her and admire her beautiful white dress with a silk silver ribbon. Her hair is done up in big loose curls that fall down around her face. “Raelynn, these are very happy tears.”
I hug everyone and Raelynn and I watch as they all walk out the door. I’m thankful that Molly goes with them. I need a minute of alone time. I take several deep cleansing breaths before there is a soft knock at the door and in walks my dad and Danny. Seeing them makes me cry even more. Danny and my dad both have glassy eyes, and I know they are trying to hold it together, too.
I stand when they enter the room.
“Em, you look stunning,” Danny says as he gently hugs me.
“Thank you.” I swallow the lump in my throat and try to blink back the tears.
My dad hugs me next and says, “It’s time, Emma. Are you ready?”
“I am.” I kiss and hug Raelynn and my dad offers me his elbow. I watch as Danny offers Raelynn his elbow, but she takes his hand instead. We walk down the stairs to the back door, and Danny instructs Raelynn what to do. The music begins and she heads out with her small white basket. When the music changes again, my heart races and my palms begin to sweat. My dad is to my left and Danny is to my right. I asked my dad and Max’s dad, Danny, to both give me away. Danny was thrilled and shocked. Danny and Cheryl will always be my family. Even with Max gone, that doesn’t change anything.
“Are you ready?” my dad asks.
I nod. I loop my arms around Danny’s and Dad’s arm. When the song “This I Promise You” by Ronan Keating comes on, we begin the wedding march. The lyrics cause a steady stream of tears to come full force. The backyard is transformed into a paradise. Twinkling white lights and white candles illuminate the yard and the wedding aisle. I see tiki torches down by the lake, lining the cobblestone walkway. As we walk, I see glitter mixed in with the silk lilac petals I chose for Raelynn to toss. I cry and as fast as I blink away the tears they come again. I follow the trail of glittery lilac petals along the red carpet until Alec comes into view.
I stop and just stare at him. He looks so handsome standing there. James is standing behind Alec, looking proud and wearing the same black, long-tailed tux and silver bowtie that Alec is wearing. Raelynn is standing opposite of Alec tossing glitter where I’ll be standing. I remember his proposal when Alec asked me to marry him and Raelynn. This truly is a family affair.
“Come on, Em, your husband-to-be and your children are waiting for you,” Danny says. I smile and begin to walk towards my family who are waiting for me at the altar. As we near, Alec steps down from that altar to meet us. I kiss my dad and then I kiss Danny, before I take Alec’s hand.
“You look so beautiful,” Alec says. I just smile and look at him through blurred vision. Although my tears are distorting my vision of him, I know he looks handsome.
He leads me under the gazebo, which is covered in whit
e lights and tulle ribbon. It is stunning. The sun is just beginning to set on the lake. Alec and I decided to write our own wedding vows. Max and I used the traditional vows, as did Alec and Molly. We wanted something more original for our wedding.
“Emma,” the preacher says and it’s my cue to go first. I turn around and hand Raelynn my bouquet of lilacs to hold for me. I smile and take a deep breath. I didn’t write anything down for fear of crying and not being able to see the words I had written, so I decided to speak from my heart.
Alec takes my hands and holds them as he caresses my knuckles. I smile and say, “Alec, I love you, and I love Raelynn as if she were my own. You walked into my life like a storm that I couldn’t control.” People who know our whole story laugh and Alec chuckles. I smile and say, “We have been through so much in just a short time, and I am eager and excited to see where our life is headed, together, as a family. I feel that together there isn’t anything we can’t do.” He squeezes my hand and I add, “I promise to always be there for you, to always be supportive of you and to always love you. I promise to be the wife you deserve, to be the friend you need and to be the best mother to our children that I can possibly be. I will always love you, for ever and ever.” I smile and he leans in to kiss me. Everyone laughs and the preacher clears his throat. I can feel Alec’s smile on my lips
Alec slowly backs away and whispers, “I’m sorry, I couldn’t wait,” to the preacher without taking his eyes off mine.
“It’s all right, son.”
Alec clears his throat and says, “Emma, thank you for accepting the kids’ and my wedding proposal.” I smile and the congregation laughs. “I love you, James, and Raelynn with everything that I am as a man. I would give my life for yours and theirs. I vow to be a man, husband, and father whom you will always be proud of. I give you my word that I will love you every day of my life.” I wipe away the tears from my cheek and Alec leans in and kisses me quickly and then says, “I promise to always love you, James, and Raelynn for ever and ever.”
We exchange rings and he kisses me with such tenderness. When our kiss ends, we each turn around and I kiss and hug Raelynn as he does the same to James. We are united as a couple and as a family. Alec and I stand, and Raelynn, I, Alec, and James hold hands and face our family and friends.
Mending Hearts Page 17