Closing Time

by E. L. Todd

  He patted my back and pulled away. “You doing okay?”

  “Yeah,” I said weakly.

  He looked at my tie then tightened it. “It was coming a bit loose.”

  “Thanks.”

  Andrew looked at me fondly. “It’s nice to see how much you’ve grown, Ryan. For a long time, you seemed lost. You clearly aren’t anymore.”

  Nothing escaped his notice. “No, definitely not.”

  He gripped my shoulder. “I love you, kid. You and Scarlet were one of my own even before my son got his act together.”

  I smirked. “Thanks. I’ve always felt that way.”

  “If you ever need anything, I’m always here.”

  “I know.” That meant the world to me.

  “And I have tons of bedroom advice.” He winked at me.

  I laughed. “I’m sure you know your way around the ladies.”

  “I definitely do. Why do you think Diane has stuck around so long?”

  “The reason is pretty clear,” I said with a laugh.

  “The relationship you and your sister have is rare and beautiful. It’s been nothing but a joy to see it. Not only do you take care of her, but she takes care of you. That kind of love is something we all live for, and maybe you don’t have much of a family of your own, but you’ve built an incredible one. I’m honored that I get to be a part of it.”

  He was always a wizard when it came to words and speeches. My heart hurt from the meaningful things he said. All I could manage to say was, “yeah.”

  He dropped his hand then looked at me again. “I’m glad you made it.”

  “Me too. I wasn’t sure if I would.”

  “I did.” He smiled at me then walked back to his seat, sitting next to his wife. Diane was holding Trinity, who was a small bundle in her arms. I could see the joy on both of their faces while they stared at their granddaughter. Trinity had the love of so many people. She was a lucky child, and it made me feel better knowing my kids would be loved like that too.

  The guests took their seats, being ushered by my groomsmen and Scarlet. They all looked at me, watching my reaction. I kept a poker face and didn’t give anything away. I was more emotional than I let on, and the one person I wanted to be with wasn’t here yet. I wanted to see Janice and touch her, to marry her and vow to love her forever. The words were unnecessary because she already knew their truths, but I wanted to say it publicly, to tell the world that she was the only girl for me.

  The music played and the wedding party walked down the aisle. Monnique and Scarlet walked together, their arms linked. They were both smiling, giving me looks of joy. Once they were on either side of me, everyone else came down the aisle. Mike and Cassandra were paired together, and so was Flynn and Hazel. Sean walked with Janice’s sister, but his eyes were on Scarlet, the person he never stopped staring at. When everyone was in their places, everyone rose from their seats.

  My heart went into my throat and my fingers burned like they were on fire. I didn’t care for weddings or romance. The happily ever after in books were all a laughing joke. But that’s not how I felt at all in this moment.

  Janice wore a strapless down that fit her body tightly around the chest and waist. It flowed out around her legs, trailing in the back. A gray bow was tied around her waist, making her look thinner than she already was. And it matched my tie. I wondered if she did that on purpose.

  Her father walked her down the aisle while she locked her gaze onto mine. She wasn’t smiling, just staring. I knew her facial expressions better than anyone. I knew what she was thinking at any moment in time. Her eyes said it all. I’d experience every emotion with her. We’d been through tough times and amazing ones. It wasn’t hard to figure out which one this was.

  As she came closer to me, I swallowed the lump in my throat and felt my eyes burn from accumulating moisture. I was never emotional about anything and it took a great deal to elicit a strong reaction from me, but seeing my girl walk down the aisle toward me, ink on her finger that matched mine, rendered me an emotional mess. She was the single greatest thing that ever happened to me. She accepted me for who I was. She didn’t care about all the women before her, all the sluts that accepted the small amount I was giving them, and she didn’t care that I stuck a needle of ink to people’s skin for a living. I was hot-headed, irritable, irrational, and rude, but she never tried to change me. Somehow, she seemed to love me even more despite my flaws. She always held her ground when we butted heads, and she quickly put me in place, never letting me win a single fight. But that’s what I needed, someone to keep me in line.

  When she came closer to me the coating over my eyes became too heavy, and a few drops fell down my face. Now I felt like a little girl just like Sean. But when Janice saw the reaction, her eyes bubbled too.

  Her dad took her hand and placed it in mine. “I know you’ll take care of her.”

  “I will,” I said without looking at him. My eyes were glued to my bride. Her blonde hair was covered in ringlets and pulled back, put in an up-do with a green pin. Her green eyes burned like moss in the lush forests of Washington and Oregon. When I looked at her, I realized I’d seen her hundreds of times but never really treasured her beauty until now. While she blended in with the crowd of people, she had so many unique features that made her special, that made her mine.

  The deep color of her eyes was hypnotic and alluring. They flashed in intensity depending on what she was thinking or feeling. During times of anger or passion, they became so dark they were almost black. The emotions were so similar in color that I realized how powerful both emotions were. When she was excited or joyful, they lightened, almost becoming the color of teal. Right now, they were the darkest I’d ever seen them, indicating her passion for the day.

  When her hand rested in mine, I felt her faint pulse under her smooth skin. Everything moved in slow motion, and for a moment in time, it was just she and I. No one else was there sharing the experience. When I looked at her, she studied my face, seeing every emotion cloud in my eyes and lips. Wordlessly, she told me how much this day meant to her. She was so beautiful that I wasn’t sure why she was marrying me. She could have whatever guy she wanted, but for some reason, she chose me. Only me.

  I took a deep breath and blinked my eyes, willing the emotion to pass. We hadn’t even begun the ceremony and I was already catching lumps in my throat. Hand in hand, we stood together on the small stage and faced each other.

  “You look beautiful,” I whispered.

  “Thank you.”

  I held both her hands in mine then brought her close to me, our foreheads touching. I stared down at her lips and she looked at mine. She was much smaller than me, over a foot, but she was still the strongest woman I ever knew. She could kick my ass in a heartbeat because she was a hard ass, another reason I was so fond of her.

  The pastor presided over the ceremony, legally bringing us together in matrimony. I repeated the lines I was instructed to say, but I felt like saying a lot more. Janice watched me, her eyes squinting with more impending tears. Since she and I had inked wedding rings on our hands, that part of the ceremony was null. As far as I was concerned, we were married a long time ago, as far back as the moment we met. Even then, I knew she was the girl I’d settle down for, becoming a dad and a husband.

  Janice took her notes from Monnique then cleared her throat. She laughed slightly then wiped her tears away. “Thank god for waterproof mascara.”

  The crowd chuckled.

  She took a deep breath then looked at me. “You were my hero the moment we met. I came to your sister for help in a situation I couldn’t get out of alone. Hardly knowing me, you came to my rescue and selflessly helped me, asking for nothing in return. I never expected such kindness, mainly because most men I’ve known are worthless.

  “I admit you were a bit tongue-tied when we met.” My cheeks reddened. The guys behind me laughed at her words, especially Cortland, who practically cried when he recalled my first meaning with Janice. �
�You were very shy, but it was absolutely adorable. As I got to know you better, I realized you were the furthest thing from shy any guy could be. You were a typical bachelor that had no qualms sky-diving head first or going up to a random stranger and striking up a conversation. The fact I rendered you speechless made me feel special, different. From that moment you were mine. The nicest part was never having to ask for that gift. You gave yourself to me and were a perfect gentleman, listening to every word I said with pure fascination on your face. Even then, over a year ago, I knew you were Mr. Right.

  “After knowing you for merely a week, I moved across the country just to be with you. I was sick of dating jerks who didn’t understand how to treat a woman. Not only did you respect me and put me first, but you protected me and took care of me. Never in my life had I let a guy do that for me, but with you, I wasn’t scared. As you know, I’m an extremely logical person, and moving in with you was the first passionate and reckless thing I ever did. But my heart knew exactly what it was doing. You were the guy worth losing everything for.

  “We clicked the moment we moved in together. Every time we fought, the argument stayed between us. Dishes were never thrown and no one ever walked out. Like adults, we worked through our problems, making me realize how mature you were. Every day I wondered how I ended up with the perfect guy, the first person to make me believe in fairy tales. The fact you’re a tattoo artist and you love it drew me in immediately. Seeing a man so passionate about what he does is the biggest turn on you’ll ever find, and your exceptional nice body doesn’t hurt.” She smirked at me and a few people laughed. “I’ve never been into tattoos but when you put one on my finger, I didn’t hesitate. Because I know you’re my forever, my ever lasting love, and we’ll spend the years raising children and growing old together. Even years from now, we’ll still make love before bed like we always do. And you’ll tell me I’m beautiful and that you love me, just like you always do.

  “Falling in love has been hard for me. I always found excuses why I didn’t want to commit to someone. The relationship was never right and I always wanted something more, but as soon as I met you, I couldn’t stop myself from falling head first into the deepest and most profound love I’ve ever known. All the years of heartbreak and disappointment were worth it, because you really are worth waiting for.

  “I know we have our differences and we can fight like enemies on the battlefield, but you understand me in a way my family and closest friends never could. Half of my soul is lodged inside you, impossible to escape, and I carry the other half of yours. Maybe soul mates are silly. Maybe they don’t exist. But if they do, I know you’re mine, Ryan. I know you hate chick flicks and would never read a romance novel if your life depended on it, but you’ve given me the joy of experiencing the greatest love affair, putting all those steamy romance stories to shame. You are the one to me. And I am the one to you.”

  I took a deep breath and stilled my heart before it exploded. The declaration of love she gave was powerful and awe inspiring. It was enough to make my heart flutter and tears to bubble all over again. “Damn, that’s hard to follow.”

  Everyone laughed at my completely serious statement.

  She smirked. “I’ll treasure anything you say.”

  I cleared my throat and stopped myself from crying. “I’m not good with words like you and I’m not good at expressing myself or how I feel. I’ve been lucky enough to have a sister that can read my thoughts without asking how I’m feeling. And I’m even luckier to find a partner who can do it even better. There are times when you look at me, and I know everything is going to be okay. There are times when you look at me and know the exact same thing I’m thinking. The level of love and connection we have is unique and special, something that belongs to us. And I’m a very selfish man and never want to share it with anyone. You’re my dirty secret, my treasure that I hoard just so I can stare at it, being vain about how rich I am with you. You’re my every dream, my every fantasy, and my every thought.

  “I knew you were the right woman for me when I made a complete idiot out of myself. Your unparalleled beauty and unbridled intelligence intimidated me to the point where I had to back away with my tail tucked between my legs. The whole time I kept thinking how you were out of my league—which you still are. But thankfully, you humored me and gave me a chance. And I worked my ass off to make sure that chance wasn’t wasted. Because, call me crazy, but I knew I loved you after the first sentence that came out of your mouth. I’ve been around and have experienced many things, but you’re the first woman to impress me and make me fall to my knees. You were the one the moment I laid eyes on you, making this strong man who’s stood on his own two feet for the longest time crumble beneath your perfection and glory.

  “You love me for exactly who I am even though I can be a pain in the ass. You admire me for my passions and my talents, something I’ve always been insecure about. You tell me you love me unconditionally, filling the void inside me since I lost my father. You’ve completed me in more ways than you’ll understand. Now I have a best friend, the greatest lover I’ve ever known, a family, and a partner to experience life with. You claim I’m your hero and you look up to me, but in reality, I’ll never be good enough for you, baby. But I promise, for now and forever, I’ll never stop trying. Because a life without you is meaningless to me.

  “Thank you for saying yes to my proposal and thank you for being the dream I never expected to find. Coming home to you every day and sleeping with you every night is a domestic joy I never thought I would love. Being with the single most amazing woman in the world is the greatest decision I’ve ever made, and you’ve made my life full and meaningful. If you really are the other half of my soul, you are the better half. The one that is beautiful with light that touches every corner of the earth, the one that carries the secret to my happiness, and the one that spreads joy to every person you touch.”

  Janice’s eyes squinted as the emotion caught in her throat. She squeezed my hands, unable to express what she felt. I had prepared a speech but chose not to say it. Instead of going with something I spent hours working on, I just winged it and told her exactly how I felt as we stood across from each other. And it was the truest I’ve ever been. I wasn’t ashamed to admit how much I needed her to every person watching us. I wasn’t embarrassed to admit I was crippled without her. And I wasn’t concerned with what anyone thought of me. The only opinion that mattered was hers, and judging the light on her face, she approved of everything I said.

  The pastor smiled while he watched us, both overcome with emotion. “Now you may kiss the bride.”

  “You bet your ass I will.” I gripped her waist and pulled her to me, giving her a scorching kiss in front of everyone. My mouth crushed against hers, tasting the salt from her tears. She responded with equal passion and longing, clearly not giving a damn what anyone thought.

  When it went on for a minute, Scarlet hit my shoulder. “Keep it in your pants.”

  I smirked then broke our kiss, looking down at my new bride. “You ready to get out of here?”

  She smiled while she looked back at me. “That better be a joke. The party hasn’t even started yet.”

  “My kiss didn’t get you excited to leave?”

  “Actually, it made me excited to stay.” She kissed me again, making my nerves tingle.

  “For the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Sisco,” the pastor said while he clapped.

  I grabbed her hand and pulled her down the aisle. “Now you’re stuck with me forever. I don’t believe in divorce.”

  “You’re catholic?” she asked in surprise.

  “No. I’m just madly in love and a little crazy.”

  “A little?” she asked with a laugh.

  “Alright. I’m psycho. But you knew that already.”

  “I sure did.” She rubbed her nose against mine, and together, we started the rest of our lives, as husband and wife.

  The sun had set, and my wife and I had the dance floor t
o ourselves. Everyone sat at their tables, finishing dinner, while she and I swayed slowly to the music. Her arms were around my neck and her face was pressed close to mine. My eyes never left hers, fascinated with her beautiful face and her emotional eyes.

  “Your vows were really sweet,” she said.

  “They came straight from the heart.”

  “I know.” Her forefinger moved through my hair then twisted a strand, something she did when we watched TV together after sharing dinner. The little things she did never went unnoticed.

  “You look beautiful tonight.”

  “Thank you. That’s what I was going for.”

  I pressed my lips to hers and gave her a slow kiss. Public affection with Janice never bothered me, and since it was our wedding night, I cared even less about offending other people. The lights overhead set the mood of the night. Distant sounds of glasses tapping against each other and people laughing while having a good time came to my ear, but they were ignored. The only person who mattered to me was my wife.

  “I can’t believe I’m a married man,” I whispered.

  “Why?”

  “I just never thought a happy ending was in my cards.”

  She smirked at me. “You couldn’t have been more wrong.”

  “No, I couldn’t.” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear then returned my hand to her hip. “I really want to head into the bathroom so I can take that dress off you.”

  “That’s sweet,” she said sarcastically.

  I laughed lightly. “You knew what you were signing up for when you agreed to marry me.”

  “That’s true.”

  “But I do want to make love to you.”

  “And where were you planning on doing this?”

  “Somewhere special—private.”

  “I like the sound of that.” She pressed her chest into mine, her cleavage becoming more noticeable.

  “I just hope my sister doesn’t pop in the middle of our honeymoon.”

  “Knowing your sister, she will.”