Running Rings

by Ruth G Juliano

  Chapter 46

  There were no clouds in the ocean blue sky. It was a beautiful day and it was going to be a special day. She was finally doing something that she had wanted to do a long time ago, until fate stepped in and slowed the process down. Verity thought about what she’d been through; about being treated so badly, and about those who treated her well. She had been selfish and stupid in some regards, and she’d been punished. In the process of needing to feel, she had loved two wonderful men; one man who was her hero for being extraordinarily ordinary, and one man who was her real-life fairy tale hero. Verity still had a pervasive niggle in her mind that she didn’t deserve either of them, but they would both tell her otherwise.

  “So are we going to go do this or what?”

  Verity turned around and neatened his bow tie. “I already had a dream that I ruined our wedding, Brock.”

  He laughed, “You’re not going to ruin anything.”

  “I know it was a dream because my parents were there and we had way too many friends. I had a really nice dress, but I can’t get married in a church. You understand, don’t you?”

  “I would have had the ceremony jumping out of a plane if that’s what you wanted, Verity soon-to-be Vale.”

  Verity smiled, “Wherever you go, I’m coming too.”

  “That’s good news because I’m going to get married, and I can’t do it without you,” he said, taking her hand, “I can do it without the long jacket though. I do actually want to see this dress.”

  “You go ahead,” Verity said, “I’m going to walk down the aisle towards you properly.”

  Brock laughed and went outside. Verity watched him heading towards the beach and smiled. She wondered who else was waiting down by the beach to witness this.

  “There you are.”

  Verity turned around and smiled, “Hi. I’m so glad you came. I wasn’t sure if you would.”

  “I said I would. I think the best thing for me to do today is to walk you down the aisle.”

  Verity smiled, “Really? You don’t think it’s a little weird to have the man who taught me so much about life and sex walking me down the aisle into the arms of another man?”

  “Not at all,” Adrian said, taking her in his arms, “I know what you’ve been through, Verity, and I know how much you wanted this man back in your life. Today is a day that I definitely feel like I’m giving you away, so it’s a symbolic gesture. I’m passing my duties on. Will he be okay with it?”

  “Yes, he will. He doesn’t have a jealous bone in his body,” Verity said, “You look gorgeous in your suit, Adrian. You always do. Make sure the woman you choose really deserves you. Don’t settle for second best. You have a wonderful personality, a caring nature and you’re sharp as a whip.”

  “I can’t wait to meet this man of yours. He’d better be everything you said he was or I’m going to be very disappointed.”

  “He’s bigger than Ben Hur,” Verity said, “In a very simple way.” She took off her coat and hung it on the coat rack.

  “Holy shit,” Adrian said, “That’s a dress and a half. Look at that low back. How is it staying on?”

  Verity smiled and looked down at her floor-length, figure-hugging, strapless, ivory wedding dress. “Thank you. Don’t get any ideas, and don’t give me any, you sexy beast. Aren’t wives supposed to be a one-horse town?”

  Adrian smiled, “I’ll be on my best behaviour. After all, one day I’ll be a one-trick stud myself.”

  Verity put the veil onto the clip on her hair. She took a flower out of her bouquet and snapped part of the stem off. She put it through the hole in Adrian’s lapel and kissed him on the lips. “She’s a lucky woman, and she hasn’t even met you yet.”

  Adrian smiled and kissed Verity on the cheek, “I always knew I didn’t stand a chance against this guy. Part of me didn’t want you to find him, but part of me is happy for you. I guess that’s love. When I’m less depressed, I’m going to see about a relationship. I want to feel for someone like I felt for you. Not exactly like you, I know, it’ll never be exactly the same, but I want to try. I keep trying to forget how old I am and how long I’ve been running away from this part. This painful part. This part when you could potentially lose something you can’t replace. You can get a new one, but it’s never exactly the same.”

  Verity sighed, “I never wanted to hurt you, never. I adore you. You deserve more, I told you that. I hope the woman you marry worships you like I do. I hope you’re able to open up to her and break your routine for her, even more so than you did for me. I hope she’s willing to learn for you and to change the things she wants to change so you can work together as a good team for your children. I hope that when you get scared and push her away, like you did to me, that she has the courage to wait for you to come to your senses. I know she’ll see all the wonderful things that I see, all the things you can’t see about yourself, and I know she’d be willing to wait for you like Brock was for me.”

  “There probably is someone who can do all that, but they’re not you. I know you’ve made your decision, and I’m not asking you to change your mind. I really did want to be here and see this through to its happy ending for you.”

  “Thank you. I know that your wife will also be able to give you what you really want, your true heart’s desire, and I’m sure at times she’ll be a pain in the arse. You’re so patient. I know you won’t give up on her. I know you’ll push through the shit and find a way.”

  Adrian smiled and put his elbow out. She put her arm through his, put the veil over her face, and announced she was ready to become Mrs Perfect. They walked out the doors and Adrian closed them. They took the two steps down onto the sand and Verity looked down at their feet. They were really doing this. “Thank you for going barefoot for me.”

  “I’m happy just to be able to see you, and I guess once you’re safely married it’ll be okay to tell you that I love you and I really hope we can stay friends.”

  “How many married women have you slept with?” Verity replied.

  “I’d have to check my book.”

  Verity laughed, “That book is going to get you into trouble one day, Adrian. I’d hide it in a safety deposit box or something if I was you. Mrs Phelps will already feel insecure about having such a buff, sex god of a husband, I know it.”

  Adrian laughed, “This guy better be worth it, Verity, or I’ll knock him out, and tell the celebrant to make it you and me right now.”

  “And you could do it too,” Verity nudged him with her elbow. “The only person that Brock is competition for is me. He’s always been better at me than everything and I strive to attain his levels of intelligence and simplicity. You’re not competition for him and you never were. I love you, Adrian, and I will forever. I’m very happy, and you will be too one day.”

  Adrian smiled and walked onto the red carpet with Verity’s arm through his. Brock turned around to look at her. Verity saw his brown wavy hair moving in the breeze and watched his smile widen. She smiled and looked at her hand. Her flowers were completely steady. Brock strummed his guitar and sang, “Here comes my bride, and she’s wearing no shoes. Here comes my bride, and some handsome dude. I’m a lucky guy sometimes. I know how to sing in rhymes. We’re getting married now after waiting so long, she’s almost here so I’m ending this song.” Verity and Adrian laughed and Brock handed his guitar to Scott. Adrian shook Brock’s hand and passed Verity’s hand to him then stood in the crowd.

  “Hi,” Brock whispered, “You look perfect.”

  “I feel perfect,” she replied.

  “Sorry about the song. I was going to sing something else, but I’ll do that later.”

  “It was terrific.”

  The celebrant cleared his throat, and they turned to look at him. He began his speech by welcoming the guests and moved onto talking about love and the union of two people in matrimony. When it came time to exchange vows, Brock offered to go first for a change.

  He slid the ring onto Verity’s finger
and held her hand. “Verity Kate, since the first time I met you, I wanted to know more about you. I’ve never met a person like you before. I’ve never met someone who speaks to my heart and my head the way you do. For a few years we were separated by misfortune, but not a day went by that you weren’t in my heart and in my head. On Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, I feel you on every level. For the rest of my life, I want you by my side in good times and in bad. I will never try to control you, I will never hurt you, and I will always listen to you no matter what. I will love you, I will cherish you, and I will never let you feel alone again.”

  Verity smiled and squeezed his hand as she put his wedding ring on his finger. “Brock, I love you and I respect you. For as long as I’ve known you, a piece of my heart has belonged to you. You have been my beacon of hope in the darkness, my reason to smile in sadness, and my measure of the youthful happiness I knew it was possible to feel. I was annoyed with you sometimes for not being where I needed you to be, but my love for you has never gone away. Since I found you again, my love for you has grown stronger with each embrace and I want to be with you and make you smile. You’re an extraordinarily ordinary person who’s been running rings around me since we met. You’re smarter than me, kinder than me, calmer than me, more practical than I am, and I will treasure you every day for the rest of our lives.”

  The celebrant raised his hand, “By the authority given to me to perform marriage ceremonies in the State of New South Wales, I now pronounce you Mr and Mrs Vale. Please seal your deal with a kiss.”

  Brock and Verity laughed, and Brock raised Verity’s veil. It blew back down into his face as he moved his face towards hers. “Shoo, Verity Vale’s veil,” he said, lifting it over her head. He moved his hands over her waist and put his lips to hers. They continued to kiss as the crowd applauded. Verity was kissing her husband. Brock was her husband. They were never going to be apart again. Her tears met his tears on their cheeks and they continued to kiss like they were alone in the universe. The applause had already died down and they were still kissing.

  “Alright, alright, save something for the honeymoon,” Scott called out.

  Verity and Brock laughed into each other’s mouths and ended with a few more closed-mouth kisses, as the crowd applauded again.

  “Finally!” Scott said.

  Brock wiped his face then turned around and shook Scott’s hand, “Thanks for being here, Larry.”

  “Yes, you’re welcome. Wheeling on sand is a pain in the arse I’ll have you know. Thanks for considering that I have a sinking feeling while you’re making out with your stunning bride.”

  “Here, let me help your sinking feeling,” Brock laughed, and tipped Scott’s chair on its side. Marian laughed and hugged Brock, “Congratulations, Brock. The best part is that I already like her and we get along great. I’m really happy for you.”

  “Thanks,” Brock said, “I’m really happy for me too.” He put Scott’s wheelchair back up its wheels, and dusted the sand off his face. “There you go, Larry.”

  “You’re lucky I love you, Brock,” Scott said, standing up from his chair and hugging him, “Tipping me over is fine, but stop calling me ‘Larry’.”

  Brock hugged his brother and patted his back, “I love you, Scotty. Thanks for standing up for me.”

  Scott laughed and Verity kissed him on the cheek while he was standing. She hugged Marian and thanked her for being there for her.

  “I’m your little sister now. I don’t have a big sister,” Marian said, “I can’t wait to be Mrs Vale too.”

  “It won’t be long,” Brock said, and looked at the next man along.

  “Hi Dad,” Verity said, leaning down to kiss Vince on the cheek.

  “Very Kay.”

  Verity smiled, “Yes, Verity Kate.”

  “Broh lus you.”

  Verity patted Vince’s hand, “I know he does, and I love him too. I’m his wife now and I’m going to spoil him forever and a day.”

  “Goo gal,” Vince replied, patting her arm, “Furs door.”

  “Yes, I’m your first daughter,” Verity smiled.

  “I love you, Dad,” Brock said, leaning down to hug Vince, “Thanks for coming down onto the sand.”

  “Furs bun, bes boy,” Vince said, raising his right hand to pat Brock’s face.

  “Thanks a lot, Dad, I’m right here you know,” Scott said.

  “Sen bon, won less, still bes in year,” Vince replied.

  Scott laughed, “Yeah Dad, and being the second born and best in that year has always been good enough for me.”

  Verity and Brock greeted some other people and thanked them for coming, and now they were standing in front of man whose happy expression momentarily wavered.

  “Adrian, I’m Brock.”

  Adrian shook Brock’s hand, “Hi, Brock. This is a quite a woman you have here. She’s been to Hell and back but never stopped thinking about you. I hope I’m lucky enough to have a woman love me even half as much as she loves you.”

  “Thank you,” Brock said, “Verity said you were a really good friend to her and taught her about self-defence, and fitness, and about people, and you helped her to trust again after she was traumatised. Thank you for keeping an eye on her and for bringing her safely into my arms today.”

  Adrian smiled, “You’re welcome. I hope you have a long, happy life together.”

  “That’s my intention, mate,” Brock said, patting Adrian’s upper arm, “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  Adrian nodded and followed Brock away from the other people. Verity stood by them, and Brock smiled at her, “I know she’s standing right here, Adrian, but I’m going to talk to you man to man like she isn’t. I’m in love with Verity Kate, and I have been for a long time. We made a promise to each other to be together forever, no matter what. I know it’s a stupid promise to make, I know that it’s a promise that’s easy to break, but we meant it.”

  “I’m not here to take her from you, Brock. She always told me that she was going to marry you, so it’s not like it came as a surprise. I’m happy to see her happy.”

  “I know you are, and I know you’re a good guy. You probably see a lot of differences between you and me. I’m lean, you’re built. I’m a brunette, you’re a blonde. I’m into numbers, you’re into crime. I’m goofy and you’re sexy. I glower, you smirk. It might seem funny how she was so attracted to you when you’re nothing like me. But really, you are, Adrian, you’re really just like me.”

  “You reckon?” Adrian asked, with a smile.

  “Yeah, mate. You and I are both kind people. You and I are both on the side of doing the right thing for the right reason. You and I both like to help people. You and I both see beyond superficial boundaries. You and I both like to analyse facts and get an accurate outcome. You and I both love Verity. We’re practically twins.”

  Adrian laughed and shook his head. He winked at Verity and looked back at Brock.

  Brock looked at Verity and back at Adrian, “She had a lot of crazy expectations about the world when I met her. She was raised to believe that she was entitled to demand and expect and receive, and that blaming other people was an acceptable reason not to try. But I knew that inside her was a sweet, squishy, marshmallow of a woman, because, as much as she didn’t want to, she had a real soft spot for me. We learned a lot together and we helped each other and we loved each other. I know that we didn’t have the passion that you and her had, and we didn’t have the same dynamic that you and her had, but we have something else. We have a mutual, boundless love that makes us feel incomplete without the other. You already knew that she was going to marry me, but maybe the logistics of our relationship would have been different if…,” Brock looked at Verity and she nodded, “If fate wasn’t such a cruel master sometimes. I guess fate knows what it’s doing and we have to trust it. Since we were together before, Verity and I have both lost the ability to have children because of trauma.”

  Adrian furrowed his brow and looked at Verity, “You
didn’t tell me.”

  Verity shook her head, “I tried, but it was too painful.”

  Brock squeezed Verity’s hand, “She knows that you want to be a dad more than anything, and it’s a desire that she can’t fulfil. We’d like to stay friends with you, and have you in our lives, and I’d like to get to know you like she does. Well, maybe not exactly like she does.”

  Adrian laughed and hugged Brock. He patted his back and then his face. “I’d like to get to know you too, Brock.”

  “The logistics would have been different, as I said, if it was only me who couldn’t make babies, not her. I think we could have come to some arrangement where the three of us shared a child,” Brock said.

  “Really?” Adrian asked, “That’s different.”

  “Verity and I would be married, no doubt about that, but I think the three of us could have worked something out. It wasn’t meant to be, so this is the way it is. I really think it’d be cool to hang out, and we’ll do that, Adrian, definitely, but we’re disappearing off the grid for a while. We want to have a long honeymoon, and travel the world, and just hang out alone for a while.”

  “Sounds like a dream come true,” Adrian replied.

  “She is,” Brock said, putting his arm around Verity’s waist.

  “And so is he,” Verity said, “You can probably tell why I like him.”

  Adrian nodded, “I can, yeah. So, can you afford to stay off the grid for a while?”

  “Two finance experts investing many millions of dollars to draw a life’s income,” Verity shrugged, “What could go wrong?”

  “You got it? You got your dad’s money?” Adrian asked.

  “Every cent!” Verity said, “But even if we had to work, we’d do it together, and we will. When we come back from overseas, we’re going to open our own company in the city.”

  “That’s terrific. I’m really happy for you. I’d better let you talk to your other guests,” Adrian said, “Congratulations again.”