38. Chapter 38 - Liam
The wedding day has officially arrived. The groom and I stand under the archway set up on the beach. Guests from both sides and organizations are seated before us on wicker chairs. Purple fabric and a mix of flowers coil around the wooden semi-circle. Behind us, the sun is setting over the water, both appearing as if they were set on fire. The purples, pinks, and oranges add to the theme.
Stunning .
Con is fidgeting with his bow tie, cursing every time it is the slightest bit crooked. I approach him, smacking his hand out of the way and adjusting it until it's straight.
“Deep breaths, brother. The lass is obsessed with you. There is zero chance of her having cold feet.” I grip his shoulders and lightly shake him.
He nods appreciatively. “I’ve never wanted anything more in life than I do her. I can’t believe she is going to be my wife in a few short minutes.”
His dark eyes desperately search the staircase leading down from the pool where the bridal party will start their processional. I follow his line of sight, spotting Madison at the top, waiting for the music to cue her descent. She looks insanely beautiful in her form-fitting purple gown. Elegant satin hugs her curves in all the right places while still remaining respectful. That iridescent hair of hers shimmers with the last rays of the sun on the horizon. Dark charcoal lines her eyes as a spiderweb of black lashes adds to her seductive look. Her long purple locks are styled wavy and collected to one side, the gentle breeze catching it.
I can’t stop staring.
I. Just. Can’t.
I will always find Madison in a room.
The soft melodic music of the orchestra starts, alerting Madison it’s time to begin her journey down the stairs and down the aisle. She raises her bouquet, holding it out in front of her stomach, and smiles as she glides down them. There is murmured chatter, likely her family admiring her beauty.
I smile at her encouragingly, knowing behind that smile is a ball of nerves. Can’t blame her . Her family is here, watching her every move. Her husband is in Federal custody. And her best friend is about to marry the love of her life. She’s put so much into helping plan this. I know she wants this day to go off without a hitch.
When she finally reaches us, she shoots us another devastatingly beautiful smile. Honest to God, I think my heart stops for a minute.
Instead of a purple dress, I envision her in all white, walking towards me .
Fuck. Why is heartbreak such a bitch?
She takes her place on the opposite side of the officiant, then shifts her gaze to the staircase where the rest of the bridal party continues to pour in. They take their respective sides, joining us in waiting to greet the bride. Conor shifts anxiously back and forth on his heels. My hand comes down on his shoulder to ground him. You’ve got this, mate.
The song ends, transitioning into a new one designed for the bride .
“If everyone will please rise for our bride?” the officiant requests of the crowd.
Alexis comes into view at the top of the stairs with her father linking arms with her. He’s teary-eyed as are many among us. Conor lets out an enamored sigh. His future wife looks stunning.
The white lace mermaid gown has her taking cautious baby steps down the stairs. Her father has a tight grip on her arm, making sure she’ll never fall. A delicate cathedral veil slinks down the aisle behind her as she moves closer to us. An elaborate bouquet is held steadily between her hands. This is a woman who knows exactly who and what she wants.
Baby-blue eyes are locked in on her betrothed. I swivel my head to look at Con who has tears pooled at the rims of his. Lexi’s father kisses her cheek and places her hand on Conor’s, who then takes it and places a kiss to the top of it.
“You look incredible, angel,” he whispers.
Lexi’s Dad takes a seat as she hands off her bouquet to a waiting Madison. The couple situates themselves in front of the officiant as Madison gently lowers the massive bouquet and smooths out Lexi’s dress and veil. The thin lace material covers the space like a sand dollar, curling around them.
The ceremony is short and sweet. No more than twenty minutes. Con and Lexi both agreed to remove a lot of the fillers that would cause the event to drag on. Our lovely couple recites their vows and places their wedding bands on each other’s respective ring finger.
“By the power vested in me by the State of Florida, and in the company of your near and dear, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride,” the graying man sings.
Conor grips her face and dips his wife in an elaborate kiss. The crowd hoots and hollers, whistling for our friends. Madison even cups a hand over her face and howls like a wolf. The excitement she is showing for her best friend is beautiful. Quite frankly, they are more like sisters than friends. The pair breaks apart and Madison hands Lexi her bouquet as Conor collects his wife’s hand in his.
“It’s my honor to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Hayes!” the officiant exclaims.
Claps and cheers ignite as The Hayes begin their walk back towards the pool area where cocktails and appetizers will be served. Flower petals are thrown into the air, falling on top of their ecstatic faces.
I couldn’t be happier for them.
Madison approaches my right and links her arm through mine. The party planner signals us to go next, followed by the rest of our bridal party. Photographers snap pictures as we walk down the aisle. Sadness and regret try to inch their way into my chest as we continue walking. How different things could have been . Madison, always sensing my anxiety, taps her fingers on my forearm that she's gripping.
“I know what you’re thinking. You’ll have a moment like this, Liam. I promise you,” she soothes.
Her sweet voice pushes the demons back down and places a lid on the box they came from. When we reach the stairs, I place my hand around her waist, supporting her and helping her up them. Those shoes she’s wearing, although gorgeous, are not designed for this sort of environment.
“There is a sandal station for later. Don’t worry. I won’t be wearing these all night.” And once again, the little witch reads my mind.
I run my hand up and down her back. “Do ya think they have my size?” I joke, glancing down at my shiny black dress shoes.
Sand has already found its way in.
Lovely.
“Are you still coming?” I ask into the phone. I’m over in the corner of the bar nursing a whiskey. I don’t plan on getting out of control drunk with grief tonight. Quite the opposite, actually. I’m enjoying a celebratory bottle Killian and I got for Con. It’s somewhat of a tradition in our family.
Madison comes out of nowhere, tugging my dress shirt. “We are going to miss speeches. Come on. Get your jacket on,” she tugs me off the stool, sounding irritated.
She shakes out my jacket I had on the stool next to me and holds it out for me to slip into. “Text me when you get here,” I clip into the phone before hanging up and depositing it into my pants pocket.
Madison raises a dark eyebrow as I begin buttoning the tux jacket. “Hot date?” she inquires.
“Something like that,” I clip.
Maddy sighs heavily as she pulls me back towards the beach where the tent is set up. “Is it Lindsay? I don’t want her stirring shit up at our best friends’ wedding.”
“There you are,” Killian sighs with relief as he reaches us. “The band just announced speeches and of course, you two went missing.”
“I was looking for Liam,” Madison hisses defensively.
Without another word, she takes her place next to Lexi as I take mine next to Con.
Everyone balled their eyes out at Madison’s speech whereas they nearly pissed themselves listening to mine. Con claps me on the back and Lexi snags Madison closer by the waist as we take a group picture.
The flash of the camera has my eyes all fucked. Madison starts to walk away, heading towards the bar. I start to follow her when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I take a peek, smiling at the person lighting up my screen. Quickly, I type out a response before sliding my phone back into my pocket and catch up to Madison .
She is leaning a hip against the bar and slowly sipping a glass of Prosecco. Her eyes slowly scan the crowd that is now making their way to the dance floor.
The music picks up speed at the same time the band requests for everyone to join the couple. Madison downs her drink and walks off towards the tent’s exit. I snatch her arm, pulling her into me and spinning her into the crowd.
Her gasp turns into a smile, then a giggle as I place my hands on her hips, getting her to sway them. “Come on, Mad. Loosen up. Don’t go sit on the beach and wallow. Diego would want you to enjoy tonight.”
“It feels selfish of me to. He’s doing God knows what in a cell and I’m supposed to be over here drinking and being merry?”
“Yes. Life is too short to stay miserable. You taught me that. Now let me see what you’ve got. Cause I’ve seen you dance and this is pitiful,” I provoke her.
Mikayla comes over to us as well as Lexi and Con. We all throw our hands in the air and sway to the music, letting all our worries slide off our shoulders.
At least for tonight.