Eight Weeks Later
Jamie held my hand in the crook of his arm as he walked me down the center aisle to my seat. “I’ll be back in a little bit.” He gave me a quick peck on the cheek then went back to seat my parents. He looked gorgeous in his new black suit, which showed off his deliciously muscled body. I didn’t bother trying to hide how much I appreciated the fine work of his tailor, then blushed when I heard Mary say, “He looks good, doesn’t he?” Good was an understatement—I was practically drooling.
Today was Jack and Meg’s wedding day, and Jamie was an usher. They’d set up canopies, tables, and chairs in their backyard for the ceremony and reception. The backyard was decorated with colorful fall flowers, twinkle lights, lace, and ribbon. The design was perfect in its understated elegance.
Jack, with AJ as his best man, was standing under the arch with the Pastor. Jack looked happy, relaxed, and quite handsome in his suit. AJ looked good, too, so I snapped a quick picture and sent it to Ashley. She and AJ still hadn’t hooked up despite their grandest efforts. Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. Of course, that didn’t stop her from asking about him. Maybe it”ll happen tonight.
Beth was Meg’s maid of honor, and looked gorgeous in her long emerald-green dress. I hope I look that good when I’m forty. I remembered the day we’d all gone shopping for Beth’s dress. Meg had invited me and my mom to go with them, and we’d made a full day of it, laughing and talking as we got to know each other better. I had a feeling they’d included me to welcome me to the family since Jamie and I were officially an item.
There were only about thirty chairs facing the platform where Jack and Meg would exchange the vows they’d written and become husband and wife. Meg had told me the wedding guest list was less than a third the size of the reception guest list. “We want an intimate ceremony, but a big party afterwards to celebrate.” It suited them.
I was thrilled to be attending as Jamie’s plus one despite having received my own invitation as Meg’s friend. Turns out Meg and I have a lot in common, and we’d developed an easy, relaxed friendship soon after I started dating Jamie.
I’m dating Jamie. My high school crush. I smiled as girlish glee fill my heart. We were taking it slow, since we were both working through some issues, but things were going well. I felt comfortable with him in a way I’d never felt with anyone, and more importantly, I felt safe.
Out of habit, I kept expecting him to get angry with me for doing or saying the things that used to piss off Craig. But he never did. Though he did get upset sometimes because I kept asking him if he was upset with me. Which was a bit of a mind-fuck because I was literally creating the very thing I was afraid of.
But I’m learning.
And Jamie was still working through his feelings about dating after losing Isabelle. One night, he’d confessed that he felt like he wasn’t honoring her memory by dating again. He said he knew better, logically, but sometimes, usually after a nightmare, he’d be overwhelmed with grief and guilt.
We’d both cried that night as we talked about it. It was a huge step in our relationship and we were closer because of it.
Jamie was patient with me. I was patient with him. Together, with the help of our families, we were both healing and moving on. And the best part was, we were doing it together. Slowly. But not so slowly that we hadn’t slept together. I”d surprised him the night I told him I didn’t want him to be the perfect gentleman anymore, and asked him to take me home with him for the night. I felt heat rise in my cheeks at the memory. OhGod, I hope I’m not blushing.
“Hey gorgeous, this seat taken?” I loved it when he called me cute nicknames.
“It is, actually. My handsome boyfriend will be back any minute.” I knew my smile filled my entire face as I gazed up at him.
“His loss.” He sat down. “My gain.” Not breaking eye contact, he reached for my hand. “He shouldn’t have left you unattended.” He leaned in and kissed me gently on the lips.
And my heart melted.
“I love this man.” Please tell me I didn’t say that out loud. I pulled away, but couldn’t look at Jamie, so I stared down at my cute black flats.
“Em, are you okay?”
I must not have, thank God. I knew I was in love with him, had been for a while, but I’d never said it out loud. The first time I realized it was when he walked into my hospital room with two dozen pink and red roses and confessed there were only twenty-three because he’d given one to my mom just before coming in to see me. Yeah, it was silly, but that was the moment I knew I was in love with him.
“Yeah, I, um, I just realized we probably shouldn’t be kissing right now.” Luckily, the music started so everyone stood and turned to watch Meg walk down the aisle.
She looked gorgeous in her simple white silk and lace dress. The sweetheart neckline framed the beautiful emerald necklace she was wearing. I’d noticed she wore it all the time and when I asked about it she said it was a gift from her late grandmother. Then she practically glowed as she held her engagement ring close to the necklace. “Jack designed my engagement ring to match it.” She’s so lucky. So was he.
Meg’s long, auburn hair was pulled back in a soft braid accented with small white and green flowers. And she was positively glowing.
To everyone’s surprise, Meg had asked Chase to walk her down the aisle. I thought it was a bold choice, asking a five-year-old to be her escort on her big day, but I’d misjudged the little guy. He was the picture of responsible control as he held her right hand in his left one, just above his shoulder. He was too short to offer her the usual bent arm, but neither of them cared. It was beyond adorable how proud he looked as he confidently walked Meg to the arch.
Jack radiated pride and love as he watched.
At the arch, Meg bent down and kissed Chase on the cheek, and to his credit he didn’t wipe it off like he usually did. As she stood up and took her place, Jack reached down and shook Chase’s hand.
“You better take good care of my Auntie Meg.” Chase’s voice carried as much authority as a five-year-old could muster. I heard the stifled laughter as everyone tried not to ruin the moment by laughing too loud.
Jack didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, sir, I promise.”
Chase gave him a nod and went to stand by his mom.
The ceremony was short and sweet. Jack and Meg recited their vows, bringing me to tears. I could tell by the sniffling all around me I wasn’t the only one. I only looked away from the ceremony once, and that was to check on Jamie. He had tears in his eyes too, though he was trying to blink them away. I squeezed his hand to offer my silent support. When he squeezed back, I knew nothing else needed to be said or done. I was here for him, and he knew it.
Afterwards, wanting to take advantage of the natural lighting to capture the newlyweds and their family, the photographer took charge. Mary, thrilled to have all her children home at the same time (and looking like mature, responsible adults in their suits and dresses), asked the photographer to take a family portrait. The photographer was happy to make a few extra bucks and said she’d take the family photos after getting the shots she wanted of the bride and groom, and the wedding party.
Maybe someday I’ll be in the family pictures. Whoa. Where’d that come from? Jamie and I had agreed to take it slow. And yes, I loved him, but I didn’t know if he felt the same way about me.
It was way too soon to think about being in family photos!
I stood with my parents and watched the organized chaos. They’re a good-looking family. Even Jaden, who managed to get leave for the weekend, was looking handsome in a rugged Marine kind of way. Watching Mary try to organize her grown-up children into picture perfect positions was a bit like watching someone herd cats. They were all voicing their opinions and playfully shoving each other around, until John spoke up.
“Listen to your mother.”
And just like that, they fell in line.
It never ceased to amaze me how quickly they turned from fighting siblings to obedient soldiers when John gave an order. I guess being a Marine and cop helped him learn how to use his tone of voice, rather than the volume, to give effective commands.
The photographer captured some great photos.
And in at least a few of them, Jamie’s smile was a little bigger because he was staring into my eyes when the camera flashed.
Ashley and I were sitting at our table chatting while Jamie AJ went to the bar to get us drinks. “Your picture didn’t do him justice. He looks amazing.” She’d taken no time finding AJ and showing off the silky red dress that hugged her curves like it was painted on. The same red dress she’d tried to convince me to borrow for my first date with Jamie. Now that I’d seen it on her, I was grateful I’d refused. It wasn’t my style, but she looked even more stunning in it than I’d imagined she would. AJ didn’t stand a chance.
I was glad Ashley and I had rekindled our friendship, and that we’d become friends with Meg. It’s nice having girlfriends again. And it was refreshing to hang out without worrying about getting yelled at. God it was wonderful dating a kind, trusting man, and living without fear.
After a delicious catered meal of steak, mashed potatoes, and salad, the DJ called the newlyweds to the dance floor for their first dance. After they finished with the traditional dances, they cut the small two tier ceremonial cake. They were serving guests cupcakes, frosted to look like the colorful fall flowers decorating the back yard, rather than a traditional wedding cake. Of course Chase was the first one to snag a cupcake, smearing frosting all over his face. Beth laughed as she wiped his face clean with a napkin.
Everyone was having a good time dancing to all the fun traditional wedding songs, or watching from the sidelines, like me and Jamie. I laughed as Chris and Vicky lit up the dance floor, enjoying a Zoe-free night out. Good for them, they deserve it. And luckily for me and Jamie, Chris had come to terms with us dating. Though every once in a while he still reminded Jamie that he better be good to me, or else.
When the music changed to a slow song, Jamie held out his hand and asked me to dance. At first, not used to public displays of affection, we kept a respectable distance between us.
I was looking around and saw Ashley and AJ laughing about something as they danced. But before I could finish wondering what they were laughing about, Jamie pulled me closer and wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight. I felt safe and comfortable in his embrace. This is where I’m meant to be. I just hoped he felt it, too.
I smiled, finally understanding Meg’s joy. I knew in my soul I’d found my Prince Charming. Or was he my knight in shining armor? Could he both? Yeah, he can be. He is. I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed.
Jamie’s hand slid up my back and settled between my shoulder blades, then I felt his lips near my ear as he whispered, “I love you too, Emily.”
THE END