Saint Sophia #3
I love you beyond what mere human words can describe.
My love for you transcends all things and time.
I remember your story about searching for me through a thousand lifetimes…
I believe now that you were telling my story; it was me all this time who has been looking for you for the last thousand years.
And now, at last, I have found my true love, my soulmate, and the father of our child.
I look forward to spending the most mundane, boring, and casual days, to the rushed and deadline-filled days, to all the passionate ones with you and only you.
Know that I will never betray your trust in me and that I will always be at your side and protect your heart with my own heart, soul, and body, forever and a day.
Halo Heaven Raines
PS: I so can’t wait to marry you!
Xander felt his eyes water and cleared the lump in his throat.
Eric came up beside him and tapped his arm. “Everything good?”
Xander turned to him and smiled, dabbing a tear from the corner of his eye. “Everything is perfect.”
Simo watched Eric Rose, Xander’s best man, tap Xander’s arm and say, “What a year it has been.” Eric was right about that, Simo mused.
Xander looked happy, and Simo was happy for him in return.
When Xander asked him to be one of his groomsmen, he felt honored.
Looking at Xander, he felt guilty for wanting to hate the man, the man who ended up saving his ass…
Simo knew that Halo was in the best of hands.
He knew in his heart that Xander would never abandon her.
‘Philotimo’ was who Xander was down to his bones… like his father before him.
Simo’s thoughts were interrupted by Jessie helping Eleni, who was using crutches, into the groom’s waiting area. Jessie handed Xander a note and pulled him off to the side and began talking to him.
Eleni made her way over to Simo and sighed at him.
“What?” Simo said.
“Jessie in a church…” Eleni smirked.
“No kidding.”
Eleni pointed to Xan. “He doesn’t look as nervous as you.”
“He’s not. He knows how lucky he is.”
“Ha! It is Halo who is lucky… a man like that is hard to come by.”
“You implying something?”
She shot Simo a look. “Maybe.”
“Always busting my balls, even in church.”
“No one else is stepping up…”
“Ha. What did Jessie give Xan?”
“Oh. A love note… from Halo. It is beautiful; it made all the women cry.”
“You, too?”
“Yes.”
“Wow.”
Eleni chuckled ominously. “It’s your turn to cry now, malaka…”
Simo’s eyes widened. “What, why?”
“Lilly cornered Jessie last night… they had a long talk.”
Simo’s hand came up over his forehead. “Fuck… what the hell about?”
“You.”
“You know I was in a good mood until you dropped this shit…”
“Shh!” Eleni admonished. “Go ask Jessie. See, she’s done talking. Be nice for once, malaka.” Eleni pushed Simo as Ari came up to stand next to her.
Simo grudgingly made his way over to Jessie. She looked absolutely beautiful in her dress, and her hair was all done up high. The graceful, slight curve of her neck…
“Hello, Boss.” Jessie smiled, interrupting his reverie.
“You look… very nice.”
“Thank you, as do you. That tux fits you perfectly.”
“Ah, thanks. Hey…”
Jessie eyed him. “You heard that Lilly spoke with me, nea?”
Simo felt his face get hot. “Ah, yes. And?”
“Just girl talk… mostly.”
“Mostly? Ok, never mind. None of my business, right?”
Jessie paused and faced Simo squarely. “She wants you to be happy.”
“Oh? That it?”
“No…”
A voice from the door called out, “Places, everyone!”
Jessie smiled at Simo. She watched the men begin to approach, brushed off his tux lapels, and looked Simo squarely in the eye. “She told me you love me, big time. And that I’m the only thing in the world that scares you.” She saw Simo’s jaw drop, which was her cue to turn and leave.
Ari patted Simo’s back. “Are you ill? You look as if Jessie just asked you to marry her!” Ari laughed.
Simo turned to Ari. “I’m so screwed.”
“She did?” Ari gasped.
“Not exactly. Here comes Xan. I’ll tell you later.”
Simo was seated near the head of the wedding party’s reception table.
Eric Rose had just offered Xander a hilarious and decently embarrassing toast, leaving everyone laughing, including Xander.
It would be his turn to speak after Theo, who was just standing up.
Simo looked out at the thousand or so guests as Theo talked about friendship.
Simo thought he might make his toast funny, but knew that Eric’s toast would be the comedy routine of the night.
Theo patted Simo on the shoulder, indicating that it was his turn.
He stood up with his ouzo in hand. He held it up to Xander and smiled at him and Halo.
“My name is Simo… for all of you that don’t know me.
When I was little…” Simo smiled as people chuckled all around him.
“Yes, I was little once.” He laughed and waited for everyone to quiet down, then resumed by pointing his ouzo glass at Xander.
“I wanted to be that man’s father all my life.
His father was a real hero of Greece during World War Two and was a man who loved his country with all his heart.
” The room got quiet as Simo nodded to Xander.
“His father was one of the bravest and most selfless soldiers of them all. I could name off all his medals and citations, but it would take too much time. Xan’s father always did what needed to be done, regardless of the personal cost to himself.
I can tell you all here that Xander’s father would be the proudest father ever of his son, and the man he has become.
Xander, you’ve made your family and your father proud.
” Simo paused and held up his glass while people around him were wiping their eyes.
He watched Halo wiping her husband’s tears as Xander held up his glass.
“Stin ygeia mas! Na zisete!” Simo called out.
Everyone took a sip, but Simo remained standing. “Xan… I no longer wish to be like your father.” Everyone went dead silent, and after several tense moments, Simo continued. “I wish I met you sooner, Hero Boy… you are the man I wish I was more like.”
Xander was on his feet, and the two men embraced. Clapping and cheers erupted. When Xander made his way back to his chair, Xander picked up the mic and looked at his friend. “Simo? I think we are both in really, really big trouble… because here, all this time, I wanted to be more like you!”
Jessie watched as Xander swept Halo elegantly across the dance floor in their first dance as a married couple.
Halo was stunningly beautiful. She couldn’t remember seeing someone so happy.
She, too, wished Simo was a little more like Xan…
at least in the emotional department. Soon, Halo’s parents joined them on the dance floor, and a short while later, the dance floor was full.
She purposely ignored Simo, down the table from her.
Instead, she lost herself in her ouzo. She suddenly felt lightheaded and unwell.
She considered stopping her ouzo consumption, but what would be the fun in that?
Looking up, she watched Theo dancing with JJ along with Ari and Annabeth. Even Athena and Christina were out dancing with some rather attractive young men.
Jessie met Simo’s eyes, and they held each other’s gaze for some time.
She could see that Simo had questions or something to say, but as usual, he was keeping his distance.
She thought for sure that what she told him about what Lilly said would pique his curiosity.
Nothing but a stare. She shook her head and downed her ouzo, then ordered another one from the waiter.
Becky sat down next to her and leaned over. “What is going on? You don’t look well.”
“Becky… I—I don’t feel good. Maybe too much ouzo. Can you help me to the ladies' room?”
“Of course.”
Jessie used all her strength to stand, along with Becky’s support, and made it to the lounge area in the women’s room. Jessie plopped down on the pink couch and sighed. “Wow… I feel like shit.”
“Hospital-like shit or ‘I need to throw up’-like shit?”
“I don’t feel nauseous… I think I just need to catch my breath for a minute.”
“I’ll go get some water. You going to be ok? Or do you want help to get to a stall?”
“I’m fine here. Whew.”
“Be right back.”
Jessie leaned back and heard the DJ saying that Halo and Xander are leaving, and to hurry and line up. She wished she could be there but was too lightheaded. “Damned ouzo,” she muttered. Soon, she was alone in the restroom and felt better for it.
Then Becky was back, handing her a glass of water. Jessie downed the water and felt better. “I heard them calling for everyone to say their farewells to Xan and Halo…”
“Want to try and go out there?”
“I hate to be a party pooper, but do you think you can take me home?”
“No problem. Want me to tell Simo?”
“No… so tired of him just staring silently or looking away. Let’s just go.”
Jessie was lying in her bed with a cold washcloth on her head when her phone vibrated. With a groan, she read the text. It was from Simo:
Where are you?
She squinted at the bright screen and typed back:
Home. I got sick. Did not want to ruin things. Sorry.
Are you ok?
I don’t know… I feel weird. Too much ouzo.
Ok. I was looking for you.
I know you want to talk about Lilly. Just forget it… I don’t want to discuss this crap anymore. Bye.
Jessie tossed her phone on the nightstand and tried to get up. Suddenly, she lost her breath and her heart started pounding. She tried to get up. The next thing she knew, she was face-first on the floor and couldn’t breathe.