Wedding Chapter Continued
Addison
Wes pulling off a surprise I half-joked about might be the highlight of this entire day–after getting married to him, of course.
Kayce’s voice carries through the barn, warm and familiar with our song. It’s perfect–I couldn’t have imagined it any better. It’s one of those dreams I never thought would actually happen,, and I can hardly comprehend it.
I lean closer, my lips brushing against Wesley’s ear. I whisper, “This couldn’t be more perfect.”
His arms tighten around me, and he whispers back, “You couldn’t be more perfect.”
I smile, and he continues, “When I saw you coming down that aisle, you took my breath away.”
My cheeks burn, but Wesley chuckles under his breath, smiling as he kisses my forehead just as Kayce strums the last chord.
The barn erupts in cheers, Kayce tipping his head toward us with a grin before he steps back from the mic. My chest swells. It’s one thing to have a first dance, but having it sung live by him makes it unforgettable.
The DJ’s voice returns, cheerful and teasing. “Alright, folks, let’s keep the love going. Addison, you’ve got another dance partner waiting for you. Where’s that father of the bride?”
My stomach knots. I’ve been dreading the emotional weight of this one. I’m a daddy’s girl, and this is going to wreck both of us.
Wes gives my hand one last squeeze, knowing how worked up it’s making me. My dad’s already making his way toward me, his eyes glistening as he holds out his hand. I laugh softly through the lump in my throat and step toward him.
I Loved Her First by Heartland starts to play the second he wraps me in his arms. The violin in the intro already pulls at my heart.
“Don’t you start,” Dad says, which I wish didn’t make it worse. I wipe the corner of my eye, but it does nothing. It just gives room for more tears to pull. I glance at him, a tear already running down his cheek.
“You’re one to talk,” I say through another sniffle.
We both stand here, swaying back and forth, my forehead against his shoulder, tears inevitably falling. His head rests against mine, his chest trembling, not letting me go as if he never wants to.
I sneak a glance at the bridal party table over his shoulder, hoping it will distract me from crying any harder. It doesn’t help. All three of my brothers are sitting there bawling. Full-grown men. Crying like babies. I choke back a laugh.
“Dad,” I whisper, nudging him.
He turns to look, and the second his eyes land on them, he loses it too. Now we’re both laughing and crying at the same time,tears streaming, shoulders shaking–the whole mess. The guests do the same once they catch on to what’s happening.
Dad hugs me a little tighter, still chuckling through the tears. “They love you more than you’ll ever know.”
And just like that, the laughter doesn’t stand a chance. I’m crying harder. Thanks a lot, Dad.
The music fades, and Dad presses a kiss to the top of my head. I swipe at my face just before he steps back. He chuckles and wipes a tear from his cheek. “Alright, I think it’s their turn,” he says, nodding his head toward the bridal party table.
“Wait—what?” I laugh, the song changes into I Hope You Dance by Leanne Womack, one of my favorite songs. My heart tugs even more as I see Jesse already on his feet, buttoning his jacket. He walks toward me. His eyes are wet, but he smiles as he steps in to take Dad’s place.
“You didn’t think we were gonna let him have you all to himself, did you?” he asks, hands wrapping around me. We start moving side to side. I’m so choked up that I can’t even answer him.
He leans down, voice low. “You know, I love you so much, but I’m kinda mad at you for growing up so fast.”
Even though he’s trying to make a joke it doesn’t help either of us hold back emotion.
I press my forehead against his chest. He holds me tighter and just as the chorus hits, he shifts me gently.
Then suddenly Cody’s there. Jesse walks off, wiping his eyes, and now Cody’s got me–one hand on my back, his other hand in mine, his face flushed.
I couldn’t tell you the last time I saw him shed a tear. He is not a crier.
He steadies himself, finding the rhythm in our feet so we’re on beat. He squeezes my hand and looks at me. “As much as you and I can go at it, I hope you know it’s because I love you and am so damn proud of you.”
My heart twists and I nod. “Thanks, Cody,” I whisper.
He hugs me.
Mason steps in a few moments later, calm and quiet as always.Cody pats him on the shoulder and disappears back to the table.
Mason doesn’t say anything right away. He just smiles and pulls me in close, swaying me to the beat of the song.
“You doing okay?” he asks softly.
I nod. “Yeah. I wasn’t expecting this, though.”
“We didn’t want you to get anxious. You were already dreading the dance with Dad,” he says with a laugh, and I smile.“Wesley’s a lucky guy, and he knows it, too,” he says. “You’re gonna be a great wife and a great mom one day, Addie.”
My bottom lip quivers, so I lay my head against his chest, trying to collect myself, He hugs me tighter, his hands firm.
When the last chord fades, the whole barn starts clapping and whistling.
Jesse and Cody come back and circle around us.
All three of them pull me into a tangled, ridiculous group hug in the middle of the dance floor.
We’re all laughing, crying and bumping shoulders. It’san absolute mess, but it’s us.
The DJ’s voice cuts in, light and teasing. “Alright, if we’ve got any tissues left in the building, you’re gonna need ‘em because it’s time for the mother–son dance.”
The crowd cheers again, and I slip back toward the bridal table.
Ella rubs my arm. She doesn’t look much better.
None of them do. I reach for my drink and watch Wesley meet his mom in the center of the floor.
She’s smiling and fighting tears as she looks up at her son, who’s a foot taller than she is.
. Wesley doesn’t look too choked up yet.
It’s sweet, but I’m counting down the minutes until the DJ switches to something upbeat.
I’m more than ready to get it together and stop crying.
Wesley smirks at me on his way back to our table. Seeing the tissue at the corner of my eye, he leans in and kisses my head.
The second the beat picks up and everyone floods the dance floor, I feel better—lighter, almost—but the pressure in my bladder refuses to be ignored. I tug Ella’s arm. “I need you.”
Her eyes widen. “Bathroom?”
“Bathroom,” I confirm.
She hops up immediately, switching into maid of honor mode. She tells Jesse where she’s headed and loops her arm through mine like we’re sneaking out.
We traipse into the bathroom just inside Wesley’s house, and Ella finds a washcloth and cue tips to clean me up. She’s got tear streaks down her face, even worse than mine.
“Gosh, Addie, I didn’t even cry that hard at my own wedding,” she jokes.
I laugh and let her clean under my eyes. “You were kinda tipsy, so maybe you just don’t remember.”
“I did have a little too much wine,” she laughs. “Jesse carried me home. It was romantic… and we still had sex,” she shrugs.
“Ella!”
She laughs harder. “What?! I’m just saying.”
“Well, I don’t need details.”
“I’m not giving details. But if you want more details—like question-wise for you and Wes–you know you can ask me.”
“Yeah, I know.”
She’s probably the one I’d go to if I ever had questions because I’m definitely not asking Mom. That’s just… weird. I’m still convinced my parents don’t even do that. I mean, yeah, there are four of us, but I’m choosing denial. Happily. Permanently.
Ella gathers all of my dress and lifts it up for me to sit. I’ve never peed in the same room as someone before.
“I’m not really thinking about tonight honestly,” I say in the silence. “I don’t think it’ll register until we get home, and I’m trying to get out of my dress.”
“Oh, he’s going to have a heck of a time undoing all those buttons,” she laughs, and I giggle as I stand up. She lays the dress back over me and helps me step to the sink. “It’s going to be great, though. Not perfect, but you’ll get there. That’s kinda the fun part.”
I turn the faucet on and look at her in the mirror. “How long did it take you guys until it was like… I don’t know… perfect?”
Ella’s face flushes and her gaze drops. Her hands adjust the hold on my dress.
“Um…” she hums, avoiding eye contact. “I don’t know. Maybe a month?”
“A month!?”
“I don’t remember, Addie. Jesse and I were…” she trails off.
“Were what?” My gut twists.
“Young.”
My stomach drops. “What?”
She sighs, finally looking at me. “We didn’t wait. It wasn’t technically either of our first times, so I don’t remember.”
I blink at her, stunned. “What do you mean? Jesse has been the strictest one when it comes to that stuff with me.”
“Yeah,” she says quietly, “because he doesn’t want anyone making the same mistake.”
I’m at a loss for words. Completely blindsided.
Ella’s eyes soften, her voice steady. “You’re doing the right thing. We wish we would’ve waited, and I guess we kinda did. We re-waited after we slipped up, if that counts. I don’t know. He’s harder on you because he loves you, not because he wants to be a hypocrite.”
I swallow, my chest tight as I try to process it all. A part of me still feels betrayed, but another part hears what she’s saying—Jesse’s strictness wasn’t about rules, it’s about regret.
Ella gives my hand a squeeze. “Don’t let it shake you, Addie. Tonight’s about you and Wes. You guys are going into it the way it was meant to be. And that’s so special.”
Her words settle, easing the twist in my stomach just a little.
“Well,” I mutter, giving her a sideways look, “it better be… seeing as some people couldn’t even wait.”
“Ha!” she laughs. “And you’ll see why by sunrise.” She winks.
I gasp, shoving her arm while she bursts out laughing. “Ella!”
She grins wider, completely unbothered. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”