Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
KEATON
T he weekend goes by fast.
Sunday afternoon, Savannah and I are in my room, getting ready for the vow renewal.
“Thank you for bringing me,” she says as I apply her makeup.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. Do you mind if I ask what you do when you’re with Lex? It sounds like he’s always working.”
“Most of the time, I’m helping his family. His mother got sick when he was in his senior year. She’s in remission. Everyone pitches in when it’s necessary.”
This explains why she can’t keep a job. She’s somewhere else, helping her boyfriend. Does she get paid? I don’t want to ask because she’ll get defensive right away. Though, I want to know more about him. “Where did you meet him?”
“The therapy group.”
I look at her. The one time I suggested she go back to it, she stormed out of the house, and I didn’t see her for almost twelve hours. Would it kill her to keep me in the loop?
“You never told me you’d been going.”
She shrugs. “It helped me when Dad died, and now…she’s going to die too, you know?”
It must be horrible to see your parents die at such a young age. I wish I could protect her from life, but it’s impossible. More so when she doesn’t let me. “Sorry.”
“Are you going to leave for Arizona after she dies?”
If all goes well, I’ll probably leave with her, and she’ll last longer. Is this a good time to entice her to come with me? I don’t know, but I try.
“I was thinking we all can go there. She might last a few more years. The new doctors said?—”
“Please don’t say that, okay. I already went through that crap with Dad. I just want to know what you plan on doing.”
“Arizona is a good option.”
“Will you visit me?”
“I’d love it if you could come with me.”
“San Francisco is my home. My friends and everything I know is here. I can’t uproot because you decided this place isn’t for you. What’s going to happen with Aslan? Things between you are serious. I mean, we’re crashing his family reunion.”
There’s nothing serious about us. It’s just fantastic sex and a great friendship. He’s staying, I’m leaving, and that’s the end of it. Will I miss him? For many years to come, but I’ll survive. I just need to remind myself that Aslan Spearman doesn’t commit.
“We’ll try to make things work,” I lie one more time.
She nods. “I hope Arizona is everything you want in your life.”
The tone, how she says it so bitterly, it cuts deep. I don’t say anything and continue working on her makeup.
At four, we’re all gathered in the main garden.
There are easily two hundred people watching Jackson being walked by his twin daughters, Caroline and Marianne, to the gazebo at the end of the aisle.
Their youngest daughter, Willoughby, is behind them, tossing petals as she walks.
Once she’s done, it’s time for Emmeline to walk with their two sons, Tudor and Wessel.
I love how they chose their names based on Jane Austen and Scott Fitzgerald’s characters.
It’s a lot like Aslan’s parents, naming all their children after their favorite authors or fictional characters.
“Your cousin has a beautiful family,” I whisper to Aslan.
He nods.
His cousin Jason, Jackson’s brother, is officiating the ceremony.
“Em and Jack, you’ve shared the joys, blessings, and yes, the challenges of married life for eight years.
Today you want to reconfirm your commitment to working together and ensuring your marriage blossoms for years to come.
May this renewing of the vows you took to become husband and wife remind you that despite the stresses inevitable in every life, your love, respect, trust, and understanding of each other will continue to increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.
“Now it’s your turn to exchange vows.”
“Emmeline, my life has changed since your first email. You’re the only person who can drive me crazy yet calm me.
I still don’t know how you manage to do both simultaneously, but I love you so much for that.
You’ve given me years of joy, and I hope that we can spend a hundred more together.
Thank you for being my best friend, giving me five exceptional children, and never giving up on me.
“I see these vows not as promises, but as privileges. I get to laugh with you and cry with you. I’m honored to care for you when you’re sick or just want to be in a quiet place by yourself.
It’s an honor and a privilege to love you every single day, and I hope you allow me to continue to be with you for years to come. I love you, Em.”
Emmeline is clearing the tears rolling down her cheeks with a handkerchief her husband hands her. This is so sweet and romantic. I want what they have. This family is so full of love.
“I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get through this,” Emmeline sniffs. “Jack, I love you more than words can say. I’m so thankful that you came into my life. I never thought that first email would be the beginning of an extraordinary life.
“My love for you is limitless. I know you can feel it every day. And the best thing about it is that I feel all your love in return, each and every day. Nine years ago, we started our forever story…thank you for choosing me to write it with.”
As I watch them exchange their vows, hugging their children and promising more years together, I start tearing up, like many of the guests. Aslan hands me a handkerchief.
“Where did you get this?”
“It was in the envelope. It said to bring them with me for the ceremony.” He kisses my nose. “You okay?”
“This is adorable. I don’t think I’ve ever had a relationship that long with anyone—ever.”
He puts his arm around me but doesn’t say a word. I wish he could tell me that it might happen to me, that maybe someday someone will come and be my soulmate. There has to be someone out there for me, right?
As the ceremony ends and everyone begins to leave behind the happy family, Dawn Spearman approaches us. “You should talk to your cousin and see if you can book your wedding here.”
“Mom, don’t start,” Fern says. Cory and Huxley walk away with her.
Lysander glances at me. “Next stop, the grandchildren.”
My stomach drops, I don’t have the heart to tell her that this isn’t real, but I can’t deal with the hints she’s been dropping about our future. Four more days, and it’s over.
But do I want this to end?