20. Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Jenna
I stood and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I couldn’t believe that this day was actually happening.
“You look beautiful,” my mom said, coming and standing next to me, adjusting my veil.
“Thank you,” I said.
“You do look really pretty, Mom,” Tyler said.
“Thank you Bubba,” I answered. “And you look so handsome.”
Tyler was going to be walking me down the aisle, and then taking his place next to Ryan. He had a dual role at the wedding, acting as both the son of the bride, and the junior best man. He had taken everything so seriously, and I was proud of him.
“I can’t believe you were able to plan this entire wedding in three months,” Shanna said.
She and the other bridesmaids were nervously waiting for the wedding to start. The photographer had already taken pictures of all the girls, and now we had nothing left to do but wait.
“I know,” I said, laughing. “But really, it was either do plan the wedding in three months, or wait for another year. We both know that once baseball season starts nothing else really gets done.”
Shanna laughed. “Absolutely!”
“And we didn’t want to wait another year,” I said.
“It’s the perfect time for a wedding,” Shanna said. “And then you get to go to Hawaii for your honeymoon, and that’s always amazing.”
“I know,” I said. “I am so excited. I have never been there!”
“You’re going to love it,” Shanna said. She leaned towards me and lowered her voice so that no one else could hear what she said next. “I know you aren’t marrying Ryan for his money, but it’s really worked out that he’s so wealthy.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
I knew she was right. I wasn’t marrying him for his money, but it really was helpful. We were able to get everything taken care of at the last minute without having to worry about going over budget. My parents had offered to help pay for the wedding, but Ryan said that he wanted to take care of everything. Instead, my parents were going to use the money that they would have spent on the wedding and were going to be taking Tyler to Disney World for the week that Ryan and I were going to be on our honeymoon. We had timed our wedding so that it would take place right before the week-long break that Tyler had from school.
“You’re going to be staying on Waikiki Beach, right?”asked Molly, my maid of honor and best friend since childhood.
“Yes,” I said excitedly. “I guess a few years ago Ryan helped the owner find and buy the property. We actually are getting to stay there for free, and the owner has arranged for us to have private surf lessons one of the days.”
“That is so great,” Molly said. “I am so happy for you. I know I keep telling you this, but I am truly just so happy for you. You deserve it. More than anybody I know, you deserve all of these wonderful things!”
“Thank you,” I said, blinking back tears and hugging her.
Just then the wedding coordinator burst into the room.
“Are you ready?” she asked. “It’s showtime! All of those baseball players have done a great job getting everyone to their seats, and we’re ready to get this party started.”
I smiled and looked down at Tyler. “You’ll have to tell your friends thank you for me, in case I don’t get to talk to all of them.”
Tyler nodded solemnly.
“I will,” he said. “I will make sure that they know they did a good job.”
When Ryan and I were planning the wedding he had asked if it would be all right if he involved some of his baseball players and some of the boys from Tyler‘s team as ushers. He said that aside from meeting me, getting back around baseball had been the best thing for him. He then said that I was responsible for him getting back around baseball, and he wanted to make sure we acknowledged that at our wedding.
I immediately agreed and thought it was a wonderful idea. The boys had all gone out and gotten new suits for the occasion, and they had even practiced how to escort people down the aisle.
“We’re ready,” I said to the coordinator. “Let’s do this!”
My parents came and hugged me one last time before my dad would walk my mom down the aisle to officially start the ceremony.
“I’m so happy for you, Sweetie,” my mom said. “This is the absolute right thing, and I think we all know it.”
I nodded. “I know. It’s amazing.”
“I am so proud of you for having the courage to trust him, and to allow all of this to happen for you,” she whispered.
“Thank you, Mom,” I said. “Thank you for everything. Thank you for all of your support, and just for everything.”
I turned to my dad, and didn’t even try to stop the tears.
“Thank you too, Dad. For everything. Thank you both for everything that you have done for me to make this day possible. For all of these years and everything you have done to help get me to this point. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.”
My dad kissed me on my cheek.
“I love you,” he said. “And I am so proud of who you are. I couldn’t be more thrilled for this day.”
We all rushed out of the room, and before I knew it, it was just Tyler and I standing at the back of the church, waiting for our turn to walk down the aisle.
“Well, Bubba,” I said. “Are we ready for this?”
“Of course we are ready for this,” he said.
“I agree. It’s time.”
The doors opened and I saw all of my friends and family standing up, looking at me. I smiled at as many people as I could see, and peaked my head around the crowd, trying to see Ryan.
Our eyes met, and it was electric. He had never looked more handsome, or happy.
The ceremony was beautiful, and everything went perfectly.
My favorite moment was after Ryan and I exchanged rings. I hadn’t realized what Ryan had planned on doing, and apparently the only other person who knew about it was the minister and Kevin, but it was absolutely perfect.
The minister had said, “And now Ryan has one more gift he would like to present. Tyler, would you step forward, please?”
I had immediately started crying, so touched that Ryan would include Tyler in this way. We had already planned on having him join us and to acknowledge that we were becoming a family of three, but this was something special that Ryan had thought of on his own.
Once Tyler stepped forward, Ryan had turned to Kevin, who handed him a watch from his pocket.
“Tyler,” Ryan said. “I want to give you this watch as a symbol of my love for you and your mom. I want you to always know that I will do everything I can to take care of her, and to take care of you. I will watch out for you both, and strive to always give you my best. I am truly honored that you have both allowed me into your family, and both of you have made my life better.”
I knew that Tyler would never forget that moment, and neither would I. Ryan helped Tyler put the watch on his wrist, and then hugged him.
After that Ryan and I kissed, and then we were introduced to everyone as husband and wife, and then the three of us were introduced as a family.
We walked down the aisle together, with Tyler on one side of me and Ryan on the other. Everyone was cheering loudly, and I could not have been happier.
***
“Here, drink some water and eat this cheese,” Molly said.
We had just finished greeting everyone who had come to the wedding, and we were all getting ready to head to the reception.
“Thank you,” I said, not bothering to ask her why I needed to. I figured she knew what she was talking about.
“You’re welcome,” she answered. “It’s probably going to be another two hours or so before you actually get to sit down and eat a proper meal. After all of the emotion and excitement of today, you have to eat something! The last thing we need is you passing out.”
I laughed. “I agree!”
Molly then gave Ryan some cheese and water, and I giggled as he also followed her instructions without asking any questions.
She walked away and Ryan turned towards me.
“How are you?” he said, softly. “Other than stunningly beautiful, of course.”
“I’m wonderful,” I said. “Today has been perfect.”
“Good,” he said. “I agree.”
He gave me a quick kiss, and then we all rushed out of the church, into the waiting limousine, and headed to the reception venue.
On the way there we went over all of the instructions the wedding planner had given us for how the evening would go. We knew that it was going to be a hectic and exciting night, and that we were going to have a lot of fun.
Once we arrived at the venue and everyone started climbing out of the limo, Ryan asked if he could have a moment with just Tyler and me.
The driver shut the door, and Ryan exhaled.
“Wow,” he said. “This is the most quiet I’ve had since I woke up this morning. What about you guys?”
I nodded. “Yes,” I said. “It’s been one thing after another.”
Tyler also nodded. “There is so much going on!”
“I know!” Ryan said. “I just wanted us to have a minute of peace before we go out there. I have a feeling once it starts, it’s just going to be a blur of activity until it’s over.”
I knew Ryan was right, and I was thankful to have this time together, no matter how fleeting it might be.
We looked out the window and saw the wedding planner getting everyone lined up. The wedding party was going to be introduced, and then Ryan and I would make our grand entrance and have our first dance.
Ryan took a deep breath. “It looks like it’s time. So, Tyler, I hope you have so much fun tonight. And I hope you know that your mom and I love you very much.”
“I know that,” Tyler said. “And I love you, too.”
Ryan looked at me. “And, you, dearest Jenna, my darling wife. You make everything better.”
My heart was so full I couldn’t speak.