Chapter 12 Mason
Mason
When I woke up this morning, I was initially pissed when I realized she was no longer in bed with me, but then I remembered what day it is and gave her a pass… this time. Hopefully, there will be a next time because after last night, I can’t imagine my life going on without her in it every day.
“Mason, are you ready?” my sister asks through my door.
“Yeah.” I straighten my tie in the mirror as she walks into the room.
“You look really good all cleaned up.” She dusts off my jacket.
“You look beautiful, Emily. Blue is your color.” She’s wearing a sparkly blue blouse with black slacks. “Very elegant.”
“Thank you.” She smiles and curtsies. “Sydney’s almost ready for you.”
I nod, “Okay, then. Let’s get these two happy kids married.” I wave my hand towards the door so Emily will lead the way, but she doesn’t move.
“Are you happy? Are you and Sydney together again? Finally?” she asks with concern in her voice.
“Am I happy? Yes, I am, Emily. Are we together again? I don’t know. It’s been barely twelve hours and she’s been really busy today. I’ve tried to stay out of her way so she can work. We really haven’t talked.”
“Well, you know she’s supposed to go home tomorrow, back to Hibiscus Harbor, right? Would you go back with her? What about this place?”
“Em, I don’t know… about any of it. Right now, I’m more worried about getting Sarah and Kris married.
I’ll worry about everything else later.” I pull my little sister in for a hug.
“Last night was special and I hope that Sydney and I can work through everything, but if not… well, then, I’ll figure it out then. Okay?”
She nods, “I just worry about you because I love you, ya know?”
I chuckle, “I know, just like I worry about you. And I love you, too.” I let her go, “Now, let’s go marry these two kids off, okay?”
She smiles, “Okay."
Everyone is seated and I’m standing in front, dead center of the makeshift aisle exactly where Sydney told me to stand. I haven’t moved an inch. Kris and his groomsmen are standing to my left and Kris isn’t looking so good.
“You’re going to do great, Kris.” I whisper to him.
He looks up at me, “You really think so?”
Nodding, “I do. From what I’ve seen this week, you both love each other and that’s all that matters in the end.”
He wipes a bit of sweat from his brow, “Then why am I so nervous? I feel like I’m going to throw up.”
I snicker, “Because it’s finally happening after all the planning and talking about it. The rest of your life is about to begin. Trust me, when you see her for the first time today, that will all go away.”
He nods, “Thanks. I needed to hear that.”
“Is she your everything?” I ask.
He pauses and then looks up at me. “I can’t live without her. She’s my sun, my moon, and my stars. I’m not me without her.”
I rest my hand on his shoulder. “Then this is just a formality.”
Kris takes a deep breath and nods. “You’re right. Why am I nervous? She’s here and we’re just making it official.”
“Exactly. And then we have a party and send you both off to start the rest of your life. Today’s going to be great.”
He squares his shoulders, spreads his feet apart a bit, and clasps his hand in front of him. “I’m ready.”
I catch a glimpse of Sydney as she peeks from behind the doors at the end of the aisle. She nods to me letting me know we’re ready to begin. “Good, because here we go.” The music starts as the doors open letting one bridesmaid at a time walk down the aisle towards me.
When the music changes to ‘Here Comes The Bride’, everyone stands as a beautiful young woman walks down the aisle on her father’s arm. Her smile beams as soon as she sees her groom. I can hear an audible sigh from Kris. He’s relieved as well.
They’re about to start their life together and suddenly I realize I’ve only been waiting for my life to begin…
like I’ve been on pause since the day I left for boot camp.
What the hell am I waiting for? My sun, moon, and stars is standing in the back of the room making sure everything is perfect for these two kids.
And she’s scheduled to leave me again tomorrow.