Chapter 29Jack
Chapter 29
Jack
One year later
“You ready for this, Jackie Boy?” Brett asks as he fusses with the corsage poking out of my breast pocket. “You got your vows written out, right? You’re gonna be a mess up there, just warning you. I thought I had mine memorized but couldn’t remember a word when the time came.”
“I’m ready. Been ready for a year. And yeah, vows are here.” I pat my pocket and feel the folded paper beside the corsage stem. “You’re more nervous than I am,” I tease him.
We’re on a stretch of wooden walkway between the Hanu Resort’s pool area and the beach. The patio table next to us is full of wedding day stuff, namely, my Corona beer with lime, my sunglasses, and a box of nice cigars I’m saving to break out with my brother and dad near the end of the reception. I have one for Hazel’s dad, too, if he wants one.
Her dad, Alan, is a cool guy. He’s reserved and very book-smart, like his daughter. He likes fishing, which has been our saving grace. The last time Alan and Sondra came out to Moab, where Hazel and I spent six months last year, I got them both out on Brett’s boat.
Sondra had to hold on to her hat when I picked up speed. I heard her laugh over the engine's rumble and waves slapping the metal sides.
Hazel just loved that… seeing her mom so happy.
Next time around, we’ll try to get them to extend their two-week trip to a month.
Brett chuckles. “I don’t know. It’s just all the pomp and circumstance… It's a lot. I get stressed.”
“Yeah, but, dude, you have it easy. You’re not the one in long pants on a seventy-five-degree day.” I gesture down at his shorts. “Wish I was in cargos.”
“Ha. You remember my wedding day? It was eighty, and I wore a full suit.”
“You were sweating in your photos.”
“I didn’t have the luxury of wearing a Hawaiian shirt.”
I look down at my wedding day attire. My brother’s right. I am lucky to get to wear an outfit like this.
I even got out of wearing a tie. I have never liked ties.
“Hey, when in Hawaii…” I say, plucking the fabric.
He claps my shoulder. “Leave it to you to have the coolest wedding ever. And knowing you, most of it’s paid for.”
“No influencer stuff today,” I say.
“No?”
“Nope.” I shake my head. “Hazel and I want this to be about the moment.”
“Okay, but when we all return next year, let’s go for fifty percent off. We need to take advantage of your new fame and glory.”
I recently picked up a few new sponsors because of my riding. This time around, I’m not doing stunts. Trail rides are where it’s at for me. The East Coast has a great single track through the woods. A few videos of mine have picked up momentum online, and I’ve been getting a ton of gear and swag in the mail.
I even had a few race organizers reach out to see if I might get into the pro circuit. I haven’t answered.
Before I make any decisions, I want to see how this first year of marriage goes.
We’re going to try to start a family. Hazel loves her job, but it can be demanding at certain times of the year. We’ve decided that if we’re blessed with a little one, I will give the whole Stay-at-Home-Dad thing a go so she can focus on work, at least for a few years.
I’m more excited about seeing my son or daughter's first steps than about getting on the podium in any dirt bike race or about gaining more sponsors or fans.
“Deal,” I tell Brett.
“An annual Honolulu trip,” he says with a nod. “I like it. Sixty percent off.”
“Sixty now?”
“Or seventy-five. Whatever you can get, man. And you and Hazel can babysit a little, too, if you’re lucky.”
“Ho, ho! If we’re lucky. You better watch out, slinging these uncle duties around. You might be an uncle soon, and then I’ll stick you on babysitting.”
“Hey, soon enough, Jasmine could probably do it. I can’t believe she’s in middle school…”
“Time flies.”
The last year has flown by. After the sea turtle ceremony, Hazel and I extended that trip to Hawaii. I will always look back on those two weeks as some of the best days of my life.
We did the long-distance thing for four months after that. I surprised her in Windsor so often that she started expecting my twice-a-month trips. I bought the ring after only a few weeks but held off on giving it to her for a while.
She’s the slow and steady type. I rush. Maybe that’s what makes us such a good pair; we balance each other out.
I tried to hold off longer, but then, one day at the airport, I couldn’t wait any longer. My flight number had just been called, and people were starting to board. I dropped to one knee right there in the boarding area, and everyone started to clap and cheer when she said yes.
The flight had an extra seat, and the airline let Hazel on board. On the way to Utah, we watched the cheesiest rom com, ate popcorn, and sipped cranberry juice. She ended up staying at my place for two months after that.
Living with Hazel was a dream for those couple of months. We had so much fun.
I even got her on the back of my dirt bike for one tiny lap around the block. She squealed the whole time and afterward said it was the biggest rush, even though I don’t think I broke the ten-mile-an-hour mark.
She likes Moab so much that we’ve decided to split our time. It works great because when the heat in Moab climbs up toward the hundreds, we’ll be comfy and cozy at our new place in Windsor, New Hampshire, only fifteen minutes from her folks.
Out near the water, I can see Akoni getting ready near our wedding arch. He’s dressed up more than me in his white linen shirt and dark slacks. When Hazel and I found out he performs wedding ceremonies, we booked him immediately.
Brett follows my gaze. “They’re getting everyone gathered up. Must be time to start the show.”
“Let’s head,” I tell him.
“Hang on.” He squares my shoulders, then brushes invisible traces off my collar.
I grin. “You’re fussing.”
“Sorry. Okay. Looking good. I’m happy for you, brother. Really happy for you.”
I have to swallow down the massive knot in my throat to get some words out. “You’ve always been my best friend. I’ve looked up to you my whole life. Thanks for always steering me right. You told me, right from the start, to get to know her.”
“I know you, Jackie. I could see how you felt about her?—”
“Before I did.” It’s wild to think back. Behind us, that same white awning we sat underneath is once again flapping in the breeze. The slap-slap of the fabric sounds like a drumbeat. Out on the beach, the waves add to the rhythm as they crash onto the shore.
“This is a special day,” Brett says, really choking up now, “and I’m just honored to be part of it.”
He pulls me in for a hug.
I hug him back for a good, solid minute.
He grabs his phone off the table and slips it into his pocket when we part. I take one sip of my nearly full beer but leave the rest on the table. We head for the beach, me squinting into the sunlight.
The guests are standing in front of the arch. It fills my heart to see everyone there together. This is the same sand that Hazel and I stood on when we sent Chester out into the waves.
Chester, the Sea Turtle, wears a tracking device, and Hazel and I love to check the website that publishes his routes. The device sends a signal to a satellite whenever he comes up for air. He’s been traveling all over the place, out in the ocean. As far as we know, he’ll show up on this beach again one day. We’ve already decided that when we see evidence he’s here, we’ll book the first tickets we can get.
Maybe by then, we’ll have a daughter or son to introduce to our turtle friend.
Who knows?
I smile when I see Ophelia in her flower girl sundress. She gives me a big wave but doesn’t run over because Jasmine is holding her hand, pinning her to the position they’re supposed to be in when the ceremony starts.
Corinne crouches and whispers something to her daughters. Then, she waves at Brett and me and flashes a thumbs-up.
She hugs her girls, then backs up to join the other bridesmaids lining up behind the crowd.
I spot Alexis, Hazel’s best friend from Windsor. Then I see Hazel’s two sisters, Julia and Rosie.
Julia’s two sons will bring our rings to us when Akoni beckons them—at least, that’s the plan. I’ve spent some time with the two little guys, and I’m not sure they won’t run after seagulls at the last minute. If they do, someone will jump in for the chase and get the rings to us; I have faith in that.
Julia and Rosie both look happy. Hazel’s been spending lots of time on Skype with them lately to get this trip and wedding planned. I think it’s been good for all of them, even though virtual isn’t always ideal.
All the women are in floaty blue dresses that get tugged around by the breeze of the sea. Everyone's beaming.
Walking becomes a little more complicated when we hit the deep, loose sand. I kick off my sandals to feel the warmth.
That makes Brett laugh. He stoops to pick them up. “I’m the best man. I can’t let you walk down the aisle like some shoeless hobo.”
My gaze sweeps past the gathered bridesmaids to Hazel’s parents. And then I see her. My partner. Soon—within the hour—my wife.
Hazel is wrapped in a warm hug around her mother. Even though her back is to me, her relaxed posture tells me how happy she is. Her mom is smiling, too. They’ve been getting along really well lately, which I’m happy about.
“Hazel’s barefoot, too,” I tell my brother.
“She is? Oh—well then.” He drops my shoes. “Good.” He chuckles as he kicks off his sandals.
We dig our feet in and make it across the last stretch. My dad’s hug is as tight and close as my brother’s was. He congratulates me, and my mother kisses my cheek.
It feels like I’m dreaming when the ceremony starts. I walk down the aisle in a total daze. I slip my hands through Hazel’s and listen to Akoni’s gentle, soothing words.
Brett was right when he predicted that I’d be a mess. I’m grateful for the written-out vows. I’m glad when that part’s done. I can barely focus on Akoni’s words but catch the last part: “And now, my friend, you may kiss your bride.”
Kissing Hazel has never felt this good. With the ocean behind us and family and friends out in front, I savor the feel of her lips on mine. I can’t help but put my hands on her waist, lift her, and swing her around.
She smiles down at me, backed by the blue sky. “You better not carry me into the ocean,” she warns playfully.
“That can wait ‘til later.”
She laughs. “At least wait until I have a suit on, okay?”
“Maybe.”
“Jack Morgan, you are ridiculous,” she says with a playful smile.
“Ridiculous and handsome, I’ve heard.”
She touches her fingertip to my nose that way she does. “I can’t believe this is really happening. I’m not dreaming, am I?”
“This is real, baby.”
“I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“It’s going to be an adventure,” I say with a smile. Then, because I can’t help it, I kiss her again.
****THE END***