Chapter 8. The Big Day
6 months later
The long-awaited moment has finally come. This is it. I’m going to marry Nine, officially. We’ve had these fake identities, living in a fake documented marriage, bouncing back and forth between multiple versions of us for so long, that even we got lost in the process. It’s time to make it a reality. To the public, we’re just renewing vows, but for us, this is it. It’s thee big day.
“Are you nervous?” the coordinator asks, smiling.
“A little,” I say, as I fiddle with my black tie. “Does this look straight? It feels off-centered.”
“It’s perfect. You look great.”
“Thank you,” I shoot back, still fiddling with it.
She points to her watch. “I don’t want to rush you, dear, but it’s time.”
I inhale deeply and then exhale.
“Okay. You sure that I look fine? My suit? My hair?”
She’s a short older woman wearing bright red lipstick and gold high heels. She almost gives off a grandmother vibe. She comes over and hugs me. She smells of Chanel perfume and hairspray. In her embrace, I feel at home.
“You look wonderful. Now go out there and get your bride,” she says, smiling.
I thank her and march out of the room. I steady my nerves as I walk down the hall to the two women waiting.
“Ready?”
I nod as they open the two giant doors. Everyone turns in their seats and looks at me. I walk down the aisle to the officiant. He smiles and then shakes my hand. My heart starts to pace in anticipation. I can’t wait to see her and make her officially mine.
As I wait, I look at our guests. It only took two private investigators, ten calls, six messages, and two emails, but my sister and her family made it down. I smile and wave at her and her husband. She tears up and waves back. A few local friends, close clients and allies, including Doc and his wife came. I nod at them. Doc gives me a thumbs up and winks.
Mya and Francisco start the ceremony off. They walk down the aisle toward me. Her in her little white dress and him in his little mini-Trig black suit. Mya is crying while angrily throwing petals in every direction causing laughter to erupt from the guests. She clearly needs a power nap. She grabs onto my leg and settles down once she reaches me. I hug them both and point toward the two chairs in the front row for them to sit in. My heart begins to pound against my chest as the music starts. The guests begin to rise out of their chairs for her and we all wait for that first look. I can’t take my eyes off those double wooden doors. I’m starting to sweat, and it feels like I’m going to pass out. The doors slowly open, and then, out walks the most beautiful woman in the world. The little air I do have is stolen and she can fucking have it.
She doesn’t have a father to walk her down the aisle and we discussed it prior to today. She insisted that she would be fine coming down by herself. At the time, I agreed, but looking at her now, I change my mind. She goes to take another step.
“Wait! Wait! Wait!” I say loudly, while trotting down to her.
“What are you doing?” she whispers, smiling while looking around confused.
“I’m walking you down. I refuse to let you start our new life alone. Now grab my arm, walk side by side together, and let’s get married.”
She tears up, grabs my arm and clutches me tightly as we finish the wedding march. Both of us are a pile of nerves as we reach the altar. The officiant takes a step forward and begins speaking.
“Friends and family of the bride and groom, welcome, and thank you for being here on this important day. We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love between Angelina and Mike, by joining them in marriage.”
I take a deep breath in and stare into her eyes and then down to her lips. She’s just so fucking pretty today I can’t even concentrate on anything the officiant is saying. He continues as I take in her beauty. Her ivory short-sleeve, off-the-shoulder dress is molded to her body and every curve is curving. The wedding coordinator tip-toes up and adjusts the train of Nine’s dress, which snaps me back into reality.
“Marriage will allow you a new environment to share your lives, standing together to face life and the world, hand-in-hand. Marriage is going to expand you as individuals, define you as a couple, and deepen your love for one another. To be successful, you will need strength, courage, patience, and a really good sense of humor. So, let your marriage be a time of waking each morning and falling in love with each other all over again.”
She grins as she squeezes my hand. The officiant continues on for a bit and then it finally gets to the part where we say our vows. I take a deep breath and then I begin.
“I didn’t think life was worth living until I met you. I hadn’t felt that fire in my soul in quite a while. You gave me purpose and light during a time when there was none and I never want to feel alone in that darkness again. And because of that, I, Mike Krackle, promise to love and protect you, always and forever, through sickness and health, for better or for worse, until death do us part. And even then…in death I will find you, because what we have is eternal.”
Tears trail down her cheek as her hands tremble in mine. Her voice begins to crack as she starts to speak.
“I had this hole in my heart when our worlds collided. I didn’t feel like anyone could fix it, and you not only healed it but you healed me. You made me believe in myself again. You gave me hope and love and I am so grateful for you crashing into my life at the very minute you did. And because of that. I, Angelina Krackle, promise to love and protect you, always and forever, through sickness and health, for better or for worse, until death do us part.” She pauses. “And even then…in death I will find you, because what we have is eternal.”
I’m overcome with emotion and start to tear up. My chest begins to heave but I push it back down and steady my breathing. Nine is two seconds away from basically melting. I take her hand and put it on my heart and she takes my hand and puts it on hers. We are the only ones in this room who know how literal those words are that we just said. We exchange rings, say our final I dos, and wait for the best part of the ceremony.
“Angelina and Mike, you have heard the words about love and marriage, have exchanged your vows and made your promises, and celebrated your union with the giving and receiving of rings. It is at this time that I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!”
I pull her waist into me as gently as I can and then I lean in and kiss her. I have to remind myself that my kids, as well as other people, are watching, and to keep it fairly innocent. Applause follows as we both pull away, grinning. We then head off to a corner of the venue as the place gets ready for the reception. The kids were instructed to go with my sister briefly so we could have this alone time.
“I have never seen anything more gorgeous in my life than what I’m looking at now.”
She blushes and grins as she fiddles with her dress.
“I’m not going to lie. My heart skipped a beat when I saw you in that tux up at the altar. Looking like a damn model.”
I flash a quick smile.
“You like the tux, huh? It’s a rental, but I can buy it if it’s doing something for you.”
“It’s hot. That’s all I’m saying.”
I pull her in for a hug.
“This dress is hot. I might want you to leave it on tonight.”
“Not when you see what’s under it,” she shoots back.
“In my fantasy, my wife would be wearing nothing underneath.”
“That’s manageable,” she jokes.
I love to see her happy. The fact that both of us are still capable of smiling is beautiful to me.
“I fucking love you, Mrs. Matthews,” I say into her ear.
“It’s Mrs. Krackle. Thank you!” She grins.
I nod. “I’d give you my real last name if I could.”
“One day in a different lifetime, but for now I’m happy with Kra—,”
“Don’t you dare say you’re happy with Krackle,” I cut in, teasing.
“You’re right. I hate that fucking name…but I love you. I’d still marry you under a thousand fake fucked up names if it meant I could be yours and you could be mine. However, it would be an honor, Mr. Matthews, to carry your name.
“One day.”
“One day,” she repeats.
She goes to kiss me but we get interrupted by the coordinator.
“It’s time to make a grand entrance and then we have pictures to do. Following that, we are serving appetizers, and then we’ll get dinner served. Cake and the toast are last on the line-up, and then dancing and…”
I’m not even looking at the coordinator while she rambles. I’m staring at my beautiful wife. Nine smiles through all the information, and then she goes to follow behind the lady. I grab her arm and pull her back. I attempt to kiss her, but the coordinator pops her head around the corner and coughs. Instead, I take her by her hand and lead her out to the reception area. The rest of the night is filled with laughter, food, and fun. Nine is smiling more than I have ever seen her smile and I feel satisfied at this point. Hours go by and I find myself at the bar getting a drink.
“Congrats, little brother,” Torrie says from behind me. “She’s a beauty.”
I turn and give her a big hug. “Thanks! I appreciate it.”
I look around for her husband and kids. I’m dying for a private moment with her. We’ve been exchanging smiles and glances all night and we both know what’s coming.
“Looking for Todd? He’s busy cleaning bubblegum out of my toddler’s hair, and your wife seems occupied on the dance floor with the kids. Let’s do this.”
“Fucking Todd! What is he, an accountant?”
“You would know. You hired private investigators to hunt me down.”
“So? You’re lucky I didn’t hire them sooner.”
“It”s…disrespectful.”
“What the fuck? You know what’s disrespectful? You disappearing like a bunny in a magician”s hat all the time. Give me a break.”
“Trig, that’s not fair. You know why I left.”
“Do I, Torrie? Do I really, though? I think I know why you left, but you and I never had this conversation. You just fucking split and left me fighting for my life.”
“Fighting? Please! Financially, you were taken care of,” she grits out.
“I didn’t need your fucking money. I needed you,” I shout.
“Lower your voice,” she whispers harshly.
“Fix your tone,” I snap back.
“I will when you tell me why the hell your name is Mike Krackle.”
“I’ll tell you that when you tell me why you have three kids, but Todd isn’t the daddy. Does square pants know he’s not the father?”
“How the fuck do you know that?” she snarls.
I scowl at her and she scowls back.
“Look, I didn’t ask you to come so we could fight.”
“Well, you could have fooled me,” she shoots back.
“I miss you,” I say.
She softens up.
“Goddamn it, Trigger. I wish we weren’t like this.”
“We don’t have to be.”
We both stand there looking at each other.
“I’m sorry I left. I’m sorry you had to deal with everything by yourself. I’m sorry I was a selfish and shitty sister. I was weak. Sometimes pathetic. I just couldn’t deal with it anymore. As you grew up, I just…I just…felt ashamed at the thought of being in your presence. What am I going to do? Slide back in and be a big sis again, like I never abandoned you? I know you must hate me. I fucking know I hurt you and I live with that shit every day. I’m a terrible fucking person for that, and maybe one day you’ll forgive me, but I don’t expect you to. I have never expected your grace.”
“Don’t victimize yourself. You never asked. You never gave me the opportunity to decide the fate of our relationship. In your head, you decided for us that I was incapable of understanding or forgiving. So why even try, right?” I pause. “Ask me,” I say, while crossing my arms.
She shakes her head and looks away toward the gathering of people.
“Ask me,” I repeat.
She looks back at me, takes a moment and then finally does it. “Will you forgive me for abandoning you…” her voice cracks, “every time you needed me?”
With the tips of her fingers, she dabs at the corners of her eyes. Her hands trembling in the process.
“I never blamed you. I never hated you. Yeah, I was angry, but I understood. You could have walked back into my life and stayed at any given moment and I would have welcomed you as if you never left. I forgive you, Torrie, for not coming back and staying in my life.”
She turns her body and bows her head, covering her face with her hands. I step forward and despite the distance we have had all these years I’m ready to close the gap. I turn her around, embrace her tightly, and watch as she begins to lose her shit. She’s full-on sobbing into my chest. There it is. All the remorse. All the pain. All the fucking tragedy released right here on my wedding day.
“Is everything alright,” I hear a man say.
Fucking Todd!
Torrie begins to pull away so I unlock my hold on her. I turn and stare at him.
“My little brother getting married made me a little emotional, that”s all. Todd, this is my brother…Mike.” She struggles with my new name. “Mike, this is my husband, Todd,” she says, wiping her eyes.
Todd has bushy red hair and thick-rimmed glasses and came wearing a cardigan sweater with slacks way too damn short. He’s a no socks with slacks type of guy which makes me want to throw the entire man away. He looks like he watches birds out of a window with a telescope for fun. Ain’t no way! Torrie would never.
“Congratulations on your big day. It’s so nice to finally meet you,” he says as he adjusts his glasses. “I’ve been wanting to meet some of her family. I was starting to believe none of you existed. She’s so tight-lipped about her past.”
He extends his hand out to shake mine. My intrusive thoughts of breaking it surface. Instead, I smile and grab his hand.
“That’s our Torrie. So private.” I fake smile at him and then to her.
Her face tightens up. She looks like she could kick me.
“May I ask what you do for a living, Mike? You look strong, like you work out. Are you a personal trainer? No, wait. Let me guess again. Athletic coach. It’s got to be one of those.”
“Torrie, tell him what I do,” I say, fucking with her.
“Mike,” she warns.
Todd”s eyes shoot back and forth at us in confusion.
“So secretive. What are you, a hitman?” he jokes.
I fake laugh as I stare at Torrie. She definitely fake laughs as she stares back. The laughs all stop short and then silence quickly fills the air.
“Honey! Why don’t you get the kids some cake and I’ll be over in a second.” She smiles.
“It was great to meet you, buddy. I look forward to talking later.” Todd smacks me on the shoulder and strides off.
I look at Torri with disdain. I’m embarrassed for her.
“What the actual fuck, Torrie?”
“Stop! He’s a nice guy. He makes good money and he treats me well.”
“Nice guy? You have dark secrets in your closet. I can taste it. Care to share?”
“I can assure you that you have darker ones. Do you care to share?” she shoots back.
“No!” we say in unison.
We both glare at each other for an extended amount of time before I break.
“Perhaps a beer?” I suggest.
“Perhaps a couple,” she fires back.
I motion for the bartender to bring us four beers as we sit down.
“Are you staying long?” I ask, not making eye contact.
“Do you want me to stay long?”
“Do you want me to want you to stay long?” I inquire, afraid she’ll run again.
“Jesus Christ, Trigger. This is dumb. Do you want me to stay here for a bit or not?”
I take a swig of my beer and slowly turn to face her. I nod.
“It won’t cut into your honeymoon time?” she inquires.
“Paradise is here. We’re not going anywhere. Pretty sure I could calendar you in,” I joke.
“Okay. I’ll stay a bit. Just a little. Take in the sites and shit.”
“Does Todd know you cuss, or is that forbidden?” I mock.
She turns in her seat, clearly irritated.
“You’re not going to let up, are you? Fine. One secret. No questions. No judgment. We don’t tell a soul. Agreed?”
“Agreed. Ladies first.” I smile.
“I’m having an affair with…Todd”s older cousin. The kids…are his. Todd has no clue.”
I stare at her, not in shock, but in boredom. I fake yawn.
“I’m about to tell you my shit and you open up with that weak secret. Even I knew the kids weren’t his. Come on, Torrie. There is definitely more.”
“Fine! I contractually married Todd for the cousin. Todd is…bi-sexual and needed to marry a woman and have kids for his inheritance to kick in. Insert me…except his swimmers were struggling. The cousin offered his assistance behind his back and I fell for him in the process.”
“Holy shit! Okay. What does this cousin do?”
“We agreed, no questions.”
“Criminal. Got it,” I say.
She frowns and then taps the bar twice as if to say ‘your turn’. I look around to see if anyone is close enough to listen.
“What I’m about to tell you is sensitive information, Tor. You can’t freak out. You can’t tell a soul. Those rules you made have to be cement. Can I trust you?”
She nods. “I’ll take it to my grave. You have my word.”
“Short story. My name change. I’m on the run from the police in the states. When Hunter died, his people forced me to take over his job. I became a hitman…not by choice but by force…and shit went south. Consider me retired.”
She falls back into her chair and finishes off her beer in one long swig. I sit there waiting for a response. She slams down the bottle on the bar.
“Wooooah….…um…wow. That’s a mind fuck. You kill people. Okay.”
“Used to, as in past tense. Tor, you can’t freak out,” I remind her.
She puts her hands up, almost to guard herself.
“I’m not. I’m just processing it. I mean, I figured you were somewhere in the industry, but not at that level. Hunter was doing some interesting shit, so I’m not super shocked, but yet I am. I used to ask around to keep tabs on you and I’d hear things. Jesus, Trig. That’s fucking sad. My heart hurts for you. I’m speechless.” She pauses. “Does, uh, Angelina know?”
“We agreed, no questions,” I mock.
“Boy, am I regretting that stipulation now.”
“Perhaps a few shots of whiskey will make you forget,” I throw out there.
“Perhaps the whole bottle,” she shoots back. “I think we have a lot to discuss.”