“I bribed the city clerk, offered to pay for a new community hall he was currently trying to fund. It happened, Elijah, but after the way I treated her, I don’t know if she still wants to be married to me.”
“In the words of Rocky, dude, far out. For what it’s worth, congratulations, man.” He went in for a quick man-hug before the other groomsmen arrived.
We take our place at the altar, and suddenly, the nerves begin to eat away at me. I mean, Christ, I’m not the one getting married here, but after a month of not seeing her, well, this is it.
This is the decider.
Will I be able to look at her the same and still love her despite it all? Will I see my Charlotte or will I see this baby, his baby?
Taking deep breaths, my palms begin to sweat, and almost like he knows, Elijah places his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it tightly. The guy isn’t breaking a single sweat, and that, folks, is love in its purest form. I swear, my sister is lucky to have found him.
I push aside the nerves to the best of my ability as the music begins, focusing on Adriana and Elijah’s moment.
Adriana is anything but traditional, depending on her mood. I expected the wedding march to play on the piano but, instead, a string quartet plays as the two flower girls walk down the aisle. I have to admit, they are kind of cute in their little dresses, and I’m never one to think kids are cute.
Next comes the bridesmaids. I know there are two walking down the aisle, then Charlotte will follow. I watch in anticipation as Adriana’s friend and Elijah’s cousin walk down the aisle. The girls are pretty, but my focus isn’t on them, and I don’t even notice I’m holding my breath in anticipation until my chest tightens.
My heart stops when I see her standing at the entrance of the church wearing a pink-like strapless dress, the fabric and lace sitting perfectly against her skin.
I scan her face, searching for something, and instantly, her eyes meet mine.
The force of her presence is powerful, encompassing, and perfection is underrated when describing her beauty. In just one glance, one stare, every beautiful moment we have shared overshadows the pain we have managed to survive.
With my hands clasped over each other, respecting the ceremonial duties as I stand here as best man, I watch Charlotte walk down the aisle.
And once again, my heart starts beating.
How can we make this work?
Every step closer to me, the warmth rushes over my entire body. With a look of contentment and a gentle smile playing on her lips, she fixates on Elijah until she takes her position on the opposite side. Almost instantly, her eyes fall upon me again.
My mind dares to explore this moment, just us, one day her walking down the aisle to be my wife in front of everyone. A proper ceremony. Maybe that’s why this all went wrong? Like fate saying ‘hey, you rush me, so I’ll fuck up everything for you guys.’
And just like that, our future is sealed. One moment, a simple act of the woman I love walking down the aisle is all I need to guide my heart and head in the same direction.
I want her and everything that comes with her, including this baby.
We have to make it work. I have to find a way to deal with him in our lives, but it’s that or nothing. If she loves me the way I love her, we can make this work. We can do therapy or co-parenting bullshit. Maybe the universe can work me some favors and have him give up all rights. Fuck, will you listen to yourself? She’s already your wife, and so far, the universe has at least given me that.
I just need her to know that nothing will change her being Mrs. Edwards.
The music plays louder, and Adriana walks down the aisle with my father holding onto her. My mother is a basket case, sitting at the front dabbing her eyes with a tissue. It’s all so overwhelming, and Adriana looks amazing.
The ceremony starts, but I can’t help sneaking a look at Charlo
tte every chance I get. She still looks the same, definitely a lot healthier than when I saw her last. Her skin appears more sun-kissed, her eyes shine again, the light has been switched back on, and her smile—when I catch her smiling at me, I can’t help but smile back.
I wouldn’t be a man not to notice her tits. Pregnancy looks good on her, but this isn’t the time nor place to imagine her naked. I almost need a dose of holy water to wash away the sinful thoughts lingering in my mind while standing here in the church.
And then, I notice the phoenix pendant sitting on her chest. That has to mean something.
My gaze is broken when the priest announces them as husband and wife. The crowd claps loudly, and the newlywed couple exchanges their first kiss.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans.
The two of them are overcome by joy while holding hands and proceeding their walk down the aisle as the happy newlywed couple, leaving us to go next.
Extending my arm out with my mouth curved upward into a smile, my body is hyper-aware as she gracefully links her arm in mine, and a jolt ricochets into every crevice within me lying dormant since the last time I saw her. Beside me, she jumps slightly, and I’m certain she feels the same thing.