“Your guys are so ready for this.” She whispers. “They’re gushing already and I’m pretty sure Gunner’s already cried at least twice.”
I nod, but my stomach is in a knot. “Did you feel all this pressure when you got married?”
“I feltapressure.” She pats her flat belly. “And someone who wouldn’t stop kicking me.”
“I just feel … Like I’m forgetting something important.”
Danny looks around, then grabs four little sheets of paper. “Your vows.”
I crush them against my chest and slip them into my dress where they’ll be covered. “I would have forgotten everything up there, I’m sure of it.”
“It just kind of spills out.” She assures me. “I can’t really explain it. I wrote things and completely forgot to look at them. Massimo just winged it. He said the words were inside him the whole time and just needed an excuse to come out.”
“What if something goes wrong? If it starts raining? If someone gets up or …”
“Hey.” She motions Valerie over and they both take my hands. “This is the easiest part. You’ve done all the work,enjoythis.”
“Yeah,” Valerie says. “Stop focusing on the details and think about your men waiting for you. If you want we can place bets on them crying, even though all of us know they’re going to be blubbering … even if Danny and I have to kick them or something.”
I laugh and sniff again. “I love you both. So much. All of this is happening so fast and I feel so emotional and chaotic and you’re so helpful.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Valerie says in a sing-songy voice.
“Fuck yeah. And don’t worry about anyone in the crowd. We will kick them out if you don’t want them here. If I can handle pro soccer players and refs, I can handle some unruly guests.” Danny promises me.
“Count me in on that too,” Val says with a smile.
Their support is so intensely given, so loving, so sure that I feel shaken. How many people get this kind of chance in life? Marrying the person or people that they love with so much support and love surrounding the union? Especially before the wedding? How many people get to have more than they ever expected, things and people they never even thought to dream of or wish for?
“I’m going to cry already.” I laugh, waving my hands in front of my face.
I’m so glad everything makeup-wise is waterproof or I know that I’d be ruined.
“Get out there and take pictures before the photographers get mad.” Valerie orders.
I take a few pictures and I’m sure my dad is on the other side of the row of hedges. Then we look around to see each other. He smiles at me and I giggle. He comes all the way around, looks at, me, and puts his hand to his face. His whole face goes red and splotchy and his eyes water.
“Sophie.” He holds his arms wide.
I sniff and then hug him tightly, unable tonot. “I love you, Daddy.”
He squeezes me, then lets me go, only holding onto my hands. “My little girl.”
I laugh, but a little sob leaves my throat too. He shakes his head. “You’re all grown up and getting married and so – so beautiful.”
I grab two handfuls of the skirt and turn it lightly. “You like it?”
“I love it. I loveyou.” He takes my hand and kisses the back of it. “And I love that you’re going to make all four of them weep.”
I laugh and look up at the sky, trying so hard not to cry this early. I haven’t even gotten to the aisle. My mom and dad take photos with me. Then Valerie and Danny. After a bit, Gio is brought back, I don’t even remember Danny slipping away.
He’s featured in the photos with us and once we’re done, I ask to hold him. Danny puts him in my arms and I bounce him a little. He reaches past me, grabbing a flower. I beam at him. “I know, it’s beautiful, huh Gio?”
He tries to put it in his mouth, and I gently take it from him. He whimpers, but I kiss his forehead. “Be a good baby for me.”
Softening his face, he gives me something close to a smile and I beam before handing him back to Danny. She cuddles him close, but then passes him to my mom so we three girls can take a few more pictures.
Then the photographer nods. I take more pictures with my parents then a timer goes off.