Landon’s discovery earlier still lingers in the back of my mind as I watch my dad stand at the beginning of the aisle talking to my mom and Tessa, Piper’s mom. What if Piper’s pregnant? I mean, we are about to get married so it wouldn’t be a big deal. I mean, it is a big deal. A kid. Wow. I want nothing more than to start a family with Piper, but the idea of it happening is a little overwhelming. Exciting but still, overwhelming.
Memories of the last few weeks flash before my eyes, her nausea, her being beyond tired, and then her ravenous appetite. Not just for food but for me. We’ve blown it off as food poisoning or the flu and the wedding. But, what if it’s a baby? A huge smile spreads across my face at the thought. Huge enough my mom cocks her head in my direction quizzically. I immediately replace the wattage of the smile with one that’s a little less obvious.
Poker face in place, I look around me. Friends and family linger at their seats, the wedding only minutes from starting. I look toward the house, and while I can’t see anything thanks to the makeshift curtains Laurel had put in place, I know just off in the distance the girls are getting ready to head this way. In less than thirty minutes, Piper and I will have exchanged vows and been pronounced husband and wife.
A hand smacks me on the shoulder, jarring me from my thoughts, and I turn to find Jameson standing next to me with a smirk on his face.
“Thinking of the wedding night?” he teases.
“Nah, just thinking of how ready I am to get through this ceremony.”
“Did you finish your vows?”
“Yeah, kind of. I wrote out some words that remind me of Piper, and I’m going to speak from the heart. That’s what she said she’s doing, and I figure that’s more our style anyway.”
“You two? Off the cuff? That’s not you at all.” Jameson begins laughing and Landon walks up with a confused look on his face.
“What’s so funny?” Landon asks.
“Ben thinks he and Piper can just say their vows without preparation. He said it’s ‘more their style.’” Jameson uses air quotes for the last part of his statement and his laugher increases.
“Fuck off. We can be spontaneous. It’s how we got together anyway.”
“I’m giving you a hard time. Don’t get your panties in a bunch. Landon, where’s Owen?” Jameson inquires, looking around the crowd.
“He’s helping Laurel with something before she goes up to the house for the girls. And, I think you and Piper can totally pull off random declarations of love and shit. I mean, you guys do it all the time in front of us, why not another seventy-five people?”
I flip him off before shoving him a bit. The three of us laugh and shoot the shit for a few minutes before I see some movement behind the screen, and Owen begins making his way over to us. He extends his hand and I take it in mine, shaking it as he pats me on the shoulder before taking his spot between Jameson and Landon.
“It’s go time, boys,” Owen says as the music begins, indicating the ceremony is beginning.
When Piper came to me a few weeks ago to talk about a few specifics with the ceremony, I didn’t have much input other than the music I wanted played. We’ve had various love songs playing in the background for the last hour or so as people arrived and mingled. But, the songs for the ceremony, those were my choice.
I know, I’m a guy and you wouldn’t expect me to have much input in something like the songs while our parents and the bridal party walk down the aisle. But, there is one song that’s always held a special place in my heart. It’s a song my mom used to play over and over when we were kids. My dad would always take her in his arms, regardless of where we were, or who was around, and dance with her. I remember walking in the kitchen more than once with my mom covered in flour and in my dad’s embrace dancing to Tracy Byrd’s “Keeper of the Stars.”
So, that was the song I wanted while they all walk down the aisle and Piper and I begin the first moments of our journey into marriage. I told my dad ahead of time but not my mom. I had to tell my dad so he wouldn’t try to dance with her down the aisle. He’d do it. The man has no shame.
As my dad escorts both my mom and Tessa down the aisle, one on either arm, I smile at my mom as she wipes a tear from her cheek and smiles at me. I nod my head toward her in understanding and once my dad has handed Tessa off to her boyfriend, Michael, he turns to my mom and pulls her into his arms. It’s only a short dance, but it’s a dance nonetheless. I laugh to myself and shake my head as they both turn to me and wink.
Our flower girl, Hope, begins her walk down the aisle, tossing rose petals along the way and waving to a few people she knows. Once she sees her parents she breaks into a huge smile that is reciprocated by her mom and dad. But, it’s when she sees her uncle Jameson that she really turns on the charm. Walking up to Jameson instead of taking her place next to Piper’s mom, Hope motions her finger toward Jameson, so that he squats down to her. She kisses his cheek and he pulls her into a quick hug before scooting her towards Piper’s mom. A few giggles and snickers fill the air when I hear Owen curse under his breath as Minnie begins her walk down the aisle.
Jameson mocks Owen’s reaction, but is cut short when my sister takes her first steps from behind the screen that blocks my bride. I hear the moment he takes in the full effect of Ashton walking towards us. I turn my head slightly to see him wiping a tear from his eye. My sister has always been beautiful but, today . . . today she looks angelic. That’s saying a lot because most of the time, she’s a pain in the ass. To me anyway.
Ashton keeps her eyes on Jameson, her smile growing the closer she gets. When she sees him wipe his cheek, she rolls her eyes and blows him a kiss. She’s sassy but she loves my best friend, and it shows in those two actions.
As the song ends, “Canon in D” begins to filter through the speakers and the guests rise turning toward the beginning of the aisle where Piper stands. My breath hitches as I take her in. Her beautiful auburn hair is down and a slight breeze is enough to pick up the pieces around her face. She looks ethereal.
I don’t bother to wipe away the tears that fill my eyes and spill down my cheeks. What’s the point? Everyone here is wiping their eyes. Piper is the epitome of beauty in her white gown and bouquet of simple wildflowers. Like Piper, her gown is elegant and perfect. She looks at me, only me. Her gaze never leaves mine. I hope she sees how much I love her, how much she means to me. My love and adoration for her knows no bounds.
When she is about halfway down the aisle, I step away from my designated spot and walk toward her. Confusion marks her face as I approach, but she doesn’t stop walking until I’m in front of her, taking her hand.
“Hey, baby.”
“Ben what are you doing?” she whispers.
“Meeting you halfway. We do this together from here on out. Side by side, as partners.”
Piper smiles and I lean down to kiss her, but she turns her cheek. “No way, mister. Save that for the big finale.”
I laugh and take her hand to lead her to the altar. Our guests wait for the pastor to offer permission to sit. Once everyone is settled in, the ceremony begins. Pastor Timmons is a family friend and has known all of us most of our lives. He’s able to personalize and bring a level of familiarity to our ceremony that’s exactly as we hoped it would be. A few tears are shed by all, but it’s the laughs that dominate the ceremony. When it’s time for us to recite our vows, Piper turns to hand Ashton her bouquet as Pastor Timmons secures the rings from Jameson.
Piper and I face one another, holding hands and smiling. I want to move this part along. The faster we get through this, the sooner I can kiss her.
“Ben, Piper,” Pastor Timmons pauses, looking at us pulling our gazes from each other and toward him. “Marriage is more than love and commitment. Marriage is about partnership, understanding, and forgiveness. Piper, we know Ben is probably going to drive you crazy from time to time.” The guests snicker and Piper nods her head in agreement. “And Ben, Piper is sure to frustrate you on the very rare occasion.” I agree and Piper smacks me playfully before taking my hand again. “But, it is in those moments that you will choose how you react. You will choose respect and love above all other emotions.”
Piper and I nod in agreement, and I watch as Piper takes a deep breath. She knows this is when we begin our vows.
“It is my understanding that you are both prepared to recite your own vows, is that correct?” Pastor Timmons asks, and we nod in agreement. I remember from our meetings with the pastor and the rehearsal that I am to go first.
Taking a deep breath, I begin to declare my feelings for my future wife in front of all our family and friends.