Chapter 1 Now
I was trained to handle ISIS. Throw a grenade at me, and I'd dodge it. Aim a rifle at me, and I'd shoot first. From the time I was twenty years old, I had given my life to the army. I could handle anything that the enemy threw at me, but what I wasn't prepared for, was today. Today, my baby sister was marrying my best friend. I had known Wes for nearly ten years, and I would go into battle with him any day. In fact, we did just that a little over a year ago when I found out he was in love with Zoe. He'd proven himself though, and as awkward as it was to watch his hands on my baby sister, I had to give him that. He made her happy, and in the end, that was all that really mattered.
Our parents passed away when Zoe was only sixteen, so I'd be giving her away today. She had been teasing me endlessly, calling me “father” of the bride. The wedding was being held on the beach, and the entire wedding party was going barefoot. I hadn't seen her dress yet, but I knew whatever she chose would be beautiful. My sister was one of the kindest people I knew, and she and Wes had done great things together by opening up a youth center for troubled kids. It was thriving, and I couldn't have been more proud.
I adjusted my bow tie in the mirror once more, before heading down stairs to find Wes. He stayed with me last night. Zoe, being worried about bad luck and seeing the bride before the wedding. When I found him, he was leaning against the kitchen counter. He wore a tee shirt, and a pair of boxer briefs, drinking from his coffee cup. “Morning.” He said, raising his cup in my direction.
“Where the hell's your suit?” I asked.
“Relax Dad, we've got time.” He joked, draining the rest of his cup and placing it in the sink.
“You do realize, if you're late to your own wedding Zoe will castrate you right?” I said, putting an emphases on the word castrate.
“I can handle her.” He said, brushing past me and up the stairs.
I let out a deep sigh. I hope he knew what he was getting into marrying my sister. She was a spit fire, who didn't take shit from anyone. It was something I'd always admired about her, not that I'd ever admit to that. My phone pinged with a text message, and I pulled it from my pocket checking the screen. Think of the devil, I smirked reading what my sister had sent.
“Why aren't you here yet? Are you with Wes?”
“We're on our way.” I lied, knowing any other answer would probably turn her into bridezilla.
She responded with a smiley face, and I tucked my phone back into my pocket before turning towards the stairs. “She's ready to run!” I called up from the bottom. “You better get your ass in gear!”
He was down the stairs in mere seconds, with a shocked look on his face. “She what?” He asked, doing up his belt buckle.
“I'm just fucking with you man.” I said, slapping him on the back. “We need to go though, I already told her we we're on our way.”
He flipped me the bird, before tucking his own phone into his pocket, and sitting down to tie his shoes. It was a wonder he didn't fall down the stairs he'd just descended. When we were sure we had everything we needed we got into my car, and headed towards the beach. We drove in silence, and I could feel the nerves rolling off of my best friend. “Relax man.” I said, pointing towards the glove box. Giving me the side eye, he opened the compartment, only to laugh out loud when he did so.
“What don't you have?” He asked, grabbing the bottle of Jack and cracking the top open.
Before I could answer, he took a nice long swig, quickly returning it to it's place.
“Nope. That's open intox brother. You better finish it.” I goaded.
“You want your sister to kill me?”
“It would make for an interesting reception.” I laughed, but he didn't join me.
Instead, he locked the glove box and turned his attention to the road in front of us. We were only ten minutes away from the venue, so I pulled a couple of cigars from where my pocket square should have been. “For old times sake?” I asked, tossing one in his direction.
He smiled, bringing it to his nose. “Shit, I haven't smelled one of these since we were deployed.”
“You miss it?” I asked.
“I miss blowing shit up. But the life I have now, with Zoe, I wouldn't trade it for anything. It's good brother, you need to get you some good.”
“You know me. The army is all I'll ever need. She's a mighty mistress, keeps me on my toes.”
“I never thought I'd be getting married either. Fate's a funny thing.”
“You know I don't believe in all that mumbo jumbo. Things don't have some greater purpose. They just.. are. We all have one life, and we choose to live it how we wish. The universe, or the cosmos, have no fucking say in it.”
“Believe what you want. But I never would have found Zoe, if I hadn't come with you.”
I nodded my agreement, as we pulled the car into an empty parking spot. The small lot was already beginning to fill, and Wes and I were just able to slip inside without being noticed. We had a small building to get ready in before the priest arrived, with two separate entrances. One for the bride's party, and the other for the groom's. It wasn't a large wedding party. It consisted of the best man, and maid of honor of course, and then there was me. I was walking Zoe down the aisle, and I knew she was really missing our father today, so I tried to make sure things went as smoothly as possible.
“You ready to sign your life away?” Cole asked, slapping Wes on the back.
“Absolutely.” He said.
With one last handshake, Wes headed out to the beach to wait for Zoe. Cole was paired with the maid of honor, a friend Zoe worked with named Marcie, and as for me, I had a bride to walk down the aisle. I found Zoe sitting on a bench in her dressing room. Her veil was flowing down her back, and when she stood to greet me, I couldn't help but smile. She looked beautiful in her dress. It was strapless, and fitted in the bodice, with intricate beading throughout. And it flowed down around her ankles in a way that would make it dance in the wind as she walked.
“They're playing our song.” I said, pointing to the speaker in the ceiling. “You still have time to run, just say the word.” I teased.
She slapped me playfully on my chest, and I pulled her against me for a hug. “Te amo, Hermana.” (I love you, sister.)
“Yo tambien te amo.” (I love you too.)
When Zoe's arm looped in mine, it was me who took a deep breath. I knew she wasn't a little girl anymore, and I knew Wes would protect her with his life, but it was still a bittersweet moment. Her veil hung over her face now, hiding her expression from his. But the expression he wore, was all I needed as reassurance. He had tears in his eyes, and anyone who knew Weston Granger, knew he didn't cry.
I released my sister, placing her hands in his, before taking my place beside her. I watched as he lifted her veil, mouthing the words “I love you” as the preist began the ceremony. When he got to the part about objections, I opened my suit jacket. I always carried, and the guests laughed, when I gestured to my gun. Zoe, rolled her eyes before returning her gaze back to the man she would now call husband, and for the first time, I wondered if Wes was right.
I glanced around at the guests, noting most of them were couples. They were holding hands, whispering contently, even snuggling together, just watching in bliss. For the last six years I'd given my life to the army, and as much as I enjoy what I do, it's a lonely life to live, especially when you don't have anyone to come home to. For the first time, I found myself wishing for some of that good.