Today’s the big day. Fucking finally, it feels like it’s been a long time coming. I think part of that is because she was mine and I signed those divorce papers when I wanted to do anything but. I knew it was the right thing to do, to give her the choice, but I thought we would get married sooner than this, until mom stepped in. Four months has felt like four fucking years.
“Knock, knock,” Mom says, not waiting for me to tell her to come in. She just pushes the door open.
“You look so handsome,” she says, choking up.
I hold my arms open for her, and she rushes toward me. “Love you, Mom.”
She pulls back and wipes at her eyes. “I have something for you.” She holds up a gift bag that I didn’t notice she was carrying.
“How is my wife?” I ask her.
“Your fiancée is doing just fine. She’s breathtaking.”
“Tell me something I didn’t know.”
“Rhett Baxter! Have you snuck to see her?” She places her hands on her hips, causing the bag to sway, and gives me her “stern mom” look.
I throw my head back and laugh. “No, Mother, I have not. Saylor takes my breath every time I look at her.”
She places her hand over her heart, and her eyes mist once again. “I’m so proud of you.” She wipes her eyes. “Here.” She thrusts the bag at me. “I’ll give you a minute.” With a kiss to my cheek, she disappears behind the door, leaving me alone.
I settle on the couch, sitting the bag between my feet on the floor. Removing the tissue paper, I reach in for the small box that is labeled with the number one. Looking further, I see another box the same size with a number two. Pulling on the ribbon, it easily falls away. Carefully, I open the box, and inside rests an old antique key and a note.
I choke back the emotion that’s clogging my throat. Removing the key from the box, I hold it tight in the palm of my hand. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, getting myself under control. The urge to race to the other side of the house to the room she’s holed up in is burning hot. She’s so close, yet so far away. Glancing at my watch, I see it’s only twenty more minutes until she’s walking down the aisle toward me. I suspect Mom waited until closer to the wedding on purpose. She knew I would need to see her. Sliding the key in my pocket, I reach into the bag and pull out box number two. I repeat the process, pulling on the ribbon and it falls away just as easily. Opening the lid, I see a small packet of pills. Her birth control pills. I smile as my eyes well with tears. I quickly unfold the note to see if this means what I think it means.
Just as I fold up the note, Dad, Jerry, Jake, and Gramps walk in. I rush to wipe the tears; my future wife has just given me everything.
“You good?” Dad asks.
“Never better. Let’s do this,” I say, placing both boxes back in the bag. Standing, I reach in my pocket and run my fingers over the key.
“Good. Well, I’ll see you out there,” Dad says, heading toward the door.
“Wait? Where are you going?” I ask him.
He stops and turns to look at me. “I went to see my daughter this morning.” He grins, looking at his watch. “It appears it’s time for me to walk her down the aisle.”
“You did?” I swallow hard.
“Yep. You did good, son.” Those are his parting words before walking out the door.
“Let’s get you married,” Jake says, placing his hand on my shoulder.
We make our way to the backyard of our home, the one we now share with Gramps. Mom has turned it into a fairy tale with all the flowers and the white-fabric-covered chairs adorned with lavender bows. I take my place down front, greeting the minister with a handshake. There are no bride’s side and groom’s side; instead, we have three small rows of chairs. I didn’t even have to press the issue with Mom, she just knew. We have Jake and Molly standing up with us, Jerry, Gramps, Mom, Dad, and my mom’s parents are here. That’s it. Small, intimate, but assured to be a day Saylor and I will never forget.
When Train’s “Marry Me” begins to play, I turn to face the aisle. Instead of splitting down the middle, Mom had them run the white runner from the back porch around a big old oak tree and down the side of the seats. I gave her hell about it, accusing her of keeping Saylor from me even longer. She laughed, patted my cheek, and assured me that wait would be worth it.
After what feels like forever, Molly appears from around the tree; she’s glowing with her protruding baby belly in her lavender dress. I move my gaze to the back deck where the aisle begins. I see Dad and Saylor; she’s beautiful from a distance, of course, this is my wife we’re talking about. No matter the situation, she’s fucking gorgeous. I watch their every step. When they round the tree on the home stretch, I get my first good look at her. Sliding one hand in my pocket, I grip the key, her heart. The other hand I bring to my mouth and bite down. I need to make sure this moment is real.
I don’t blink, afraid to miss one minute of my future walking toward me. When she’s close enough to touch, I remove my hand from my pocket and reach for her with both arms. Our guests chuckle, as does my father. “Not yet, son.” He grins.
Saylor’s beaming smile and misty eyes call to me. I don’t hear the minister ask who gives her away. All I see is her, and can only hear white noise. Nothing else matters in this moment. It’s not until she takes a step toward me that I shake out of my fog and reach for her. Without thinking, I pull her into my chest and wrap my arms around her. “You’re beautiful,” I say, my lips next to her ear.
We opted to go with short, quick traditional vows. I’ve never been surer of that decision like I am now. I can’t think with this beautiful woman standing in front of me. I repeat like I’m supposed to; we say “I do,” and I slide her diamond wedding band from Vegas on her finger. She does the same with my tungsten band. As soon as our rings are back in their rightful places, I pull her to me and kiss her. She’s on her tiptoes, even in heels, so I lift her, her feet dangling in the air, and kiss her harder.
“Rhett.” She laughs.
I pull away, relishing the sound. I rest my forehead against hers. “I love you, Mrs. Baxter.”
“I love you too, husband.” I can hear the smile on her voice.
Our friends and family are clapping and cheering us on. Instead of setting Saylor back on her feet, I scoop her up in my arms and take off toward the house. She smiles up at me and rests her head in the crook of my neck. Once inside, I head for the stairs.
“Where are we going?” she asks.
I don’t answer her, as I use my shoulder to push open our bedroom door, then kick it closed behind me. Gently, I place her on the bed, and crawl on my hands and knees to hover over her. “You’re gorgeous.”
“What are you doing?” She laughs as I kiss down the column of her neck.
“I’m utilizing my wedding gift,” I say against her neck.
“Rhett!” she scolds. “Not now, we have guests.”
“Don’t care,” I say, pulling all the fabric from her long dress up her leg, so I can get my hands on her.
“Stop.”
I freeze and pull my lips from her. Her blue eyes are shining with happiness and love. “I don’t want to rush through this moment. Let’s go downstairs and greet our guests.” She runs her fingers through my hair. “Our family. We have our entire lives to do this.”
“We’re not staying here tonight,” I tell her.
She raises her brow. “Why not?”
“Because I plan on being inside my wife all night long, and although Gramps’s hearing isn’t what it used to be, I don’t want him hearing you.”
“So, strangers are okay then?” She bites back her smile.
“We’re on the top floor,” I counter. It’s not okay, but I’ll choose strangers over Gramps any day. “I love you, wife.”
She grins. “I love you too, husband.”