Leo
I paced the groom’s dressing room of The Regency and didn’t think I could possibly be any more nervous.
“Relax,” said Jon. “You’re making me anxious. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this before. You weren’t this nervous during your first trial.”
“It’s Kya’s parents. Dad’s supposed to come in any minute and tell me if they made it. I hope his slow pace is a sign that the three of them are talking and reminiscing about old times.”
“There’s no telling with your father. He’s probably out there talking to one of the ladies from the office.” Jon looked in the mirror and straightened his tie. Then, he grabbed his shoes and went to sit on a satin-covered, padded bench.
“I hope not. I want them to be here. I don’t want Kya walking out there to find they haven’t shown up.” I should have just minded my own fucking business when it came to them, but no, I had to put the only dent in the perfect day.
“I’m sure they’ll be here, but if not, I could always go to their house and drag them here if you want.”
“It sounds appealing, but I’m not sure that would solve anything. Apparently, the issues with her mom and dad were a lot deeper than I realized, and my surprise just might blow up in my face.”
He straightened his sock and pulled on his shoe. “That’s too bad, man. I hope it all works out.”
“Well, at least you had a reason to ask that hostess out.”
“Yeah, and we’ll just see if she shows up too. She was supposed to meet me here since I had to be so early. Her name is Sabrina, and she’s nice so far.”
“Is she what you thought? You know, college student, buried in her work?” He had been so certain of how things would go with the woman before he had ever met her that I wasn’t sure he was going to give her a chance.
Jon straightened out his laces. “No, she actually just graduated before Christmas. She’s trying to get a job in her field of study, but there aren’t any positions in the area.”
“What did she study?” I asked.
“She’s a radiation tech. We went out the other night. She wanted to have coffee and get better acquainted.”
“Nice. Medical field.”
“Yeah, she likes to take care of me.” He waggled his brows, and we shared a laugh.
“Yeah, and you learned that on the first date?”
His response was a sly grin. It was nice to see him happy about someone, but I hoped the girl wouldn’t stand him up. He needed someone good in his life. That reminded me of someone else who needed someone good to spend his time with. “Did you see who my father brought?”
“I think he’s flying solo unless he has someone we don’t know about, which is entirely possible.”
I still couldn’t believe he liked to keep his women a secret from me, and I wondered how many he’d seen since my mother died. “Yeah, today might remind him too much of my mother for him to bring anyone. He might be thinking of her today.”
“Yeah, that can’t be easy.”
There was a soft knock on the door, and my father stuck his head in. “I have a bit of bad news, son. Kya’s parents are not here yet, and you only have about ten minutes until you go out. I saw Sadie in the hall.”
“They aren’t going to come.” I let out a long breath and sat down beside Jon to put on my shoes. “I should have minded my own business. I just wanted to make her happy. I hate that she doesn’t have her parents in her life.”
“She has a pretty good family from what I saw on that front row, and surprisingly, that bunch cleans up nicely.”
Jon got to his feet. “I’m going to go on out and give you two a moment.” He left the room and pulled the door shut behind him.
I looked around, and my father was holding a small box, and I suddenly realized why Jon made himself scarce.
“I wanted to give you something special on your big day. I hope you like it.” He passed me the small, white gift-wrapped box. I could tell by how fancy it was that someone, most likely a lady, had wrapped it for him, probably Edith.
“Thank you, Dad.” I pulled off the ribbon and then ripped into it, revealing a Rolex watch.
“I thought you might like that. Your mother gave me a watch on our wedding day. She said it was because I had a problem with being late.” He let out a soft chuckle as his eyes grew red.
“I love it, Dad. I wish she was here.”
“Me too, son. Me too. You know, when you and Kya were young, your mother used to watch you play. We had that old tree house in the backyard.”
“I remember. It was really run-down.”
“Well, it terrified your mother that one of you would get hurt, and then one day, she was at the kitchen window, and you two were headed up the ladder. She saw how careful you were with Kya. How you made sure you helped her up. Your mother said you were going to make someone a fine husband one day. She could see the way you doted over her. She sure loved Kya too. She’d always wanted a daughter so we’d have one of each, but that just wasn’t in the cards for us. Having Kya around filled that void.”
I could still remember how her smile could light up a room. It seemed so long since I’d seen it. “Mom was great. She used to send out cookies and lemonade. Always the best. I still haven’t found lemonade that good.”
My father laughed. “And you never will. She was something, your mother. And I know she’d be very proud of the man you’ve become.” My father pulled me in for a hug and held me tightly as he patted my back. “I’m proud of you, too, son.”
We pulled back, both wiping tears, though my father looked away so I couldn’t see his. “I guess we should get out of here.”
“We certainly should. You’ve got to get into position.” He straightened my tie, and then we walked out together.
While I passed the door to Kya’s dressing room, Sadie popped her head out. Dad went on ahead as I stopped. “Hey, do you know if Kya’s parents showed?” Her voice was barely a whisper, and I could tell she didn’t want Kya to hear. She stepped out into the hall.
“No. I wish I’d never asked them.”
“Don’t feel that way, Leo. You wanted to do the right thing, and I think you did. Whether they show or not will speak to their character, and it’s nothing she didn’t already expect. She’ll be fine.”
I had a feeling that since she’d shown concern, Kya must have mentioned it. “Did she ask about them?”
“She’s mentioned them a few times. I think she’s trying to prepare for the disappointment, but when she sees you at the end of that aisle, she’ll forget all about her parents and their issues.”
“I hope you’re right.” I took a deep breath. “Okay, tell her I’ll be waiting.”
“You look great. We’ll be right out.” As she returned to the room, I headed out for the ceremony.
When I walked in and saw everyone gathered, I waved and said a few hellos as I made my way up the front. I didn’t see Mr. and Mrs. Campbell anywhere, and though it was a letdown, I wasn’t going to let them ruin my big day.
Considering we’d done the last-minute ceremony with only a week to plan, there was quite a turnout, and though we’d only called about sixty of our closest family and friends, the room was packed, and it looked like everyone else we’d asked had arrived.
Judge Sarah Carter had arrived as well and stood at the front row with my father, both of them smiling and laughing together. They had been old friends since I was a kid, and Kya and I thought it was fitting that the judge who had found in her favor during the trial that brought us together would officiate our marriage.
Jon sat with the hostess from the restaurant, Sabrina, and they seemed to be getting along nicely as well. When he saw me, he gave her a kiss on the cheek and then got up and joined me. “Hey, is it time to get this show on the road?”
“Yeah, we better get in place.”
Sarah Carter took her place, and I heard Jon mumble under his breath, “Latecomers. In under the wire.”
I looked up to see Kya’s mother and father, both looking great and dressed to the nines. I gestured to my father as I headed down.
As I approached, Kya’s mother, who looked so much like her, hair, eyes, and even her teeth, which she showed with a wide smile as she saw me coming. “Leo?”
“In the flesh. I can’t tell you how glad I am that you made it.”
“We figured it was time to make things right.” She put her arm around her husband, and he shook my hand.
“You’ve grown into a fine man, it seems, and a lucky one at that. Thanks for taking care of our girl when we didn’t. I wish I’d done better by her. Then I could have been here to give her away.”
As I shook his hand, I realized I hadn’t even thought of that. Papa Blitz was prepared to give her away, but I had a hunch the man wouldn’t mind sharing his duties. “I’m blessed indeed. If you don’t mind giving me a moment, I’ll see if I can arrange something.” I held up and finger and walked over to where Blitz stood at the door about to go back for Kya.
“Hey, man. I know Kya is honored to have you giving her away, but I was wondering if you could help me in a bit of a surprise for her.”
“Anything for Kya.”
“Well, her parents showed up after so many years, and I know she really wanted them to come and didn’t think they would. I thought maybe you could walk her down the aisle to her father, and do a sort of pass off?”
Blitz nodded. “That’s a great idea. I’ll make sure and let it be a surprise.”
“Thanks, Blitz. You’re an amazing friend to her, and I appreciate you always looking out for my girls.”
“Glad you’re in the picture, my man. Now, I better get my ass to the back or Kya’s going to think I already had one too many.” He gave me a wink and then headed off to meet Kya. I went back to find her parents still standing where I’d left them, talking to a few of our old friends, including my father.
“Mr. Campbell, if I could get you to stand in the third row, I’ve arranged for our friend to hand Kya off to you.”
“That would be a dream come true, thank you. If it’s not any trouble, of course.”
“Kya will love it, trust me. She was so hoping you’d make it.” I turned to my father as the music started, and I knew we had to get in our places quickly. “Dad, could you please show Mrs. Campbell to her place in the front row?”
Dad gave me a thumb’s up and took Mrs. Campbell’s hand as I hurried back up the aisle.
Jon leaned closer and whispered, “Is that her parents?”
“Yes,” I said proudly. “And just in time to pull off an even better surprise.”