I’m happy about the news, too.She’ll be close to home and I’ll see her every day, not like whenshe would go off to work in Vancouver.
Finally, it’s two days beforethe wedding. As soon as I walk in the door from work, Annie dragsme into the bedroom, which looks like a disaster zone. She hasapparently taken every item of clothing she owns and displays it onevery surface.
Annie tries on different outfitsand parades them in front of me. She looks good in everything,which apparently is the wrong thing to say. Eventually she choosesa mid-length pink chiffon dress, which looks exactly as good asevery other dress she tried on, but I have enough sense to keep mymouth shut.
Next, she focuses on me. Ipersonally don’t care if I get married in camos, a t-shirt and apair of Keds—it’s laid-back, come-as-you-are Gabriola, not WestVancouver—but again, I keep my mouth shut. After going through mytiny wardrobe, Annie picks out something that she likes, but thatI’ll be comfortable in, as well. Black slacks, a pink dress shirt,and a black blazer.
We’ve hired a local caterer tobring all the food to the cottage after the ceremony. As for ourrings, Annie has been really good about waiting. We agree to useher engagement ring for the ceremony. It’s going to take a whilebefore I can afford wedding bands. I think about Denny, about hisoffer to help if I was in financial trouble, but I dismiss thethought immediately. I don’t want any part of my father’s money,especially to pay for a wedding that would disgust him.
I try calling my mom and aunt,but only manage to reach a cousin—apparently the sisters went on anAlaskan boat cruise and won’t be back in time for the wedding.Though I’m disappointed, I’m happy to hear that my mother is doingthings she never got to do when Dad was alive. No matter how muchmoney they had, she was never allowed to go on vacation withouthim.
I just wish I could inviteDenny. No matter how messed up he is, he’s still my brother, andwhen he’s on his meds he actually acts like it. However, I knowAnnie would lose her mind. I know she still thinks Denny was incahoots with Robbie that night. I’m not convinced. I’ve known mybrother a lot longer than she has.
* * *
Finally, the day of the weddingarrives, and it’s raining, of course. We have to be at the churchat 1 PM sharp, dressed and ready to roll. We don’t have many guestscoming—the old couple from Annie’s new job, Tim and my boss, andthat’s about all. Annie bought Stinky a bow tie to wear. We’vedecided that he should be up at the altar with us. I just pray hekeeps his gas under control.
After I have a shower, Icarefully dress, making sure that I don’t wrinkle my outfit. WhenI’m done, I slip into my shiny loafers and then help Annie get intoher dress. She hardly looks real. She looks like a damsel on aromance book cover. Her blonde hair cascades over her shoulderslike a river, and she is wearing just enough makeup to enhance hernatural features. She slips on her singback pumps, then fastens thebow tie to Stinky’s neck. He tries several times to eat it beforecoming to terms with his costume.
When we’re ready to go to thechurch, I walk to the door and open it. Annie looks up at me. Hereyes are wide—almost fearful. “Jade, are you a hundred percent surethis is what you want? I mean…if you have any reservations aboutmarrying me today, now is the time to speak up.”
I look at the beautiful woman infront of me in disbelief. She can’t be serious. “That’s such astupid question, Annie. You know how crazy I am about you.”
“I just want to make sure thatyou are positive about committing to both me and the baby.”
“Annie, I’d travel to the endsof the world for you, no matter what damn condition you’re in.”
“Even with the baby?”
“Do you mean our baby?”
“That’s the one, yeah.” Shesmiles and then gives me a long kiss.
“I love you,” I tell her.
“Good. Otherwise, this wholewedding thing could kind of go to shit.”
We park in the back lot of thechurch. I hold an umbrella over Annie while we walk around to themain entrance. The first person we see is Tim. He’s at the front ofthe church, trying to stay dry under the eave while having a smoke.He says hello to Annie then gives me a quick hug. “I’m not drunk,”he whispers. “I’m waiting until the reception.”
“I’ll take it,” I whisperback.
We go to the pastor’s office andmake sure that we have all the paperwork in order. Then he launchesinto a lesson of where to stand and what to say when we give ourvows.
The past weeks have flown by soquickly, with all the clamber and stress, that the impact of thismoment is just hitting me now. I keep looking over at Annie for anysigns of anxiety or regret. She looks happy and connected. I can’tbelieve this is actually happening. Annie is going to marry me—me.We will be bound together, forever.
We have our issues, but doesn’teveryone? She’s not one hundred percent forthright with mesometimes, but nobody’s perfect.
Annie and I follow the pastor tothe front of the church. Annie’s boss and his wife hand us abeautiful bouquet of fresh flowers from their store. Tim standswith my boss at the front pew. I smile wide, though a part of metwinges—there’s a pew at the front that looks very, very empty tome.
After receiving a few chucklesfor flubbing up the vows, the pastor says the words I’ve waitedforever to hear.
“By the power vested in me, Inow pronounce you wife and wife.
