Page 113 of Takedown

“Dad! Uncle Adam, let’s go!” Vincent runs into the bedroom wearing a matching tuxedo, takes my hand, and starts to pull.

“Let’s go get your uncle married,” Ethan says.

Ethan puts a hand on my shoulder, but that doesn’t stop my body from shaking. Uncle Finn chases Vincent around the altar, but Ethan takes Vincent’s hand and tells him to stand still. Uncle Finn takes the hint and calms down, but not before he grumbles something about Ethan being a spoilsport.

The church is full. The small wedding Mel and my mother planned has more than doubled. Ethan’s flown most of my relatives in from Dublin and has put them up in a hotel. He said it was a gift and I couldn’t get mad about it.

I look toward the front door, eager for the wedding to begin. I miss Mel. We’ve been so busy this past week with the wedding and hosting out of town relatives, we’ve barely had a minute to just be together. The doors open and the wedding planner walks in. She takes Vincent outside so he can walk down the aisle with Addy.

I know my bride is outside that door.

“Any minute now. Relax,” Ethan says.

“Says the guy who cried like a baby at his own wedding,” I remind him.

“It was my allergies,” he lies.

I straighten up when the music starts to play. Our priest takes his place at the altar, and even Uncle Finn stands straight. The hushed murmuring amongst our guests ceases. The doors to the church burst open, and I stop breathing. It’s a perfect August day and the sunlight makes the room appear bright. There are white roses everywhere and their sweet scent fills the church. My only request for the wedding was that no expense was spared. Mel told me I was crazy as she updated her wedding spreadsheet, but she did agree to increase the flower budget.

Our mothers walk down the aisle together. My mother dabs her eyes the entire time. Diane smiles, but I can see some sadness in her eyes. Even though Mel did not exclude her from the wedding, their relationship is as strained as it’s always been.

Vincent and Addison follow, and they both pull little Mel in a white wagon decorated with flowers and filled with pink rose petals. The entire church swoons at the sight. Halfway there, Vincent and Addy give up and both run to the altar. Vincent stands next to his father, and Addy wraps her arms around one of my legs. Diane walks down the aisle, scoops the baby in her arms, and pulls the wagon out of the way. The bridesmaids are next, each wearing matching blue dresses and bouquets of white roses.

The music changes to the bridal march and my heart starts to hammer inside my chest. Ethan hands me a handkerchief and I wipe my forehead while I wait for my bride. When she finally makes her entrance, she’s between her father and Jason, but all I see is her. She wouldn’t give me any hints about her dress, and it’s nothing like I imagined. I imagined something big and poufy, but she’s in a form fitting lace dress. The bottom flares out and has a long train. My eyes slide up her body, drinking her in, doing my best to seal this vision in my mind. She’s lost weight these past three months. Between her workouts, diet, and stress of the wedding, she’s slimmed down. She’s still perfect, though. Her veil covers her face, but I don’t miss her smile. It’s bright enough to light the entire world. I don’t think I blink or breathe until she’s standing in front of me. Finally, I lift her veil and I lock eyes with my bride.

My entire world stops. She’s all I see, and I have to ask myself how a man like me is lucky enough to be marrying the most beautiful woman God ever created.

Her dad kisses her cheek, and Jason takes his place at her side of the altar. I cup her cheeks, so eager to kiss her sweet lips, but the priest clears his throat and Uncle Finn grabs my elbow and pulls me away.

“Not yet, lad,” he practically yells inside the church, causing everyone to laugh.

“You’re so beautiful.” She blushes and tears up. “I love you,” I mouth.

“I love you,” she mouths back.

TWO MONTHS LATER

“I’ll get you some tea, love.” I kiss Adam’s hand and nod, so grateful for him. “I’ll set the table too, so relax. I think we should just stay in bed all weekend.”

“I agree,” I say. It’s been a crazy six weeks. From our wedding to our honeymoon, and now my first semester of law school. I’m only taking two classes, but between my husband, work, school, building our house, and our families, I’m exhausted. I have been for the past two weeks.

“What’s for dinner?” I ask. I should start reading for my torts class, but I lie on the couch and cover myself with Lola’s blanket. The very thought of eating makes me want to gag, but I won’t say that to my protective husband. He’s been hovering for the past week, especially since I haven’t been feeling well.

“Ma made us something. I’m not sure what, but she made chicken soup for you. I picked it up on my way home. She said she’ll stop by and check on us tomorrow.” I let out a breath of relief and say a silent thank you to the best mother-in-law in the history of the world. Soup I can handle.

Adam comes over and puts a steaming mug of mint tea on the coffee table. He leans down and kisses my forehead. “No fever,” he says.

“I think a weekend of sleep will cure whatever ails me. Would you mind if we eat on the couch tonight?”

He puts a hand to my forehead, and I can see the concern in his eyes. “No problem, wife.” He kisses me again and returns to the kitchen. There’s a knock on the door, and Jason and Alex come in.

“You look like hell,” Jason says to me. I frown at him, but he walks over and feels my forehead. Once he’s done with that, he checks my glands.

“Ew, you’re my brother, not my doctor. Shoo.” I playfully shove him away, but he ignores me. “And what’s that smell?” I pinch my nose shut. “Your cologne is horrible.”

He frowns at me and says, “I’m not wearing any cologne.”

“Well, you stink,” I tell him.

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