Page 47 of Resolution
“What’s that?” Declan chimes in. I hadn’t realized he’d been paying attention.
“If you ever get really frustrated about something, it’s better to take your aggravation out on these balls than to say or do something you’ll regret. Trust me. I’ve onlyhadto come out here a few times in my life, but it’s probably kept me out of more trouble than I was already in.” He quirks an eyebrow at me and I can’t help but laugh.
Glancing at my watch for the hundredth time, I see there’s less than thirty minutes before the ceremony begins. Samantha arrived earlier than us to take photos by herself and with the wedding party. Keeping to tradition, I haven’t seen her since last night at the rehearsal dinner. It’s been pure torture to know she’s within a hundred yards of me and I can’t see or touch her.
Zane finds me pacing in the room we used to change into our tuxes. “Want me to get the car ready? It’s gassed and ready to go if you need it.”
I stop pacing and glare at him.How could he say such a thing?
“What?” he asks defensively.
“Not funny at all, man.”
He pats me on the shoulder. “Got you to stop wearing a hole in this carpet though.”
“True,” I admit. “Hey, will you take something to Samantha for me?”
“Like passing a note in grade school?” Zane teases.
“No, dipshit. Like deliver a gift.”
He puts his finger to his chin, pretending to think about it. “I suppose I could do that.”
I pull out an envelope and the long, skinny box I’ve had in my tux jacket. I’d picked this out when I’d bought her engagement ring. It’s a charm bracelet she can add to through the years. I already picked out charms to represent each of her three kids: a soccer ball, ballet slipper, and a formal dress. I also got a heart-shaped charm with the inscription, ‘You’ve held my heart from the moment we met.’
Before Zane leaves, I ask him to bring Declan back when he returns so we can get this show started. Zane nods and is out the door within seconds. And… suddenly, I’m back to pacing the room.
When the door opens, I expect Zane and Dec, but instead, it’s Samantha’s dad Randall and her brother Blake. Once they’ve both entered the room, Blake shuts the door.Hmmm… this could get interesting.
Randall’s deep voice is the first to fill the room. “Just wanted to stop in and see how you’re doing.” He reaches out to shake my hand.
“I’m doing great, sir,” I offer.
“Ha… I remember being a nervous wreck before my wedding,” Blake chimes in. “You sure you don’t want to go running for the hills? You look like a nervous wreck.”
I level Blake with a stare that’s been known to make grown men quiver in their boots. Instantly, Blake puts his hands up in surrender. “Just joking, man. I had to be sure you weren’t going to ditch my sister on her wedding day.”
I shake my head but have no words to reply appropriately.
Randall reaches out an arm and pats me on the back. “It’ll be here soon enough, don’t you worry.”
I exhale the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding and shake my head. “The hardest part’s the waiting. I just want to start forever with her and it can’t get here soon enough.”
“I know the feeling.” Randall exhales a loud breath as well. “I knew you were something special when you flew out to meet us before returning to Germany. When you asked for her hand in marriage, I was shocked with the timing, but seeing you together, I know you’re perfect for Sam.”
“Thank you. It means a lot to have your support.” I look them both in the eye to make sure they both clearly see how I feel.
“You have a long road ahead of you,” Blake starts but back-peddles, “I mean… It’s going to be hard adjusting to a life with three kids. But we’ve seen the way you interact with them and I can tell you’ve won over their hearts, too.”
And we’ll have two more on the way. That’ll be one hell of an adjustment.
“Oh, I’m sure they’ll have their bumps in the road, but they’ll figure it out, Blake.” Randall reaches in for one last handshake and clears his throat. “Well, we’d better get to our places. I hear there’s a wedding happening today.”
Standing at the altar in front of our closest friends and family is something I’ll never forget. I’ve taken my place, waiting for Frankie, Lexi, and Maddie to walk down the aisle before Samantha. Zane and Declan are by my side, waiting for the girls as well.
Finally, it happens. The music changes and my heart picks up a few thousand beats. Maddie’s the first to arrive in the doorway. She’s wearing a sleeveless, red formal dress that flows to her knees. The part that makes it so her is the white Chuck Taylors with red stripes on her feet. She looks so happy as she enters the room, I burst with pride.
Next comes Lexi. She, too, has the same color dress, but it’s a completely different style. She’s also wearing red heels instead of Chuck Taylors. Frankie’s right behind her. Her dress is similar to Maddie’s, but it’s white. She has a red sash tied around her waist, as well as red Chucks. The minute she sees me, she squeals with delight and my heart overflows with love. Her pace quickens and instead of going to her assigned spot, she comes straight to me, jumping into my arms with a hug. The room roars with laughter, but I don’t hear a thing.
