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I guessed everyone was as nervous as I was standing in front of a judge because we all just nodded.
“I was told the bride wanted her parents to give her away. Is that correct?”
“Yes, your honor.”
We all turned, and watched as Mr. and Mrs. Santos approached, followed by the Lindsey’s.
Val’s parents surrounded her, her mother clutching her waist and her father draping his arm across her shoulders. Val’s chest rose and fell with each deep breath as the judge asked them to “give her away.” She was stunning in her simple white silk dress and her long hair cascading down her back. Onyx simply curled the ends, and it was perfect.
Val’s parents both kissed her cheek, then hugged Amy and whispered something to her before they went back to their seats behind us.
The judge repeated the same sentiments with Amy’s parents, and her mother beamed as her father did the honors. They both hugged her tight, then went to Val for a warm embrace before they took each other’s hand and sat down with Val’s parents.
As the judge proceeded with the ceremony, I couldn't help but stare across at Mike and envision how our wedding may be someday. We weren’t engaged but we lived together and found a beautiful home for sale near the hospital that we couldn’t pass up.
Tears filled my eyes as Mike stared back, his chin trembling as he smiled. Glancing over, I caught Jason watching Lucy, whose eyes were glued to Amy. Jason’s jaw ticked under his beard and while his face hadn’t flushed, his neck was giving away that he was fighting back his own tears.
“Alright ladies, if you will sign this, I will give it my John Hancock and we can make it official.”
Amy and Val went hand in hand to the desk just to the side of the judge’s bench and took turns signing and glancing at one another. The judge grabbed the paper, signed it, then notarized it.
“Alright ladies, you are officially wed. You may kiss your bride…both of you.”
Amy cupped Val’s face and clearly wasn’t bothered that their parents were watching. We all cheered, and their parents stood. Their dads clapped while their mothers wiped tears away.
Jason cleared his throat. “Get a room, ladies.”
Amy pulled away and said, “Bite me, Jason.” But she gave him a wink and he grinned back.
Taking Val’s hand, Amy led her out and their parents walked behind them, then we all followed.
We drove to the club where Matt and Shannon had been waiting. We did what we could for decorations before we got our hair done, but they said they would handle the rest. Lucy had very specific instructions, so I wasn’t worried.
When Mike opened the door, we all gasped.
Val clutched her chest. “It’s so beautiful. I love it!” She smiled at Amy then pulled her inside as everyone clapped. It was still early but friends and family had been invited to come out and catering was brought in. Val and Amy’s parents split it all down the middle. None of them thought either daughter would ever marry, so they were more than happy to pitch in for the small reception. Amy’s mom had tried to convince them to have a huge wedding, but Amy and Val agreed neither of them wanted any more than their closest friends and family to watch them make it official. So, the small reception at the club was the compromise.
Val’s parents walked in not far behind us and made the same sound we did when we entered. “Oh, it’s better than I could have imagined! And so fun!” Maria was an artist and very eclectic. She dragged her husband around before he made his way to his daughter, hugging her tightly.
Mike put his arm behind me, pulling me close by my waist. “Who would have thought the club could look like this?”
I smiled up at him. “They did an amazing job. Now I love this place even more than before. I miss being behind the bar sometimes.” I melted into his side, inhaling his warm scent.
He gave me a squeeze then nodded in the direction of the food. Everyone was getting their dinner as the extra servers brought in just for the event went around offering champagne, wine, water, and beer. Sodas were available at the bar, of course.
A few extra-long tables filled the club, and everyone sat and ate as music played. Some club-goers came in, extending their congrats. Once everyone was done with their food, the brides walked to the table where their elegant and chic three-tier cake sat, white with black detail cascading down the side.
Amy grabbed the cake knife but when Val reached for it, she patted her hand and lowered the tool. “I know it’s customary for us to speak and for our friends to toast us, but someone asked me a favor. And well, I felt like I owed them one. Plus,” she said as she looked at Val, “this woman makes me all gushy and girly so I couldn’t say no.”
Amy nodded toward me, but I was confused, until I looked over at Mike, who was kneeling next to me with a grey box with a red bow in his hand.
My heart raced and everyone’s eyes were on me. I was holding my breath, until my parents emerged from the side room, and I let out a small whimper. Seeing them pop up solidified what I thought was about to happen. I looked back down at Mike, and tears filled his eyes.
“Jasper, I have loved you for a very long time. And I already know what life is like without you. I don’t ever want to relive that. You are my home, my family, my everything. Would you do me the honor and be my wife?”
You could practically hear a pin drop in the club, except for Lucy who was doing a poor job of containing a squeal. I blubbered again when I looked over Mike’s shoulder and realized his parents were there as well. My second parents, whom I’d grown close to again ever since we smoothed things out.
Tears streamed down my face as I looked back down at Mike. His eyes were wide, but his smile was slowly fading.
