Page 9 of The Marriage Pact
Rachel nodded, taking a deep breath as she glanced in the mirror one last time.
“Well, this is it, isn’t it? There’s no going back. How long have Sean and I been together? I never thought this day would come… It doesn’t seem real,” she said.
Kaitlyn assured her it was very real; the imminent arrival of the baby had made it so. The car was on time, and the four of them got in for the short drive to Cedarhurst Park, the exclusive country club on the edge of town where the ceremony and reception were to take place. Kaitlyn had been so busy that morning, she’d hardly had time to stop and think about the imminent meeting between her and Alex. They were to sit next to one another at the wedding breakfast. There’d be no escape. What if the conversation was awkward? What if there was no conversation at all?
“Don’t the grounds look lovely?” Rachel’s mom said as the car drove up the tree-lined drive to the clubhouse. “The photos are going to look wonderful!”
It was to be a large wedding. Both Rachel and Sean had big families — aunts, cousins, second cousins… They were all invited, as were many of their friends from college. Kaitlyn was worried she wouldn’t know anyone. The only real friend from high school was Alex, and talking to him wasn’t exactly going tobe easy. She was feeling nervous, not knowing what she’d say or what he’d say. At least there’d be champagne. The wedding was no-expense-spared. Kaitlyn couldn’t bear to think about how much had been spent on it.
“Oh, look, there’s Aunt Milly, with Dexter and Charles. And is that Sophie? Hasn’t she grown!” Rachel said, pointing out of the car window at the group of guests gathered at the front of the clubhouse.
Rachel’s worst fears were confirmed. She knew no one, and now she glanced through the sea of faces for Alex. He was nowhere to be seen. For a moment, she wondered if he might’ve declined the invitation, but Rachel had said nothing.
“No sign of Alex,” Kaitlyn said as they got out of the car.
But Rachel wasn’t listening. She was too busy waving and greeting people. Kaitlyn could hardly blame her for that. The crowd of guests parted. The wedding officiant was standing on the steps of the clubhouse, awaiting their arrival and making sure everything was going as planned. It was all soft pine and glass, with stylish interiors and soft furnishings. It made Kaitlyn wonder what her own wedding would be like, if she ever had one.
“Let’s not keep Sean waiting,” the officiant — a tall woman in a blue wraparound dress and shawl who seemed to move her arms a lot — said, ushering them inside.
Gentle music was playing, and a room had been set aside, lined with chairs, and an arch with woven flowers provided the setting for the ceremony. Two of Rachel’s younger cousins, dressed in identical blue suits, were handing out orders of service. Kaitlyn already knew the order like the back of her hand. There was to be a piece of music, Mozart, then a poem about two doves, whichRachel had found in a bridal magazine. Then the vows, written by the couple themselves, followed by another piece of music, and then some final words from the officiant. The room was already half full, and Kaitlyn was grateful for the air conditioning that was gently humming alongside the strains of Mozart being fed through the speakers at the front. Sean was standing beneath the flower-covered arch, looking nervous.
“It’s going to be wonderful,” Kaitlyn whispered to Rachel as the officiant called for the guests to stand.
The others filed in from outside, and that was when Kaitlyn saw him. It was unmistakably Alex. He didn’t really look any different. The reasonable build, the average height, the wavy blond hair. Some of those things weren’t ever going to change. Not really. But to see him now, twelve years later, felt strange. He was looking straight at her. Not at Rachel, but ather. It made her blush. What was he thinking? The music was getting louder. Mozart was grating on her. The room felt hot, even with the air conditioning. All eyes were on them — on Rachel — but all Kaitlyn could think about was Alex.
“Welcome, everyone, to this very special day. A day when we come here to witness two hearts joined in love. Rachel and Sean have invited you, their loved ones, to join them as they make this commitment to one another. It’s a day of great joy. Not only for them, but for you,” the officiant began.
Rachel and Sean were gazing lovingly at one another, holding hands beneath the flower-covered arch. Kaitlyn felt like a spare part. She wanted to sit down, and she was relieved when it was time for the poem to be read by Rachel’s cousin, Margaret. She was in amateur dramatics, apparently, and read the poem with gusto.
“A heart that tends to love alone is lost and empty, its passion flown…”
What an awful poem. And what nonsense.
Kaitlyn had to try hard not to laugh, particularly when Margaret delivered the final line in a voice that sounded more like the straining of a labor pain than a thespian oration.
“And so, when life has passed away, love remains, another day.”
It seemed everyone else thought the poem was wonderful, and there were the inevitable tears and nods of appreciation.
“Beautiful,” Kaitlyn heard one woman whisper.
Perhaps I’ve just turned into an old cynic.
Chancing a glance behind her, Kaitlyn looked at Alex. To her relief, he looked thoroughly nonplussed by the poem. There were no tears in his eyes. If anything, he looked slightly bored. Kaitlyn smiled to herself, glad to think some things never changed. Alex had never exactly been the type to wear his heart on his sleeve. The officiant now stepped forward, thanking Margaret for her “beautiful reading.” The vows came next, and Kaitlyn had to admit there’d been a lot of thought put into them, even if they tended toward sentimentality. She had to keep reminding herself she was happy for Rachel and Sean. And she was. But seeing them get married, and having witnessed so much of the preparation, was a reminder — yet again — of what her own life was lacking. It wasn’t that she needed a husband to feel validated. But the older she got, the more she began to wonder about different paths, different people, different opportunities. Then there was Alex.
“And so, it gives me great joy to declare you husband and wife. You may share a kiss,” the officiant said.
Kaitlyn smiled as she watched Rachel and Sean share their first married kiss. Confetti wasn’t allowed in the country club; there were a number of threatening signs against it. But outside, it was permissible to throw rose petals, as long as they were the sort that decomposed naturally and didn’t cause birds to die. Kaitlyn had brought some from her mom’s garden, carefully pressed in the pages of a large book over the past couple of months. As she threw them into the air, the breeze caught them, sending them whirling into the sky above the happy couple. It was a reminder of how fleeting things could be — here one moment and gone the next.
Oh, stop being so miserable. This is supposed to be a happy day.
The master of ceremonies was calling them to take up positions for the photos. It was going to take forever. Rachel’s family, Sean’s family. Both their families. The immediate family. The extended family. Kaitlyn found herself in all the photos.
“Youarefamily,” Rachel said when Kaitlyn protested at the ninth permutation of guests.
Eventually, all the photos were taken, and the guests were guided to a large room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the gardens at the back of the clubhouse. At last, the champagne…
I don’t know anyone here.
