Page 123 of Forever Fickle

“My brother may not say much, but I can tell you this is extremely important to him. He’s the quiet, steady sort of man that is entrenched in his beliefs. I’m actually more surprised that you went to the justice of the peace back home… because that’s not like him,” Jana replied, fluffing the veil. “He truly loves you – and I’m happy for you both.”

“How’s X-Ray?” Karen asked – and saw a few of the women look up in surprise.

“You’re talking with X-Ray?” Glory chimed in, surprised. “Alpo knows him and talk about ‘still waters run deep’… the guy is awfully quiet and never says a lot.”

“He’s nice,” Jana said evasively. “We’re friends.”

“Hmmm…” Harley and Glory smiled at each other.

“Not like that,” Jana interrupted, frowning, before repeating herself. “He’s…nice. That’s it.”

A knock sounded at the door, just before it cracked open.

“Ladies, are you about ready?” Romeo asked, and Karen’s heart flipped over in her chest as she realized that months of planning, all her hopes, dreams, and joys, were about to be finalized, cemented into place, before God.

“So ready…” she smiled, getting to her feet and shaking out the skirt of her wedding gown that she’d loved on sight. It wasn’t anything elaborate, rather much like her. Simple, elegant, unassuming… yet classical.

The bodice was fitted with a sweetheart neckline, complete with long fitted sleeves that were buttoned at her wrist. There were darts at the waist, allowing the skirt to flare slightly… and it reminded her of the dress from Sleeping Beauty – except ivory - not pink or blue like the fairytale.

“I’m happy for you both,” Jana said tenderly, pulling one of the sheer veils over Karen’s face and smiling at her tearfully. “I’m so happy and wish you both many years of love.”

“You are beautiful, Karen…” Emily said softly, hugging her. “I love you, sis.”

“Love you too,” she smiled, reaching for a Kleenex. “I’m going to be crying before I ever get to the chapel,” she muttered, laughing as she dabbed at her eyes.

“Then let’s go…”

Walking out into the hallway, Karen spotted her father, who was beaming at her. The airmen that were once stationed with Jace overseas and now ran Flyboys were waiting along the hallway, holding their children, as the women moved into place beside their spouses.

She wanted them lined up like this as a way to honor Jace, bring back memories from his past, right before they said their vows, promising each other a future they could only dream of.

Luke and Johnny were standing right before her, fidgeting in their slacks and touching the rose petals that she’d insisted on, remembering Jace’s words. They were the only thing that wasn’t blue or white in the entire wedding.

Instead, she’d firmly insisted on pink and red rose petals… because that was what Jace had sprinkled on her several times over the year that they’d known each other.

“Are you happy, baby?” her father asked tenderly.

“So much so, Daddy…” she breathed tearfully.

Hearing the music start up in the distance as the train of friends slowly moved forward, she straightened her gown again and took a deep breath. Each couple or family entered the church one at a time, together, before settling into place in the pews that were waiting for them.

Jace would be standing at the altar.

Karen heard the music suddenly change as it flared to life, and they took their place at the entrance of the chapel. She heard everyone rise to their feet and looked up through her veil, meeting Jace’s eyes.

His proud gaze never wavered… and that smile was everything.

She took the first step, pulling her father beside her and not waiting for him to lead, as the rest of the world slipped away in that moment. All the plans, all the care she’d taken, the bridesmaids’ dresses, the garland and bows on the pews… everything didn’t matter.

Just him.

It was always him.

Maybe not in that first moment when she’d been at the airport, but that first look, that first hello that morning at Flyboys when he’d smiled at her, she was a goner and there was no looking back. He’d swept into her world, her life, and made her feel like she was the only one that mattered.

Her pulse was thrumming in her ears as Jace stepped forward to shake her father’s hand, before taking his place beside her. She couldn’t stop looking at Jace in his uniform, and he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

“I can’t stop smiling,” she whispered.

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