“We can only hope.”
His mother led him around the outer edge of the seated guests and toward the ocean. The waves were really churning and crashing loudly against the beach; apparently there was a heavy storm at sea. A strong frontal boundary held the blackest clouds just offshore—he could actually see the demarcation in the sky. Sed decided his dad wasn’t in the clouds, he was in that boundary, holding them back. “Thanks, Dad,” he whispered under his breath.
Sed greeted his guests—mostly family, road crew, and musicians who’d toured with him. It was a little off-putting to see rock stars in formal wear—suits and piercings, ties and tattoos. Sed didn’t have much time to spend saying hello to Jessica’s side of the makeshift chapel, though he greeted a few he knew by name. Her family and friends seemed a bit intimidated by the mix of hoodlums and everyday Joes on his side, though a few of the lawyers in her crowd greeted the less law-abiding musicians with familiarity. He thanked a couple of people that he recognized from television for attending the wedding, but he couldn’t put names to any of their faces. He wondered if Jessica knew them. She’d never mentioned knowing any television stars, but it wasn’t uncommon in Los Angeles to be friends with famous people.
He took his position next to the chaplain. He shook hands with the bored-looking Jesus look-a-like and then turned to face the tent at the end of the aisle where his bride would soon appear.
A hush fell over the crowd as the quartet of harp, flute, cello, and violin paused and then began to play the song Jessica and he had chosen for the processional. She hadn’t taken to his idea of using “Bark at the Moon”, but at least she’d asked for his opinion before shooting it down. Sed wiped his hands on his pant legs, wondering why his palms were uncommonly moist. He wasn’t the type of guy who got stage fright, but his stomach was suddenly churning.
Sed’s heart leapt into his throat as the gauzy white curtains were drawn back. But it wasn’t Jess at the front of the procession, it was Jessica’s friend Beth and Dave in his wheelchair decorated with flowers and with red and white ribbons trailing behind. Sed smiled when Dave showed off some of his impressive upper body strength by doing a wheelie halfway down the aisle. This made Beth grin and blush. In fact, Dave seemed to be showing off for the cute brunette, which wasn’t like Dave. Sed wondered if there was any attraction between them. When they reached him, Beth and Dave separated, with Dave going to the far end on Sed’s side and Beth staying next to where Jessica would eventually stand. She smiled at Sed and he realized she’d seen Jess today even if he hadn’t. God, he couldn’t wait to see his bride. He was about to jump out of his skin with anticipation.
They’d taken a few liberties with the traditional order of the processional to make maneuvering easier for Dave, so next down the aisle was his best man, Brian, and his wife, Myrna. Between them they held a baby carrier decorated with red roses and sprays of little white flowers. Baby’s breath, Sed believed it was called. Fitting, since nestled in the carrier with a pillow on his lap—two gold rings tied to it with ribbons—was the cutest ring bearer to ever sleep through his duty. Myrna and Brian started toward Sed, carrying their son between them. He smiled at them both, knowing his dimples were showing, but for once he was glad for the added emphasis of his joy.
The wind whipped Myrna’s stunning red gown about her legs as she walked. Sed peeked at the dark sky and prayed for it to hold back the rain until Jessica was his wife. He wanted the moment to be perfect for her, and a downpour was no one’s idea of perfection. Unfortunately, the frontal boundary had moved ashore. Shit. If it would just wait another ten minutes, he could say I do and it could rain all it wanted. He knew how upset Jessica would be if her dream beach wedding was ruined. She’d worked so hard at planning the occasion and so hard to include him in all the arrangements. He would do anything to make the day what she wanted. But how did one stop the rain?
When Brian and Myrna reached the end of the aisle, they separated. Brian took the carrier with him and set it on the sturdy table to Sed’s left so the crowd could see the ring bearer and ohh and ahh over his adorableness. As usual, Malcolm’s coal black hair was standing on end. Sed couldn’t stop himself from reaching over and touching the baby’s tiny hand. God, he couldn’t wait to see his own firstborn in seven months. The baby growing in Jessica’s womb already owned him heart and soul. But until he got to hold his own child, he was content fawning over Brian’s young son.
Malcolm’s hand gripped Sed’s finger tightly. His other little fist went directly into his mouth and though still asleep, he sucked it in earnest.
“He inherited the grip from me,” Brian whispered, “but that strong suction is all on his mother.”
Sed laughed and glanced at Myrna, who was oblivious to her husband’s claims.
Movement at the head of the aisle caught his attention and his head snapped up. Jess?
No.
Not yet.
Eric and Rebekah were now making their way down the aisle. Where Myrna’s gown was long and elegant, Rebekah’s was short and sassy—like her. It was the exact same shade of red as Myrna’s and also matched the crimson splotches in Rebekah’s hair. Eric’s trademark lock of colored hair was also dyed red to honor the occasion. The pair of newlyweds had the audacity to share a lingering kiss at the head of the aisle before they separated to opposite sides. Eric shifted to the spot behind Brian and Rebekah took her place behind Myrna.
Aggie and Jace were next down the aisle. Her dress had a plunging neckline, with a short strap between her large breasts to keep them in place and draw appreciative attention to her substantial cleavage. Her long black hair did a better job concealing her porcelain skin than the red silk fabric hugging her curves managed. Aggie’s lipstick and red-tipped fingernails matched her dress, stilettos, and bouquet of red roses, as well as the blush currently staining Jace’s cheeks. Sed had no idea what the guy was embarrassed about at that particular moment. His woman was something to be proud of. Or maybe he was just hot and bothered by his fiancée. Couldn’t blame the guy. Aggie was sex on heels.