Will and Mackenzie's wedding day has finally come!
It was mid-November in New York City. The normally gray sky had occasional passing breaks of bright sunshine, and the air was crisp and cold. Will McAvoy got out of bed at 8:00 AM though he knew he still had hours to himself before he needed to be ready. He'd set the alarm in his phone the night before as he sat around, trying to trick his body into thinking it needed sleep. He tried reading and playing the guitar and watching TV, all in a vain attempt override the electricity in his brain, but it was all for naught. He was wired. In a last-ditch effort to calm himself enough to get even a few hours' rest, he texted Mackenzie.
"Hi babe" he said. "Are you ok over there?"
A few minutes later, his phone chimed. "I'm fine, my sweet. Are you OK?" Will smiled. He loved when she worried about him. He could feel the tears prickle behind his eyes.
He replied, "I can't sleep. I miss you. I wish you were here with me."
A minute later came her reply. "I know, love, but this tradition means something to me. You'll be OK for one night and then we'll never sleep apart again. Ever."
Will smiled at this. "Are you sure you want to go through with this? No last-minute jitters?"
Another beep. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time. A long fucking time, McAvoy. No chance you're weaseling out of it now. You're stuck with me for good" was her reply.
Will chuckled to himself as he replied to Mac. "I already told you, nothing can tear us apart now. The universe would implode. If I'm stuck with you, then you're stuck with me."
And then, one more beep. "I love you, William Duncan McAvoy. I'll be the one in the ivory dress, front and center. Until then, sleep well. I love you. See you tomorrow afternoon.
Will felt like hugging the phone. He didn't care if it was ridiculous. "OK, Mrs. McAvoy. I love you, too. Sleep well, my love."
Will walked into his and Mackenzie's bedroom. Their bed looked so empty without her in it under piles of blankets and with books and papers strewn about her. He had no idea how he'd fall asleep, or make it until the morning, but he had to try. If he didn't, he'd be a blithering idiot at his own wedding, and he was sure that Mac would never let him live it down if he was. He'd gotten into bed at 2:00 AM and he thought he must have fallen into a restless sleep around 3:30. That was the last time he remembered seeing the time on his bedside clock. He was going to be running on adrenaline for most of the day.