Chapter 20

The next few hours went by quickly. Before Gary knew it, he was standing on the front steps of the church in his navy blue suit and light blue shirt and matching tie. Everyone else had arrived. He was waiting for Kaitlyn and her sisters. It was a crisp, beautiful autumn day as he stood on those steps and soaked in the warmth of the sunshine.

"Sorry about last night." Chuck said as he came up behind him.

"It's okay. Kaitlyn wasn't upset with me." Gary smiled. "What about your wife?"

"Let's just say, I had everybody's wife after me last night." Chuck said as Gary laughed.

"Nervous buddy." Chuck said as he put his hand on his shoulder.

"A little." Gary said.

"Listen, I'm not going to give you any advice, because I know you're not going to need it." Chuck said.

"When have I ever taken advice from you anyway?" Gary asked as he smiled.

"That's very funny Gar. You're a real comedian." Chuck said. "I was just going to tell you to be happy."

"Thanks, Chuck." Gary said as he shook his hand. Chuck pulled him in for a hug. Marissa and Emmitt walked up the stairs to join them.

"Well, this is it." Marissa said to Gary.

"I'm going to go into the church and leave you three alone to talk." Emmitt said. "Gary, good luck to you." Emmitt said as he shook Gary's hand.

"Thank you." Gary said.

"Who would have ever thought a few years ago that the three of us would be married?" Chuck asked.

"Well, we definitely didn't think you were going to be married." Marissa said sarcastically. Gary laughed.

"Hey, I was the first one of us to bite the dust." Chuck said. "We're still going strong. In fact…" Chuck hesitated. "I'll tell you guys later."

"Tell us what?" Gary asked.

"No this is your day, Gar. We'll talk later." Chuck said.

"Oh no, Chuck, you brought it up. Spill it will ya." Gary said.

"Yeah, Chuck what is it?" Marissa asked.

"What?" Chuck asked. "I happen to have some news of my own."

"What kind of news?" Gary asked.

"Well, Jade and I have decided to move back to Chicago." Chuck said.

"You have? Since when?" Gary asked.

"We've been talking about it for awhile now." Chuck said. "And with the baby coming." Chuck stopped.

"Baby?" Gary and Marissa said it at the same time.

"All right. We're having a baby. Jade just found out." Chuck said.

"Chuck that's terrific." Gary smiled.

"Congratulations, Chuck." Marissa said.

"Who would have ever thought that you of all people, a father." Gary said as he laughed and shook his head.

"Hey, knock it off wise-guy, will ya. It happens to be a very sensitive issue with me." Chuck said.

"I'll say." Gary said as he laughed.

"What is so funny?"

Gary turned around and saw Kaitlyn with a smile on her face. She took his breath away. She was wearing a straight strapless dress of ivory taffeta with an embroidered bodice with multi-colored shades of green and fuschia beaded flowers. A matching wrap adorned her shoulders. Her hair was pulled up on top of her head with tiny white flowers and she was carrying a bouquet of white roses.

"Shut your mouth Gar, the flies are going to get in." Chuck said jokingly. Gary shot him a look and then turned his attentions back to Kaitlyn.

"You look beautiful." He said to her.

"Thank you." She said. "You look pretty handsome yourself. The black eye goes good with the suit. You ready to get married?"

"You bet." Gary said as he took her hand and led her into the church.