XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
All attention focused on them when they whirled in and Dom gave an audible sigh of relief.
"Oh good the lawyer's back... are we officially divorced now my darling..." she asked sweetly as she pranced up the group, Taylor still on her back.
"Yeah he's back... he's been back..." Dom stated seriously.
The smile faltered for an instant on her face, "Sorry... Tay and I just had a lot of things to talk about."
He nodded, "Later, we have to talk," he said seriously, before reaching out for his son, "Come on buddy, let's get this show on road..."
"Yeah, we's gots a party to go to..." he stated happily, hopping up and down when his father placed him on the ground.
Kara stood to one side and watched quietly as the man she'd once loved more than life itself married someone else.
"To have and to hold, from this day forward..."
"... for better, for worse..."
Dom's deep, rumbly voice melded together with Letty's husky, dulcet tones as they recited the vows to each other.
"... for richer, for poorer..."
"... in sickness and in health..."
"... to love and to cherish..."
The words sounded so much more beautiful now. Even then, when she'd still been so in love with him, something inside her had cringed as each word was said. Something inside had told her -- don't -- but she had anyway.
"... until death do us part..."
They mean that, she thought suddenly, they really meant, until death.
She watched them kiss, it was soft and gentle and held a promise of much more.
It hurt.
But it was right.
There was nothing exceptional about the ceremony -- nothing, of course, but the glow of everyone involved -- no more interruption, no more obstacles... just two people who adored each other, finally getting the opportunity to join together as one.
She'd come here to cut her ties and watching as this family fairly exuded bliss she knew she'd done the right thing.... even if it had cost her, her son.
A single tear slid down her cheek as she watched him.
It was the least she could do for him...
... let him go...
It was the best she could do for him, too.
It hurt too.
More than she could have thought possible, but she'd bear it and maybe someday... if he did well enough, if he was happy, well-adjusted enough... maybe then she'd be able to forgive herself... to forgive herself for making him believe it...
He ran to her then, "Come on Mommy, we's going to party now," he said happily, grabbing her hand.
She smiled at him lovingly, allowing herself to be pulled along.
Later that night as the bride and groom danced and laughed and drank among family and friends, as the kids played hide and go seek, and racers told stories of the good ole' days, Kara stole one last glance at the man she'd shared so much with and quietly slipped away.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
