Faith
Standing in my childhood bedroom, surrounded by the things that so perfectly represented the teenager and little girl who used to live here, I can't believe the woman in the wedding dress is me. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, unable to wrap my head around it. When did I grow up?
The photo booth pictures of me and Nico Janus, my first love, are still pinned to the corkboard above the desk. Nico was sweet, but we were young. I also grew four inches between sophomore year and senior year, leaving poor little Nico four inches shorter than me, eight when I wore my favorite heels. We were doomed from the start. Really, anyone who meets under the circumstances we did should know their chances of staying together are slim to none.
Stuffed animals sit on a chair in the corner. It was my second favorite place to sit and read when I was younger. My special nook in the library being my first. The library is my favorite place in this entire house. I could sit and play the piano or lie around and read all day up there. Until Alec would come with his water balloons or airsoft guns on a mission of mass destruction. My brother. That boy never fails to find trouble. I hope, for his sake, he steers clear of it today. Daddy will have his head. Which better not be covered in a giant afro. I need to see him before I walk down the aisle.
I take a deep breath and try to relax. Today is my wedding day. Today I marry the love of my life. "This is really happening, right?"
"This is absolutely happening," Thea says with a big smile and a gentle hand on my shoulder. She is and always has been my rock. Thea is simply an amazing woman. I wish Jonathan had a brother so we could be sisters for real or at least legally. Of course, Thea never lets me set her up. Ever. No matter how much I try. And boy, do I try.
"It better or your mom is going to freak the fuck out," Hanna says from behind Thea. Her dark hair is pulled up in a french twist. She's a natural beauty who doesn't really care about being pretty, which makes her that much more beautiful. There was a time I worried she might actually become my sister. She and Alec were thick as thieves there for awhile. I fell for my bodyguard, he could have fallen for his. Hanna is gorgeous and badass. I believe those are the only characteristics Alec looks for in a woman. And while I would love to call Hanna my sister, I would never wish my brother on any of my friends.
It's too bad for Alec that Hanna is also smart, too smart to fall for my annoying brother. She found Decker, and I imagine someday soon I will be the bridesmaid. In fact, my instincts tell me that there will be an announcement regarding an engagement very soon. I saw the looks. I know those looks. Something is up with her and him. And I will get it out of her before I leave for my honeymoon.
"My mother is not allowed to freak out about anything. She got married in front of two strangers in Fiji fifteen minutes after my father asked her to marry him."
"Smart woman," Hanna says like eloping is a good thing.
"I'm sure it seemed like a good plan until they had to tell my grandparents." I laugh but Hanna pales.
"Your grandparents didn't take the news well?" Thea asks.
"Grandma Renee still hasn't forgiven her. She sends a card every year that says, 'Hope you're enjoying the anniversary of the day you didn't invite me to your wedding.'"
"Note to self, do not piss off Grandma Renee," Thea says, giggling. Hanna looks absolutely sick. But before I can mention it, the door shuts behind us.
"Who pissed off Grandma Renee?" My mother's voice is full of worry.
"No one, I swear," I say, turning around. She gasps and covers her mouth. Tears begin to well in her eyes. I can't understand what has her so upset. "What's the matter?"
"Your father is never going to make it down the aisle." She steps forward and throws her arms around me. "Oh, Faith. You are so beautiful. So, so beautiful." She pulls back and gives me another good look over. Her hand brushes my hair from my face. "Oh, baby. I thought I was ready for this, but it feels like yesterday you were this little girl who loved me and her father to the moon and back. Now, you're this...this woman."
"Who's marrying the man she loves to the moon and back infinity times infinity times," I say with eyes too wet for Hanna's liking. She spent the last twenty minutes on my makeup.
"We are going to have to remove you from the bedroom, Mrs. Masen, if you make the bride cry before the ceremony," Hanna says like she's on duty or something.
Mom wipes under her own eyes and steps back. "Sorry, sorry. I'll stop, I promise. Your brother's here. Somewhere. Tyler said he saw him poking around by the pool house."
My relief is audible in my exhale. "Good. His bed was made this morning; I got worried he didn't make it in. Did Tyler say anything about his hair by any chance?"
Mom looks at me funny. "I didn't ask him about his hair. He did promise he was going to keep a close eye on him, though. Said he looked a little Alec-y."
"Alec-y?" Thea asks.
Now my sigh is full of frustration. "Alec-y. It's our word for that look he gets when he's up to absolutely no good. There's no adjective in the English language that does it justice."
"She often uses it with me," Hanna says proudly. "'You're looking awfully Alec-y today. Should I start begging Daddy not to fire you now or later?' or 'Don't you dare do anything Alec-y in front of the Queen, Hanna. Or I swear...'" I give her the look. "What? She thought it was funny when I tackled that idiot linebacker style for getting too close for comfort."
"He was the drink server."
"He looked suspicious."
"He was cockeyed!"
She shrugs. "Cockeyed, suspicious... same same."
"It's a condition, Hanna... not a crime."
"He should get that taken care of then if he's gonna be around the fucking Queen of England, for the love of God."
I shake my head at her. "Tyler didn't think it was so funny."
"Tyler laughed." I raise a brow. "Later." I tilt my head to the side and fold my arms across my chest because she is so full of shit. "Okay, a couple years later," she concedes, "but that's irrelevant. Point is, he laughed about it eventually."
I can't worry about this. I can't worry about what Alec-y crap my brother is getting into. I have to trust that Tyler will make sure he's on his best behavior. Alec listens to Tyler. Always.
"Relax," Hanna says, looking a little guilty. "I'll make him text me a picture so you can see he's afro-free. I'll also warn him that I will do bodily harm if he messes with your day." She gets her clutch and pulls out her phone.
"Everything is going to be perfect," Thea says reassuringly. "The only thing you have to do today is say I do. The rest of it is just for fun."
I smile and look at my mom. Maybe she and Dad knew what they were doing when they made their moment about no one but the two of them. I do often think my parents are pretty damn smart. Everything is going to be fine. All I have to do is walk down the aisle and say I do. Alec can do whatever he wants as long as he doesn't interfere with that part.
Please God, don't let him interfere with that part.
"I have something for you. Your something borrowed," Mom says, pulling out a shiny penny. "Pennies have always had a special place in my heart. Everyone needs a lucky penny. You know you've been ours. But I'm going to let you borrow this one for today."
I pluck the pretty penny from her fingers as I try not to cry. "Thank you. But you know I already feel like the luckiest girl in the entire world. I always have."
Mom's eyes fill up with tears again as we embrace. "I love you so much, Faith. I've loved you since the moment I knew you existed."
I'll never understand what I've done to deserve all the blessings I have in my life. I only know I am grateful for them. I try to give back, but sometimes the gifts I am given are so overwhelming. I can only hope I make people feel as loved as they make me feel. And my parents have always made me feel so unbelievably loved.
And now I am crying on my mother's shoulder and Hanna is going to be pissed. But I don't care because I love my mom and her penny more than I can say.
"Okay, okay. Us next." Hanna taps on my shoulder. She and Thea look completely gleeful.
"Since you painted your toes light blue for your something blue, we asked to be in charge of something old," Thea explains.
"But we didn't have anything very old to give you," Hanna says, smirking.
"True, but our friendship is old. We've been friends for almost our entire lives. So, we decided since Jonathan gets to put his ring on you today, making you his wife, we would put this on your wrist, making you our friend forever." Thea holds out a long rectangular black velvet box. Inside is the most beautiful charm bracelet I have ever seen. White gold snake chain with a clasp engraved with the words you are loved. The charms attached make me want to start crying. Again.
A camera for Thea. An Eiffel Tower for our extremely fun trip to Paris, Daddy's gift to me and my best friends when I graduated from college. A little slide for the playground we met on. The cupcake must represent me. I love cupcakes. The dog and the dessert. A race car - that has to be Hanna. The Empire State Building. New York City will always hold a special place in our hearts. A charm engraved with the words best friends.
I hug my best friends and give up worrying about what my makeup looks like. "Everyone should be as lucky as I am. I love you guys so much. Thank you for this."
The door opens and Aunt Alice pops her head in. "It's time!"
It's time.
Hanna's phone beeps and she looks at the screen. Her eyes go wide and one side of her mouth quirks up. Oh shit. She looks... Alec-y.
"Please tell me he cut his hair," I beg, even though I know it doesn't matter. It. Does. Not. Matter.
Hanna clicks the phone off before Thea can get behind her to see what she's smiling at. "His hair is fine. You definitely do not need to worry about his hair."
There's something she's not telling me, but my gut tells me I don't want to know what it is. I need to get outside and hold Jonathan's hand and know everything is right with the world. Jonathan makes everything right.
All twelve of my bridesmaids exit the room, my two maids of honor hanging back with me and my mom. Thea helps me get my bracelet on while Hanna fixes my makeup smudges. Mom steadies me so I can slip the lucky penny in my shoe.
"I'm ready," I say, giving myself one more look in the mirror.
"You might be, but what about me?" Daddy stands in my doorway with his hand over his heart. "I don't think I'm ready for this, Pennylove."
Hanna and Thea smile and kiss my cheek before sneaking out to get in line. "Relax, Mr. M," Hanna says as she passes by. "You're handing her over to a good man. I promise."
"Ha! If I had a nickel for everytime someone made me a promise they couldn't keep!"
Mom rolls her eyes, gives me one more hug, and walks over to where Dad stands frozen in his spot. "I'll see you two down there. You will bring her down, Edward."
"I will do whatever I please, Isabella," he replies quite grumpily.
Mom will have none of that. "You will bring her down and you will walk her down the aisle. And you will welcome Jonathan into the family with open arms as his family has done for your daughter."
Daddy harrumphs. He will do as he's told but that doesn't mean he'll like it. My father doesn't like the idea of anyone doing anything better than him. He has taken care of me for twenty-five years and has loved me to infinity and beyond. The thought of letting someone else do that job for the rest of my life has him a little bit out of his comfort zone. Daddy doesn't enjoy being out of his comfort zone.
Mom gives his face a playful squeeze and kisses his fishy lips two times. He swats at her behind as she walks out, making me and her giggle. I love how my parents love. I have learned from the best. If Jonathan and I love each other half as much as my parents love one another we'll be good.
Luckily, we love each other as much if not more. That makes us great.
Dad messes with his tie even though it's perfect. He looks so handsome in a tux. It's not too different from his everyday suit look but different enough to make this day special. "I have a present for you," he says, finally taking a step towards me.
"You've given me this whole wedding. What more can you possibly have to give me?"
He narrows his eyes at me. "Faith Elizabeth. Sweetheart. Please." Dad can always find something to give me. "I have your something new." From behind his back, he presents me with a box and when he opens the lid, I'm rendered speechless.
Inside the silk-lined box is a necklace made for a queen. Diamonds on top of diamonds. Literally. It's spectacular. It's incredible. It has to be worth millions. It's so my dad.
"Daddy..."
"You deserve to look like a billion bucks today. This should do the trick."
"I think the saying is you look like a million bucks."
He shrugs as he removes it from the box. "We're Masens. We do everything bigger and better." He helps me put it on and I can't help but run my fingers over the cascading diamonds.
"It's so beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much."
"You are beautiful, Pennylove. You always have been. Inside and out." His voice begins to crack and he coughs to cover it up. Mom was right, he's never going to make it down the aisle without losing it.
"He is a good man, Daddy. Jonathan is a very good man. And I know some very good men," I say, giving him a little nudge that makes him smile. My dad isn't perfect, but he's good and kind.
"I know he is. I probably know more about him than you do." I can only imagine. Edward Masen's background checks are more extensive than the government's. And probably violated all of my fiance's civil rights.
"I'm ready."
Dad takes a deep breath and grips both of my arms just below the shoulder. He looks me up and down. "I don't know that I'll ever be ready for this, Pennylove, but let's do this before I figure out a way to freeze time and keep you my baby girl forever."
He lets go and offers me his arm. I know his heart is breaking but I tell myself it's for good reason. I can't stay his little girl forever. Not even Edward Masen can stop me from growing up.
We join the long line that's ready to begin the processional. Jonathan's uncle escorts his mom down the aisle first. Then Tyler escorts Mom. I see her hand him a handkerchief before he goes to sit down by his wife. Tyler will always be my second favorite bodyguard of all time. Always.
Now the girls start. There's a lot of them. My friends and family from all over the world. Friends I've known since I was little, friends I made at Yale, girls I became close to while working for the foundation, friends who helped me start my own company. Last but never least, Thea and Hanna. They walk down together.
It's almost my turn. I can hear the wheels in Daddy's head turning. He's working on that freezing time thing with no success. I can't see Jonathan yet. The long line of girls is in my way. But I can see my brother, and he does not have a giant afro. Thank you, God. He keeps looking over his shoulder. I try to follow his sight line but the only thing in that direction is the pool house.
Helicopters full of paparazzi fly overhead and capture my attention. I never thought about what a circus this would be. I'm just me. No one special. No one the press should be interested in. But I am billionaire CEO Edward Masen's daughter and that makes me newsworthy, I suppose. They can't fly directly overhead. Daddy called and got the airspace restricted, but they are flying as close as they can get.
I look back at Alec and he's no longer looking over his shoulder. His eyes are glued to my maids of honor. They're nearly bulging from the sockets. Hasn't he ever seen Hanna in a dress before? How can that be so shocking?
Flower girl and ring bearer are on their way and it's just me and Daddy left. He messes with his tie again, which now I realize is his way of not running his hand through his hair. He's probably ready to pull it all out.
We can do this, though. He will survive. And I will be Mrs. Faith Kent in a few short minutes. I want to take off down the aisle right now. I want to run not walk. I want to skip all the blah blah blah and get straight to the I do and the you may kiss the bride. I want to be married. I want to be Jon's wife. His other half. His.
The music changes and everyone rises to their feet. This is it. I take a step forward, but Daddy doesn't budge. The tears are in his eyes and fall down his cheeks. Oh boy. We're not going to make it. He's not going to make it.
"You're sure? You're absolutely sure?" he asks. He needs reassurance. He wants a crystal ball. Always worried something bad is going to happen to the ones he loves if he's not in control.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my entire life. No doubts. Not one." I am sure. I am so sure.
He contemplates my answer for a second and nods. "I will always love you more than anyone. You were mine first. You'll always be my Pennylove."
"I know, Daddy. I won't forget."
"You better not." He steps forward and all eyes are on us. But only two matter to me. The two that are shining back at me.
Jonathan is practically glowing. His smile is so big. I'm sure mine matches perfectly. Like Daddy, suits are his everyday attire, but there's something about a tux. It makes him look like the boss. Powerful. Important. Dignified. He is all of those things and more. So much more. His capable hands are clasped in front of him as he waits for me to make my way to him. I can't wait to touch him. To do this part together. To do the rest of this life - together.
In my mind I see our past, our present, our future. The first time we met. The first time he called me by my first name instead of Miss Masen. Our first kiss outside my room in Rwanda. My overprotective bodyguard had been so irritable all trip long. Little did I know he was stressed out over my safety because he was in love with me. I thought he hated me. But he didn't. He doesn't. I only see, hear, and feel love from him now. We're going to have a big family. We both want children of our own and we want to adopt. We will take whatever God blesses us with. We'll be good parents. And we're going to grow old together and cherish every day.
Both of us have tears in our eyes by the time I make it to where he's waiting. "I love you," he mouths.
"I love you more," I whisper.
He shakes his head and smiles as he waits for the minister to start. "Who gives this woman away?" the minister asks, his kind eyes settle on Daddy.
When there's no immediate answer, I finally tear my eyes from the man in front of me to the man beside me. My father is frozen. This is his moment. The one he's been dreading. I give his arm a little squeeze. Trust me, I silently beg. He didn't love me any less when Alec joined our family. I won't love him any less because Jonathan joins it today.
"Her mother and I do," Dad chokes out, and I think there's a collective sigh from the entire crowd.
Jonathan extends his hand to Dad and they shake. There is an understanding that passes between them. If the competition is who can love me more, then I win no matter what. And now it's my hand in Jon's and it's the touch I've been waiting for, the one that centers me and comforts like no other. I try to remember not to blurt out I do until I'm asked, but they are the only two words running through my head. I do. I do. I do.
A/N:
*passes out the tissues* Thanks for reading. Thanks to Jo and Marie for being kickass teammates. Thanks to Suebee and momof4 for looking it over. Thanks to all of you for indulging us in this little story with our favorite characters!
xoxo, TF