4. THE BIG DAY
Well. Today's the day.
The minute Mom arrived in Forks, she threw herself all in with the wedding preparations, not even bothering to unpack her things at the hotel in town, leaving all that up to Phil. She'd been driving back and forth from Charlie's place to the Cullens every, like, thirty minutes or something like that. She couldn't even wait until it was time for me to head on up there myself with Dad because twelve in the afternoon was apparently too long for her to keep away. Gosh, that is so like Mom. I know I sound like I'm complaining, but the thought actually felt pretty nice, knowing everything is getting handled perfectly for me by the people I love because if the decisions were up to me, I'd be, like, curled up and rocking in a corner somewhere crying my eyeballs out because I suck at everything and don't trust my judgement for squat. Sigh. And I really, really want this to be perfect – not for myself, but for Edythe. This wedding is going to be her dream come true. I absolutely believe that. The less I have to do with it, the better it'll be for everyone else. Archie called me up earlier telling me the line at his place had been busy nonstop right after kindly reminding me that he'll tear me to shreds if I even step foot once near Edythe's room before the wedding and that he's looking forward to "gussying" me up apparently, whatever that means. It's not like whatever he's got in mind will make me one-tenth as good-looking as him or his siblings, so it's definitely kind of a lost cause – that is, I'm definitely a lost cause. Ha. (I'm laughing through the pain, just so you know.) After tossing my phone on the bed, I quickly threw on my Pink Floyd band t-shirt, pairing it with some old, faded blue jeans. Mom, whom I sent out with a to-go sausage scramble, had already taken the liberty of bringing my suit and my dad's suit down to the Cullens' place, so we were just going to change there after having Archie fix us up a little. Clomping down the stairs and careening myself into the kitchen, I start on breakfast for Dad and I – pancakes with bacon and some scrambled eggs and toast on the side. Pouring us each a glass of orange juice, I waited up for Dad at the kitchen table and my ears pricked up when I heard him coming down the stairs. "You cooked? Very generous of you, kiddo." Dad thanked me in his own way and sat down across from me.
"So, today's the day, huh? Excited? Nervous?" Dad started gruffly, shredding a piece of toast between his teeth.
"Yeah. A little, I guess. A little bit of both." I shrugged, cutting off a piece of pancake with my fork and knife and dunking it in the pool of syrup which had since collected on my plate.
"That's how it's always been. Since the dawn of time." Dad shrugged and took a sip of his juice. He even almost laughed. "But I'm happy for you, kiddo. I really am." Dad looked up and I swear we made eye contact for an entire 0.7 seconds. Wow, that's a first! The wooden chair creaked from under Dad as he rose to his feet.
"I know you said no presents Beau, but I've just got a little something here for you." I watched as Dad went to the coat rack and dug up from his jacket pocket a small rectangular box. He came back to his seat and presented the box to me, sliding it across the table.
"Thanks, Dad. You shouldn't have." I picked it up. "What is it?"
"Open it." He beckoned with his fingers. Turning the golden-brown box twice over in my hands, I finally lifted the lid away and pulled out an onyx-blue tie.
"You're giving me a tie?" I asked, tilting my head. "It's really nice, thanks." I quickly added and smiled, realizing that might have come out wrong.
"It's not just any tie, kiddo. It belonged to your old man and it belonged to his old man. Now it's yours." Dad motioned towards it. "I guess I'm hoping you'll wear this one tonight."
"Thanks again, Dad." I held it up to the light which shone in from the window by the sink and saw the fabric threads shine with an almost titanium sheen. "Then that's exactly what I'm going to do." I answered him confidently before putting the tie away again in the box so I won't spill anything on it. Dad didn't say anything then, but I could just make out a small smile unfolding across his lips from under his thick black moustache as he lifted his juice cup into the air again, almost as if in a toast, and I chuckled.
…
"Go, go, go, your mom's waiting for us!" Dad bum-rushed me out the front door and we clambered into his police cruiser instead of the truck like we were planning to since he grabbed the wrong keys. Or maybe he did that on purpose – you know, since the truck would very likely die if it went above, like, 35. What'd I tell you? It's a total grandpa in vehicular years. Charlie turned the key in ignition with a flick of his wrist and the smooth purr of the engine starting up soon reached our ears. He rested his hands on the steering wheel as he backed out of our driveway. "We've got a wedding to attend." He said quietly and began to drive.
By the time we got to the Cullens' place, there were already a couple of cars parked outside their massive garage in the massive driveway of their massive house. Carine, with her pale blonde hair all done up in this updo you'd see the leading lady sport in one of those old Hollywood movies where two single curls framed either side of her beautiful face and wearing a purple velvet dress whose sleeves sloped gently off her shoulders, welcomed us in and gave us each a big hug.
I'm so happy you made it!" She touched my back and passed Dad off to Earnest, who gave us a hearty "welcome in!" Carine, standing at the bottom of the banister with me, motioned up the flight of stairs. "Okay, honey. I think your mom is with Edythe right now, so you go on ahead to the guest bedroom down the hall to your left. It's unlocked." She gave me a little push up the stairs. Edythe's room was right there you know, the only one to the right at the top of the landing. My steps slowed as I drifted past her door and looked towards it with expectant eyes. The suspense was kind of killing me - I imagined her in there, looking more beautiful than any being had the right to be. What would the dress Archie made for her look like? How was she going to do her hair? Was she going to be wearing any jewelry? And then there were the more serious questions - How was she feeling about this whole thing? About us? Was she as anxious as I was? Was she in that exact same place, the one where you could literally be jumping for joy; delirious with ecstasy while also being totally petrified by the uncertainty of it all? By the sheer magnitude and momentousness of this next super-crazy chapter of our lives? Our literal forever? I swallowed hard, my heart picking up pace and then I just had to see her; it was an automatic thing. To see her face, and realize that everything was going to be okay. Without thinking, I was already reaching for her doorknob.
"No peeking, Beau!" Carine caught me and laughed. She almost gave me a heart attack there, and my hand flew to my chest. It wasn't just her though, and I took two deep breaths and shook my head, trying hard to allay those whirring thoughts in my mind - pre-wedding jitters were seriously a thing. Luckily, it worked. Or maybe Jessamine was just spying on me from somewhere, I don't know - either way, I did feel a little better. I smiled at Carine. "No, no, of course not! You don't have to worry about it, Mrs. Cullen." I assured her. She shot me the sort of look a mom gives when her kid is misbehaving and she somehow finds it endearing, pursing her lips gently and letting me off the hook as I continued on into the spare bedroom. Flopping down on the edge of the mattress, I turned my head to look out of the floor-to-ceiling window – kind of like a skylight of sorts – and traced the lines the pale brown and green trees made against the light blue of the sky as they swayed to and fro ever so slightly in the breeze. I turned my attention again to where my hands rested on the tops of my thighs, the faded blue of my jeans looking strangely intense as I sucked in a breath and held it before letting it out and tapping my fingers against my knees. I took another breath and thought again on what was to take place in a few short hours; how I'm going to be a married man by midnight from a more, I don't know, collected perspective. Then I thought of Edythe again, and a trill of excitement rolled up and down my back and almost made it tickle. One step closer to forever. I said to myself, and blissfully closed my eyes.
There was a loud knock at the door and I almost fell backwards off the bed. So much for my meditation session. Archie let himself in and gave me a smug grin.
"Look at you." He came up to me and, pulling a chair from the vanity in the room, sat in front of me. "You're practically glowing!"
"Isn't that something you'd say to the bride?" I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Oh yeah. She's definitely glowing. You'll consider yourself the luckiest man alive when you see how I did her up!" Archie started almost suggestively.
"Hey, come on." I blushed.
"No, seriously Beau – she is a literal vision in white. You are going to bawl your eyes out. I saw it." He added confidently, tapping at his temple with his pointer finger. The thought made my stomach sort of tie up in knots and I dabbed at my forehead with the back of my hand. Again, this whole thing was exciting to me, and I was super happy about it of course, but it was also kind of terrifying. "My baby sister – I never thought I'd see the day!" he sighed wistfully and with a tender sort of affection that made me smile. "I'm really, really happy for you both. Welcome to the family, Beau." Archie pulled me into his arms and gave my back a hearty slap that made a hollow smacking sound as it reverberated through me. "Thanks, Archie." I chuckled. "Thanks for trusting me with your sister." I added even more seriously, sitting back down on the bed and folding my hands in my lap. I'd do everything I can to make her happy; I 'd do everything I can to keep her safe. It was my own personal vow.
Arch gave my knee a little shake. "Okay, where should I start?" He got to his feet and pulled out the suit my mom brought from inside the closet and laid it all out carefully on the sheets beside me – Black on white over black. I remembered just then about Dad's tie and tapped on Archie's shoulder.
"Oh hey, my dad gave me this and I sort of promised him I'd wear it tonight." Taking the box from my coat pocket, I held the tie out to him. He took it and was super quiet for a really long time, turning the thing over and over in his hands and pressing his lips together in concentration, his poker face giving me no clues as to whether he'll let me walk down the aisle in that or not. But just as I was getting a little too worried, he beamed and moved his head in a decided, approving nod.
"I like it. Your dad's got good taste." He laid the tie down with the jacket, shirt, and pants and pushed his short brown hair out of his kind face, smiling.
"Now all that's left to do is to get you in this; fix your hair up a little." With that, Archie helped me into the shirt then the pants and the jacket in that exact particular order and stood back, admiring his handiwork. "Looking good, bro." his mouth made a thin, pleased smile as he crossed his arms over his chest and nodded his head.
There was another knock at the door.
"Mind if I come in?" My jaw dropped and I didn't know what to say. It was Royal. Gee, I wonder how much they paid him to see me?
"Hang on a sec." Archie hurried across the room and reached for the brass knob. The door swung open, and in strode Mr. Perfect dressed in a white undershirt tucked casually yet effortlessly into a pair of taupe slacks, complete with his blond hair piled atop his head in his signature little man-bun thing which made him look fresh off the set of a photoshoot for GQ. His gold eyes blazed, yet he almost looked at me with a strange, soft kindness rather than that cool indifference he'd always shone me since we first met which never ceased to remind me that I was just barely tolerable in his eyes but, remembering our little "chat" some months ago, it's not like we haven't come to an understanding, you know what I mean? He had his reasons.
"Hey." I greeted him, trying to keep my voice a steady, even sound. He didn't answer me and instead just strode on over and began to mess with my hair. Apparently unimpressed with it though, he sped away to grab some hair gel and a comb from the bathroom which was attached to the room, his body nothing but a tall, candle-like wisp of a blur as he navigated his way right back to us in a matter of nanoseconds. He dabbed some of the gel down against the outside of my ears and patted the top of my head down with some more gel, using it against a stubborn cowlick or two from my leftover bedhead, and smoothed it all over with one final comb-through. He pursed his lips in the faintest hint of a smile and nodded his head, putting his weapons of choice down on the nightstand and finished me off with a spritz of cologne that might have made me cough once or twice.
"Not bad. He almost looks decent." I heard him say to Archie whom he was now standing next to.
"Don't listen to him, Beau. You are freaking hot." Archie reassured and gave me the "thumbs up" sign. Royal didn't say anything to that, but I swear he almost smiled at me. Almost.
Another knock at the door.
"Hey kids! Mind if I come in?" It was Renee.
"Sure thing, Mrs. Dwyer." Archie called back and went to let in my mom. When she saw me, she put a hand on her chest. "Oh my gosh, look how handsome you are!" Mom gushed and threw her arms around me, giving me a squeeze. Archie and Royal made to leave the room, closing the door behind them with a soft thud as a courtesy to the time I had left with Mom. "How are you feeling, baby? Are you excited? Nervous? Are the butterflies going crazy doing somersaults in your stomach?" she said excitedly, taking a seat beside me and held my hand.
"A little bit of everything, Mom. I'm really, really glad you could make it." I answered her, leaning my head on her shoulder and inhaling her familiar scent, today mixed with just a hint of pear blossoms - it was her favorite perfume, I knew. I won't get many more moments like this after tonight, and I was going to soak up every minute of it. I would've been perfectly content just staying with her like this in silence and I closed my eyes as I felt her hand stroking the side of my head, pressing me even tighter to her arm.
"Oh, I know, honey. I know." She kissed the top of my head and her words stayed with me long after they were spoken; it sounded like she really knew exactly what was going to happen, that I was never coming back.
"I love you, Mom." I whispered.
"I love you most." And she kissed me again. My eyes felt wet and I hugged her tightly, committing the sensation all to memory. When she pulled away, she held my face between her soft, warm hands - the ones that'll be replaced by Edythe's cool ones from here on out – and firmly planted a kiss on the space between my eyes which made them scrunch up just a little bit. "You'll always be my baby boy." She shook her head, her voice a gentle, tender sound. I blinked back the tears and only gripped her hands tighter in mine, nodding my head. Always. I repeated in silence.
"Hey." I heard my dad's voice and both Mom and I turned to look as the door opened and he appeared in the doorway, wearing a small half-smile and shoving his hands casually into his pockets.
"Charlie." My mom said his name.
"Renee." Answered my dad in turn. "Carine told me I'd find you two in here. I just came from Edythe's room. Great kid. Already called me "Dad" and I didn't hate it." Dad shrugged lightly and his eyes looked tired, but thoroughly contented as they shone in the light.
"Hey Dad." I called as he ambled his way towards us. I saw as he and Mom gave each other a quick hug and he kissed her cheek. They sat down on either side of me and my eyes darted nervously between the two of them as I wondered who was going to talk first.
"So. You're getting married." It was Dad.
"Yep." I said with a shrug as if it were the most natural thing to do.
"Be good to her, sport." Charlie turned to look at me. "Respect her. Cherish her. Protect her. I sure wish I did." He chuckled softly; sadly, and turned to look at Mom. She didn't say anything, only smiled and reached over my lap to squeeze his hand. "It wasn't your fault." I heard her finally whisper.
"Thanks." Charlie responded with a little laugh and looked to me again. "Remember- that's all on you now, Beau. They're trusting you with her. So am I. And I know you'll do me proud." Dad's once-sleepy expression burned bright now and his voice was strong and resonant as he uttered that last word and for a moment, even I felt I could believe in them. "I won't let you down." I responded with complete and utter confidence. Dad nodded again and gave my shoulder a pat and a shake. "My boys." I heard Mom whisper and the next minute I know we were all pressed up against each other in one big group hug. My heart clenched up inside me and I fought against the tears that wanted to free themselves from my wet eyes, not wanting to smudge Mom's makeup or Dad's fancy suit.
"Five minutes." I heard the faintest hint of something akin to regret in Archie's kind voice as he called to us through the door. Mom and Dad rose to their feet and stood on either side of me, and we walked to the door together as one.
…
The next few hours passed in a hazy blur. Last-minute wedding preparations kept me busy until the late afternoon. Now, it was almost time. The ceremony was to take place in Edythe's backyard which bordered the majestic old-growth forest in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula. Though the weather was still dry, the clouds in the sky were silver, like they were preparing for the rain to fall down to earth again and make things grow- a sign of new things to come, is how I tried to think about it. New beginnings and new endings. I looked out all around me before adjusting the cuffs on my sleeves, my foot at the threshold caught between the back door and the wedding venue. The whole place was decorated with shiny ribbons of white, pearls strung on the little twinkle lights hanging overhead. I saw the rich, golden eyes of Edythe's friends and family; then the tear-stained and flushed cheeks of my own friends and family who beamed at me with bright, happy smiles all mixed up with each other on either side of the aisle. I heard my parents' footsteps coming up behind me, and then I felt Mom's hand on my back.
"Are you ready, honey?" Mom asked, looking out into the glow of the venue, all the lights breaking seamlessly through the dark of night. I took a breath before answering her.
"Ready." Mom took one arm, Dad took the other.
"Showtime." I heard Dad say in a quiet voice.
Jeremy Stanley, Allen Weber, Erica Yorkie and McKayla Newton waved to me as I started down the aisle with my mom and dad. When I got to where Allen's dad indicated for me to stand, I saw my parents sit down in the first orchard pew decorated with garlands of violet, lavender, and baby's breath with Phil, and they were all holding hands – Dad holding Mom's, Mom holding Dad's and Phil's smack dab in-between them. It made me smile. Allen's dad, our local pastor, gave me a bright smile and my cheeks flushed as I returned it, feeling how happy he was for me as I tried to stand up just a little bit straighter and concentrated on my breaths: in, out. In, out. I felt the sleeves of my suit tighten as my shoulders moved up and down. The curved, rainbow-shaped arbor which was made of the exact same flowers and ribbons that adorned the aisle and the pews swayed gently in the breeze above my head and made flowers fall where Edythe was going to stand next to me and my pulse continually sped up at the thought. The light, delicate lilt of beautiful piano music filled the air and there was a rustle of dresses and suits and ties as everyone rose to their feet and turned around, stopped, and stared and a kind of hush fell over us all. Oh god, this is it. I swallowed hard and clasped my hands in front of me, feeling the slick of sweat building on my palms. The tiny lights coruscated in my eyes, looking beautiful yet dizzying all at once. The music swelled. Holding my breath, I turned to look down the aisle.
That was when I saw her.
Her beautiful white arm slid through the bend Earnest's elbow made and her fair pink lips trembled as her gold eyes met mine on a gleam. Step by step. Coming down to me, our forever, and my breath caught in my throat. And just as Archie predicted, my eyes grew wet and hot as the tears came and filled them. But there was no shame then, just Love. The only thing I could see through my blurred vision was Edythe; my past, my present, and my future coming to meet me all at once in striking clarity. She was beyond Beautiful. I saw her little feet in satin white heels peek out with every delicate toe-step she took and her tiered lace dress breezed lightly over the curves of her frame, her sleeves making a lace shawl which sloped gently off her shoulders and a long, thin pearl sash was tied around her waist, either side of it dangling like crystal ice down the front of the dress and she was a literal angel coming down to me on a white cloud.
And then she stood before me.
Time stands still, beauty in all she is and Earnest, in a gesture as old as time, held Edythe's hand out and joined it with mine, at last giving his daughter away to me. He touched my shoulder and kissed Edythe's forehead, closing his eyes. Then he went to sit down beside Carine; they leaned on each other. My eyes found Edythe's again and I brought my hands up to rest on either side of her face, holding her there. Looking at her now, all I could feel was pure Love. There was no hesitation and no fear. There was no going back now, that simply wasn't an option nor would it ever be again. And I didn't want to go back, either. Because she was by my side. You are my Everything, and Everything comes back to you. That was the simple truth. My Adam's apple bobbed in my throat as I took in every crevice, every line, and every inch of her beautiful features - the shining, shimmering glow of her golden eyes, filled with immeasurable happiness that would surely be welling up with tears right now if it were at all possible, how her soft pink lips pulled themselves up into a dazzling smile, the rich bronze-red of her hair flowing out behind her in loose waves. Her braided bangs - laced with orange blossoms and baby's breath- made a crown atop her head, and a veil of white lace flowed out behind her, making a train. Two loose auburn ringlets trailed down either side of her perfectly beautiful face, making her cheeks look impossibly soft and I squeezed her hands even tighter in mine. We exchanged our vows. It was a dance which saw us; two halves of a whole, flow effortlessly in after the other had spoken like water never missing a beat; as if in further confirmation that we were meant to be.
"To have and to hold."
"For better or for worse."
"For richer or poorer."
"In sickness, and in health."
"To love."
"To cherish."
As long as we both shall live.
"I do."
"I do."
I love you.
You may now kiss the bride." He slammed the Holy Book shut and held it close to him.
My heart beat faster and faster as Edythe's white face came up to my own. A voice; a happy, shouting voice roared inside my head that this was it; this was my everything. I was now forever bound to my purpose; my Love, my Life. I covered her lips entirely with my own - that sealed the promise I'd keep; the vow I'd made to her for all of eternity. My heart felt like it was literally bursting with joy - it was just like fireworks. I was dizzy as we pulled away from each other but before I knew it our lips met again, and I felt her beautiful hands gripping at the lapel of my suit jacket and she pulled me closer to her so our chests pressed against each other and I could feel my heart beating louder; stronger now for the both us, and it was enough. It was everything we needed. Only each other. Only Love.
There was a thunderous applause as everyone rose to their feet.
When our lips finally pulled away from each other, my cheeks were flushed a red, red hue and I squeezed her hand so tightly in my own never wanting to let go, and immediately I knew everything was going to be right in this world and the next, so long as I had her by my side.
And just like that, we were Husband and Wife.
From now until forever. My Edythe.