Part I
"Hey, Stevie, it's me, your best man. Can I come in?"
Steve stared at himself in the full-length oval shaped mirror, clad in a gray suit, as he felt Soda's hand come to rest on his shoulder. "I can't believe I'm here, Soda. It hardly feels real."
Soda grinned as he touched the blue and white boutonniere pinned to his best friend's lapel, the mirror reflecting their matching suits. "I can believe it. I've been knowin' this day would come since the moment you met Liv. I even knew I'd be right beside you too."
"Well, who else would be my best man? The Pope?"
"I think he would've declined the invitation, buddy. You know, since we ain't Catholic. So are you ready to go or what? If we don't get a move on, I bet Mallory will be bangin' the door down."
"She has been taking her duty as maid of honor very seriously."
"I just hope that's not a glimpse into what kind of bride she'll be when it's our turn."
"Aw, you love it, man. She's just the right kind of intense to keep you on your toes."
"But sweet as can be at the same time." Soda patted Steve's back and started to head for the door that would lead him back to the main part of the church. "You look as ready as you can be. Let's go get you hitched."
Steve reached for Soda's arm, grasping it before his friend could leave. "Hang on. There's still time, and I have some things to say to you."
Soda noticed the sheen of tears in Steve's eyes, just the sight making his own well up. "I'm sure there ain't anything I don't already know. I've still got my speech to give, so don't go makin' me cry now too."
Steve moved his hand to Soda's shoulder, giving it the tightest squeeze. "I wouldn't be where I am without you, buddy. That's not just something I'm saying because it's my wedding day, and I'm emotional. It's absolutely true. When I first met Liv, I had so many doubts about myself. I swear I loved her the second I laid eyes on her, but I didn't know what to do with that. You encouraged me when I thought romance must be a lost cause in my life. You helped me even more when I realized I wanted to open up to her. Liv knows all about me, and she wouldn't if you hadn't made sure I could keep going forward."
"But you took the steps, Stevie. I just stayed close to you. I cheered you on and loved you 'cause it's what I do."
"You won't ever stop being my brother, Soda. I want you to know that. No matter how old we get and even when we're both married men, we'll still be what we are."
"Hell, yeah. Both Liv and Mallory know it too. They know we're a package deal." Soda pulled Steve into his arms, this embrace reflective of a friendship that had been going strong for nearly twenty-five years. "We'll always be brothers. That's forever, and no matter where life takes us, we'll still have each other."
"I'm the father of the groom. I can be wherever I want."
Nine-year-old Emily spoke to Nicholas, who had just entered the fellowship hall where the wedding reception would soon take place. "But Daddy's wrapping something special he made for Uncle Steve and Olivia, Uncle Nicholas. Please keep it a secret."
Nicholas looked to where Samuel, his friend of now more than a decade was, the preacher putting gift wrap around what appeared to be a large picture frame. "Don't worry, Emily. My lips are sealed."
Emily spun around, showing off her curled hair and lacy baby blue dress, complete with a corsage made of light pink flowers. "Do I look pretty? Uncle Soda says I'm an honorary bridesmaid."
"Of course you look pretty, dear. You'll be giving even the bride a run for her money."
"I saw Uncle Steve earlier, and he looks very handsome. So do you. I bet Aunt Audrey thinks so too."
"Why thank you, Emily. She usually does." Nicholas kneeled down so that he was eye level with his niece. "Do you know what my favorite part about today is?"
"The wedding cake?"
"No. Though that does sound delicious. My favorite part is having everyone here together. There will be so much love in the room during the ceremony that I won't be surprised if it overflows."
"I need you to take a big breath for me, Steve."
Steve felt Darry's hand squeeze the back of his neck as he did exactly what the older man had instructed. "Okay. I've got this. It's just nerves."
Darry, also dressed in a gray suit that matched Steve's, moved his hand to his friend's shoulder. "Of course it is. It's normal. I could've sworn I'd panic at my wedding."
"Where'd Soda go?"
"He's with Mallory because it's almost time to walk down the aisle. I can get him for you if you want."
"No. Don't do that. We already had our moment. Even if that one was all about me getting emotional before the nerves decided to hit."
"I think the emotional part is pretty normal too. Getting married is a huge deal, and it makes you think about everything."
"Yeah. It's making me remember so much too." Steve looked right at Darry then, his bout of nervousness giving way to more reflection. "I told Soda that I wouldn't be here without him. That's true about you too. My life couldn't be what it is without you in it, Superman."
Darry grinned at the old nickname that he hadn't heard in a while as he also squeezed Steve's shoulder. "I think we've all played a role in keeping each other straight. I'm glad my house was always a safe place for you."
"It's more than that though."
"I know."
Steve heard a knock, the sound making him look from Darry to the door to see Nicholas there. "Hey, Dad. You ready to gain a daughter-in-law?"
Nicholas only had to take one look at Steve's face for his own feelings to bubble to the surface, leading him to his son's side. "I am. I'm so happy for you, Son. Liv too."
Steve couldn't help but smile as he saw the tears in Nicholas' eyes. "So happy you're about to cry?"
Darry sensed the moment that was in progress, patting Steve on the back before heading toward the door. "I'll leave you two alone. See you when the ceremony starts."
Steve watched his friend go, his eyes then moving back to Nicholas. "I'm really doing it, Dad. I'm about to get married."
Nicholas remembered both of his own wedding days, able to empathize with the anticipation and the amazement the accompanied the occasion. "Yes, and I'm so very proud of you. I know you'll be a wonderful husband to Liv."
"I sure hope so. She deserves that. She deserves every good thing in the world."
Nicholas lifted a hand to touch Steve's face, the gesture feeling as natural as it ever had despite the fact his son would turn twenty-nine in just a few months. "So do you. You deserve the best life and future that you can make."
Steve put his hand over Nicholas', clutching it much like he had when he'd been a teenager struggling with the past. "I'm here because of you, Dad. I couldn't be who I am today without you. Without us."
"I can say the same, Son. I love you. Now, how about we take our places? It's about time for the procession to start."
"Yeah. It is. I love you too. And I'm ready to see my bride."
Steve took his place at the altar, his eyes scanning the crowd of relatives and friends who had gathered to witness his and Olivia's union. There in the third row on the left side of the sanctuary, he saw Laura Avery, her gaze meeting his just as the groomsmen and bridesmaids began to make their way down the aisle. Darry was paired up with Maryanne, while Pony walked with Olivia's sister, Lisa. Next were Keith and Kathy, who had gotten married the year prior.
Steve watched as these members of the wedding party took seats in the first and second rows, among his dad and Audrey, Olivia's parents, and each of their grandparents. Only a moment thereafter, he saw Soda step out alone, a smile on his best friend's face as he glided down the aisle to take his place at Steve's right side.
His anticipation growing, Steve reminded himself to stay calm, sharing looks with both Nicholas and Soda as Mallory breezed down the aisle, her lavender dress complementing the bouquet of light blue and white flowers she carried. She took the spot across from Soda just in time for the ring bearer to appear.
Steve had to smile at almost-four-year-old Elijah, who'd been a surprise baby for Samuel and Vivian. The little boy ambled slowly down the aisle before running the last few feet, then stopping in front of Soda. "Daddy said I'm supposed to give these to you, Mr. Sodapop."
Soda took both rings and put them safely in his pocket. "That's right. Thank you, Eli."
Samuel, the wedding officiant, reached for his son, nudging him toward where Vivian was seated. "Go sit with Mommy now, Son. She's waiting for you."
Elijah scrambled over to his mother, on his knees in the chair beside hers as the flower girl began to make her way toward the altar.
Emily walked beside three-year-old Elaine Curtis, who Darry and Maryanne had named after her grandmother, the late Mrs. Curtis. The younger child scattered flower petals all around, her pigtails tied with purple ribbons that matched both her dress and the basket she carried, as the older guided her along and helped her keep time with the music.
Elaine stopped midstride, waving to her parents. "Look at me, Mommy and Daddy! I'm doing great, right?"
Emily took Elaine's hand and led her to the front, making sure the little girl sat down with Darry and Maryanne before she went to be with Vivian and Elijah.
Steve heard the music pick up its tempo, then saw Olivia round the corner, her face framed by black ringlets and the veil she wore. Stunned, he stared at the woman coming down the aisle, mesmerized by his bride. Olivia held a bouquet with flowers of lavender and white, her gown also white, which they had agreed on in honor of both tradition and symbolism.
Once Olivia arrived at the altar, she took her place across from Steve, handing Mallory her bouquet. The music gradually came to a stop, and Samuel opened the book that held his notes for the ceremony, beginning to speak. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Steven Joseph and Olivia Mae in holy matrimony. I realize that many of you here in this room have known these two their entire lives. I count myself blessed to have met Steve almost eleven years ago. Which sure feels like a lifetime in a lot of ways."
Steve caught the glance Samuel sent in his direction as he also heard a few laughs ripple within the crowd. "I'll get you for that one later, preacher guy. Now, can you please get on with it?"
Samuel smiled as his gaze shifted to the bride. "And since I've known Steve for so long, that means I've had the pleasure of seeing the relationship he has with Olivia grow during the past three years. Therefore, it is my honor to share this day with them as they enter into the sacred bond and responsibility of marriage. Both members of the couple have prepared their own vows, so now, I will give each of them the opportunity to speak, beginning with the groom."
Steve reached for Olivia's hands and held them tightly as he spoke the vows he'd rehearsed over and over, the words committed to memory. "My sweet Olivia, I love you from the very depths of my soul, and I will love you until the end of time. You've enriched my life and helped mend the parts of me that are broken, while also unconditionally accepting me as I am. I can't wait to merge our lives fully and completely, and I pray that I can be the partner and husband you've envisioned. You're the woman of my dreams, and above all, my soulmate. I promise to always cherish and support you, and I will remain by your side through every moment of our journey."
Olivia spoke next, her green eyes bright with tears of joy as she pledged her love to the man she couldn't imagine living without. "Steve, you're the most loyal, honorable man I've ever known, and I love you more than words can express. I will keep loving you until there's no breath in my body, and I will stand next to you in every challenge life brings us. I promise to be your wife, your confidante, and your biggest cheerleader. I will dedicate myself to keeping our marriage strong through every adversity and milestone, and I will constantly see our life together as my most exciting adventure."
The vows now at a close, Samuel turned to Soda. "May I have the rings please?"
Soda reached in his pocket, giving the preacher both the bride's and groom's rings, his hand also squeezing Steve's shoulder as he gave him a smile that was quickly returned.
Samuel held Olivia's ring out to Steve. "Place this ring on your bride's finger, then repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."
Steve did as Samuel asked, slipping the ring he'd chosen onto Olivia's finger. "With this ring, I thee wed."
"And promise to love you for the eternity that it represents."
"And promise to love you for the eternity that it represents.
"Wear it as a gift from me."
"Wear it as a gift from me."
"And as a symbol of our unbreakable bond."
"And as a symbol of our unbreakable bond."
Samuel gave the remaining ring to Olivia, who slipped it on to her groom's finger before following the preacher's lead and echoing the same promise.
Moving on to the final part of the ceremony, Samuel turned to Steve once more, the older man also soaking in these special moments as he remembered meeting the younger when he'd barely been on the cusp of adulthood. "Do you, Steve, take Olivia to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Steve gazed at the woman he'd fallen in love with, the one who had given him hope when he'd believed there was none. "I do."
"Do you, Olivia, take Steve to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Olivia felt herself glowing as Steve's hands held each of her own, their union already bathed in the jubilation that would soon fill the entire sanctuary. "I do."
"By the power vested in me by the state of Oklahoma, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Steve and Olivia obliged, their first kiss as a married couple and the ensuing applause from their loved ones signifying that a new chapter had begun.