is perfect. Sandy beach with rolling waves and a bank of seagrass. The ocean is so blue that it makes the square four-beam arch of rough wood and silky white cloth pop. The fabric is tied at the bottoms of the posts so it billows in the middle.
Sami’s lined the top of the arch with bunches of white flowers and the entire base is filled with huge black hurricane lanterns with wide candles lit inside, adding a glow to complement the sunset.
Matt, Andy, Mike, and I walk to the arch and line up.
My body is tingling and numb.
“Congratulations,” Mike whispers.
“Yeah.” I nod and smile politely.
My eyes scan the crowd as I search for Jenny. I don’t know what to say to her, but we have to talk. And as angry and terrified as I am, the face she made, visibly devastated, when she came around the corner and we were all there, is killing me.
But she’s not here.
Maybe she didn’t come.
“You know that chat I wanted to have with you tonight after the wedding?” Matt asks in a whisper as the crowd is taking their seats. He doesn’t wait for me to answer. “I wanted to tell you about the baby and warn you that she was going to tell you tomorrow. I had a bad feeling you would mess this up after last night when you said you didn’t want kids. Since I don’t see her, I’m assuming you have blown it.”
“You knew?” My blood is instantly boiling.
“Her brother, Josh, phoned and asked me to stop her from leaving you and going back to Canada and taking that job. Sami and I went to the airport and convinced her to give you a chance to do the right thing. That’s why she came back and agreed to come to the wedding.” He sighs, sounding disappointed. “I figured after how you were with Sami, you’d do better than me when you found out.”
“Well, I didn’t,” I whisper back.
“There’s only one question you need to ask yourself.” Matt leans in closer so his breath hits my ear. “Pregnant or not, if she leaves and you don’t see her anymore, can you live with that?”
The answer in my heart is a resounding no but I don’t say anything.
I don’t have time.
The music starts, an acoustic of “Make You Feel My Love” with guitars, a girl singing, and ukuleles that ride the wind to us.
Brady’s and Nat’s moms find their way to their seats with Rich and Carson escorting them.
Andy’s wife comes down the aisle of white petals the wind is lifting lightly. Her hair lifts and she smiles, trying not to struggle with it.
Liz comes next. The tiniest of bumps on her stomach is obvious in the dress when the wind presses it against her. She’s glowing. Not normally someone I’d find attractive; she’s a bit meek but as I have often heard people say to girls, pregnancy suits her.
Bev makes her way along, seeming relaxed and enjoying herself for a second time. I wish I had that same carefree feeling.
Sami waltzes down the aisle next. She’s magnificent in her dress. They called it jewel-tone blue at the dress shop, but I think it’s sapphire, maybe a touch greener. The color is outstanding against Sami’s tanned skin and silvery blonde hair.
She winks at us before taking her place.
Everyone stands and Mr. Banks and Nat begin their walk to us, coming up over the sand dune and grassy hill. Everyone gasps in delight.
Brady whispers, “Holy fuck.”
We all nod in unison as the most beautiful girl in the world starts on the petal and sandy path. Her dress is lifting with the wind. If anything, it adds to the remarkable experience of seeing this.
My heart is seized with fear, and I’m certain I’m about to stroke out any second, but Nat manages to bring a smile to my face. She’s so beautiful when she beams at Brady.
He swallows a lump and definitely won’t make the ceremony dry eyed.
She kisses her father in a way only girls like Nat and probably Jenny do. It’s real. They squish in and press skin against each other and it’s authentic love and affection.
Her dad’s eyes are shiny when he hands Nat to Brady whose fingers are trembling.
Sami’s already glossy eyed and Brady’s mom is crying happily.
They take each other’s hands and the ceremony begins.
The lady minister is warm and welcoming. She has a soothing voice which lies to me that everything will be okay. And I believe her.
Nat