Healed (18 page)

“I’m glad Morgan’s going as your date. I think you guys will have a good time together, and maybe afterward you could try and talk to her.”

“That’s the plan.” Nick finished his coffee. “I have a couple of errands to run before the ceremony. I’ll see you at the church.”

“Sounds good.”

With some time on my hands I got a few things done for work, then spent the rest of the time playing X-box. After a quick shower and shave, I threw my contacts in, changed into my tux, and left for the church. When I got there, Caleb was pulling up with his brother. I waited for them to get out of the car.

“I see everyone survived,” I said, reaching out to shake their hands.

“Barely,” Caleb said with a laugh. “Angie was in worse shape than me.”

“Same here. Em spent a few hours praying to the porcelain gods.”

“Girls,” Matt chimed in. “I tried talking to Nicole yesterday but she wasn’t having it. She didn’t leave her room until Mom and Dad forced her to come to dinner last night.”

Caleb laughed. “Come on, Matt, you know she’s always been a lightweight.”

“Ain’t that the truth.”

We walked into the church, where we were shown to a small room near the front to wait until it was time.

“You ready for this man?” I asked Caleb.

He nodded. “More than anything else in my life. Why? Are you starting to realize your turn is coming up pretty fast?”

“I’m trying not to think about it.” Which was the truth. There was still a bunch of stuff to do, and I really didn’t want to think about having to get it all done today. That could be tomorrow’s problem.

“What is with you guys getting married so young?” Matt asked.

“You’re only saying that because you keep dumping your girlfriends,” Caleb said.

“Exactly. The minute they start talking about long-term commitment, I’m out of there.”

“He sounds like Josh,” I said, taking a seat on one of the couches.

“True, but look at Josh now.” Caleb turned to Matt. “I guess that just means you haven’t found the right one yet.”

“Probably not. I’ll let you know when I do,” Matt said, waggling his brows.

We all burst out laughing, but it didn’t take long for us to get ourselves under control. “Where’s Josh?” I asked.

And as if he’d heard me, the door opened and Josh walked through.

“Hey, man,” he said walking up to Caleb.

“Late again, I see.”

Josh threw his hands up in surrender. “Hey, don’t blame me. I’ve been ready for half an hour.”

Caleb chuckled. “I figured as much.”

Matt came over to sit next to me so we could talk while Josh and Caleb were having another conversation on their own. Not long afterward there was a knock at the door. An older gentleman poked his head around the door to look at Caleb.

“It’s time,” he said.

Matt and I stood, making our way out to the front of the church. Caleb and Josh followed us a few minutes later. We stood at the altar, waiting patiently for the girls to make their appearance.

Emily

“YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL,”
I said, fussing with the train of Angie’s dress.

Watching my best friend get married was one of those things I was never going to forget. The smile on her face was huge and she was actually bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. After the crappy upbringing Angie had experienced she deserved this day more than anyone. It also made me think about how close my wedding day was. Being tied to Andrew for the rest of my life would be a dream come true, so I could only imagine how Angie felt standing there looking in the mirror.

“Oh my God, the dress is perfect,” Nicole screeched when she walked into the room.

Angie giggled. “Thanks, Nicole.”

It was cute and sweet, and it suited her personality perfectly. There were no nerves, only happiness in her body language. I was straightening her train when the door opened and in stepped Lauren.

“Sorry I’m late.”

Lauren was very rarely on time, then again, neither was Angie. The only reason she was at the church on time now was because I’d kept her with me all day. It was also the main reason I hadn’t gone home earlier to get ready and drive over with Andrew.

Angie walked over and gripped Lauren’s hands in hers. “No worries. We’re still waiting for everyone to take their seats. You guys look gorgeous in those dresses.”

The dresses were simple, a pink sundress with a halter-top. “You’re the one with the good taste—you chose them.” I didn’t think the smile on her face could get any brighter, but it did.

“Thanks.”

There was a knock on the door and I yelled out for whomever it was to come in. Mr. Jacobs opened the door and stepped in. “Angie, you look beautiful. All of you ladies do.”

The blush spread quickly up Angie’s cheeks. “Thanks, Eric.”

“Now what did I tell you? It’s not Eric, it’s Dad.”

Angie leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, Dad.”

Mr. Jacobs smiled and turned to the rest of us. “Are you all ready?”

We nodded and looked at Angie. “We are.”

“Well let’s get this show on the road.” He held out his arm for Angie to loop hers through. With Angie’s dad being a total asshole, Caleb’s dad had asked if he could be the one to escort Angie down the aisle. I can only imagine what that conversation was like because she was in tears when she tried to tell me about it. I did know she was astonished that he would want to do that for her, and that she was absolutely delighted. Angie wrapped her free hand around his arm and smiled up at him.

“My son is one very lucky man.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “I think I’m the lucky one.”

Mr. Jacobs pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. “My wife warned me I’d need this.” He handed it to Angie. “Then let’s say you’re both very lucky to have found one another.”

The love that he showed Angie made the back of my eyes burn as I tried to hold off the emotion so Angie wouldn’t get any more upset. “Should we line up?” I asked.

Angie dabbed at her eyes. “Yes. Let’s do this.”

I took my place in front of Angie and Mr. Jacobs, and just behind Lauren and Nicole, as we moved from the little room to the doors at the back of the church, lining up against the wall while we waited for the music to begin.

When the first strains of the music filled the air, two of the gentlemen who worked for the church pulled the doors open, giving us our first glimpse into the room since it had been decorated.

It was everything I was expecting, knowing Angie. At the end of each pew was a lantern with a while pillar candle, a bouquet of hydrangeas attached above it, giving the walkway the feel of an elegant runway. The whole vision was absolutely breathtaking.

Lauren started her way up the aisle, Nicole stepping into position behind her. From the crack in the door, I could see Josh watching every move she made as she got closer and closer to the altar. At the halfway point, Nicole took her first steps into the church. And then it was my turn.

Spinning around, I wrapped Angie in a tight hug.

“I love you. You’re my best friend and I couldn’t be any happier for you than I am right at this moment,” I whispered in her ear, emotion thickening my voice.

“I love you too. Thank you for always being there for me and for standing beside me today.”

Turning, I stepped into position and waited for my time. The first thing I noticed was Andrew standing at the front of the room to the right of Caleb’s brother, Matt. He looked absolutely gorgeous in his tux, his broad shoulders filling out the suit like no other. His eyes connected with mine and he smiled, giving me an appreciative nod because, until that moment, Andrew hadn’t seen the dress on me, only on its hanger in our closet.

Taking slow, measured steps I made my way up the aisle, his eyes never leaving mine. It was such emotional experience to be supporting our friends as they committed to spend their lives together. Normally, I wasn’t this sappy, but there was something about this wedding that brought it out in me.

When I reached the front, I took in all of the boys standing at the altar. They all looked way too hot for their own good. Nodding at them, I took my place and turned as the music changed, heralding the entrance of the bride. A hush settled over the room, as everyone stood to watch Angie make her way down the aisle toward Caleb. His eyes opened wide at the sight of her walking toward him, a slow smile dawning on his face. There were whispered gasps among the guest. There was no other way to describe it—Angie looked radiant as she made her way toward her future husband. The moment Angie and Mr. Jacobs reached Caleb, he let out a deep sigh, almost as if he was finally relaxed now that she was by his side.

Throughout the ceremony I kept my eyes on Andrew, thinking about the day we would tie our lives together. It was a bit scary, but exciting at the same time. The minister had gotten to the part I’d been waiting for all day, their vows. Angie and Caleb had written their own and no matter how much I’d begged, Angie wouldn’t let me see hers. She turned and handed me her bouquet, taking Caleb’s hands in hers as he began to speak.

“Angie, the moment we met you changed everything I knew about myself. Memories and nightmares that I’d been afraid to face became a little easier with you by my side. You’ve made me a better person, a better man. Life without you is something I never want to face. I love you with all of my heart, and I hope to always be the husband that you deserve.”

The sound of sniffles filled the room. Even my own eyes began to tear up, thinking of all of the obstacles they overcame to get this point made me thankful that they’d gotten there.

“Caleb,” Angie started, then stopped to clear her throat before trying again. “Caleb, you are my white knight. The man who came charging to the rescue and saved a girl who didn’t think much of herself. We’ve already been through some bad times, and I can only hope our future is filled with the best of times. You are my life, my love, my best friend, and I love you more and more every day.”

The minister turned to Josh. “Do you have the rings?”

Josh pulled them from his pocket and handed one to Angie and the other to Caleb. They repeated the words spoken by the minister as they placed the rings on each other’s fingers.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Caleb pulled Angie into a kiss that could have melted the sun. When they finally came up for air, Caleb took her hand and walked her to the back of the church to the cheering throughout the room. Josh offered me his arm and we followed quickly behind the newlyweds.

“They look amazing don’t they,” Josh whispered in my ear.

“Yes they do.”

At the back of the church, the rest of the guests filed out while Josh and I filled out the official paperwork as the witnesses to the ceremony. The moment I set the pen down, strong arms wrapped around my waist at the same time as a pair of warm lips kissed down the back of my neck.

“It’s our turn next. I can’t wait for the day I can call you my wife.”

Turning in his arms, I placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Me neither.”

We stood holding each other for a few moments before the photographer decided to torture us some more. It was a good thing we had Josh there to keep things light, otherwise I think we all would have died of boredom before getting to the reception. After about a half an hour we were able to climb into our vehicles and head to the hotel, Andrew entwining our fingers the minute the door shut and not letting go until we’d arrived at the hotel and had to get out of the car.

We didn’t have to wait long before the DJ was ready to announce our arrival at the reception.

The beginning of the night passed in a blur of obligations. When the time came for the wedding party to join the bride and groom on the dance floor, Josh offered me his hand and I stepped into his embrace. Peeking around, I saw Lauren walking to the dance floor with her arm through Andrew’s. It was ironic but also kind of fun the way we were paired together. Dancing with Josh was always fun, especially with him cracking jokes the whole time. When I looked at Angie and Caleb dancing next to us, the love in their eyes stole my breath.

“I am so happy for them,” I said, looking up at Josh.

He turned his head to follow my gaze. “Me too. It might have taken them a while in the beginning, but thank God they got here.”

The dance continued and I saw his gaze wander over to where Lauren was dancing with Andrew.

“What about you guys? Have you considered making the big leap yourself?”

He grinned, his eye brightening. “Yeah, I’ve thought about it. She’s definitely ‘The One.’”

“So why haven’t you?”

“I don’t think either of us are ready for it, yet. With Lauren having another year of school left, I want her to focus on that.” He looked back down at me. “Don’t worry, we’ll get there. After everything that happened last year, I can’t imagine my life without her.”

With the hand I had on his shoulder, I squeezed. “I’m glad everything worked itself out. You need her as much as she needs you.”

“Oh my, is my little Em being sweet?” he asked with a smirk.

“Maybe. But don’t push it or I’ll kick your ass, even though I’m wearing a dress.”