“They aren't feeding us! This wedding is just getting worse and worse.” Drake is officially unhappy.
“Aren't you hungry now?” She asks, stepping around me to kneel in front of him while he's still sitting on the bed.
“Yeah...”
“That's why we're eating. Weddings can take a long time so we're going to eat a little before we go.”
“
Fine. Whatever.”
“Cheer up, Drake,” I easily order.
Emily doesn't want to carry a purse, so she hands me her phone and a few other things for me to stick in my pockets. To keep Drake from knowing where we're going before we get there, I leave ahead of them to call a taxi. Emily and Drake aren't but a couple of seconds behind me, so I have to make it quick. Once we are crammed into the back seat, we leave to officially begin one of the best days of my life.
23
Emily
“Hey, that's where the draft is being held!” Drake points, excitedly as he sees us coming up on the arena
“Driver, could you stop here?” Jake asks.
“What? Aren't we going to be late to the wedding?”
“It'll be okay.”
The taxi stops and Drake is utterly confused as we walk into the building, but then he decides that it doesn't matter. He's too excited to actually be here than anything else. However, it's once we take a seat, and he realizes we're going to miss the wedding, that he starts asking questions.
“Emily and I lied. There's no wedding. We wanted to surprise you and bring you to the draft,” Jake explains.
“This is so awesome! Thank you, Jake!”
He hugs his big brother and the sight warms my heart. The order of which we are sitting is me, Jake, and then Drake. This place is buzzing with anticipation as everyone waits for the procession to begin. I don't know why, but I'm extremely edgy. My mindset feels like we're here for this wonderful day and something is going to ruin it. Shatter the picture that will forever remain in our hearts. The picture that should be entirely perfect.
This is the day that will forever change our lives. This is the day that we will remember always. Then why am I dreading it? Today is Jake's first leap towards accomplishing his dream. There's not a soul who doesn't want this to happen. The impending doom feeling needs to give it a rest. Today is a happy day. With a shaky deep breath, I urge my nerves to ease.
Jake gives me a smile full of pure bliss as he reaches over and takes my hand. His heated touch smacks the tension away. As if that wasn't enough, my love brings those lips to my ear and whispers.
“Thank you for being here. There is no one else that I rather have by my side.” He squeezes my hand. “I hope you're ready for our future because the days are just going to get better and more thrilling. It's going to be like this forever. You and me, holding hands, side by side. Always.”
My breathing is rattled as he leans away just a bit so I can look at him. He lazily brings my hand up to his lips, his green eyes never leaving mine, and he presents my skin with a gentle kiss. The moment is demolished as someone begins to speak. Instinctively, our eyes turn to the man standing at the podium, the whirlwind of voices from others in here cease as he talks.
That feeling of simply existing and not feeling has returned. It's more from an overwhelmed frenzy while we wait for Jake's name to be called. A thousand words graze my mind while we endure those being spoken. A thousand words that could express my joy and love for this man sitting beside me. Sitting here, knowing what is to come, none seem adequate enough. Not a single one can express this feeling.
“Jake Benson.”
My ears come alert. I don't know what was said before or after his name. I only heard his precious name. Clapping erupts and Jake stands, tugging me with him. He kisses and hugs me hard, but quick. Elation spreads across his face and it's contagious as he turns to Drake, who is short of freaking out as he high-fives Jake.
“This is why we came?” he asks.
Jake nods before leaving us behind to make his way on stage. It's then that my eyes catch sight of that red NHL jersey. My love is going to play for the Chicago Blackhawks. A lone tear streaks my cheek.
He did it.
He made it.
Another tear falls as he puts on his jersey, his smile brightening the entire room when he poses for a picture with the gentlemen around him. It's as if I'm in another world, seeing him on that stage wearing an NHL jersey with his name on it. As I watch the happiness radiate from him, nothing could make me prouder of him than I am right now and when he looks at me, I want to burst. Explode with pleasure and delight.