JEFF
The Wedding Day……
Gunner and I walked around, following Jenny. Everything was set up and ready to go and I was in awe at how beautiful everything was. The Mansion at Judges’ Hill really was the perfect choice for the wedding.
We had the rehearsal dinner here last night, and Ari had never stopped smiling. Her dad had even pulled me to the side and finally told me how happy he was we were getting married. Of course, he had to end it with a threat, saying that not only did I have to make Ari the happiest woman on earth, but I also better be the best damn father to his grandchild.
No pressure.
The reception room looked amazing. Ari and Jenny did an amazing job. I looked around and almost felt like I couldn’t breathe. In two hours, I was going to marry the girl of my dreams.
Gunner slapped me on the back, bringing me out of my thoughts. “Dude, I’m gonna assume by the smile on your face you’re thinking about your future bride. ”
My smile grew as I looked at Gunner and Jenny. Jenny smiled back and then looked at her watch.
Immediately, she picked up her cell phone and made a call. “Those flowers were supposed to be here by 9 a. m. Yeah, you better be on your way. ” She hit end and then looked back up at me.
“No worries. It’s for the reception. Susan wanted fresh, as in same day fresh, flowers for the tables. ”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. We walked out to the courtyard. It looked perfect.
“Okay, so if everything looks good to you, Jeff, I need to go and check on the bride. I actually just saw her peeking out the window up-stairs. ”
I hadn’t seen her since yesterday morning when Ellie and Heather got to the cottage and practically dragged Ari away, kicking and screaming. They stayed here last night because Sue was worried that Ari wouldn’t be here on time.
I scanned the windows until my eyes captured hers. She smiled and waved at me, and I waved back. Her hair was pulled up, but I couldn’t really see how it was styled. No matter what, she looked beautiful. Then, I saw Ellie as she shot me a dirty look and pulled Ari away from the window.
Gunner laughed as he slapped me yet again on the back.
“Damn, dude, you’re one lucky son of a bitch. She looks beautiful. ”
I turned and looked at Gunner as we started to walk back inside. Josh and Brad were talking to Sue and Mark while Matt was climbing all over Josh. I smiled, knowing my little buddy was so happy today.
We had told him last night that Ari had a baby growing in her stomach, and he was full of questions. I love that kid so damn much. As soon as Matt saw me, he came running up to me. So I bent down so he could run into my arms.
“Jeff! Are you going to marry Ari today?” Matt asked with a huge smile on his face.
Gunner reached over and rubbed his hand on top of Matt’s head. Matt looked up at Gunner and smiled the biggest smile ever.
“I’m gonna stand next to you, Gunner, and help you be the bestest man!” Matt said as he jumped up and down in my arms.
“I know you are, buddy. I couldn’t do it without you, you know that, right?”
“Yeah, I know. That’s what Ari said, too. She said you would mess it up alone. Gunner, I’ll help you to not mess it up, so you’re not an assmole like Jeff. ”
I had to give Gunner credit for not laughing. Matt had quickly learned that we all laughed when he said assmole, so he said it all the time now. Unfortunately, when he said it, he was usually saying I was the assmole. That seemed to please Mark…a lot.
“Ari said that huh?” Gunner asked.
Matt nodded with a huge smile on his face.
Sue walked up to us, reaching out of Matt. “Matt, come on babe, we need to let the boys finish getting dressed and ready, and you need to get into your new clothes that we bought just for today. ”
Matt turned back at me, smiling as he hugged me. “I’m so glad you’re going to be my brother. I love you, Jeff. ”
With that, he ran over to Josh and hugged his leg. Josh leaned down and returned the hug as he glanced at me. Josh had really taken to Matt. Ari had told me that Josh had even started stopping by the house, so he could play video games with Matt because I had not been able to since we moved.
Gunner let out a sigh and looked at me. I took one last look around the giant ballroom that had been turned into a winter wonderland. I sucked in a deep breath.