Page 99 of A Lifetime of Afters
My breath hitched.
Harley stepped in, ordering firmly, “Do not ruin your make-up.” Grinning, she took hold of my hands. “You’re my sister for real, now.”
“Why do you think I’m marrying your stinky brother?” I teased.
“For all the good dicking-“ She stopped abruptly and pressed her lips together. “Nope. Still can’t joke about this.”
Laughing like loons, we slung our arms around each other.
Then Harley went quiet, her arms tightening. “I love you, Noelle.”
“I love you, too, Shrimpy.”
She didn’t let go.
“You okay?”
Patting my back, she cleared her throat. “Yup. I’m good.” Stuttering, she added. “Just happy. To have my brother back.”
I squeezed her tightly.
She drew in a deep breath and stepped back, her finger in my face. “We do not talk about this!”
I gave her big, innocent, eyes. “About what?”
“That’s my girl.” She winked then cocked her head as the music started. “There’s my cue. See you on the flipside.”
Leaving the door open for my dad, Harley began her journey down the aisle.
And then, it was finally my turn.
My dad stepped up and drew my fingers through the crook of his arm. “Are you ready, Christmas?”
I turned to my dad. “I was born ready.”
He laughed. “You were. You were made for him. And he was made for you.”
Remembering his earlier concerns, I asked, “Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah,” he confirmed. His eyes glossed. “You know, you came home, and everything fell into place.” He patted my hand at the crook of his elbow. “You love just like your mother.”
I faltered. “I wish she was here.”
He cleared his throat gruffly. “She is.”
Patting my hand, he led me to the entrance of the sanctuary, where we turned to face my future.
Hawkley stood stock still, his heart flayed open. With his eyes locked onto mine, a brilliant smile lit up his face. Hopping down from the altar, he jogged down the aisle.
I stared at him bemused, then began to laugh.
Taking my hand from my dad, he said, “Excuse me, Pat. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and I just couldn’t wait a minute longer. I’ll be quick.”
Pulling me close, he splayed his big palm over my belly and kissed me breathless while our friends and family laughed and clapped behind him.
Leaning back, he beamed at me and squeezed my hands in his before releasing me back to my dad.
Shaking his head, he walked backward and framed me with his fingers. “You look great. Just … great.” Holding his hand in a stop sign, he winked at me. “Give me a few seconds to get back up there. I want the whole experience!”
