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Out near the water, I can see Akoni getting ready near our wedding arch. He’s dressed up more than me in his white linen shirt and dark slacks. When Hazel and I found out he performs wedding ceremonies, we booked him immediately.
Brett follows my gaze. “They’re getting everyone gathered up. Must be time to start the show.”
“Let’s head,” I tell him.
“Hang on.” He squares my shoulders, then brushes invisible traces off my collar.
I grin. “You’re fussing.”
“Sorry. Okay. Looking good. I’m happy for you, brother. Really happy for you.”
I have to swallow down the massive knot in my throat to get some words out. “You’ve always been my best friend. I’ve looked up to you my whole life. Thanks for always steering me right. You told me, right from the start, to get to know her.”
“I know you, Jackie. I could see how you felt about her?—”
“Before I did.” It’s wild to think back. Behind us, that same white awning we sat underneath is once again flapping in the breeze. The slap-slap of the fabric sounds like a drumbeat. Out on the beach, the waves add to the rhythm as they crash onto the shore.
“This is a special day,” Brett says, really choking up now, “and I’m just honored to be part of it.”
He pulls me in for a hug.
I hug him back for a good, solid minute.
He grabs his phone off the table and slips it into his pocket when we part. I take one sip of my nearly full beer but leave the rest on the table. We head for the beach, me squinting into the sunlight.
The guests are standing in front of the arch. It fills my heart to see everyone there together. This is the same sand that Hazel and I stood on when we sent Chester out into the waves.
Chester, the Sea Turtle, wears a tracking device, and Hazel and I love to check the website that publishes his routes. The device sends a signal to a satellite whenever he comes up for air. He’s been traveling all over the place, out in the ocean. As far as we know, he’ll show up on this beach again one day. We’ve already decided that when we see evidence he’s here, we’ll book the first tickets we can get.
Maybe by then, we’ll have a daughter or son to introduce to our turtle friend.
Who knows?
I smile when I see Ophelia in her flower girl sundress. She gives me a big wave but doesn’t run over because Jasmine is holding her hand, pinning her to the position they’re supposed to be in when the ceremony starts.
Corinne crouches and whispers something to her daughters. Then, she waves at Brett and me and flashes a thumbs-up.
She hugs her girls, then backs up to join the other bridesmaids lining up behind the crowd.
I spot Alexis, Hazel’s best friend from Windsor. Then I see Hazel’s two sisters, Julia and Rosie.
Julia’s two sons will bring our rings to us when Akoni beckons them—at least, that’s the plan. I’ve spent some time with the two little guys, and I’m not sure they won’t run after seagulls at the last minute. If they do, someone will jump in for the chase and get the rings to us; I have faith in that.
Julia and Rosie both look happy. Hazel’s been spending lots of time on Skype with them lately to get this trip and wedding planned. I think it’s been good for all of them, even though virtual isn’t always ideal.
All the women are in floaty blue dresses that get tugged around by the breeze of the sea. Everyone's beaming.
Walking becomes a little more complicated when we hit the deep, loose sand. I kick off my sandals to feel the warmth.
That makes Brett laugh. He stoops to pick them up. “I’m the best man. I can’t let you walk down the aisle like some shoeless hobo.”
My gaze sweeps past the gathered bridesmaids to Hazel’s parents. And then I see her. My partner. Soon—within the hour—my wife.
Hazel is wrapped in a warm hug around her mother. Even though her back is to me, her relaxed posture tells me how happy she is. Her mom is smiling, too. They’ve been getting along really well lately, which I’m happy about.
“Hazel’s barefoot, too,” I tell my brother.
“She is? Oh—well then.” He drops my shoes. “Good.” He chuckles as he kicks off his sandals.
