Page 117 of Axton
He was laughing so hard I worried he would stop breathing.
“Hell no, she’s not my relation. Loretta Joe married my cousin’s step dad after her mom got lost at Walmart and was finally declared dead, then when he got drunk at his still and drowned in the creek, she married his brother, then his other brother when the second husband died in that meth lab explosion ten-years ago. Then she forgot she even married that last husband when she married the traveling preacher. I have no idea why she’s living with Big Mike’s parents.”
Oh my….
“Praise God and don’t ask me how, but my buddy here did my family tree, and I have actual branches. From what he could tell the mountain life didn’t even start until the 1980’s. Big Mike was born in Washington State. Make that make sense. His parents actually chose that life, which in my opinion makes it worse.”
What kind of people were on that mountainside? At least Michael had branches on his tree.
“It’ll be a few weeks before I can get down there, and like I said, you might as well do that wellness check. Since the judge dismissed their wrongful death case, I’m sure you’ll be called down there for Linda Sue’s outbursts anyway.”
Pause…
“Thanks for the best wishes, Belle and I appreciate it. Talk soon.”
Pause…
“You can come in now, Belle.” Michael laughed. “I already told you I don’t have anything to hide.”
My face was red before I even opened the door of our bedroom all the way. He caught me and I was guilty. He pulled me down on his lap. “Any questions?”
I nodded real big, but remembered something he said once. Ignorance is bliss. “I think I’m good.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Axton
Ialways thought men were nervous on their wedding day. I was excited, especially after the rehearsal and dinner last night. Seeing her walk down that aisle on Koty’s arm gave me a glimpse to what I would have been seeing on our big day.
All of the cultists were released from County, and they went back home. Our wedding was to be live streamed to all of the followers, that meant all of the compounds. Belle’s brother, who she said was in his late twenties, set up all the equipment and Magnus said it was up and going.
Creed and I waited in the sacristy while the guests arrived. The organ was being played by Morgan’s grandmother, and the minutes were counting down. Father Meyer placed one hand on my shoulder and another on Creed’s as he said a prayer. Then everyone but Father and Creed left to go walk the girls down the aisle.
“I guess as your best man I should have some words of wisdom.” Creed said. “Morgan and I moved things quick, and I still have no regrets. Being a dad and a husband has been the greatest part of my life. You’d think after an adoption, a twin pregnancy, and of course being held captive, the honeymoon period would beover, but I still live and breathe for every moment with Morgan. She gave me a daughter and two sons, and our connection has only grown stronger. I like the way you’re doing things and maybe you’re on to something. You’ve respected her deep faith, but also encouraged her to spread her wings and not fear the wrath of God every moment of her life. She’s a very intelligent woman, and she’s eager to learn new things every single day. You’re dating her, not just marrying her, and it's about time someone takes care of you for once. You’re going to be a great husband, and I can’t wait for your first kid. It’s like nothing I can describe. You love Belle, but nothing can prepare you for the love you’ll have for your children.”
“It’s time.” Father announced.
Creed straightened my tuxedo tie and slapped my back. “Let’s get you hitched.”
I already was hitched, but I didn’t comment. Our marriage was already recognized by the church, but I wanted the ability to receive the Eucharist in the future. Belle’s community wouldn’t recognize it unless we said our vows in front of a religious officiant and prayed for God’s blessing. I was honestly shocked they were going to recognize our Catholic wedding. Creed and I followed Father Meyer out and the first faces I saw was my grandparents, aunts and uncles, and a few cousins. I also saw Gloria, Sniper, and a good part of Creed’s Lake. There weren’t seats left downstairs or upstairs, so people had to stand in the back. The church was packed, and I even saw Mrs. Hoffman and the liar’s club from the general store.
The music changed and my mom walked down the aisle on the arm of Magnus’s dad, who was like a dad to all of us, and they took their seats. Mom looked nice in a pale pink dress. Then Belle’s mothers, which I learned they were both recognized as her mothers, missing one that was in Utah, walked downtogether and refused an usher. They took a seat and of course my mom was sobbing, putting on all the drama of course.
The church was beautiful. The stained-glass windows reminded me of the church I attended as a kid and gave me a feeling of home. There were flowers everywhere, and there was no mistaken there was a wedding happening. I glanced at my grandma and gave her a smile and a wink, then she blew me a kiss. I placed my hand on my heart and patted it, letting her know what I probably wouldn’t ever say out loud. I love you. My grandma and grandpa tried to fight for us, that’s what caused the estrangement between them and mom. Unfortunately, the judge always ruled in favor of mom.
The music changed again, and Melissa walked out with Drakos. I heard a few people gasp. That wasn’t because Melissa looked so tiny next to her boyfriend, it was because Drakos was huge. He always had that effect on people. They took their places, and then it was Morgan and Magnus, Heidi and Jennings, Steph and Granger, Irons and Wrenly, Bolton and Darren, then the second most important girl, my niece Addie. That was when I had to pull out my handkerchief. She looked so damn adorable in that little dress. It was a light green sheer little ball gown and had a tiny train with butterflies on it. Her blond hair was down in curls, and she carried a little basket with pedals in it. She was so brave to walk down that aisle alone. It cost me big. I had to promise one sleepover a month, a red snow cone every Thursday, and I had to give that stupid maween Weston a wedgie. She didn’t carefully toss down the pedals, she threw them up in the air and they landed all over the place, even into some guest’s hair. Then she looked at me and skipped up to give me a hug.
“I love you, Uncle Mike.” She kissed my cheek then ran over to stand by Bolton. Yeah, that was a little weird, and something I forgot to tell Belle. Dammit! Sleeping with Bolton happened solong ago, and it was only one time that I forgot when Belle said she wanted all the Originals and their significant others in the wedding. Minus Baros, the asshole was back in paradise.
I smiled then wiped a few tears away with my handkerchief when I saw Kayla. She was so beautiful in her light green dress. I patted my chest for her, and she smiled then gave me a wink when she took her place. Someday, I’d give her away to the man of her dreams, and she would also be as nervous as Belle might have been about what would happen on her wedding night.
I saw white in the back, but I couldn’t see Belle yet. The music changed and everyone stood. That was when I heard the entire crowd and Father Meyer gasp. Father laid his hand on my shoulder and leaned in closer. “I’ve officiated and have been to hundreds of weddings, and never saw a more beautiful bride.”
My heart was racing, and my legs nearly gave out. I never felt so emotional in my life. Her hair was half up, and the veil flowed beautifully behind her. The dress was absolutely stunning, and I was shocked her mother’s didn’t have a meltdown because it was the kind that had no sleeves. It exposed her shoulders, and I thought she would have chosen a more modest dress, but I was pleased with her choice to say the least. My wife looked like an absolute angel. She held a large bouquet of roses, light pink, cream, light blue. I didn’t even notice Koty in a tux at first. She looked so tall next to him, but also so happy. Her eyes glimmered and her smile was brilliant.
Creed squeezed my shoulder because I wasn’t holding it together well. She had to have been sent by God, there was no other explanation. She bent down so Koty could kiss her cheek, respond to father and then he took a seat as she handed Kayla her flowers then turned to me.
“You are so beautiful.” I sniffled. She took my handkerchief and dabbed my tears away, and everyone laughed. She even stuck the handkerchief into my pocket and the crowd laughed a little harder. My wife was already taking care of me.
