Page 30 of Kylie

As was the case with most of the debates with my siblings, there’d been some arguing and bartering, maybe a little bit of bribery thrown in. Admittedly, Zoey was pretty good at that, but I had stood my ground.

In the end, my idea was simple: Gage and I by the magnolia tree at my parents’ house. I gave them the option of getting on board with the idea or making themselves scarce for the big day. They eventually gave in, realizing I wasn’t going to back down.

I wasn’t looking for some grand gesture; I only wanted to fulfill my wife’s wish, and I wanted my husband to know I was committed for the long haul. As far as I was concerned, no one had to attend except for Gage and Pastor Bob.

Although my sisters-in-law had been disappointed that they wouldn’t get to plan a big to-do, they had rallied behind me. But I should’ve known putting my foot down didn’t necessarily mean I would get everything I wanted. They’d snuck in a few things without my consent, but since they’d kept it simple, I could honestly say they’d had the right idea. And they were all there, seated behind us in rows of chairs. Kaleb and Zoey, Zane and V, Ethan and Beau, Braydon and Jessie, Sawyer and Kennedy, Brendon and Cheyenne, plus all twenty-three of their kids. My mother and father were also there, as were Kylie’s father and stepmother.

For me, that would’ve been plenty, but someone had slipped in a few additional invitations. Several of my cousins, aunts, and uncles, and some good friends were also in attendance. There to help keep the little ones in line during the ceremony, or so I'd been told.

And fine, perhaps it was better this way. My entire family there to witness us pledging our love to one another.

But there was one attendee I hadn’t expected. According to Gage, the magnolia trees likely wouldn’t produce flowers for years. While they were already several years old at this point, having been transplanted from whatever farm they were grown on, it would still be a while before their flowers made an appearance. Yet there it was, a single bloom on the magnolia tree, the flower open fully as though seeking the warmth of the sun. As far as I knew, the other three trees had yet to produce a single flower, and I couldn’t help but think it was a sign.

So, beneath the warm Texas sun on a beautiful spring day, Gage and I exchanged our vows.

Nothing elaborate because, again, it wasn’t about the pomp and circumstance. I held myself together, kept a smile on my face throughout. But it was when the rings were brought forward that I got choked up.

At our wife’s request, Gage had taken our rings to a jeweler in the neighboring town, along with Kylie’s, and had them melted down together and two new rings created. The result was two platinum bands, each with three tiny diamond chips across the center. While the largest diamond and the other smaller ones had been saved for the girls, Gage had decided the three diamonds—signifying the three of us—would be a reminder that even without Kylie with us, she was still in our hearts, still part of us.

When Pastor Bob proudly pronounced us husband and husband, I kissed my groom and held on to Gage for long minutes afterward.

Today was a day I would always remember, a good day. And while we were still grieving, would be for quite some time, these were baby steps to moving forward.

Part Two

“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”

MAYA ANGELOU

Chapter Eleven

9 Months Later

Monday, December 20, 2021

Kylie

I came to slowly. It was a bit like diving into a pool and lingering momentarily before you plant your feet on the bottom and push off, aiming for the sky. Everything is quiet and then sounds become distinguishable as you break the surface of the water.

That was what happened. One minute I was in the deep end of the pool, the next, I was aware of a soft beeping sound. It grew louder, as did the shuffling of feet somewhere nearby. I didn’t open my eyes immediately, wasn’t sure where I was.

I became aware of the blanket first. It was a bit scratchy where it rubbed against my arms.

A pungent aroma came next. It was a mix of rubbing alcohol and something metallic. Like one of those abrasive cleaners, maybe. It wasn’t exactly pleasant, but it was tolerable.

The temperature was the next thing I noticed. It was warm. Almost too warm. Probably uncomfortable if I were moving around a lot.

I focused on the sounds around me. As I was listening, trying to identify something familiar, there was a click, a soft hum followed by a hiss. A second later, the mattress inflated beneath me. The click-hum-hiss sounded again, and the air moved to another area. It didn’t make sense. Nor did the beeping sound, the one that was slowly picking up speed.

A soft shuffling drew my attention. I turned my head toward the sound as it got closer. I could sense movement near me. I tried opening my eyes, but it didn’t help. The room was dark. So dark I couldn’t make out a single shape or even a light from the machine that was continuing to beep, a rhythm that seemed to be in tune with my rapid heartbeat.

“I can’t see,” I rasped, but the words didn’t make it past my tongue.

That was the moment the panic set in. Was I blind? How did it happen? Where was I?

Who was I?

Something cold brushed the inside of my arm. “You’re okay.”