Page 91 of Parentmoon

Dallas leaves Keli on the balcony for individual photos and comes to me. “I’ll see you downstairs.”

“I’ll be the one underneath the palm trees.” Breathless, I stare at Dallas, as if we’re the ones about to be joined, not our children. Emotion grows thicker in my throat, and I clear it once more.

Dallas leans forward and kisses me again at the corner of my mouth. He hums as he pulls back. “See you soon.”

Thoughts from last night return. The ones where Dallas could one day meet me beneath palm trees for a different kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Before I break into tears, I excuse myself and brush away all silly notions other than the task at hand.

Michael and Keli are finally getting married.

+ + +

Michael stands on the beach beneath two palm trees curling toward each other, like a natural archway. The sun is low in the morning sky behind him. There isn’t music during this ceremony just the rustle of palm trees and the soft sigh of a breeze. Without fanfare, I simply walk to my son carrying my small bouquet which includes flowers that match Dallas’s boutonniere.

My son seems as calm as this morning. Solid on his feet and confident in his love. I stand to his left, and we face the direction Keli will process.

Dallas leads Keli on his arm, and the moment Michael sees his bride, his breath hitches. Or was that a sigh of relief? Their wedding is really happening. Keli smiles wide, keeping her eyes on Michael as she walks toward him. My own gaze catches on Dallas. Confidence radiates off him as he leads his daughter to her future.

When they stop in front of Michael, Dallas turns and kisses Keli on the cheek. “Love you, baby girl.”

“Love you, too, Daddy.” She smiles sweetly at him before turning to Michael.

Dallas holds Keli’s hand and places it on Michael’s outstretched palm. He curls all their fingers together. “Take care of my baby,” he instructs my son before removing his hand and watching Michael take over.

“Hello,” Michael says to Keli, and she giggles.

“Hello,” she replies, reminding me today is the anniversary of their hello day. This day will now mark another anniversary for them.

As this exchange happens, they face each other and Dallas reaches out for me, cupping my elbow in his hand and gently guiding me to stand at Michael and Keli’s side.

“Typically, the parents stand to either side of their child,” the priest states and Michael and Keli turn to where Dallas and I stand side by side a few feet away from them.

“There’s nothing typical about today and our view is better from here,” Dallas replies to the priest.

He isn’t wrong. Rather than standing behind Michael and Keli, with their backs to us, we’re a few feet away, facing their sides where we can witness every smile and gaze between our children.

Dallas locks his pinky with mine for a second but reluctantly releases me when Keli hands me her bouquet to hold.

As tears cloud my eyes, time blurs. Within minutes, prayers are said, and vows are read, and Michael and Keli are married. They went with traditional vows with a few additions of their own.

When the ceremony is over, Michael is told he can kiss his bride. To my surprise, Dallas leans over and kisses my cheek.

“They did it,” he whispers.

“True love finds itself in the end,” I say, turning to face him.

“Yeah?” Dallas questions.

Does he not believe in true love? Now isn’t the time for such a question.

Turning to our children, the priest presents Mr. and Mrs. Hudson to only Dallas and me. Then Keli leaps at Michael and they kiss one more time.

+ + +

A full day is still ahead of us. There isn’t a reception to celebrate this moment with family and friends, but Michael and Keli already explained that they’ll host a celebratory party once they return home from their honeymoon.

A honeymoon that was hijacked by Dallas and me as a parentmoon.