04 Our Forever
(Jayden)
I run my hand through my hair for the third time and stare at my reflection in the mirror. The suit''s sharp-tailored perfectly, every button in ce. Today is the day.
Again,
My wedding da
"You good, man?" Lance asks, standing behind me in his own tux, straightening his tie for the hundredth time.
"Yeah," I lie, turning away from the mirror and checking my cufflinks instead.
"Don''t sound like it," Lance chuckles, sitting on the edge of the couch. "You''ve done this before, remember?"
I shoot him a look. "Exactly. I''ve done this before. And thest time... she didn''t make it."
Lance''s grin fades a little, but he shrugs. "Different day, different circumstances. You know she''sing
this time."
I take a deep breath, my stomach still turning over itself. He''s right. Winona will be there. I know that. But the tension''s been hightely. Between Nexus Global, our ns, our shes on how to raise the kids- there''s been a lot going on. I''m not blind to it. But I''m trying to believe this is the start of something good.
"You sure?" I ask, half-joking but needing the reassurance.
Lance stands, adjusting his suit jacket. "If I wasn''t, I''d already be at the bar."
Iugh despite myself. "That''sforting."
Bobby walks into the room, dressed in his suit, looking a little ufortable as he fidgets with the sleeves. "Do I have to wear this?" he asks, his voice half-whining.
I kneel down in front of him, fixing his cor. "It''s just for today, bud. You''re part of the wedding party, and you look great."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.
Bobby nods but doesn''t seem convinced. I straighten up, giving him a smile. "Your nervous?" I ask him
He shrugs. "A little."
1 crouch down again, meeting his eyes. "That makes two of us."
"Really? You don''t look nervous," Bobby says, his brow furrowing.
"Well, I am. But it''s a good kind of nervous. I''m nervous because today''s a big day. But I know that at the end of it, everything will be okay."
Bobby looks up at me, his face serious. "You really think so?"
I ruffle his hair. "I know so."
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305 A Perfect Walk
04 Our Forever
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Lance ps his hands, breaking the moment. "Alright, guys, let''s not keep thedies waiting."
I grin at Lance. My best friend. My ride or die. "Not usually a wedding involved when you''re saying that."
"Desperate times, my friend, desperate times." Lance grins back and ps me on the shoulder.
We head out toward the ceremony site, the celebrant already standing in ce, and the aisle lined with flowers. I take my spot at the altar, standing there with Lance and Bobby at my side, waiting for Winona.
The nerves settle a bit, but they don''tpletely go away. The sea of faces of the guests, all showing a little worry. Afterst time, who can me them?
To be honest, I can''t wait to get away from the familiarity of expectation. I need to go to Europe to run things before they can be sessfully wrapped up with the possibility of a sale in mind.
There''s a lot of long-time staffers I need to meet and I''m more than nervous about it. I''ve spoken to Lance about my concerns and feeling like I''ll be going over there and proving myself. I''m not sure I''m up to it and I''m not sure Winona will even be in agreement. I haven''t run it past her yet and I don''t want any surprises. "Don''t mention Europe to Winona yet." I whisper to Lance.
"Wait, she doesn''t know?"
sure!
"I didn''t want to cause stress, it''s been hard enough with family and work pressures. I''m not sure I can sell this as a good thing right now. I do think Winona needs a break from the pressures around here."
Lance leans over slightly, keeping his voice low. "So, you''re still sure about dragging everyone to Europe, huh? Think Winona''s really down for that?"
I nce at him, I''m not sure but I think it''ll be okay once we''re there. "She''ll be fine once we''re there. A change of scenery will do us good."
"Yeah, maybe," Lance says, though his tone isn''t exactly full of confidence. "But just... keep it real. Europe''s a whole different beast, especially when you''ve got three kids, well four, in tow. And Winona... she''s not one to love big changes forced on her." "I know," I say, eyes still locked on the entrance. "But we need this. I need this. And I know she''lle around. Once she sees how good it''ll be for all of us."
Lance nods. I can''t tell if he''s convinced or not, but I don''t have time to dwell on it. The music shifts, signaling the start of the ceremony.
The doors open, and there''s the first glimpse of Abby and Sarah, tossing petals down the aisle.
My heart swells, my nerves pushed back by the sight of them, carefree and happy, doing their job perfectly.
Abby has the biggest smile and she looks like a princess in her pink replica of Winona''s dress. Sarah''s dress is in the style of the bridal attendants, and she looks so grown up and proud. "Here we go." Lance whispers.
Then Anne and Lisa appear, walking out gracefully behind the girls. Anne looks proud, like she''s got everything in control-because she always does.
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304 Our Forever
And Lisa... Well, Lisa''s looking amazing and there''s a certain twinkle in her eyes as she makes eye contact with Lance.
"Looks like you''re next, buddy." I whisper with a grin.
"Turn it up. Never." Lance replies while keeping the smile stered on his face.
Cass is looking a vision and I''m so pleased Winona has her here this time.
And then the doors open wider.
There she is.
Winona.
My heart definitely skips a beat. The most beautiful sight in the world and I am the luckiest man.
She''s walking herself down the aisle, and damn, she''s perfect. She looks like a dream in her dress, her hair cascading down her shoulders, her eyes locking with mine instantly. The world stops. Every doubt, every sh we''ve had, every worry about whates next-it all fades away in this moment.
She''s here.
This time, she''s here.
My chest tightens with emotion as she takes those sure steps closer to me. I don''t know what I''ve done to deserve her, but she''s walking toward me, and everything feels right. This is it.
This is our forever.