A tear slipped from his eyes as he quickly wiped it away. “I love you like you’re my own daughter. I hope you know that.”
Nodding, I whispered, “I do, and I love you.”
“Now, come on before you have us both crying and you get me in trouble with Sara.”
With a giggle, I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. Scott took my flowers and handed them to me.
“Ready?”
Dragging in a deep breath, I replied, “Ready!”
WHEN SHE STEPPED away from the window my chest squeezed.
Taking in a deep breath, I turned out and looked out over the ocean. The last time I stood in this spot it ended in a way I’d probably never forget. Frowning, I thought about how I didn’t feel the least bit guilty.
With Kilyn everything was so different. It felt different. I felt different. I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t worried.
Smiling, I thought about last night when I had a drink with my Pappou.
“Tomorrow is the planting season,” he said with a smile.
“The planting season?” I had a feeling this was my grandfather’s way of saying I needed to get Kilyn pregnant quickly.
Taking a drink, he nodded. “Athanasios, do you know how love works?”
With a laugh, I tilted my head and replied, “I would hope I know a little something.”
He shook his head, “Nah, you know nothing.”
Laughing, I motioned for him to speak. “Tell me, Pappou.”
With a smile, he leaned closer to me. “I’ll tell you what my Pappou told me the night before I married your Yiayia. You build love from the ground up. It takes watering and care. The sun will shine on it most days.” He nodded as if lost in a thought. Lifting his hand he pointed up. “But . . . those clouds, oh, those clouds will move in and storms will come. You have to be her shelter, Athanasios. She is a strong woman, but she needs you by her side always. You tend to her with love and passion. A woman likes a strong man in and out of her bed.”
I looked away, smiled and nodded. “I will always tend to our love.”
“Good,” he responded. “Now, when can I expect a child from your Irish beauty?”
The music began as Gus tapped me on the back. “This is it, dude.”
I spun around and took in a deep breath.
My little cousin, Nichole, came skipping down the aisle. She was singing something as she threw rose petals up in the air. With a chuckle, I watched as she came to stop right in front of me.
“Athanasios! Kilyn looks like a princess!”
Everyone laughed.
Leaning down, I asked, “Does she look as beautiful as you do?”
Nichole’s face lit up. “Yes!” She moved in closer and whispered, “Don’t tell anyone, but I think she looks the prettiest out of everyone. I don’t want to hurt any feelings.”
I crossed my heart and replied back. “I won’t tell anyone.”
Standing, I watched as Sara motioned for Nichole to stand to the side. As she turned to leave she stopped and quickly spun around. “Oh! I heard Kilyn telling Claire that you were going to love what she had on under her dress too! I think it’s another dress because they were both really happy about it.”
My mouth fell open as I stared at her and Gus busted out laughing next to me.
Nichole spun around in a twirl and skipped over to Sara.
I cleared my throat and tried not to look at my parents.
Gus leaned in and said, “Jesus, I hope like hell that was captured on the video. I want so badly to see your face.”
Hitting him with my elbow, I said, “Shut up, Gus. Just stand there and be quiet.” I smiled when I saw Claire walking down the aisle. She looked beautiful. It took everything out of me not to start laughing when a few of my mother’s cousins began to act like they were spitting on her. Claire must have jumped ten feet in the air as she looked at them with a horrified expression. When she made it up to the front she flashed me a smile.
“Is she okay?” I asked.
With a nod, she replied, “I’ve never seen her so happy or look so beautiful.”
Heat surged through my body and I swear everyone could hear my heart pounding.
The music changed and the music began to play. “Here we go,” Gus mumbled as I tried to calm my racing heart. He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. I was glad he was here with me and able to be my best man.
The moment she appeared in front of me I was left breathless. She smiled as soon as she saw me. It was like we were the only two people as our gaze locked on each other.
It felt like it took them forever to walk down the aisle. I was so lost in her beauty I wasn’t even paying attention to my crazy family.