It wasn't for him to bother with, and my worries had to be tucked away. I wanted to be present at the moment, why I wasn't sure. Good plot information for a wedding scene if I ever wrote one?
The pastor welcomed everyone and dove right into the ceremony, preaching about God and love and joking about babies. I laughed and glanced down toward Maddie to find her looking back at me.
Something protective inside of me swelled, and I wanted to ask if she were okay, but it would have been silly.
Of course, she was. She would get her money and run, and eventually find herself doing this wedding thing again, but the next time it would be real, or hopefully so.
I couldn't help but wonder if she would keep the dress and use it again. Would I keep the ring?
Fuck no.
Looking down at her, I couldn't help but feel how real the ceremony could have been. I was grateful seeing that it was all for my mother.
"Who has the rings?" the pastor asked, the smile on his face friendly.
"Ron?" I glanced down at my best friend and extended my hand, taking both of them before handing them over to the preacher.
We walked throughout vows and turned to face everyone before us as the preacher's voice boomed behind me.
"And I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."
I turned and pulled Maddie into my arms, leaning down and kissing her deeply, passionately. The sound of whooping and hollering filled the space around us, and our kiss broke with both of us smiling.
It was so real that it hurt me to know that I would never forget it. The moment was impressed upon my broken heart. Did she feel the same? Was she alive at all? Awake enough to feel the passion between us, the building warmth that I couldn't deny even if I wanted to?
"I'd like to introduce you gathered here today to Mister and Misses Gavin Hayward."
Everyone stood and clapped as I took Maddie's hand and we walked back down the aisle. Birdseed was being thrown above our heads, and the sound of music and laughter had me smiling.
I moved back and turned, shaking hands and giving hugs until Ron and my mother were the only ones left in line.
"Well, I have to say, that was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Ron pulled me into a quick hug before turning to his cousin. "Makes me want to consider acting right and getting myself a wife."
"I thought I would never hear the day." Maddie hugged him and laughed as I turned to my mother. Ron wasn't going to settle down. He was a playboy with the hopes of sleeping with as many women as possible before he was forced to put a ring on someone's finger.
"Mom." I reached out and cupped the side of her face as tears rolled down her eyes.
"My baby. All grown up and married to a princess." She smiled and moved back, lifting a camera. "Let me take a few shots to send off to the rest of the family that couldn't make it this fast." She glanced over at Maddie. "You can post it up on your social media too, sweetheart. Everyone is going to rave seeing you in that beautiful dress. You should be on the cover of a wedding magazine."
"I agree." I glanced down at my fake bride and pulled her to my side, leaning in and smiling like it was the best day of my life.
"Thank you, Ms. Hayward."
"Call me mom." My mother moved over to Maddie and pulled her into a long hug. "And make sure to take care of my boy. You're all he's got outside of Ron; God help us."
Maddie laughed, but I could hear how forced it was. "I sure will. Let's get you back to your house so you can rest."
Mom glanced back at me, reaching out and taking my hand. "That sounds like a great idea. I had so much fun." She turned and touched my face. "I love you. I'm so proud of you, and your daddy is looking down from heaven today, too. He's proud. I promise you."
"Thanks, mom." My heart broke in my chest as I wrapped an arm around her and helped her back to the house.
Maddie walked closely on the other side of her, asking questions about her and my father's wedding day. I let her go on until we had mom in bed. We closed the door to my mother's bedroom and walked out of the small house after talking with Karen for a minute.
"Well? We did it." Maddie reached for my hand, and I twisted my fingers around her.
"Yeah. You were stunning. Still are." I let my eyes run down the length of her body as we made the short walk back to my house.
We walked into the house, and I closed the door as she stopped and turned to face me.