Chasing Us (Dark Love 2)

“I can’t argue with that one,” I reply with a small chuckle.

“Look, you know me, I’m just going to say it how it is. I was there when Charlie found out. She’s very fragile right now… I want you to take that into consideration.”

“Nikki…”

“No, Lex, look… I’m butting out. This is your business. She’s your wife now. All I ask is that you take good care of her, okay? She’s family to me.”

I nod in silence. Charlotte means a lot to many people, and in no way, moving forward, do I want to hurt her anymore. Then, I remember Nikki just said Charlotte is my wife now. So, Charlotte told her. Does that mean what I think it means?

Nikki walks away, leaving me standing alone thinking about what she said and forgetting my urgent need to take a piss.

I quickly duck in and out of the bathroom, then make my way back to the table. Entrée is served, and we all sit there chatting amongst ourselves. I know it’s almost time for the speeches, but some moron in the crowd keeps tinkering with their glass. It’s that stupid tradition where one person starts tapping their fork against the glass and the whole room follows which forces the couple to kiss. It’s like the tenth time it has happened tonight, and after close examination, I realize it’s Rocky who always starts it.

Looking over at Rocky, I shoot him a fuck-off-and-stop-doing-that look. With a wide grin, he raises his glass to me before drinking it all in one go.

A few moments later, the MC announces it’s speech time. Thankfully, I’m second in line though I’m not worried about speaking in front of everyone. This is nothing compared to the large auditoriums where I have given speeches and presentations in front of the most powerful people in the world.

But I’ll have to follow my dad.

And that’s something else.

Dad is up first, and I know his speech will be emotional given Adriana is his only daughter. I recall my first wedding, his speech, and how everyone cried. This will be ten times worse.

“Thank you all for coming here today to celebrate the marriage of my beautiful and only daughter, Adriana, and my new and hopefully only son-in-law, Elijah.”

The

crowd lets out a small laugh. My father is always witty, engaging people when needed.

“Even since Adriana could talk, she was obsessed with weddings. Her first failed marriage was at three. I walked into the living room and found all her dolls and bears dressed up sitting in rows. Adriana was wearing a Cinderella costume with a crown. I asked her what she was doing, and she said she was getting married and waiting at the altar for her groom. I couldn’t help but be amused by this little girl’s imagination, so I asked her who her groom was, and she simply replied, ‘Alex.’”

Laughter fills the room as I recall the memory. At the time, I was nine and having a little sister around was rather annoying.

“Her second failed marriage attempt was at the age of eight. We were due to move to Carmel in about a week. Adriana came rushing through the house with a basket full of items. I asked her why the rush and what was she doing. She explained that she was eloping in the backyard, and that we all needed to be there because she was marrying the next-door neighbors’ kid before we left. I explained to her again that marriage wasn’t something you committed to with just anyone. I still remember her exact words to me. ‘Daddy, if I don’t lock him down now, then God knows who I could end up with.’ I’m thinking little Jimmy next door must have been glad we decided to move three days early.”

The crowd, again, let out a laugh, my mother beaming as my father continues, “As for her third marriage attempt, now this one will last. Elijah,” he says, raising his glass toward him. “I have never seen a man so in love, so taken with a woman as much as I have seen you with my little girl. You’re the light in her day, the contentment in her night. You have given her so much joy and happiness, and anyone who can make my little girl smile the way you do, well, that’s the only thing a father can wish for his daughter. So, to a lifetime of happiness. Please raise a toast to the newly-wedded couple.”

My mother, an absolute wreck, is sobbing into her pile of tissues. I have to admit, it was a pretty good speech. My father hugs my sister tightly before leaning over to give Elijah a quick man-hug.

Rising from my chair, I button up my jacket before walking toward the stage. I clear my throat, ignoring my sweaty palms. Why do I feel like I’m the giant elephant in the room, and the only person watching is Charlotte?

It is now or never.

I straighten my posture, it’s showtime.

“They say love is a noble act of self-giving, offering trust, faith, and loyalty. The more you love, the more you lose a part of yourself, yet you don’t become less of who you are, you end up being complete with your loved one. This couldn’t ring any truer as I tell you the story of how I watched their love for one another unfold…”

From my left side, I see Charlotte staring intently at me, never turning away.

“The first time I met Elijah was when I came home from college. Adriana had this habit of waiting for me on the porch steps every time I came home, something she had done from the moment she could walk. On this particular day, she hadn’t, something I thought she had outgrown, which saddened me somewhat. As I walked into the house, there was only one sound I could hear, the laughter of my sister. I made my way to where the sounds came from, and I saw Adriana with this scrawny-looking boy who reminded me of Beetlejuice with his scruffy hair. She was sitting there intently, listening to a story Elijah was telling her about his horses when he grew up. Now, for anyone who knows Adriana, sitting still and being quiet were skills she never displayed. In fact, it’s almost like she repelled them. However, she sat there, perfectly still, listening intently. I had never seen this side of her. After a quick cough on my end, she saw me. She wasn’t afraid, neither was Elijah. She simply introduced him as a very good friend of hers.

“From that day on, I did lose a small part of my sister for I saw that she was finally growing into this woman, and this so-called friend. Elijah, I knew he had everything to do with it. Not many people can say they held onto their first loves, not many people can say that it was only ever one person who has captured them. Elijah and Adriana, you have conquered love at first sight, remained true to one another after all these years. Your strength and unity as one never cease to amaze me. Your trust in each other, most importantly, has gotten you to this day, the day that if anyone deserves it, it’s the both of you.

“Today, you both become complete with one another and let this be a lesson to others. Place your trust in those you love and accept their trust with the greatest of appreciation. Love like there’s no tomorrow, live like today is the end, and have faith that tomorrow will come. Sometimes we are given the easy road, sometimes the most challenging, but if we can end up being as happy as both of you today, then any road taken is well worth the journey.”

CHARLIE

Lex stands and is handed the microphone. Standing in front of everyone, confident and demanding with his presence, all eyes fixate on him, including my own.