Mitchell's Power Play

Waiting

MITCHELL

Everything was ready for the wedding. There was a large white tent in the backyard set up above two long tables where the dinner was going to take place. The tablecloths, napkins and plates were all white. The only color on the tables came from all the shades of green in the succulent centerpieces Sammy had ordered, and from the greenish ribbons tied around the chairs, which Sammy had explained were not just green, but sea foam green.

All I knew was that it looked good.

Nash and I had spent the better day of the morning before trimming up the bushes on both sides of the fence. Howard had managed to keep the grass alive. It looked great, thick and green, so the only thing we'd had to do there was pay a landscaper to mow it.

Jackson and Bryce had come over in the late afternoon and helped us put together an arch made of wood, which Sammy and Kennedy had later decorated with long, white, flowing material and succulents. It was very much Sammy, with her bohemian style.

It was a beautiful day with bright sunny skies. Nash and I stood on his back deck, looking into my backyard. The caterers were getting things ready in our kitchen, and we'd just seen another car arrive, one we didn't recognize, but then again, most of the guests had rentals, hence the peeking from the deck.

Nash and Kennedy's house wasn't finished, but neither were mine and Sammy's. The downstairs construction was, thanks to Jose and his crew, and, of course, Howard. We had a gorgeous kitchen that was open to the living room and dining area, and visible from the front door.

Sammy and Kennedy had made and put up little sign to show people which ways to go to the backyard, and to the bathroom. Sammy had proceeded to clean and organize everywhere, but especially the bathroom. There were little succulent plants on the top of the toilet and on the counter next to some very fancy hand towels that she'd purchased just for the wedding.

I hadn't really expected that the toilet needed to be decorated for our wedding, but figured it was one of those things that it was okay for me to stay quiet about, and just go with "yes dear."

Sammy seemed happy with the result, so who was I to question it?

Jose had built us an office that also worked as a guest room, to the left of the front door. The bathroom was next to it and then the living room behind that, while the foyer with the staircase going upstairs, kitchen and dining area took up the right side of the first floor. The barn doors to the office were currently closed, because we stored all the wedding stuff in there, which meant it was currently a bunch of empty boxes.

"It looks like most guests have arrived," Jackson said as he stepped out onto the deck behind me and Nash.

I nodded because I was starting to feel a bit nervous, despite this being what I really wanted.

"I'm going to head over there. Is there anything you need before I go?" he asked.

"No, Jackson. Thanks for your help today."

"Sure thing, man."

He slapped me on my shoulder, the good one thankfully, and took off for the opening between the two yards.

It had been a good day. Nash and Kennedy, Jackson, and both their parents had helped us get everything set up. Sammy and I had woken up early and, after making coffee, we'd taken our cups with us and gone for a long walk on the beach. She'd held my hand, and we'd talked about our dreams for the future. She wanted to start a family right away, and while I wasn't opposed to that. I wasn't quite sure I had what it would take to be a great dad. But I figured Sammy's skills as a mom would make up for any shortcomings I might have.