Still Dunno

Chapter 75 - Riker's POV

I stepped outside, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly.

It's a beautiful day for a wedding!

I stretched my arms up to the sky.

Jamey and Stephanie are getting married today. I couldn't believe that one of my children was starting a family.

I was so happy for Jamey and Stephanie, but it made me sad because Jessie and Joslyn wouldn't be there. I missed them both so much in different ways.

Joslyn would have been all over this wedding, helping with the planning and everything else. She would have been Bridezilla for Stephanie.

She would have hijacked the wedding, and the drama level would have been higher. Stephanie has been an excellent bride-to-be so far.

Jessie was an excellent bride-to-be.

Riker laughed as the memory of his brothers taunting Jessie on the way to the airport returned to him.

"Going to the chapel, and we're going to get married!"

They sang that song so much that Jessie was ready to kill them.

God, I miss her, and today it hurts.

When Jessie first died, it hurt all the time. It felt like someone stabbed my heart and was trying to carve it out of my chest.

Now, it just ached.

A little more today because of the wedding, but that's okay.

They were honoring Jessie and Joslyn in the simplest ways. Their favorite color, flower, or song. Mary was reading a poem that Jessie used to read to the kids that became one of Jamey's favorites. Little things like that without taking the spotlight away from the bride and groom.

I was okay with that.

It wasn't about Jessie or Josyln. It was about Jamey and Stephanie. I'm happy they decided to do it the way they did.

"Hey, man."

I looked over my shoulder and saw Rocky holding two cups of coffee.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

Rocky came over and handed me the cup.

"I went out to get some coffee and can't stop thinking about Jess. It occurred to me that you were, too. So I picked up a coffee for you, too."

"Thanks."

I took the coffee from Rocky, and we sat down.

"Are you doing okay?"

"Yes, mostly."

I chuckled.

"It's hard, Rocky. All these memories from my wedding have come flooding back, and I just want her to be here, ya know? I'm... I'm sad she isn't here and can't see this."

"Riker, she is here," Rocky started. "She is right here." He patted his heart. "And there." He pointed to mine.

"And she can see it. She's always watching over you."

My brother was a lot of things, but today, Rocky was right.

How could I not know Jessie was here, watching over us?

Sometimes, the pain is so overwhelming that I need someone like Rocky to put it in perspective.

"Thanks," I said.

"Anytime, now let's go to a wedding," he said.

***

Later that night, I stood at the bar, sipping my drink while everyone laughed and danced.