Passion's Instinct

Nine

Hayden

My heart was beating fast. So fast. I shot up in bed and realized it was my wedding day.

Kota followed me around everywhere as I got ready. There was a ring at the doorbell, and I bolted down to see who it was. My tuxedo was on, and the tie was hanging from my neck, my hair messy --but I opened the door anyway.

It was my sisters.

"Hayden! Hayden! Oh my goodness I can't wait to meet your wife!" Hejsa said. Kaylen was squealing with delight.

"She's not my wife yet!" I reminded, and they pushed me upstairs to the bathroom.

Hejsa grabbed the hair gel and comb and started to spike my hair up as Kaylen ran around the bathroom frantically.

I managed to adjust my necktie until it looked good through the mess.

"So, how's Natalie?" Hejsa asked.

"As beautiful as ever?" Kaylen added.

I nodded and smiled a little, pushing my way through them into my bedroom. I looked at myself in the mirror and sighed with relief. I looked good.

I tied on my shoes, and after an hour I was ready to go. I hoped Natalie was ready.

I drove away in my Audi to the church.

***********************************

I walked in to meet the rest of my family, who were sitting in the church pews. They rushed to hug me, and my mom showered my face with kisses. "Stop," I said, laughing. "Mom, seriously."

Tears rolled down her cheeks quickly. "I'm sorry, it's just that...my baby's all grown up!"

Kaylen cleared her throat and waved. "Hello! I'm still here!"

"Oh, Kaylen, you too. High school graduation is in three weeks!"

Kaylen nodded. "We can invite Natalie! Wait, when are you guys going on a honeymoon?"

I raised my eyebrows and looked at her, adjusting my tie. "Tomorrow morning. We stay for two weeks."

"Thank goodness! Because if you were gone any longer, you would miss my graduation!" Kaylen said.

"I wouldn't miss it," I said.

Kaylen smiled. "Thanks, big bro."

I patted her back briefly to distract myself from how anxious I was.

Tove, my older brother, ran to meet Natalie's family in the other room. When he came back out, he perked his eyebrows up, and I rolled my eyes.

"She is one beautiful woman," Tove said in my ear.

I bared my teeth at him threateningly like we used to do when we were younger. She's mine, I mouthed.

Tove raised his eyebrows and shrugged. You never know, it might not work out for you two later, he mouthed back.

I clenched my fists where they were down at my sides and flared my nostrils. No, you didn't just go there, I thought.

He smiled at me tauntingly, and that made me want to throw a punch at him. I wrung my hands at my sides and paced.

People started to file in quickly, pew after pew.

Our wedding coordinator came up behind me and tapped my shoulder. "Alright, Hayden. It's time."

I walked on stage and tried to calm myself. The traditional music began. The doors opened.

Natalie walked in, arm in arm with her father.