The Boy I Thought I Hated

Chapter 20

Tommy ran down hallway, looking for Caroline. LeClaire was also in the opposite direction, looking for Luke. The two met halfway, out of breath. Tommy was crouched down, trying to catch his breath.

"Where's the bride?!" LeClaire asked frantically.

Tommy gave her a look. "I was about to ask you where the groom was."

"I thought he was with y'all," LeClaire said.

Tommy shook his head. "Luke ran out, said he needed air. He's nervous. I'm not sure if he really is ready to be married off."

LeClaire looked down. "I'm not ready for him to get married either."

Tommy took LeClaire into his arms. "Everything will be okay. He'll always be our baby, but he also needs to spread his wings and explore. Our son deserves that."

"I know, but it's hard to believe that are last baby is finally growing up."

Tommy felt the same way, but Luke was growing up. He had to accept it. He knew the day was coming, but he couldn't believe how fast it came. It only seem like yesterday that Luke was born. He was never going to teach his son to hunt or fish. How to treat a woman and love her the way any man should. His son was now a man. Tommy was proud of him. He couldn't wait for him to have a son of his own to teach how to hunt and fish. Everything Tommy taught his son was going to be past down to his grandson or granddaughter. He couldn't wait for that day to come.

Luke stood next to the railling of a high balcony. He was nervous, but it was a good nervous, if that was even a thing. He loves Caroline, he knew that. But it was the fact that he was marrying the girl of his dreams. He was just a boy, a boy that Caroline wanted nothing to do with. The facts were there, but love wasn't determined by facts. Luke was madly in love with her. That much was clear. He wasn't just a boy, not anymore, he was her fiance, future husband. Caroline wasn't just a girl either, she was the woman he had fallen in love with. She was so much more. She was going to be his wife, the mother of his children.

Luke looked out at the ocean below. Tides rolled in and out, just as Luke's emotions were. On the beach was an alter, a row of chairs, and an aisle. The Justice of the Peace was waiting below to wed Luke and Caroline. People filled the chairs. Luke took in a deep breath, the wedding was so close. It was here.

Luke watched as his groomsmen were panicking. Carter seemed to be the only chill one, but that's probably because Luke told him where he was going. He'll be ready to marry his beloved Caroline, he just needed to have some time to take it all in.

Caroline walked down the hall. She was a nervous wreck. How was she suppose to marry the man of her dreams and not break down? It's not like he was just some guy. He was THE ONE. Caroline loved that man more than anything in the world. She was in love, a girl in love with a boy. It was like she got a disease, except it was a good one. She'd never get tired of Luke. He will always be the one to make her laugh or cry. He would always hold her and just simply, love her.

Caroline had no clue what she was doing. She turned a corner and saw Luke standing on the balcony through the sliding glass door of the room they were staying in. He looked like he was second guessing marrying her. Caroline took in a deep breath. She wasn't gonna assume the worst. Forget traditional, she needed to know what Luke was thinking.

Heels clicked against the balcony floor. Luke held his breath, he knew it was her. He turned around, his back now to the railing of he balcony. He was having direct eye contact with Caroline, trying to avoid looking at her dress before the ceremony.

"Luke? What's wrong?" Caroline asked softly.

"There's nothing wrong, I just needed air. I'm freaking out. I don't know if everyone does this on their wedding day, but I feel like you don't deserve me. I'm madly in love with you, but are you witn me? Is this really our future? Don't get me wrong, I love you and I want to marry you, but am I really ready? Are my parents? I'm their baby, I'm sure they're just as nervous too."