A Series of Fortunate Coincidences

XIII: The One Where Mitch and Vanna Tie the Knot

XIII: The One Where Mitch and Vanna Tie the Knot

"Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness, of hatred, of jealousy, and, most easily of all, the gate of fear."
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

The last wedding I went to was the beginning of my sister's first marriage. I wasn't even invited to be in the bridal party until one of her friend's got food poisoning. My sister and I effectively hated each other. I know they say hate is a strong word, but I don't really exist for her. It seems fitting. It seemed as if my feelings from then were echoed in all six of Vanna's sisters and even her two brothers, who stared at Anthony like he was stealing something from him.

Vanna's family looked like they had walked out of a magazine. Her parents had an affinity for children. They had adopted Vanna and three of her siblings, while the other five were theirs biologically. I admired them for being such good parents and people and only hoped that one day I could give a child the life Vanna's parents had given her.

"You look beautiful," Anthony whispered in my ear as he hooked his arm with mine.

I looked him over and gave him a smile. "Not so bad yourself." He shrugged as if not knowing what to say. "Tattoo healing nicely?" I asked quietly as we began our descent down the long aisle in front of us. I never understood why Vanna wanted this long of an aisle for this small of a wedding, but it was her wedding.

He tried to hide a grimace. "Pretty well. How about yours? Need some help putting lotion on tonight?"

"Control yourself, Lucas," I replied with a smirk. As we continued, I noticed Mitch was fidgeting at the front. He was nervous. "Make sure you give him a little pep talk. He's fidgeting."

Anthony took a deep breath as he looked over Mitch at the front of the garden. "I don't know if I'm good enough at encouragement to give him a pep talk on his wedding day. I'd probably end up telling him to run while he still had the chance."

I studied him curiously. "What do you mean?"

"I don't think you need the dress and flowers to say you'll be together forever." I glanced up at him, confused. He seemed exactly like the kind of guy that would want the grand gesture.

I just shrugged in response. "I understand, and I completely agree. Weddings are just more than that, you know?" We passed by Vanna and Mitch's family with huge smiles on our faces. I could feel six glares on my back as I took my place. Anthony hugged Mitch and whispered something in his ear that caused Mitch to shake his head with a grin. I offered him a smile, and he just gave me a thumbs up.

As soon as the music began, we all looked toward the place where Vanna was to appear. I could see Mitch's mother clutching his stepmother's hand while his dad stood with his other stepmother, a grin on his face. Vanna's mom clasped her hands in front of her as she looked for her husband and daughter but mostly her daughter.

In reality, Vanna looked so beautiful I wanted to cry. Her dress was perfect for her, obviously toned down enough to appease her father. I stole a glance at Mitch. He looked like he was about to cry as well as he looked at her, and I had to look away because that was enough to cause my nose to burn in the way that told me I was about shed some tears. I caught Anthony's eye, and he gave me a huge smile.

Our best friends were getting married. I was unsure how this would change our dynamic because Vanna and Mitch had been together for longer than I had to known them, but I did know that I was most definitely happy for them if not a little jealous. I didn't know that I had processed this was actually happening until now.