"Are you ready?" Dani asked me grinning. I took a deep breath.
"Will you send my brothers in here and give me a moment with them please?" I asked looking from her to Opal they both nodded and rushed to find my brothers. My brothers arrived shortly. They all had a slightly worried look on their face.
"Don't worry, I'm okay." I started relaxing them a little. "I just wanted to say something. After I said 'I do' out there, my name will be Kathleen Joanne Winston. And I wanted to thank you for last 18 years of my life as Caffeine Curtis. That name means everything to me." I began to choke up. I paused and Sodapop grabbed my hand. I smiled at him. "You two," in looked at him and Ponyboy, "have been the best little brothers anyone could ever ask for. When mom and dad died, I was scared because I didn't know how to be the motherly figure you needed. But you made it easy by being so great." I looked at Darry. "And you are the best big brother in the world. You're protective and kind and understanding. I love you all so much." They took turns hugging me.
"Caffeine we're so proud of the woman you have become. I love you so much." Darry kissed my forehead.
"I love you Cafe." Soda grinned at me and Ponyboy whipped a tear from his cheek.
"I love you. And mom and dad would be proud." Ponyboy said making me smile at the thought of them being proud of me.
Opal stuck her head in quietly. "It's time." She said smiling at me.
Butterflies rose from the bottom of my stomach and came to life. Rapidly pounding their wings inside me and making my legs weak. Pony and Soda went to take their place. Darry looked at me and smiled.
"Let's go Curtis." I furrowed my eye brows. His name is Curtis too so it didn't make much sense to call me that. "I can only call you that for about another hour. Thought I'd enjoy it." He explained making my heart sink.
"I'm always going to be a Curtis, Darrel. I'm always going to be your little sister. You aren't losing a sister, your gaining a brother." I informed him making him chuckle.
"I already have too hood brothers I don't need another one." He winked at me and I clung tight to his arm. I'm not sure how he knew, maybe it's a sibling thing, but in that moment I was wanting nothing more than my parents.
"They're here. You just have feel their presence." He comforted me. I smiled at him and with that we walked out the door and into the hallway. The hallway leading to the church doors.
I watched the brides maids and groomsmen start making their way down the isle. We waited by the door until the music changed. When it did my stomach dropped and we turned toward the doors.
