It's Quiet Uptown

Chapter Forty-Six: Ooh, I Do I Do I Do

Jon's POV

    Much to my chagrin, I'd fallen back asleep soon after Lin had snuggled into my side. Probably from all the excitement of yesterday - jumping out of a plane before cheating death by deploying a parachute took a lot out of you.

    The late morning light gently illuminated our rental beach house as I padded my way to the soft plum painted kitchen. That was what I loved about beach houses - all those pastels!

    I was staring out the window at the azure sky, waiting for the kettle to boil for tea, when it struck me.

    Today was our wedding day.

    It felt like the excitement of the past four months had condensed and dropped on me all at once. Oh my god, what was I doing? I thought wildly. Making tea when I should be getting ready - what a waste of time!

    I abandoned the kettle and charged the table, dragging a surprised Lin with me.

    "Where you going, daddies?" Sebastian called behind us, his brown eyes widening as Lin and I disappeared into the bedroom.

    Lin sputtered as I shoved some clothes at him and shoved him into the bathroom to change. "We're leaving in ten - get ready!" I hissed through the door before hustling back into the rental's kitchen.

    "We've got to leave, squirt. Papa and Daddy are getting married today, remember?"

    The toddler's eyes lit up. "Married? I remember! I carry pillow!"

    I ruffled his black hair affectionately. "That's right! We've got to hurry, though. Can you finish your cereal in five minutes?"

    He beamed at me. "Yes!"

    I leaned down to give him a lightning-fast kiss on the cheek before bolting back to the bedroom to toss on some presentable clothes.

    One of the few traditional things we were doing was not seeing each others' outfits until the ceremony. I knew I could leave to get ready before Lin, but if I did, he'd drag his feet, be late, get ready in a panic, and leave me waiting at the altar.

    This would be my only trip down the aisle, and I wanted it to be perfect.

    Well, kind of. The real reason I wasn't leaving him alone was because of the fact that this wasn't his first rodeo.

    As the big day neared, the bags under Lin's eyes grew and grew and he flashed between shining looks of pure joy to clouded, hide-from-the-world expressions in seconds.

    I didn't feel any ill-will towards him at all. I knew he was just remembering Vanessa, and her death still made him feel sad. It was okay to mourn. I did my fiance duty and just held his hand while he worked through his sadness, and then he was okay for a little while longer.

    When Lin finally emerged, he looked slightly more awake and loads more excited.

    "Jon," he started, standing in the bathroom's doorway. His black hair was neatly combed and he wasn't wearing his hoodie (for once), and his brown eyes just sparkled.

    I hid my smirk and yawned. "Yes, Linguini?"

    "We're getting married today."

    I fake-jolted, staring at him with wide-eyes. "No shit, really? Today's the day I've kept a calendar marking down the days to? I hadn't noticed!"

    My sarcasm didn't dent his happiness. "Ohmygod! It's really happening!" He bounced straight into my arms and wrapped me in a hug so tight I squeaked.