Learning to Live

Chapter 48

August 24th 2019. Today is the day I'm getting married. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with that amazing woman. It's pretty ironic that the rest of my life only sums up to a couple of months or less but Shana can't know that just yet.

I look at my frail frame in the mirror as I put on my black jacket and fix my bow tie. I buttoned my cufflinks and adjusted my jacket some more. I turned and look back at the quiet, empty room. I can't believe Jon's holding a grudge on my wedding day, he was supposed to be my best man, helping me with my tie and clowning me about marriage life but he wasn't here, all because I decided how want to take control and end my life the way that I want.

The door open suddenly and there was a brief excitement as I thought it was Jon who has finally come but it was just Greg smiling like the happiest human on the planet. "Hey, Greg." I turned to the mirror and tried fixing my bow tie again.

"How's the groom? Thought you'd be a bit more happier."

"I am. Just nerves and this frigging tie." I tug on the tie and it unraveled.

"Here let me." He step closer and started working on the tie. "I thought you'd know how to tie one of these."

"Why would you think that?"

"Well you're classy guy and you wear suits every day." He chuckled.

"Really? You think I'm classy. It's that I never got around to it, plus neck ties are way easier."

"There, finished." He rests his hands on both my shoulders and look into my eyes. "I'm proud of you son."

"Thanks...dad." He rustled me into his arms and hugged me tightly.

"Now, let's save all that sappy emotion for Cynthia, uh?" He laughs. He turns around look at the room. "So uh, where's Jon? Wasn't he supposed to be your best man?"

"He's... probably running late." The truth is I don't know if he's going to show after what I told him in Barbados.

"Hope he shows soon. It would be bloody disappointing if he doesn't. Good luck, son." He pats me on shoulder before leaving. "Well hello hotcakes." Greg greets someone at the door.

"Oh Greg stop it." The voice said with laughter. It was Cynthia dressed in a maroon colored dress. The color seems to make her smile seem even brighter than ever. She stands by the door, "Oh my...Ian! You look so handsome." She steps closer and give me a hug, "And your hair is finally coming in. You've always had the most beautiful wavy hair."

"Thanks Cynthia...you, you look beautiful." I held her hand and spin her.

"Thanks darling." She stands back and took one last look at me and presses her hands on her face, "I promise myself I wasn't going to cry." She inhaled deeply, "If you think I look beautiful, you're gonna loose it when you see Shana."

"You saw her?"

"I did and she's truly radiant. I completely forgot..." She reaches for her purse and pulls out a piece of paper, "She gave me this to give to you. See you out there." She kisses me on the cheek before exiting the room.

I open the piece of paper.
"I'm nervous too but knowing I'm going to marry you makes this way better. Love you. Now let's do this!

-Shana."

My lips curled up into a smile. Thinking of the way she always fiddle with her dress when she's nervous.

"Why do I always catch you daydreaming about my sister?" Mark enters the room. He was in his Army service uniform and holding his hat in his hands. "Nervous? You should be, after all I'm going to be your brother-in-law."