Indestructible: Reinforced

Chapter 79

Chapter Seventy-Nine

     November 2012

     Present Day

     My heart was hammering within my chest like never before. I’d looked out of my window, one that overlooked the backyard, where the ceremony and reception were going to take place, and the sight of about a hundred of my and Josh’s relatives loitering around had sent jolts through me, and had upset my stomach.

     Josh was at his parents’ house with the bestmen, except for Jake, who was here, making sure everything was okay. I looked out my window and saw him chatting with a few waiters, pointing in different directions and at certain tables.

     He stopped talking midsentence and glanced at the house, more accurately at the open French-doors that led to the back-porch. Even from a few feet up, I could still see how awed and dazzled he was. I wondered who had caught his attention.

     Then a blonde in a silvery-grey, halter-necked dress came into view and I smiled. Avy looked amazing. The skirt of her dress rippled as the breeze blew against it. Jake excused himself and walked over to her, still looking dazed. He held his hand out for hers, and when she placed her palm in his, he brought her hand up to his lips and pressed them to the back of her hand. She giggled and gave him a hug that lingered for a bit. He rubbed her bare back and pulled back to look at her again. Both of them looked beyond amazing.

     Amanda stepped outside, escorted by Mom, and they looked around, taking everything in. They both looked beautiful as well, Mom had her hair pinned up, so her neck and the pearls she wore were on full display. She didn’t look a day beyond thirty, much less forty-four.

     Dad walked up to her and his arm circled her waist, he pulled her in for a kiss that wasn’t too short or too long and I chuckled. He was the romantic, even though he was the English one and she was the French. She giggled and slipped her arm around his waist.

     I spotted Natasha standing a few feet away, with Demetria and Oscar, who were going to be the flower-girl and the ring-bearer respectively.

     The sun was somewhat shining, and it didn’t look like it was going to rain. I prayed it wouldn’t, I didn’t want something like that to happen at my wedding.

     I ran my palms over the skirt of my dress, it looked really good on me. Dad, Mom, Seth, Jason, Avy, Amanda, and Audrey had seen it, and they’d all teared up a bit. Apparently, it looked better than really good. I didn’t think so personally, but I had to take their word for it. I really wanted Josh to like it.

     Just as I was starting to relax a bit, Andrea stepped outside, wearing a matching bridesmaid’s dress. I’d decided to include her a week or so ago, and she hadn’t fussed over the fact that I’d waited till then to ask her.

     My heart went back to racing alarmingly and I had to take a few calming breaths. If Andrea was here, then that meant her parents were, and if her parents were here, then that meant that the groom was in the building.

     The bestmen arrived a few seconds later, and they huddled with the bridesmaids, the whole group spear-headed by Jake and Avy. Jake gave out some last-minute orders, and they immediately started spreading. They started ushering people to the white wooden seats at the far end of the yard. Jake disappeared into the house, Avy was about to step in when Ken, Linda, Brian, and Drake stepped outside. Drake lingered back a bit, his eyes glued on Avy as she embraced each member of his family. He eyed her lovingly and appreciatively and then hugged her when she was done greeting his family. He whispered something in her ear, which made her blush and smile shyly at him. And then he kissed her on the cheek, and damn it if he didn’t linger. They headed into the house together, hand in hand.