True Colors

Wedding Day (Part 2)

Apollo slowly escorted Leila’s grandma down the aisle and to the reserved seat in the front row of the church. Before she took her seat, she pulled him in for a hug. For such a frail-looking woman, Grandma Sophie was pretty strong. 

“You be good to my girl, alright?” Her voice shook slightly, but it held a teasing tone. “Her parents can’t be here, so it’s my job to make sure you’re the right one. Don’t prove me wrong.” 

“No pressure or anything,” he joked, pulling away. “I promise I’ll take good care of her. I don’t want to live a day without her.” 

“Oh, you stop that before you make me cry.” She swatted at his shoulder. “Besides, I don’t doubt that she’s got you completely whipped.” 

Apollo grinned. “You’d be correct.” 

Taking her seat, she waved him away. “You get going. Don’t let me hold up the show.” 

Schooling his expression and clasping his hands together, he walked back up the aisle, preparing for his next trip. As soon as he was outside the sanctuary, his mother, in her silver dress to match the groomsmen’s suits, spent a moment straightening out his suit jacket and fussing with his hair. “You know, this is the last time I’ll ever do this,” she said casually. “In an hour or so, that’ll be your wife’s job.” 

He groaned. “Mom.” 

“Oh, shush. Let me enjoy this while it lasts.” 

Apollo smiled softly, allowing his mom to make a few last adjustments. Once she had finished, he offered his arm. She took it. Leading her to her reserved seat, which was next to his already-seated grandparents and just across the aisle from Grandma Sophie, he tried to ignore that she was already sniffling. 

As they arrived at their destination, she let go of his arm and embraced him tightly. Apollo hugged back just as fiercely. “My baby boy,” she murmured tearfully. “I’m so proud of you.” 

He blinked away the tears pricking at his eyes. “I love you, Mom,” he whispered. 

“I love you, too.” She finally released him, tears freely flowing down her face. “Get up there. Don’t make yourself too nervous. I spent all morning with your bride. She’s head over heels for you. Just stay calm, alright?” 

“Too late. Can you hear my heartbeat, or am I just imagining it?” 

Wiping her eyes, she gestured forward. “Go.” 

Apollo turned, taking deep breaths as he took his place at the front. Clasping his hands in front of him again, he faced the friends and family gathered in the church with a soft smile on his face. 

The pianist started playing a new song, and two of his groomsmen, Shane and Jeremy, stepped into view. Hands clasped similarly to his, they walked side by side down the aisle until they reached the front. They both shook his hand and did the classic bro-hug before they took their places off to his left. 

Next, Mallory and Nadia appeared in the doorway at the back, their arms linked. Since they had discovered that they were soulmates eleventh months earlier, they had spent a summer together before transitioning to a long-distance relationship for the school year, what with their colleges having about a thousand miles between them. However, it had not weakened their relationship. Quite the opposite, in fact. They set aside a specific time to video-chat for at least thirty minutes every day they weren’t together and texted constantly. It was the healthiest long-distance relationship Apollo had ever heard, and it showed in their faces as they walked arm in arm down the aisle. They paused briefly when they reached the front, Nadia taking Mallory’s bouquet. Apollo’s sister embraced him.