Brothers

Chapter 40

Hardin's POV

I'm still trying to process all that just happened.

I find Tessa at a nearby table talking to a group of older couples. Family I assume.

"Hardin is everything okay?" She turns to me, excusing herself from the conversation.

"I don't know." I say.

"What the hell happened over there?" Tessa asks.

Anastasia approaches us.

"Anastasia what happened is Christian alright?" Tessa asks giving Anastasia a hug.

"I don't know. I don't know why he was drinking he's been sober for ten years it doesn't make sense." She says, wiping her tears away.

"Vance told him something." I say.

Anastasia and Tessa look at me.

"What did he tell him?" Anastasia asks.

"How I'm a fucked up father. A shitty one at that." Vance approaches the table.

We all look at him.

"Why the fuck would you choose our wedding day to tell him?"

I'm angry. Vances timing for these things is impeccable.

"I don't know. I shouldn't have, I know. I'm sorry." He says.

"Well it still doesn't excuse the fact that Christian picked up a drink for the first time in ten years. I don't know what happened." Anastasia breaks down again.

"Mommy, where's daddy? Is he okay?" Theodore tugs on Anastasias dress. She looks down at him and smiles, hiding the pain she's feeling.

I forgot about Theodore and Phoebe, fuck.

"Daddy wasn't feeling well sweetheart, he went back to the hotel." Anastasia lies, faking a smile.

"How do you feel about all this Hardin?" Anastasia asks me.

I honestly don't know what to feel. I let Christian back into my life because he promised he was sober. We just started building our relationship back up, I was starting to trust him and now this. I don't know what I'm feeling. I just want to enjoy my wedding and forget about everything.

"I don't know." I say.

The table is silent. No one knows what to say.

"I think it's best if I leave." Anastasia gets up from the table and straightens our her dress, wiping the tears that keep falling from her eyes.

"Anastasia please. You don't..." Tessa starts saying.

"This is your special day Tessa. You shouldn't have to deal with this drama. I'm so sorry for everything." Anastasia smiles, giving Tessa a hug.

"I'll call you tomorrow before we leave for our trip." Tessa says.

Anastasia takes Theodore and Phoebes hand and leaves the table, heading towards the exit.

"Alright it's time for the bride and groom to have their first dance together." The DJ says through the microphone.

I look at Tessa who smiles at me. In that moment I forget about everything. I roll my eyes and get up from the tall chair and put out my hand for Tessa to take.

She smiles at me and takes my hand and I lead her to the dance floor.

I hate dancing, but I love her. So it works out.

Our wedding song is Never Let Me Go by Florence + the Machines. The first song we ever danced to. It was at Ken and Karen's wedding.

I remember looking at her, and in that moment I knew she was going to be the woman I spent the rest of my life with. Marriage or not. She looked stunning that night, just as she is tonight.

"Hey." She smiles at me as we dance.

"Hey." I say back.

"You okay?"

"I don't want to think about him right now. I just want to enjoy my wedding with my wife." I say.

She smiles at me and rests her head on my shoulder.

"I love you." she says.

"I love you." I say back.

—

Authors Notes

Just wanted to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving!!! I am grateful for you guys and for the after series. The after series has made me whole again and made me enjoy reading again. I love you all and I hope you all are still enjoying the fanfic I've created. Love you all have a good day!!