Lover in the Window

Home Sweet Home

"Forever is composed of nows."
― Emily Dickinson

"The sweet smell of home isn't decided by the walls that hold up the picture frames. It's the many different flavors that float far and near people willing to love through any heartache that life throws at them." Eli says as he stands on his lawn in front of a giant crowd of familiar faces. He holds his glass of wine up, as the low beams from the orange sun filtered through it. "As many of you know, a large part of my life had plenty of turmoil. But for me, the best fact that I was faced with every single day, is the thought that tomorrow would be a new day. Evelyn and I started this journey together as kids, and here I am, giving a speech for my baby sister's wedding. Instead of someone getting thrown off a bridge. I'm so proud of you little Tracy, that you've overcome so much to have your heart only filled with love." Laughter ensues and Evelyn, glowing in her long white dress, points to herself. "I am my mother!" She laughs and kisses Luke on the lips.

"Thank you to Luke Alvarez, for making my sister the happiest she has ever been. I want to especially thank my wife, Raven Layton for sticking with me long through the years that I forgot she was there." Eli jokes and gestures at her in the front roll. The crowd roars with laughter as Raven stuck up her two thumbs up. "Eleven years was nothing." She adds with a smile.

"I want to thank my father, Rory Layton for being here with us today. Rory and I have shared many memorable moments together but none like these past few months. I can honestly say, dad, that these times have truly changed me. We appreciate you being the greatest grandfather a kid could ask for. It also helps to have big ass trucks." Eli pats him on the back. Rory begins laughing and wiping away a tear with his napkin. "To Evelyn Alvarez! Everyone's favorite prankster."

Rory takes the stage, standing proudly, looking out at his new life with his family. His wife, Layla is clapping her hands and smiling in his direction with little Elijah sitting in her lap.

"Wow, my baby girls wedding day. I never thought I would ever be alive long enough to see this day. I want to start by saying that I am so proud of you, Evelyn. You have become such a strong woman, just like your mother. She would be so proud of you, to see how far you have come in the last year. I know, I wasn't the best father growing up, but walking you down the aisle today was the best feeling in the world. You and Eli are the best accomplishments that came from this life of mine and I am so thankful I get another chance to have these days together with you both. I wish I could have been a better father before, so I could have been there through all the good and bad times in your life, through your first heartbreak, your first boyfriend, your first car. I remember lying in bed one night, looking at pictures of me, you and Eli when you were first born, and that's when my life changed forever, that's when I knew I had to become the dad that you both deserved. That was the best decision I ever made, because look at me now. I have both of my kids, I have a life with my grandchildren, that includes my bonus baby too." Rory throws finger guns up and winks toward Elijah. "I couldn't imagine my life without any of you all again. Also, thank you both for accepting Layla, I know it took some times to come around to the idea of a step-mom, but she loves you all so much. And Lucas, my son. You've been nothing but good to me since I met you, and you've been the best father to little Hadley and Harley. You're such a smart, loving and caring man. My daughter picked the best one in the bunch, and that's all a father wants for his child. Someone to love her and protect her, someone to be there through the storm, someone to stay by her side when the world around her is crashing down. Thank you, for all that you do. Welcome to the family." Rory holds up a wine glass toward the crowd of people and walks off stage.

Later on, during the ceremony, everyone dances with each other, and flung themselves around in a blur of black and white suits and dresses. The time came when the bride is to toss her flowers in the air. A large bouquet of green and purple roses, tightly bound with plastic and fine leather straps at the base.

"It's time everyone!" Evelyn gathers all the girls up around the front of the podium. There is clapping and laughter. "Come on, come on, it's tradition."

It is Naomi, Layla, Raven, Christine, Zoe, Penelope, DeeDee, Ocean, Blair, and Anastasia. They all stand together facing Evelyn's back. She keeps looking over her shoulder at everyone with a grin. "Ya ready?"

"Yeah!" The girls hoot. Eve throws the bouquet high into the air, and everyone except Ocean and Blair disperse from around them. Ocean caught the flowers in her hands. It all happened so fast that Blair didn't even realize all the eyes were upon her, but she turns to see Ocean standing in front of her with flowers. In one hand is the flowers and in the other is a large wedding ring. "I love you," Ocean says simply.

"I love you, too." Blair starts to tremble.

"It's been the most amazing eleven months with you. And, I know we kid about it all the time, but in reality, forever isn't forever. Forever is now." Ocean put the ring on her finger, and looks into Blair's eyes. "Will you be my wife?"

"Shut up and kiss me," Blair jumps into her arms, kissing her passionately. The crowd around them shout and charge in on Blair and Ocean. They roll to the ground, laughing, kicking, and to top it all off - Eve appears with a piece of cake and plunges it into Ocean's face. She licks her lips of the icing, and screams, "I love my life!"

"Let's get out of here." Raven gestures to Eli.

"I was waiting for someone to say that." Eli says as he gets up on his feet.

Raven and Eli make their way to the side of Eli's house, where Christine, Eve, Blair, Ocean and Luke are already seated on the ground against the house, and a strong skunk-like smell lingers around them.

Blair starts coughing and reaches her hand up to Raven, "Hit that shit, son."

"Oh lord." Raven laughs as she takes the blunt from Blair's fingers, takes a hit and passes it to Eli.

"It's been a while." Eli laughs while Raven begins coughing.

Another blunt is shoved in Raven's face.

"Puff, puff, pass, bitch." Ocean laughs.

A few minutes later all the coughing stops and everyone sits quietly buzzing on the ground.

"Damn, that's some good shit." Eli says as his words come out slowly than he had intended.

"I been dating Todd's drug dealer." Christine begins laughing, "I got the hook-up now, man."

"Preach." Blair fist bumps Christine as she is laying on the ground in front of her.

"What a fucking day this has been." Eve says. "I just got married."

Luke leans his head back against the house and starts to hum as the world spins around him.

The night is coming to an end as Eli, Raven, Elijah and Jasper are standing in the open field, looking up at the September Moon. Eli is holding Jasper, with his other arm around Raven's shoulder, and Elijah is standing in front of Raven with her hand over his shoulder leaning against his chest.

"I love what Ocean said," Raven nods. "Forever isn't forever. Forever is now."

Elijah turns to look at his mommy, "Do you think I can jump high enough to catch the moon?"

"You can try," she laughs.

Elijah takes off running into the darkness, and soon after Raven takes after chasing him. The stars are out, and all the songs of night whisper through the crisp air.

"Are you coming?" Raven yells over to him.

"Yeah. On my way!" I can do this. One step at a time.