3D: Wedding Bells

“Jonathan, if you’re not out here in 30 seconds, I’m leaving without you!”

He always lost track of time in the bathroom. Every hair had to be in place and his outfit on point. Better late than shabby. “Ok, Ok! I’m coming. Geez, woman.”

He came out of the bathroom, finally, and sat next to her. “You can’t rush perfection, Mrs. Pruett.”

She snorted. “I swear, you’re worse than Maya.”

“Heh, you know what they say about apple trees. Why are we getting there so early anyway?” he asked.

She growled. “This is our daughter’s wedding, Jonathan! If things are not perfect, she will never forget it.”

He’d never seen her so tense before—old school days of depression withstanding. Too bad they were already dressed. He knew exactly how to relax every muscle in her sexy, dainty body. Weddings were joyous occasions. Surely they were entitled to a little pre-gaming.

“Isn’t that why she hired a wedding planner?” he asked sarcastically.

Skyla shot him a glance that almost split him in two, and he yielded.

“So … This is it, huh? We’re really giving her away?”

Skyla sniffed and jumped up. “I need to make sure Oliver is dressed.”

---

“Are you seriously working on vacation?”

The disappointment and rebuke in his voice was as sharp as a knife. She hated letting him down. “I know! I’m sorry. I just had to answer some emails.”

“On vacation?”

“Ranveeeeer,” she whined, “it’s not me! They don’t care where I am! The company doesn’t stop when I’m not there.”

He snorted. “Well, they need to figure out what they’re going to do about this CEO situation because when we get married, there will be no laptops allowed on the honeymoon, ok?”

Ranveer didn’t put his foot down much, but when he did, it was so dang attractive! “Ooooh, sir yes sir! I am so turned on right now.”

He blushed. “We have to get dressed now.”

“Please? I need to shower anyway. You can come with!”

He shook his head. “You’re hopeless. You know that, right?”

---

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“Con-grad-yoo–lashuuuns! I always knew you two would end up togetter. You always puh-tended like you didn’t like each other. You sneaky sneaky you.”

Aubrey chuckled at her oldest friend and cousin. “I really appreciate you coming, Sharon. And, thanks for bringing Madelyn!”

“Oh! I should go check on my baby sister. Make sure she’s not sneaking drinks, ha ha ha!”

Julio slipped behind Aubrey. “Is she drunk already?”

---

Skyla stood on the edge of the dancefloor watching everyone and making sure they had a good time. She also watched Aubrey for the perfect time to steal a hug. Hopefully they’re mishap from last night was long forgotten and all was forgiven.

“Oh, sweetness! You’re so beautiful! I miss you already.”

“Mom, please. I don’t want to cry today.”

“Ok.” She gazed upon her baby girl for a moment feeling a mix of pride and sadness. Aubrey was a married woman now, and anything that happened would no longer be her business. She and Julio would face the world together now. Letting her go was hard. “Why don’t you go thank all your guests? I’d like a word with Julio.”

Aubrey’s eyes pleaded with her. All was not forgotten. “Mom…”

“Please, Aubrey.”

Aubrey walked away with a troubled face. Skyla found Julio and tapped his shoulder.

“Oh, hi Mrs. Pruett. You look really nice.”

Skyla usually preferred people use her first name. She had been Mrs. Pruett longer than she was Skyla thanks to the youth potion. Enough time had passed to break in the title and wear it comfortably, but there was something about her children’s significant others calling her by name—especially Julio. They were adults and had that right, but in the strange way that marriage made them her sons … Jonathan didn’t mind at all, but being Skyla to them was just weird.

“And you’re quite handsome yourself.”

He blushed. “Thank you.”

She cleared her throat. “Julio … You and I never really get to talk.”

His eyes squinted like he thought about it. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.”

“I just wanted to say … I know you love my daughter, and that love will carry you for a while. Marriage isn’t easy, and yours may be especially difficult because of how things are. But I just want you to know that Jonathan and I are always here for you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Pruett. I really appreciate that.”

---

Jonathan also stood on the sidelines watching Aubrey waiting for a chance to speak with her. “Got a minute for an old man?”

Her smile, so similar to her mother’s, was so radiant and always melted his in heart into a pile of pink goo. “I’ll always have time for you, Daddy. And, you’re not old.”

“Hmph. Say that loud enough for my knees to hear. You are stunning, Mrs. Corleonesi.”

She smiled nervously. “I, uhh, I’m actually keeping my name.”

He should have been taken aback. He should have asked questions. The announcement should have felt weird. What he felt was remorse for how comforting it was. “I see.”

“It’s not what you think, but I know you understand.”

Maya swooped in from behind and wrapped her arms around Aubrey. “Sorry, Daddy! My turn! Congrats, my beautiful sister!”

“Thank you, Maya! I can’t wait to see you in your gown.”

They were still so close. The friendship between two sisters was such a special and powerful entity. Now that Aubrey was married, she’d move away. They’d see less of her and learn the happenings in her life at a slower pace. Knowing she still had a friend in Maya was a comfort to the ache in his heart.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Maya said. “First, I need a pic for the Gram!”

“Oliver! Aren’t you proud of your big sister? And, isn’t she gorgeous?”

“Yeah! You’re really pretty, Aubrey!”

As Jonathan watched his children talk in their fancy wear, he felt pride deeper than he ever felt before. Maya and Aubrey’s lives were taking shape just like he and Skyla always wanted. The details weren’t what they planned for, but the framework was there. As long as they were happy, he considered his parenting career a success.