9.69 The Last Wedding

At last, the day that Jonathan had been looking forward to ever since he was a teenager. It was the day that he could call her “wife,” and she could call him “husband.” It was the day that she would take his name and go down in Pruett history with him. It was the day that made her a permanent member of his family and etched her name on his soul. To say he was happy would be an understatement.

Not that this day was not special enough, but he felt compelled to add a personal touch to the festivities; he baked a cake but wanted it to be a secret. He called his trusty friend Tony to help him.

“How can I be of assistance, my liege,” Tony asked facetiously.

“Can you make sure Skyla doesn’t come looking for me? I don’t want her seeing me doing this.”

“Certainly. May I ask her to dance?”

“Uhh, sure… No fancy moves though!”

“HA! I can’t make any promises, bro.”

“Hey,” Jonathan said, “don’t make me come out there!”

Tony pretended like he was spraying his breath and fixed his hair. “It’s hard to resist the meatball. There will be a wedding today…but maybe not yours!” He laughed so hard he was doubled over.

“Ha ha ha. Very funny. You better be glad I trust you. While you’re at it, make a toast. That’ll keep everyone occupied for a while.”

“Sir yes sir!”

“Thanks, man. You’re the best!”

“Don’t I know it.”

Jonathan ran around the kitchen for an hour. When he spread the last bit of icing on, he tip toed outside to place the cake on the table and put the topper on it. No one saw him, and he was happy that his little stealth mission had been successful. He looked across the garden and saw Skyla taking in the sights. He wondered what she was feeling.

It was getting late, and he didn’t want to delay the ceremony any longer, so he went to Skyla and asked her if she was ready. She was born ready! He took her by the hand and walked with her to the arch. She was wearing her mother’s wedding dress, and Juliette and Janessa had done her hair and makeup. He thought she looked ravishing. Everyone saw that they were headed that way and followed suit. Skyla had her eyes on her father as he found a seat.

“I wish he wouldn’t have worn that sweater. I’m sure he’s burning up out here,” she said.

“Hey,” Jonathan said. “Eyes on me. We’re getting married right now. Thou shalt not worry while thine art standing under an arch…I’m sure there’s something in there like that.”

She cracked a little smile which was exactly what he wanted to happen. She always wanted everything to be perfect, and something was always worrying her. She spent most of her life worrying about her father, and recently she had spent her days worrying about him. He wanted this to be one worry-free day for her.

“Jonathan…I love you so much. You always know what to say and how to bring me back to the present. You’re so kind… I don’t know what I was thinking while I was so scared about trying to hide who I was and where I came from. It was completely unfounded, and I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t apologize to me, Sky,” he said. “I don’t want to add anymore worries to your plate today. Let’s get married!”

And that’s exactly what they did. Everyone was seated, and Jonathan began with his vows. Skyla followed, and then they kissed. Welcome to the family, Skyla Pruett!

Everyone applauded and cheered for the new, happy couple as they cut the cake and fed each other.

After everyone had cake, they drifted toward the dance floor and strutted their stuff into the night. Even Pruetts from the past were there. Uncle Owen was in the midst, and later on Kiara showed up too.

Later on in the evening, Jonathan saw Tony sitting by himself and went to make sure he was ok.

“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you in loner mode, dude. Everything ok?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Just have a lot to think about.”

“Like what,” Jonathan asked.

Tony took a deep breath and laid his burdens down at the feet of his best friend. “My dad contacted me…”

“Whoa! Are you serious? Why? What’s up? Does your mom know?”

“I told her.”

Jonathan paused for a moment before asking more questions.  “So…what did he want?”

“Well, first he explained why he was a deadbeat. My mom…bless her heart…she never told me anything about him. Whenever I would ask about him, she would just say ‘because he chose not to be in our lives.’ I treated her so bad because in my mind she drove him away, but that wasn’t the case at all! I’m such a plumhead!”

“So, what’s the real reason,” Jonathan asked.

“My mom used to work in his house as a maid when she turned 18. He used to flirt with her and buy her things…he messed with her mind and said that he loved her and that he would leave his wife for her. All he wanted to do was sleep with her. She eventually let him, and she got pregnant with me…and then he threw her away.”

“Son of a plumnugget!”

“I know. I wish I could take back every mean thing I said to her now.” Tony hung his head in shame.

“So what else did he want?”

He sat back up with a little smile on his face. “Well, karma is a nasty little llama snot, and he and his wife had five daughters trying to have a son…”

“Wow. So you’re his only son?”

“Yep. He said now that I’m a man and mom can’t come after him for money, he wants me to join the family business.”

“What’s that,” Jonathan asked.

“He didn’t say exactly, but it has something to do with acquisitions. He wants me to meet him.”

“Are you?”

“Heck no! I don’t need him or his money. I think I’d finish breaking my mom’s heart if I met him.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Tony appreciated his friend’s concern.

“Hey fellas,” Warren said. “Is this a bro party I wasn’t invited to?”

“I’m gonna go get some more cake,” Tony said.

“I’m about leave, but I wanted to talk to you before I go,” Warren said.

“Ok. You wanna sit,” Jonathan asked.

“How did you know Skyla was the one?”

“Oh man…I don’t know. I guess it was like love at first sight! When I saw her for the first time, it was like my whole body was on fire or something! I just knew!”

“Are you thinking about proposing,” Jonathan asked.

“Oh no. No no. Not there yet, man. But, I think about it sometimes, you know? Like, wonderin’ if she’s the right one and stuff.”

“I get it. I think when you find her, you just know. If you’re not feeling her, then maybe she’s not it. You definitely don’t want to end up with the wrong one.”

“I know that’s right!”