February 14, 2003
“Leighanne! Katelin! Where the hell have you two been? You guys have to get dressed!” Mrs. Wallace exclaimed as Leighanne and I ran into her and Brian’s house. Leighanne and I glanced at each other and giggled. Mrs. Wallace looked at Krystal, Amanda, and Leighanne's two cousins and then back at us:
“What are you two up to?” Leighanne smiled and lifted up her shirt in the back:
“Mom! Look what I did!” Everyone gathered around Leighanne and I and looked at Leighanne’s lower back. Krystal gasped:
“Oh my god! You got a tattoo?!” Leigh beamed:
“Yup! I had to do one crazy thing before I got married. I wanted to go sky diving but this one over here wouldn’t go with me so we decided to do this instead.” Krystal looked at me:
“Bungee jump queen wouldn’t take you sky diving?” I shook my head:
“Not on her wedding day, I’m not going to. Brian would kill me.” Mrs. Carter walked in with Aaron:
“Hey, are they back yet?” I ran over and grabbed my son:
“Hey there little man! You look so handsome. Did you miss me?” I kissed his forehead before Krystal took him from me:
“Did you get one too, Kate?” Jane looked confused:
“Get what?” I giggled:
“No. I already have one.” Jane put her hands on her hips:
“What are you guys talking about?” I pulled my jeans down to reveal the dolphin tattoo on my hip that I had gotten my freshmen year in college:
“This.” Jane shook her head and smiled:
“Kids today.”
We all sat down and got our hair and makeup done by some friends that Leighanne had that owned a salon. Then we all got in the limo and went to the church where we would get dressed. Krystal, Amanda, the rest of the bridesmaids, and I went in one room to get dressed while Leighanne and her mom went into another. A few minutes later, Leighanne popped her head in:
“Um excuse me. Maid of honor?” I looked up at her:
“Yes?”
“You’re supposed to be helping me get ready.” I laughed:
“Be right there.” I handed Aaron over to Jane and followed Leighanne. A little while later we were ready and the ceremony was getting ready to start. We all lined up at the back of the church and waited for the doors to open.
Soon enough, Pachlebel’s Canon in D came flooding throughout the church and the doors were opened. All of the bridesmaids and groomsmen began walking up the aisle. I spotted Brian at the front of the church and he was beaming. He caught my eye and smiled back at me. Then his gaze shifted behind me where Leighanne and her father were making her way up the aisle. We all reached the front and the ceremony began. I began to daydream:
‘I, Nickolas Carter, take thee, Katelin Marciano, to be my lawful wedded wife. For richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.'
‘I, Katelin Marciano, take thee, Nickolas Carter, to be my lawful wedded husband. For richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.’
‘By the power vested in me by the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride…’
Suddenly, applause erupted in the church. I snapped out of my daydream and saw Brian and Leighanne locked in a kiss. I smiled and then followed them down the aisle.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
The reception was held at a country club by the water. I watched, wistfully, as Brian and Leighanne danced together. They looked so in love. I wanted what they had so badly. Jane walked over holding Aaron:
“Hey Kate. How are you doing?” I sighed:
“Just thinking of how lucky they are.” She put a hand on my shoulder and passed Aaron over to me:
“You’ll have that one day. I promise.” I rubbed Aaron’s back:
“I thought that I already had it.” Jane frowned:
“Oh, Kate. He’ll be back. I’m sure of it.”
“I'm not so sure anymore.” I turned my attention to Aaron:
“And how are you doing little man? Having fun at Uncle Bri’s wedding?” He gurgled and pulled on my hair. I giggled:
“Good….Hey! Here come’s Uncle Bri now.” Brian walked over and took Aaron from me:
“How’s my favorite godson?” Jane smiled and kissed Brian on the cheek:
“Congratulations honey. I’ll see you guys later.” She walked away and Brian turned to me:
“How are you doing?” I smiled at him:
“I’m good.” He gave me a look:
“Katie. I know you. You don’t have to pretend for me.”
“B, I’m not pretending. I’m so happy for you guys. I…I just wish that Nick was here.” The smile dropped off his face:
“I know what you mean, Katie. I still can’t believe that Nick wasn’t my best man. Let alone, at my wedding at all.” We sat there in silence for a few minutes. The only sounds coming from the three of us were Aaron’s gurgling. Finally, I turned to him:
“Come on Bri. It’s your wedding day. Go dance with your wife…You two deserve all the happiness in the world.” He hugged me and patted Aaron’s hair:
“So do you Katie. I’ll see you two later.” I smiled:
“Bye Bri.” He walked away and I saw AJ approaching:
“Hey AJ!” He grabbed my hand:
“Come on! My mom’s going to watch Aaron and you, my dear, are going to come dance with me.” Denise came and got Aaron and AJ dragged me out on the dance floor.