“That’s the one,” Brian announces as we both stare at the computer screen in front of us. “That’s where we’re gettin’ married honey.”
I smile my approval. After a few minutes of surfing the web for marriage chapels in Vegas we have found the perfect one. It is a small church outside of Vegas itself, surrounded on all sides by the ranges where the Sierra Nevada mountains meet the Rockies. The pictures of the interior show a beautiful old stone floor and stained glass windows, and not a neon light or Elvis impersonator to be seen. I reach for Brian’s hand as he dials their number on his cell phone.
“Hello. This is Pastor O’Brien at the Chapel of St Jude speaking. May I help you?”
“Hello. Yeah, I hope you can. I was wondering if you’re free to perform a marriage ceremony next week sometime? Maybe Friday?”
“Let me just check… Sure, we can do that. What time would you like?”
“Uh…” Brian looks at Jade. “Do we want daytime or…?”
“Night time might be best for the secret thing. But don’t you have a show Friday?”
“Yeah.” He goes back to the phone. “Hi, er, what time do you open until?”
“We close at midnight… Unless, there’s a special request.”
“Could we request?” asks Brian with a grin.
“Convince me,” laughs the Pastor.
“Well, uh, I’m kinda in a group and we’re only in Vegas to do some shows. And…”
“Ok, ok… 1am do you?”
“1am?” Brian looks at Jade who nods excitedly. “Yes, that would be perfect. Thank you so much Pastor.”
“My pleasure. Ok, I’m gonna need some details…”
Ten minutes later, Brian hangs up the phone and kisses Jade. “All booked my sweetheart.”
“1am next Saturday…” Jade giggles happily and wraps her arms around Brian. “It’s perfect.”
“We’re perfect,” he whispers in her ear.
“Whatcha surfin’ for?” asks Nick as he and Ali come up behind us.
“Nothin’!” I jump up out of Brian’s arms guiltily as he hits the back key on the computer, changing the screen to a picture of Elvis.
“Elvis?” Ali looks at the screen. “Ok. I guess you guys are gettin’ into the whole Vegas mood already.”
“Yeah,” Brian stands up behind me and smiles as casually as he can manage. I feel his fingers snake around my stomach and I cover them with my hand. “The whole Vegas thing.”
“Cool,” Nick grins but Ali looks at us suspiciously for a few minutes before shrugging.
“Well, we’re goin’ to eat. Blondie here has a yen for pancakes. Wanna join?”
“That’d be good,” I tell her.
After spending a couple of hours with Ali and Nick, we go back to our hotel room. Brian takes a shower to get ready for the show. Ever since Ali had mentioned my mom I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Brian meeting her and my papa. Especially as we are going to get married next week. It wouldn’t feel right marrying a guy my mom has never met. Brian walks out of the bathroom towelling his hair.
“Brian…”
“Yes honey?” he turns to look at me.
“I want you to meet my parents.”
“Really?” he walks over to sit next to me on the bed.
“Yeah. I want my mom and papa to know who you are Brian.”
“I would like that,” he smiles. “I also find it pretty scary,” he adds with a wry chuckle.
“But I can’t marry you until you meet them.” He stares at me and I reach for his hand. “It just wouldn’t FEEL right marrying you knowing that my mom has never met you. I need two of the most important people in my life to meet the other one.”
He smiles and pulls me closer for a kiss. “I understand Jady. But we’re gettin’ married on Saturday… I guess we better book that flight to Atlanta already!”
“Huh?” I stare at him.
“I can’t wait any longer to marry you baby. And we have Tuesday free. So we could catch the red eye out to Atlanta Monday night and fly back here Wednesday.”
“That sounds good,” I smile at him. “Thank you for understanding.”
I walk into the catering room at the arena and stop when I see Kevin and Howie sat at a table. Ever since the whole JC thing, relations with these two in particular have been strained. I debate whether to leave quickly or join them. I decide to join them and try to clear the air a little.
“Hi guys, mind if I join?” I greet them brightly and they both shrug so I sit down. “Lookin’ forward to Vegas next week?”
“I guess,” Kevin mutters. Howie just nods.
“Oh, me too,” I smile and then sigh. “Look, I AM sorry about what happened before, with JC.”
“Are you?” Kevin queries.
“Yes. I really am. I just got confused and scared and I know there’s no excuse. I am so sorry about hurting Brian and I guess I hurt you guys too cos you welcomed me to the tour and all.”
“I guess,” Howie says slowly. “But I guess as long as you make Brian happy, I’m happy.”
“I will do my best,” I promise him and he smiles.
“Ok then,” he leans over and gives me a quick hug. “We all make mistakes sometimes.”
“I just made a pretty huge one,” I say.
“You got THAT right,” Kevin mutters and I sigh. I always knew he would be the hardest to get back on side. I mean, he had been the last Boy to totally accept me into his life.
“I am sorry Kevin,” I tell him sincerely and he studies my face intently for a few seconds. It’s hard not to look away but I maintain eye contact until he nods.
“Fine Jade. But I swear if you ever hurt my cousin again…” he lets the threat trail off and Howie winces slightly. His imagination is obviously way too fertile.