Chapter 60
Friday afternoon was busy getting ready for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Kevin and Tyler had decided to have a cookout at the farm so the caterers were there early in the morning. By noon, the smell of barbecue and other meat cooker drifted through the air.
Kevin and Tyler had decided to ride out on horseback to the chapel before everyone so that they could see how things looked. The florist was supposed to have already been there and set up for the wedding.
It was only the second time that Tyler had been to the chapel and it was just as magical as the first time. She walked around quietly looking around as Kevin stood at the door watching her. He remembered the first time he’d shown her this chapel and her reaction had been the same.
Tyler turned to Kevin, her eyes bright with excitement. "It’s just as beautiful as I remembered it."
Kevin moved to her and put his arms around her. "It’s even more beautiful with you here."
"Everything has gone so smoothly, Kevin. I’m almost afraid that it’s a dream and I’m going to wake up to find Joey next to me."
"It’s not a dream, baby," said Kevin as he kissed her.
The two stood in the middle of the chapel kissing until they were interrupted. "Uh hmmm! Excuse me!" said Tim.
The two pulled away from each other and Tyler blushed. Kevin said, "I didn’t hear you come in."
"I guess not. You were too busy kissing your beautiful bride."
The others came strolling in behind Tim and the rehearsal began. Tyler had asked Denise, AJ’s mother, to be the mistress of ceremonies. Tyler had told her how she had expected the ceremony to go so now Denise instructed everyone where to go. AJ and Nick found a place out of the way near the front of the chapel to set up the music and the violinists took their places. Brian and Sonja stood in for Kevin and Tyler initially so that they could see how everything looked as they did a quick run-through.
When they were done, Denise asked, "What do you two think?"
Tyler looked up at Kevin who nodded his head in approval and she said, "It’s great. Now let’s go through it one more time with Kevin and me. I want to practice the songs too. AJ, you’ve got everything for that, don’t you?"
"Sure do, honey," laughed AJ as he and Nick were clowning around.
Kevin said rather irritably, "Knock it off you two. I want this to be perfect."
"Ewwwww, Kevy’s serious, ‘Bone’!" teased Nick.
Tyler was a little irritated with their horsing around too but she kept her cool and said, "Knock it off, ‘Kaos’, please."
Nick smiled his infamous Carter grin, "Well, since you did say please, okay."
Tim asked, "Are they always like this?"
"Yes, and Kevin’s usually joining in if it’s something they’ve done before," said Tyler. "He’s serious though when it’s something new and when he wants it to be perfect."
"Okay, let’s all take your places," said Denise. "Tyler and Kevin are going to go through this completely."
Everyone took their places again to go through the ceremony. As they did, Tim would make comments to let Kevin and Tyler know what to expect and asked questions to be sure Kevin and Tyler were okay with everything.
When they were done, Denise asked, "Tyler, is it the way you two want it?"
"It’s perfect," said Tyler.
Kevin said, "I’m okay with it. I want to talk to Tim, just Tyler and me, before we go though."
"The rest of us are going to head to the house for dinner then," said Denise.
When everyone was gone, Kevin asked, "You’ve got the changes we made?"
"Yes, Kevin. You gave them to me yesterday."
"And no one knows about them?"
"No, Kevin! Tyler, when did he get like this?"
"He’s always been like this as long as I’ve known he," laughed Tyler. "I don’t mind though."
"I just want this to be perfect, Tim. We’re only going to do this once."
Tim smiled, "I’m just giving you a hard time, Kevin. You’ve always been a perfectionist and I wouldn’t expect any less of you. I think it’s great that you’re doing this. Tyler, you’re a wonderful addition to the family and the perfect match for Kevin."
Tyler smiled, "Thank you, Tim. That means a lot to me."
"I’m headed back to eat. Are you two coming?"
"We’ll be there in a little while. Tell everyone not to wait for us."
"What’s up, Kev?"
"I just want some time alone with Tyler before all this starts," said Kevin as he put his arms around her.
Tim looked at the happy couple and said, "I understand. I’ll see you both at the house."
Tim left the two alone in the chapel and they stood together in each other’s arms. The sun was now below the trees and shadows were falling across the chapel. Kevin placed one hand behind Tyler’s head and kissed her deep.
Pulling back, Tyler asked softly, "What’s up, ‘Boo’?"
"I just wanted some time alone with you. It’ll be Sunday before we’re alone again."
"I know but you should be use to that by now."
"I’ll never get use to it, baby. I want you to do something for me tomorrow."
"Anything you ask."
"I want you to come out here tomorrow afternoon around three, alone."
"Okay, but why three and why alone?"
"Don’t ask any questions, baby, please."
"Yes dear."
"That’s more like it, baby. Just remember that line after tomorrow," teased Kevin.
"Oh, you’re so funny....NOT! I can hear the vows now. I, Tyler, take you, Kevin to be my master, to do your every bidding, to clean your clothes, cook your meals, bear your children, and jump at your every command," laughed Tyler.
"Sounds good to me," laughed Kevin. "Come on. Let’s get back to the party."
Kevin and Tyler walked out arm-in-arm to where the horses were tied and Kevin helped Tyler get up on hers. Then he got on behind her. He reached around, tied the reins of his horse to the saddle horn, and then took Tyler’s hands in his. They rode slowly back to the party talking about the wedding and their plans for the nursery.
Everyone had already started going through the lines for their dinner and when Kevin and Tyler got there, they got their dinner too. They sat at what was the head table with Brian, Sonja, and Howie where they talked. Tyler spotted Tiffany with Aaron, Courtney, and Annie and she nudged Kevin.
"They’re having a good time. I’m glad we could bring Tiffany along."
"Me too, baby. She and Courtney really hit it off."
"I almost forgot. Tiffany’s mom left something for us to open tomorrow."
"Where is it?"
"With my stuff in our room."
"Why don’t you go get it since we’re not going to be together tomorrow? I’m sure she won’t mind us opening it tonight."
"I’ll be back in a minute."
Tyler went up to their room quickly, got the letter, and rejoined Kevin. They were about to open it but Jerald stood up and started the story telling about Kevin and Tyler and how they came to know each other over the years. This went on for over an hour and Kevin and Tyler laughed as their friends and family remembered how they had gotten together.
Finally, Howie stood up and Tyler groaned," Oh God! What is he going to say?"
Kevin laughed at her. "It’ll be okay, baby."
Howie grinned when he heard Tyler groan and saw her cringing. "Don’t worry, Ty. This isn’t an I-Told-You-So."
Kryss remarked, "It better not be. She’s heard enough of that from you."
Howie laughed and said sarcastically, "Thank you, sweetie. No, this is a toast."
Relieved, Tyler said, "Thank you, ‘D’."
"We’ve all been sharing stories about the two but now it’s time to toast the happy couple. We all know that the path Kevin and Tyler took to get to this point was rather long and near the end, extremely rocky. The one thing that got them to this point was the friendship and bond they built over the last nine years. When I wrote ‘How Did I Fall In Love With You’, I had these two in mind and Kevin, I was very honored that you chose that song to tell Tyler how you felt. I watched you agonize for those three long months in Europe and the four months that she was temporarily insane over how you were going to tell her that you had fallen in love with her even though you never said a word to the rest of us. The one thing that got you through was the love and friendship you have for Tyler. And Tyler, I know it’s been rough, sweetheart, but you were strong and your strength came from your love and friendship for Kevin.
"Tomorrow, you two are going to join together in the ultimate bond that best friends can have...marriage. Hold on to that love you feel for each other and remember, when it gets rough and you want to quit, think back to the last few months. You made it though that and you’re still together. Here’s to MANY years of happiness and love."
Everyone chorused, "Here! Here!" as they toasted Tyler and Kevin.
The next to stand was Brian. "There’s no way to top you, Howie, but I do have something I’d like to say. Tyler, you’re like a sister to Nick, AJ, and me and you went through A LOT to protect all five of us. We’re extremely grateful to you for that. Kev, cuz, what can I say? You followed your heart and it got you the woman of your dreams. May you both realize your dreams together."
After all the toasts were done, the guests began to mill around talking. Some left after saying goodnight
Tiffany and Aaron found Tyler and Kevin talking to Brian and Sonja and Tiffany asked, "Tyler, am I staying with you tonight?"
"No. Stephanie said you could stay with her tonight and then you’re going back with Aaron and his family on Sunday."
"Cool!
Courtney and Annie came over to the group followed by Jerald and Stephanie and Courtney asked, "Uncle Kevin, can we go riding tomorrow?"
"Sweetie, I’m not going to be around but if your dad wants to bring you, that’s fine."
"We’ll see," said Jerald. "Kev, we’re headed home for now. We’ll see you tomorrow sometime."
"That’s fine. Take care," said Kevin.
The rest of the families said their good-byes and headed home for the evening. The only ones left were the guys and the ladies for the bachelorette party.
Lex asked, "Kevin, where can we have this party for Tyler?"
Kevin, knowing what he and the guys were going to do, said, "Why not the patio off the living room where the stereo is? The pool’s out there and you’ll have the stereo for music."
"Sounds good. Tyler, we’re going to set up. Don’t be long," said Lex.
The girls told their guys goodnight and headed to the house. When they were gone, AJ said, "We’re headed back to the hotel, Kev."
"I’ll be there shortly. Tyler and I have a couple things to open before I leave tonight."
Howie said, "I’ll wait and ride with you then, Kevin."
"Cool."
AJ, Nick, and Brian gave Tyler a kiss on the cheek before leaving.
Now alone with just Howie and Kevin, Tyler went to get the letter off the table and opened it. She thought it was a card but instead, it was a letter from Tiffany’s mother. Kevin stood behind her reading it over her shoulder as she read it too.
Howie saw both of their faces change to shock as they read and Tyler’s hands began to tremble. "What’s the matter, Tyler?"
Tyler handed the letter to Howie to read as she asked, "What are we going to do, Kevin?"
"Call the police in Orlando. Hopefully, it’s not too late."
Howie finished reading the letter. "Whoa! This is serious!"
Tyler’s thoughts raced and went to Tiffany. "What about Tiffany?"
Kevin said, "Let’s get hold of the authorities first and see what’s going on. Then we’ll go from there."
Kevin and Tyler went into the house followed by Howie who still had the letter. Kevin dialed the number for the Orlando police department and took the letter from Howie as he waited for someone to answer. All three of them looked as though they were getting ready for a funeral, not a wedding.
