I walked on the stage with Jackson, Gram, and Hayden, standing beside the arch as we laughed and joked. The pastor that we asked to perform the ceremony stood just under the arch and back a step, watching as the guests arrived, totaling fifty people. Amy had a good-sized family who had kids. They were all there in the seats, and I smiled as I watched the kids look around with parents yelling at them to sit down.
This was my life now with my niece, and I loved it. There was a time when this might have bothered me, but it was a perfect day now.
The sound of a piano filled the theater, and everyone settled in their seats. Lights shone onstage in soft white, as well as on the left entrance. Two girls in pink walked in through the door, both carrying flowers and holding Ava’s hand. She looked around in awe, waddling forward with her mothers as they climbed the steps to the stage. Once there, the girls took their spots, and Mari picked up Ava to hold her.
Another song started, played by the pianist just behind the curtain. A violin joined in to play Canon in D as Amy stepped out, wearing a flowing gown in white that hugged her curves and flowed behind her. Her father was beside her, looking nauseous. They walked the aisle as she smiled at guests, then climbed the stairs. Her father kissed her cheek, then shook Jackson’s hand before joining her mom and Gram in the first row.
The pastor began the ceremony, which was short but almost too sweet. The bride and groom stumbled over their vows in tears, finally saying the words that would bring them to being married. Ava decided that she wanted Gram in the middle of things, and Mari giggled as she set her down on the floor, telling her to hurry.
When he pronounced them husband and wife, the couple kissed, pressing together as if their lives depended on it. We all cheered as they split apart, watching as they hugged the girls and then us.
Jackson and Amy led the way to the lobby, greeting the guests there as music played throughout the room. There was food from the same caterer and drinks by the same two guys that worked the anniversary event.
“This went great. I think it was the perfect place to do it,” I told Hayden, watching as the newlyweds grinned and kissed each other one more time.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if this caught on. They could charge a small fee for the use of the theater, and the couple can do what they want with the decor.” Hayden looked like an idea was forming in his head, making me chuckle.
“Just one more thing to keep your baby going,” I told him, kissing his cheek.
“I already looked into permits and everything for this. Why not?” He asked, wrapping an arm around my waist. “I might even want to get married here.”
“Yeah?” I asked, and he nodded.
“Smaller. Maybe just family. I don’t know that many people, apart from my coworkers.” Hayden shrugged, smiling at me. “I’ve also thought about something on the water. I’ll plan now that we have some free time.
Gram danced with the girls and even Ava. Jackson danced with Amy by themselves to their song from their first date, and then she danced with her father to a sappy country song. They both cried.
When Jackson danced with Gram, she was openly crying as he whispered something to her. I couldn’t help but do the same, thinking back to all that she did for us over the years. She was a mother and father since none of our parents fulfilled those roles. She was everything, and everyone clapped as they parted at the end of the song.
Chapter Eighteen
Hayden
I watched as Gray spun Gram slowly around the room, smiling and laughing with her. The emotions were clear on his face as I took him in. There was sheer happiness and some reminiscent sadness as well. I knew that he was thinking back to childhood when she raised him, loving him so completely.
“What a day,” Becca said as she came over to me, holding a sleeping baby.
“Are you just going to hold her while she sleeps?” I asked as she smiled.
“Maybe. I feel like I missed a lot of time with her,” Becca said, blushing as I raised a brow. “We didn’t have her since birth. She’s getting so big now.”
“It was meant to be this way.” We sat down on some wide chairs, and Becca leaned back.
“That was an amazing wedding. This, too.” She waved a hand around the crowd. “I can see this becoming a thing.”
“Gray and I were just talking about that,” I told her as she smiled. “I’ll have to put together a business plan.” This had just cost the price of the food, drinks, and decorations.
“They probably wouldn’t close down for special occasions, otherwise.” She laughed, smiling at me. “This is one of those moments that I feel like life is racing by.”
“It is,” I agreed, taking her hand as Benny Goodman filled the room. We both gazed at each other. “Gram.”
“You’re getting married next, and this kid is only getting bigger.”
“Are you going to get married?” I asked, and she looked around the room.
“I want to ask her soon. I think it was in the works before Ava, but that took all of our energy. We’ll wait for yours if you two ever decide when. I’d like a ring on her finger.” Becca looked at me. “She’s the one. I knew it when we met.”
“I knew it that first visit. You glowed with her, and it was so obvious that she was crazy about you. You managed a long-distance relationship, the move, and getting a whole new family. You even adopted a baby practically overnight. That’s a lot, but you two are made for each other.” I smiled as she thought back over their relationship.
“We have been through a lot,” she murmured as I laughed. “I guess a proposal and wedding seem like nothing.”
“Well, not nothing,” I corrected as Gray walked over with a smile.
“Do you two want to dance?” He asked, looking between us. “You deserve a special dance just as much as anyone else here. I can hold Ava.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Becca said, slowly standing as he took Ava from her. I kissed him and took Becca’s hand to lead her to the dance floor. We got down to Prince and some cheesy but necessary wedding songs, joining Mari in the center.
“Where is Ava?” Mari asked Becca, leaning in to kiss her.
“Gray is holding her over there,” I told her, pointing to the seat they were in. “She had a big day.”
“I can’t believe she had to go to Gram right at that moment.” Both girls laughed, and I chuckled along with them.
“I think it was a perfect day.” The crowd erupted into cheers as a popular song came on, and we moved to the beat.
Everyone headed home after midnight that night. I locked the doors, knowing that a cleaning crew would be in the following morning so we could open up. Jackson took Amy to a hotel in Seattle on the water for a one-night stay in the honeymoon suite. We all went home to the apartment building, settling into bed for the next ten hours. Becca and I both had the day off to recover, and Mari was working a little from home.
We got out of bed at eleven, showering, and going to Gram’s place for breakfast. The girls were already there, helping her cook as Ava toddled around the apartment. She had toys there in the spare room, knowing to go right to them to play.
“Yesterday was beautiful,” Gram said, once we were seated at the table with full plates.