Chapter 15: The wedding
The next morning AJ awoke early to the sound of his alarm clock. He decided he could start using it again. Jessica had already left to do last minute things for the wedding and to get ready. He couldn�t believe today was his wedding day, today he was to get married. The word wife still sounded weird to him. He didn�t think he could ever get use to saying it. First thing was first though; he had to get dressed to accompany Serenity and her father to her half brother Josh�s wedding. After that he would be attending his own wedding. He took his suite out of the closet and began to get ready. He was in such a hurry he forgot to feed Garfield before he left.
When he arrived to Barry�s house he knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. �Hey.� Serenity said smiling her warm smile. Half of her hair was pulled up as the other part of it hang down. She had straightened it and it looked even longer. She wore a long yellow satin dress that sparkled when she moved. The neckline was lined with gold lace and so were the straps that went up her shoulders. �You look really nice.� AJ said smiling.
�Thank You. Well I�m all ready to go. My dad left already, he said he would meet us there.� She said closing the door behind her. �Okay. You been good?� AJ asked her as they walked to the car. �Yeah. I've been fine. I went out with Josh last night as he picked up last minute things for his wedding, and that�s about it. Besides that me and my dad had a good talk about a lot of things, so we made a little progress in our relationship. Not sure were it�ll lead but we�ll see. I also called my mom yesterday. She said she�s glad I'll be back home tomorrow. I usually visit her on Fridays so she'll kind of miss that today.� Serenity said as she entered the car. �That�s good.� He replied.
Things felt awkward in the car on there way there. They both were thinking about the night in the cabin but neither one of them spoke of it. When they arrived, the wedding was just about to start. Serenity said a few words to a couple of people as she walked around and then they both took seats toward the middle of the church. �Humm, this is kind of funny. This is the second time this week I've had to come to a church.� AJ said as he looked around while sitting in his seat. �Well this time it�s a good reason. And I guess after this you can make it three times.� Serenity told him. �Three times?� AJ questioned. �Yeah, hello, you�re having your own wedding today.� She said looking at him oddly. �Oh, yeah but it�s not in a church. We didn�t have that much time and Jessica has always wanted to have her wedding outside under a sweeping willow. She has this thing for sweeping willow trees.� He told her as he turned to face the front of the church. �AJ, once again you seem to be going on about what Jessica wants. Where would you like to have your wedding? Do you like sweeping willow trees?� Just then the ceremony began. �Not now Serenity, the wedding is starting.� AJ said adjusting his posture.
As they watched the front of the church AJ turned to take a glimpse of Serenity. For some reason he felt frustrated. He had this sinking feeling in his stomach and he couldn�t really describe it. He was nervous about the wedding but he never let nerves get to him that badly. As the groomsmen and bridesmaids started to walk down the ile they stood. He noticed that a smile shot across Serenity�s face as she saw the flower girl coming. As the bride started down the ile AJ couldn�t help but think of Jessica. In a couple of hours it would be her coming down the ile in a white dress. His stomach began to tighten. They sat as the vows started. After the wedding had finished they drove to the reception.
It was covered in orange and yellow flowers and each table had a center piece that held a big sunflower in the middle of it. As AJ sat at one of the tables Serenity went off to mingle and congratulate her brother. AJ had already said hello. He met Josh before in Barry�s office but now Josh didn�t seem to recognize him. He sat, as he drank his punch looking around the room at all of the beautiful people that walked around him. He didn�t know any of them so he just listened to the music. He then noticed people starting to take the dance floor. He loved to dance but for some reason at the moment he didn�t really seem up to it. �Hey, you look all lonely over here by yourself. You look a little pale you okay?� Serenity ask as she came up to him. �Yeah, I guess I�m just a little tired.� He said looking up at her. �Well are you too tired to dance?� She asked reaching to take his hand. �No, I can do that.� He said standing up and grabbing her hand.
As they started dancing the song changed to Brick house. AJ started to lip sync and make funny dance movements causing Serenity to laugh. After three dances they sat down to eat lunch. As the waitresses and waiters came around serving food AJ cheeked his watch. Serenity went over to eat with her dad, step mom and the rest of her family as AJ stayed at the table he sat at before. He didn�t feel much like eating but he went ahead and had a bake potato. As he watched Serenity at the other table he couldn�t believe she would be leaving right after this. He felt he needed to tell her something but he didn�t know exactly what. All he really knew is that he didn�t want her to go. As everyone was eating Barry stood to make a toast. �I would like to take this time to congratulate my son on finding such a beautiful bride, he sure can pick them. I really want to say, I do wish them both well in their lives.� He started saying. AJ drowned Barry out as he finished his potato. Then he heard his name being mention all of a sudden.
He was caught off guard as his attention turned to Barry. �Yes, that�s right, I want to thank him because he watched over my daughter and kept her safe on top of that mountain. He�s a good man and his wedding day is also today. So I would also like to dedicate this toast to Alex McLean.� He heard as Barry finished. He was half in shock and didn�t know what to say. He really didn�t want any attention directed at him. As the waiters and waitresses started to clear the tables people started to gather on the dance floor again. It was time for the groom to toss the garter belt and for the bride to toss her bouquet. People were also coming up to him and congratulating him on his soon to be marriage. AJ watched from his chair, trying to see through the crowed of people that had gathered. After 10 minutes, when the crowed cleared he noticed a tall bald guy had the garter belt in his hand and Serenity had the bouquet. They both took the dance floor for a slow dance. As he watched her from afar he noticed how beautiful she was. It wasn't like he hadn't noticed she was pretty before or that her dress was nice, it was just at that moment she seemed to almost take his breath away. And part of him wondered how his life would be without her now that she had brought so much life into it.
As the music ended another song started up.
�Alex! Oh my gosh I haven�t seen you forever.� A red haired girl said as she ran up to him. He stared at her for a moment before recognizing her. �Oh, Hillary.� He said not sounding really excited. �How have you been?� She asked giving him a hug. �I�m, um, I�m good.� He said smiling. �I heard your getting married, that�s so great, I couldn�t believe it.� She said in a high pitched voice. �Yeah, that�s right.� He replied. �I was actually engaged a year ago but Steve was just one can short of a six pack.� She said as she busted out with a loud bellowing laugh. As she laughed she snorted. People around them seemed to stare and cringe a little. AJ then remembered why he broke up with her only after two weeks. �Hey AJ, want to dance?� Serenity asked as she walked up to him. �Oh yeah, I'll talk to you later okay Hillary. Nice seeing you again.� He said as he walked away quickly.
�Thank you so much. You don�t know how happy I am that you saved me.� He told Serenity. �Well I saw your face and you looked like you needed some help. It was kind of funny though.� She said, then mimicking the girl�s laugh and giggling. �Not funny.� AJ said smiling. Just then a slow song started up again. �Ooo, I remember this song, I love this song.� Serenity said as she pulled AJ�s arm. �This is if I were your women, by Gladys Knight. I remember this song. This song was way before your time, how do you know anything about it?� He asked her as he stepped out on the dance floor. �Please, this song is before your time. My uncle would play a lot of old songs when he babysat me when I was little. I loved this one.� She told him.
As they started dancing he inhaled Serenity�s perfume. She smelled like baby powder and berries at the same time, and it seemed to be such a familiar smell to him. He had smelled it before, other then the other times they had met. It smelled sweet to him like something from childhood.
�AJ I wanted to say sorry.� Serenity started. �About that girl and the laughing, oh it�s okay. I dated her a really long time ago, but only for like two weeks.� He replied. �No, that�s not what I meant silly.� She said as she laughed. �I meant I'm sorry about early today at the wedding. When I was asking you about Jessica and kind of second guessing your judgment. That defiantly was none of my business and you should have your wedding wherever you want to.�
�Oh that�s okay.�
�No, really I shouldn't have started asking you those questions. I can be a party pooper sometimes, I know that. But anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I am really happy for you. I�d come to your wedding, but I have a plane to catch after this. But I hope your wedding is perfect and I wish you and Jessica all the joy and luck and love in the world. I hope your marriage will be strong enough to withstand anything that comes your way. I truly am happy for you.� She whispered in his ear. �Thanks, that means a lot.� He said as Serenity�s arms draped around his shoulders.
As they danced she hummed the tune quietly to herself and closed her eyes. As AJ heard her hum, he thought about his marriage to Jessica. Was it really the right thing to do? Was she really the person he should be marrying? Should he be getting married at all? These questions ran through his mind as the song played on. He couldn�t marry Jessica, it was crazy. He felt himself tense up; he knew what he wanted to tell Serenity now. The words had finally come to him. He wanted to tell her that he liked her and that he felt a connection with her and maybe that they could try this thing he felt. �Serenity.� He stepped back making her pull her head away from his shoulder to look at his face. He then garbed her hand and looked at her. �I have to tell you something. It�s very important. That night in the cabin...�
�Hey AJ ready for that wedding of yours?� Barry said tapping him on the shoulder and interrupting his sentence. AJ and Serenity both turned to face Barry. �Well I just wanted to say thanks for escorting my little girl around and keeping her safe. I figured as far as I can see you�re pretty much finished here. Your wedding starts in about two hours, so why don�t you just get out of here now. Thanks.� Barry said shaking AJ�s hand. �Wait, dad, AJ was about to tell me something.� Serenity said giving him an irritated look. �Well Serenity. I�m sure AJ�s in a rush to get to his bride to be at the moment. Besides Randy wanted to finish this dance with you. See he�s over there by himself just hoping you'll dance with him. He thought you were with AJ. I told him that AJ was just a friend and that he was about to leave.�
�Daddy, you hate Randy, remember? You disagreeing with him are one of the reasons we broke up in the first place.� Serenity told her father. �Yes, but he�s grown a lot since then. And I figured the lease I could do was bring you two back together. He still likes you, a lot.� Barry said looking over at the tall blond haired guy that stood next to the cake table. �Okay, I'll go dance with him in a minute. What were you going to say AJ?� She asked him looking up into his brown eyes. The words he had in his mind had left him. He had lost them once again and his mind seemed to shift gears. �I...I just wanted to say thanks for putting up with me. I know I can be a drag sometimes but I had a lot of fun. Thanks for the rad week.� He said smiling at Serenity then at Barry.
Was he a complete idiot? What was he doing, and what did he just say? Did he just say, thanks for the rad week? Where in the world did that word just come from? Had he just had a flashback to the 80's? That word hadn't been apart of his vocabulary since he was 8. And now he was just standing there with a big wide goofy smile, looking like a retard. He stopped smiling and looked at his shoes. �Well um, thanks AJ. Believe me; I had a lot of fun too. Well, I guess I'll see you later. Have a good wedding.� Serenity said looking at him. �Oh, I forgot. This is for you.� He said pulling out a small burgundy box from his pocket and handing it to her.
�A wedding band?� Serenity questioned as she looked down at the contents of the box. �It�s just this old thing I had. But I thought it was really pretty so I wanted to give it to you. You can keep it just as a souvenir of this week.� He said smiling. �Oh thanks AJ, it�s really pretty.� She told him. He looked down at her and gave her a hug. �Thanks have a good trip back home.� He told her. He then shook Barry�s hand and thanked him. �See you next week, about the court case.� Barry told him as AJ walked away. As he looked back, he could see Serenity starting to dance with the blond haired guy. They actually looked good together he thought to himself. He was doing the right thing. He now had to get to the park. Jessica awaited him.