Shattered Dreams (24 page)

She smiles and lets out a breath. “Good. Me,
too. I am a nervous wreck. If I do or say something stupid, it’s
not my normal behavior either.”  

I smile, because I can’t imagine she could
ever say or do anything stupid. “I guess we’ll figure it out
together.” 

She smiles at me. “That sounds like a
plan.” 

James comes out of his bedroom carrying one
shoe.  

“
Emma, you put those in
water, and I’ll help James with his shoe.”  

We pull up at Mason’s parents’ house on Long
Boat Key. James has been in the back seat playing with the car my
mother got for him. We wait in line in our car for the valet. Emma
looks around at the mansion-sized home. “This is very
impressive.” 

“
Emma, don’t let the house
fool you. Mason’s parents are very nice and down-to-earth
people.” 

“
I believe you. I just
didn’t realize how much money Mason came from.” 

“
You’ve met him, he is just
like you and me.” 

She nods and I watch her as she is picking at
the nail polish on her nails. This must be a nervous habit for her.
We pull the car up and the valet opens the doors. I leave the keys
in the car, take the valet ticket, and place it in the inside
pocket of my jacket. I stand tall, button my jacket, and square my
shoulders. I walk over to Emma, and she is already out of the car.
I smile at how stunning she looks. I watch as she straightens
James’ jacket and then her dress.  

A woman asks, “Are you with the wedding
party?” 

“
Yes,” Emma
answers. 

“
Please follow
me.” 

“
Are you ready?” I ask,
offering her my elbow.  

“
We are.” She smiles and
loops her arm around mine as she holds James’ hand with her free
hand.  

We follow the wedding coordinator up the
stairs of the house and into the large foyer.  

“
The bride on the right and
the groom on the left,” the woman
states.   

Emma lets go of my arm and I suddenly miss
it. It felt so right that she was holding onto me. I smile and say,
“Get James situated, and I’ll be back to get you.” 

“
All right,” she says,
picking at her nails again.  

“
Emma, I’ll just be a minute
and I’ll knock on the door when I’m done.” 

“
Please follow me, ma’am,”
the wedding coordinator says.
 
 

I watch as she and James
follows the woman into the last room on the right. Emma looks back
and smiles at me before entering the room where Angel is. The door
opens, and I hear squealing and laughter.
That is definitely the right room.
  

I walk to the left and knock on the only door
that’s closed. Vincent opens the door a little and then he opens it
further when he sees it’s me. I look around the room and see Mason
standing at the full-length mirror adjusting his
tie.  

I nod to Donovan and again to Vincent before
I walk over to Mason. He smiles when he sees me. 

“
I’m glad you could make
it,” he says, shaking my hand. 

“
I wouldn’t miss it. I just
wanted to check on you before the wedding
started.” 

“
Thanks, I appreciate it.
I’m fine. I just want to make Angel mine and start our life
together.” 

“
You’re a lucky man, Mason;
she is a wonderful girl.” 

“
Thank
you.” 

“
Ten more minutes.” A voice
yells from the doorway. 

“
I need to go and get my
seat. Congratulations.” I smile, shake Mason’s hand again, and
leave to get Emma. 

I walk down the hall and knock on the door I
watched Emma go into. She smiles when she sees me. “Ready to get
our seats?” 

“
I feel funny about leaving
James in there.” 

“
He’s with friends, and he
loves Angel. I’m sure he’s fine.” 

“
Ok, you’re right. I’m
ready.” Emma loops her arm in mine and it feels right having her by
my side. I look down at her and smile. Although she is wearing
heels, she is still quite a bit shorter than me. 

We walk through the house, and the usher
greets us outside. We show them our wedding invitations and are led
towards the front of the seats. The wedding is outside in the
backyard nearest the water. The reflection of the moon and the
clear lights and candles have turned the backyard into an
oasis.  

Emma looks around the space at the guests and
smiles. “The wedding is a lot smaller than I was
expecting.” 

I also look around; most of the people were
at their Christmas Eve party last week. There are a few extra
people who must be family. “Me, too; this is a good size for me.” I
smile.  

“
Me, too, it’s very small
and intimate. It’s the perfect size for a
wedding.” 

Mason, Donovan, and Vincent come out and
stand under the beautifully lit arch. I look at Mason, who looks so
calm. I know he has waited a long time for someone like
Angel. 

The music begins and we watch as the flower
girl comes out first. She stops and dumps all the flower petals at
the doorway entrance, before walking up to stand near Mason.
Everyone laughs. James walks out next, and I can hear Emma begin to
cry. He walks slowly, and he carefully holds the pillow with the
rings. He also stands beside Mason. Brea and Sara walk down the
aisle and then comes the event’s star: Angel. We all stand and
watch as she enters the white carpet. I hear people gasp when she
comes into view. She is always a beautiful girl, but she looks like
a Heavenly Angel tonight.  

She walks slowly and carefully down the aisle
and Mason steps off the platform to claim his bride. I smile and
Emma laughs quietly. “Is he in a hurry?” she asks.  

“
Just a
little.” 

After the wedding and after Mason and Angel
leave to begin their honeymoon, Emma and I stay behind with the
other guests. We slow dance and we also fast dance with James. I
watch as Emma and James slow dance and it brings a smile to my
face. Brea and Sara walk up and stand beside me. “You know, she is
one of the sweetest girls I have ever met,” Brea says. 

I look over at her and smile. “I can see
that. She does seem like a very nice girl.” 

“
I think you should ask her
out,” Sara adds. 

“
You do?” 

“
I do, she hasn’t dated
since her husband’s death and you’re the new most eligible bachelor
now that Mason’s married. I think you both have a lot in common and
will be perfect together.” 

The music stops and Emma and James walks over
to me. 

“
Are you thirsty?” I
ask. 

“
I am,” James
says.  

“
I’ll get you both some
punch. James, do you want to come with me?” 

“
Yes, sir.” 

Emma

“
What are you two up to?” I
ask, looking at Brea and then at Sara. 

“
Who, us?” 

“
Yes,
you
and
you,”
I say.  

“
He’s just a really nice
guy, that’s all.” 

“
Yes, I would have to agree
with that.” I watch as Alec helps my son with his
punch.  

“
If you ever need a sitter
or anything, let us know,” Sara says and walks away
quickly. 

“
Why would I need a
sitter?” 

Brea adds, “Just if
something ever comes up and you need a sitter
even for overnight, I’m free.” I look over at her and she is
smiling. “Have fun and I’ll see you at work on
Monday.” 

Before I can say anything,
she is walking away.
That was very
bizarre
. I look over at Alec and James as
they are walking towards me. James and Alec both look so handsome
and they both are smiling at me. I have two of the best-looking
dates around
. 
 

“
What are you thinking
about?” Alec asks. 

I smile and say, “Nothing.” 

“
It’s getting late, are you
about ready? We could stay longer if you would
like.” 

I look down at James; he is yawning. “No, I
think James is ready.” 

On the drive home we talk about the beautiful
wedding and how much fun it was to be among friends. When we arrive
home, Alec parks the car in the driveway. “I’ll get your door for
you.”  

I wait in my seat and watch
as he walks around the car. I look in the backseat; James is sound
asleep. Alec opens my door and reaches his hand in for mine.
He is such a gentleman.
I
take it and stand as tall as I can next to him. “I’ll carry James
in while you get the door.” 

I wait for him to unbuckle James from his
seatbelt before walking up onto the front porch. I open the door
and hold it open wide for Alec to walk through with James. Alec
walks down the hall and into James’ room and waits for me to pull
the covers down before he lays James down on the bed. “Do you want
to wait for me to dress James for bed or are you ready to leave
now?” 

“
No, Emma, I’m in no hurry.
Take your time. I’ll wait for you out here.” 

“
Are you sure? It is New
Year’s Eve, I’m sure you have someplace you need to
be.” 

“
No, Emma, I would rather be
no other place. I do need to call Raelynn
and wish her a Happy New Year.”
 
 

“
Ok, if you want something
to drink, please help yourself,” I say, as he walks out of the
room. 

I walk out into the living room. Alec is
standing there leaning against the doorframe. When he sees me, he
pushes off from it, smiles and walks towards me. “Did I tell you
how stunning you look tonight?” 

My heart begins to race and my breathing
catches. “I think you did, thank you.” 

“
Are you cold, Emma? Would
you like me to start a fire?” 

“
Are you sure you don’t need
to be someplace?”  

“
I have no plans for this
evening.” 

“
I bought champagne for
tonight, would you like a glass?”  

“
You get the champagne and
I’ll call Raelynn and then
get the fire
started.” 

He smiles and turns to walk
away. I open the champagne and pour two glasses.
I take my time so Alec has time to wish his
daughter a Happy New Year.
When I arrive in
the living room, Alec is kneeling down at the fireplace. I just
watch him. When the fire gets started, he stands up and smiles when
he sees me. I hand him his glass and we both sit on the couch. The
room is dark except for the glow from the fireplace and the muted
light coming from the kitchen. 

“
Is it too dark for you?” he
asks. “Would you feel more comfortable with a light
on?” 

I have to think about that and it’s not. It
feels right. “No, it’s fine.” 

“
I had a great time tonight
with you and James, thank you.” 

“
I should be thanking you. I
also had a great time and thank you for helping me with
James.” 

“
You’re welcome, but I
didn’t do anything for you to be thanking me for,” he says, taking
a drink. 

“
You are very nice to him —
to us. You helped with his food, and you even carried him into the
house for me. I would say I owe you a thank you for all
that.” 

“
You’re welcome. I had a
great time, and I really like spending time with you and him. He is
a great kid.” 

“
Yes, he is. It is nice to
sit here with you having an adult beverage. It’s been awhile since
I have done this.” 

I look at her and
smile.
It’s now or never,
Alec
. I take a deep breath and ask, “Emma,
would you like to go out to dinner with me next
Saturday?” 

She looks up at me and smiles. “Alec, I would
love to.”  

“
Yes?” he asks with a
smile.  

“
Yes.” I laugh. We sit and
drink the entire bottle of champagne as we hold hands and it feels
right. We talk about Max and the devastating loss of losing someone
who loves you more than they love
themselves.  

He tells me about what a great mother Molly
was in the beginning and how difficult it is to be a single
dad.  

“
I hear people complain
about marriage, but I liked being married. I liked having someone
around who loved me and cared for me,” I say, softly. “Dating is
hard. So many crazy people are out there. It’s hard to know what
people are thinking. They look normal but then they turn out to be
crazy. I did date some
Scumbag Steves
before I was married.” 

“
Even when you think you
know them, you really don’t know them at all,” he says, and it’s
almost a whisper. “I did date some Scumbag Stacies before I was
married.”  

He adds, “I think I should go; I have kept
you up long enough.”  

He smiles and stands up. He reaches for my
hand to help me up and I take it. We walk hand in hand to the door.
It feels good to hold his hand. He opens the door and turns around
to look at me. “Thank you for a wonderful evening.” 

“
You are welcome and thank
you. I had a great time.”