“I need to talk to my daughter one last time.”
I turn around to find my eyes watering again as I admiringly gaze at my father who’s in his dress blues, medals and all. It brings back memories of when I used to watch my mom get ready for the Marine Corps ball as my dad waited in the living room, dying to see her.
“Aren’t you looking sharp, Marine.”
Reaching for my hand, as the other cups my face, he says, “Sharp on the outside, crying on the inside.”
Leaning into his touch and enjoying the warmth of his skin against mine, I close my eyes, trying to control the emotions slowly bubbling up inside of me.
“I know I’m giving you away to a very honorable man, but today, I’m not the Marine you know, neither am I ‘Gunny.’ I am just a father trying to hold on to his daughter for as long as I can until it’s time. I’m happy you’re happy, but more than anything, I’m at peace. Knowing you’re at a place in your life where my direction isn’t needed, but probably appreciated. My rules aren’t yours to follow, but hopefully you’ll keep. Your heart isn’t mine to hold, but still mine to cherish. My mission in your life, sweetheart, is finished. Just one request, don’t forget Daddy. When life gets tough, you know where to find me, how to reach me, and what to ask of me. When I let go of your hand to reach for his, hang on to his as you did mine, even stronger, sweetheart, because you are his as he is yours.”
As he wipes my tears away, I regain some semblance of clear-headedness, enough to say what I truly want to tell my father. “You’re not losing me, instead you’re gaining another son. Thank you for teaching me to be strong through my weakness, to laugh when all I want to do is cry, and to hope when everything looks bleak. Will you take this final walk with me?”
“Of course. Can you walk as slowly as you can to buy your old man some time?”
Edwin McCain’s song “Walk With Me” starts playing as we walk out of my old room, my arms solidly linked with my dad’s as his hand covers mine. The lyrics of the song ‘
Every step that we take brings back the memories’
match the pictures on the wall from when I was a baby to when I graduated college, bringing back happy memories, indeed. All of the pictures are with my father either beside me or behind me . . . he has been with me all my life—in every aspect of my life.
Just as we make the turn toward the front door where my mom is patiently waiting, my dad’s hold on my hand tightens just a tiny bit, letting me know we’re getting closer to when he’ll let me go. As the song, yet again, echoes what my dad feels—what his heart wants to let me know. ‘
I’ll take this slow sweet walk with you. You’ll let go of my hand to say I do. He will discover just how blessed a life can be. I know ‘cause all those years ago your mom handed you to me.’
My mom then links her arm with mine just as tightly as my dad’s. I know my dad planned it this way, and he couldn’t have planned it any better.
The three of us walk out, turning a corner heading toward the wooded white picket fence gate that’ll lead me to my soon to be husband. Neil, Jake, and Trish along with the quads safely seated (of course, strapped sans helmet since they don’t make them that small for babies, which made my brother almost have a heart attack) on their wooden white wagons with orchids of different shades of purple and white overflowing the girls,’ and a white silk ring pillow with a light purple ribbon holding our wedding bands is nestled between the boys.
Right behind Trish and Jake are Cody and Roxy, each holding a round coaster size tree slice with an inscription of the dates when Brian lost his first baby, and we lost ours.
Neil walks first, pulling the boys as I silently pray neither will attempt to get up, instead they make my heart smile even more when they start waving back at everyone as Trevor says, “Mama!” Then, Tyler follows it with, “Dada!” Collectively the crowd expresses their amazement while Trish blows both of them a kiss, and my brother kisses his wife. True to Trevor’s style of stealing the show, he pulls his baby bow tie up and over his face, but it lands perfectly on top of his head. Now, he looks as though he’s wearing a headband which causes everyone to laugh heartily.
It’s Trish’s turn to pull the girls. As my eyes glance over at Jake’s, I can’t help but say a quick prayer of thanks. Seeing him smile proudly, he lovingly looks at Trish and his girls as they make their way along the side of the pool to the rustic arch arbor decorated with white organza and purple orchids all around. Next up is Cody and Roxy, she takes the right path while he takes the left. They walk on the opposite sides of the pool, meeting in the center as both gently lay the tree slice on the tree stump where the pastor is standing. If I could just scoot forward just a little bit, I could see Brian, but before I could even take a step my dad stops me.
Jake leans and whispers, “He’s a good guy. A little broken, but aren’t we all. I can sleep at night knowing if you’re scared, you’ll have someone who’ll stand by you. I love you, T.” He gives me one of his hugs, the kind he has given me since we were kids, and my tears that I’m trying to keep at bay make land fall. “You found your one, T. . . . just like I did. One look, that’s all it took, the road may be troubled, choppy at best, but you’ll make it—just look at us.” One final nod my way as if to say everything is good in our world, then he takes off with our mother.
At this very moment everything is—good in my world.
As the traditional bridal march sounds in the distance, my father takes a deep breath and glances down at me with eyes swimming in tears, but not a hint of sadness in them. Instead, his tears are tears of complete and utter joy. My heart beats strongly and eagerly, wanting to be united with its mate.
My dad stops then says, “Here we go . . . it’s our final walk, sweetheart. I love you, Ms. Oliver.”
I rise on my tippy toes then say, “I love you, too, Mr. Oliver.”
BRIAN
As I patiently wait for Tami, I look at my surroundings in complete awe. Neil, Roxy with the help of every single person in our family, plus the vision of my very artistic bride transformed her parents’ backyard into a paradise fit for a queen. . . . my queen.
The pool is partially covered with a wooden platform from end to end, about four inches of water is visible on both sides and is adorned with floating tea lights and her favorite—orchids. The arbor is situated at the deepest end of the pool along with a tree stump that has our wedding date, her name, and mine etched in the middle. There are two crosses separated by a mahogany base. One simple white cross with a hollow middle on the right, the other a very intricate multi-faceted white cross on the left, and three golden pegs are situated next to the base.
Before I walk toward the end of the pool where the Pastor is standing, Jack approaches me after saying something to my father, which makes my mother wipe her eyes as my dad embraces her, holding her head close to his chest. I walk to him, extending my hand to shake his in greeting.
“This is your final wait, while I take my final walk with my daughter. Stand where you’re needed, decide when it’s asked, and do what’s necessary, not just for her, but for the both of you. She’s not whole without you, or you without her. From my hands to yours, love her, keep her, and protect her.”
The only answer I can give is the one I’ve always given Tami. It’s the only word my heart knows. “Forever.”
“As it should be.”
With that, he walks off straight to my angel, whom I can’t wait to see.
The traditional bridal march sounds off, and my eyes zero in on where she’s supposed to come out. As she walks out wearing white with Jack beside her, her eyes on me, and mine on her; my forever begins—it finally begins.
Jack leads her toward the shallowest end of the pool as he stops at the beginning of the platform and kisses her while Jake and Cody flank him on his left, Damien and my dad stand on his right. I’m standing on one end while Jack stands on the other, both of us guarding this woman we love. Then, my angel walks toward me on the solid, steady wooden planks cradled by the calm waters beneath.
With the last step she takes, I grab her hand in a hold so firm that says ‘forever—you, me, with or without babies.’ She holds mine just as firm, but equally soft much as she holds my heart with just enough firmness to make me see the light, and just the right amount of softness to heal me when I hurt.
“I have to say, I’ve been blessed to have a part of not one, not two, but three unions so strong, a love so true, a passion so great no one could have orchestrated this better than the One above. So, here we are, gathered again to witness the union of Brian Angelo Mancini and Tami Alessandra Oliver. Right behind them are men who will drop everything to protect one of their own, and alongside them . . .” He glances first to the left where my mother and Patti are standing, then to the right, nodding at Trish and Roxy. “Are women who will comfort them in times of need. We have two separate individuals, but one in their love for one another. Right here are two crosses . . .” He hands me the solid cross with a hollowed middle while he gives the other to Tami. “One is solid, bold, strong, the epitome of a defender and a provider that represents the groom.” He motions for me to place my cross on the mahogany base as I push it firmly into the hole. He nods and continues, “The other is delicate, beautiful, simple yet elegant, the nurturer in this union to complete the groom—his bride.” He again motions for Tami to place her cross inside mine. “And now, the two crosses become one, united in their love and their promise of forever to each other, forsaking everyone, but never each other while standing on solid ground provided by the Father. The three golden pegs,” he stops and hands us the pegs as we lock the two crosses together he explains, “Their union is now sealed in the love of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. What God has put together, let no man, no sickness, no trial, no death tear apart.”
Clearing his throat he continues, “Now, the exchange of their wedding vows.”
Tami and I face each other as Jake and Trish stand next to the Pastor holding Trevor and Tyler who each have our rings safely pinned on their bowtie.
“Forever, that’s what I’ve always told you. I found my forever in you—in everything about you. It’s in your eyes, I’ve seen it; it’s in your touch, I’ve felt it; but it’s in your heart, my forever rests. It’s where it has found its home. Thank you for receiving my offer of forever without doubt, thank you for accepting
my
doubts and fears, but more than anything, thank you for understanding them. I love our forever, whether we’re alone, or surrounded by angels here with us, or our angels above—it’s still the forever I want. I love you, Tami, more than what my mind can comprehend, what my mouth can say, or even what my heart can feel. My love simply is you.”
Jake hands me her band at the same time Tyler yells, “B! B!”
I slip on her wedding band with the inscription of ‘forever’ inside of it. My eyes never leave hers. Now, my heart which was anchored to this strong woman from the get go, is sealed shut and locked tight remaining that way . . .
forever.
“And now, the bride,” the pastor announces with a smile.
“With no end, that’s my promise.
With
everything in me—my love, my devotion, my hope, and my trust, I give you.
No,
to anything that will hurt you, to anything that will break us, to anything that will separate us. It
ends
with you and me, and that’s where it will begin again. It’s when you give that I take, and when you hurt that I give comfort; it’s when you love me, I’m content. It’s when we’re
us
that makes
us
a forever with no end. My love for you will withstand any season, and in every season of our lives, my love will be true.”
Trish hands Tami her my wedding band, and Trevor won’t be upstaged by his brother, he excitedly screams, “Ta, Ta!”
My wife (those two words make my heart grow bigger—even stronger) slips on my band with its own inscription ‘with no end’ and her name while I count the seconds ’til the Pastor gives me the signal to kiss her. When he does . . .
I waste no time anchoring my hands on both of her cheeks as she follows suit and covers mine with hers. I kiss her as I’ve never kissed her. The way my lips are gliding against hers is slow and steady, our tongues mold together in a sensual and loving way. I want more every time with her. With each stroke, she breathes firm conviction into me, each swipe wipes out all the doubts. I kiss her in the most passionate of ways, showing her just how much I treasure her—how I treasure us.
“Get some!” Cody’s voice doesn’t stop me from enjoying my moment with my wife. But, what makes me smile against my wife’s lips, is when Trevor mumbles, “Kiss, Mama.”
Tami and I look toward Trish while Jake smiles that smile he only gives his wife. The rest of the crowd laughs at Trevor’s antics, which doesn’t end there, because he follows it up with, “Close eyes.” He covers Trish’s eyes with his pudgy little hands and starts kissing her lips while she tries to control her own enjoyment.
Our wedding celebration is just how I pictured it in my mind. Tami and I surrounded by our loved ones, friends we can depend on, and kids we certainly treat like our own. As we’re saying our goodbyes to all our guests, Jake parks my parents’ wedding gift, a brand new SL-Class Roadster, on full display in my in-laws’ driveway. Tami’s jaw drops while my face breaks out into a smile.
“Break it in! Break it in!” Neil, Cody, and Roxy all chant like crazy lunatics.
Trevor joins in, “Bayk!”
Then, Tyler yells, “In!”
Everyone shoves us into the car to continue our private celebration at Paradise Point Resort and Spa by Mission Bay. As soon as we make our way to our suite, I don’t waste any time undressing my wife. I enjoy every minute of it until she’s only left with lacy white panties and her bare breast on full display.
“Bed, now,” My voice husky—needy just like my cock.
Instead of climbing on the bed with her ass facing me, she walks to the side and scoots slowly to the center.
“Turn the lights off,” Her one request as she centers herself on the bed.