Page 53 of The Expiration Date

That isn’t a question. That is a flat-out statement. I was so sure that she was going to take me down with her words like she just did with my arch nemesis. Relieved, I allow my arm to fall to my side. “Yes, ma’am, I do.”

She points a finger at me and gets into a lecturing stance. I thought I was scot-free, but she can’t help it–she’s a mom. My mom would’ve done the same thing. “Don’t make me look at you with disdain as I just did with Robert, do you understand me? My daughter is everything to me. She’s my world. I just want her to be happy and to be treated right in her relationship. Can you do that?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Okay then. Thank you for defending my daughter. Robert had it coming.” She lowers her guard. She has the same look in her eyes that Haley does when she lets someone in. “And again, call me LeAnn, Aidan, please.”

“Okay, LeAnn.” I offer my arm so we can walk back to the reception together. She slides her hand through my arm and rests hers on my forearm. It means the world that I have LeAnn’s blessing to date her daughter. I just want to make sure she has no doubt about how I feel about Haley. “And just for the record, I wouldn’t dare hurt her like he did. Not under any condition. She’s too important to me. She’s my world, too.”

We make it back to the reception and take a seat. Robert is finishing up his slurred speech about a topic he knows nothing about. He does manage to convince the people around him, though, as I look at the crowd. Some people are tearing up. He might be a good lawyer, but he sucks as a person.

He hands the microphone off to Haley as she stands up, removing my jacket I gave her in the process. She has a piece of paper in one hand and the microphone in the other. I can tell that she is nervous to be speaking in front of a large crowd of people, but I know she can do it. This woman is strong enough to accomplish anything she wants to in life.

“Hi everyone. My name is Haley. I’m the Maid of Honor and Anna’s best friend. Um, I could be up here all night talking about how much Anna means to me and even tell you embarrassing stories about the bride, but I know it would be a moot point since Anna doesn’t get embarrassed by anything.”

The crowd laughs as Haley smiles that beautiful smile of hers and looks back at Anna, who nods at the statement and mouths, “It’s true.”

“I know the word ‘honor’ is a part of my title, but to tell you all the truth, it’s an honor to know Anna and to have her as my sister. You know, when she and Dan met, I was a little worried that our relationship was going to change. That the world we created for ourselves would change. The world full of Barbie dolls, jamming out to Britney Spears and N*Sync, making friendship bracelets, talking about the boys we liked, talking about our first kisses. That our sacred bond would be broken, even though we swore to each other that no boy could come between us.”

My heart jumps a little at that image. I desperately wish that I was Haley’s first kiss and now my stomach is twisting, aching that I will hopefully be her last.

“I was worried that our perfect sisterhood bubble would pop and my person would be taken from me forever. What a relief it was that Dan just fit into our world and didn’t completely upend it. If anything, he added to it. He loves Anna so immensely and completely that what Anna and I had established was never threatened, but rather nourished and nurtured. I thought everything would change. And I guess it did, but in a way that made our relationship stronger and through this process, I felt that I gained a brother. Our time with each other became more intentional. Instead of dreaming of who our prince charming would be or what they were going to be like, we were actually discussing the real ones in our lives.”

This is when Haley starts to break. Just a little.

She looks at Anna and says, “You two were made for each other. And Dan, there is no one else in the world I could imagine loving our Anna the way you do. Or who can handle Anna’s crazy antics like you do.”

Laughter ensues again, but people are now sniffling in the midst of the laughter.

“Now, I am not saying that your marriage is going to be perfect or that every day is going to be sunshine and rainbows. Just remember that on the best days and the worst days, love is always going to be a part of the equation. It is the foundation to any secure and lasting relationship. It is the common thread that binds all of us together and that thread is going to fray at times, but it’s also going to mend in others. Love never fails us. It finds a way into our lives when we least expect it.”

Haley glances over to me, eyes glittering from the twinkling lights and tears. That’s it. I’m done for. It is then I notice that all eyes are on Haley and only on Haley. For once, I’m not warding off stares from people in the distance. Finally nobody cares that I am in their vicinity. It feels so liberating. I haven’t felt this freedom since before my first blockbuster film took off. I am glad that Haley is finally the center of attention. She sure as hell is mine.

“Find the beauty in every moment with each other and never allow the world to tell you that your love is too good to be true, because real love is never too good to be true. It just is.” Haley puts down her paper and grabs her glass of champagne. I grab my own, along with the entirety of the guests, and raise it up.

“Here’s to the bride and groom and to a love that will withstand any storm that comes your way. Congratulations. Love you guys.”

There is not a dry eye in the house. Everyone starts clapping. With the exception of the stone-cold face of Robert, who isn’t even looking anyone in the eye and is now drinking from his flask again. Julia is trying to console him and I see her mouthing, “What happened to your face?”

Haley makes her way to Anna and they embrace with tears streaming down both their faces. It is a beautiful sight to see. The love between them is so apparent and so strong. There is no storm that is going to break their love, either. After Haley hugs Dan, the DJ starts playing more music. “All right now! Let’s really get this party started! Get out on the dance floor!”

I need Haley in my arms immediately. It is no longer a want anymore. I need Haley like I need air to breathe.

“Will you excuse me, LeAnn?”

LeAnn nods and starts talking to the guest sitting on her other side. I roll up my sleeves again and adjust my tie. As I approach Haley and Anna, they are laughing about some sort of inside joke. I reach out a hand toward Dan. “Congratulations, Dan. You’re one lucky man.”

“Thanks, man. Don’t I know it.”

“That’s right,” Anna chimes in, winking and plastering a kiss on Dan’s lips.

“Anna, would you mind if I steal the Maid of Honor away for a dance? I haven’t had that pleasure yet.”

“Steal away. Just make sure she’s back by midnight, Charming.”

“Oh my god, that is the cheesiest thing you have ever said, Anna.” Haley grabs my hand and makes her way around the bride and groom’s small table.

“I can’t guarantee that,” I respond to Anna. “Sorry to disappoint, but I have a feeling that I am going to be keeping her way past midnight.” I like bantering with Anna because I have a feeling that is Anna’s way of approval and acceptance into their sisterhood bubble. I am for sure in, and that is important to me. Almost as important as being in with LeAnn.

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