Page 16 of Capturing Hearts

Chapter Thirteen

Brendan

Me: not religious, but a place like this sure does calm the spirit.

Itake my place by the priest, and we nod hello to one another. “It’s going to be fine,” he tells me.

“I’m not worried. But thank you,” I smile.

I was raised catholic and my mom insisted we get married at St. Dominic’s since I’d been baptized here, and my dad would have wanted it. Annie’s not religious, neither am I, really, but it didn’t take much persuading when I drove her to look at the church and told her it was done in English Gothic style. It’s one of, if not the most, majestic in the city.

“How does this size up to the churches in Italy?” I’d asked her as we walked around inside, our footsteps echoing.

“It’s just as amazing as any I’ve ever seen,” she’d beamed, admiring the stained glass windows and all the details of the columned arches that ran the length of the long hall. “It’s perfect.”

“You think so? Good. My mother will be very happy you said that.”

And now on the big day, I take my place in front of the high alter. Mark’s beside me as my best man and Bobby is on the other side of him. We all exchange a look and turn to the face one hundred and eleven guests who are hushing each other now that we’ve appeared. Nicole, sitting in the second pew, smiles at Mark and makes a face like she’s nervous for Annie. He whispers to me through a smile, not moving his lips, “She’s terrified. Look at her.”

I chuckle and glance through the room at all the familiar faces, nodding to a few I know more than others, like Margaret, who’s seated a few rows back next to her husband. She’s been slowly coming around after the shock of hearing about Tommy. I’ve never told her I know about their affair, and I never will. I feel for her. She must feel the betrayal I feel, learning how crooked he really was.

Everyone from my agency is here, spread around on both sides. Annie and I didn’t want the formality of splitting up the room in terms of her guests and mine, since we’re blending our lives together for good anyway. I was surprised when the list kept growing, but there’s always a nearby cousin you forget about. And the people who showed up to support Le Barré’s reopening have become regular fixtures there and we’ve gotten to know quite a few of them. Some of those include people from Mark’s old job. Also some of the staff from Knockout.

And of course there’s Barb. She’s sitting with a young stud, her hand on his thigh. I give her a wink of being impressed. She smirks my way as he leans to whisper something in her ear. Something that makes her giggle, which is a sight to see.

My mom is in the front row, beaming at me, next to her boyfriend. It’s still a shock to see someone beside her who isn’t Dad, but I’m getting used to it. She told me she felt him here in the church, watching over us, last night during the rehearsal. I hope she’s right, but I don’t really go for that sort of thing. If there is a life after this one, I hope he’s moved on to a happier place where he won’t miss us as much as I miss him.

Manny is in the pew ahead of her and he’s got his new girlfriend, Mercedes, on his arm. This is the first time he’s brought her out to meet everyone and she looks like she can’t be older than twenty. She’s tucked into him and he’s got his arm around her like he just won the Lottery and she was the prize.

The organ starts. Mark nudges me. My spine straightens. I’m ready to lock this down. They don’t teach us men, when we’re boys, to look forward to marriage. We’re taught we shouldn’t want it, to run as fast as we can. But marrying Annie is the thing I’ve most looked forward to ever since we kicked Tommy’s ass. She’s added something to my life that I didn’t know I lacked. She’s on my team, and at the same time, wants my help. She lets me know I’m needed. Frankly, she makes me feel like I’m a king, and what man doesn’t want that for the rest of his life?

Taryn comes down the aisle first, wearing a long, silk, black gown from the same era as our tuxes. Both she and Laura have their hair up and I watch Laura walking up behind her, looking great in that dress. I glance over to Dan and see him stunned by her appearance. She winks at him as she passes. He turns, glued to her as she walks by.

The pipe organ changes to Here Comes The Bride, the vibrating notes filling the room. Everyone stands. Taryn and Laura take their places across from us.

Annie appears, her hand resting on her father’s arm. My heart leaps into my throat at her beauty, the small flowers framing her face like a crown. Her eyelashes flutter and she looks at me, biting her bottom lip in a sweet smile. I walk down the steps to meet her, and see for the first time her mother behind her, fidgeting over the train of her gown. “Mom!” she whispers.

Mrs. O’Brien rises and rushes up to stand in front of Laura and Taryn.

Mr. O’Brien takes Annie’s hand from his arm and hands it to me. “You take care of my little girl.”

“I will, sir.” I bow to him and look at her. The room disappears as I stare at the mother of my child, my beautiful bride, the one I almost let slip away. Somewhere in the back of my mind I know I’m supposed to lead her up the stairs now, but I can’t think of anything but kissing her, so I pull her to me and give her a long, slow, kiss. The room goes into uproarious applause with some crying out in laughter, “Hey! NOT YET!!” and others, “BRAVO!! BRAVO!!”

Annie’s laughing against my lips and I take her hand and turn, walking up the steps to face the priest. He’s looking at us like he hasn’t seen that before. “Well, now! Let’s begin!”

---