Page 32 of Summer Message

Matthew

July Fourth

One year later

April 13th, our twins were born. I have two healthy sons, Thomas and Nathaniel, who were born via C-section.

Kristina was a trooper. She was in labor for sixteen hours before one of the boys went into distress. They rushed her for an emergency C-section.

I still had to finish my contract out, which ended last month. It was hard driving back and forth, but staying with Al made things a little bit easier for me. Kristina went back to work right before prom, and the seniors were happy to see her. Our moms took turns being there since I couldn’t be. Randi and Al are godparents to our kids.

We are blessed.

Today is a big day for us. Kristina is finally saying I do to me.

I begged her for months to marry me before the boys got here, but she refused. The wedding is going to be small, at the pond in our backyard. Our parents, my siblings, and their families, Randi and Charli, the Michaels from next door, Al, and a few friends that we made over the year of being here.

I’m wearing a white tux with a red and blue tie. Kristina didn’t want the typical white dress, so she found one she wanted, then paid someone to tie dye it red and blue, leaving some white showing. I haven’t seen it yet, but she showed me a picture of what she was thinking. The boys are wearing white shorts. Thomas is wearing a blue shirt, and Nathaniel is wearing red, both with white suspenders.

“How are you feeling?” Al comes up behind me as I’m having a beer.

My mom and dad are with the twins right now. They can’t seem to get enough of them.

“I’m anxious. I want this to get started already.” We laugh. “Thanks for being here. I couldn’t have asked for a better best man than you.”

“Hey, I’d move heaven and earth to be here with you on this day. Kristina is the best thing that has ever happened to you.” I smile at him. “The boys are the second-best thing.”

“I agree with you. I can’t imagine Kristina not in my life. I felt like I’ve known her all my life and she’s had my heart for so long.”

“That’s true love.” Charli comes in to grab a beer. “I needed a beer. There’s so much estrogen in that room. It was fine for a while, but damn.” We all laugh. “I feel the same things for Randi. It was like the first time I met her, I knew that she’d be my wife, and here we are.”

Randi and Charli escaped to Las Vegas with Kristina’s blessing. They wanted something for the two of them in March.

“Ready to get hitched?” The minister is standing in the backdoor.

“Showtime.” I clap my hands together with a laugh.

Charli, Al, and I walk out. Al and I are standing up front when the wedding march song plays, and my nieces, Addison and Laura, come out pushing the boys in their strollers. They’re sound asleep with smiles on their faces. I wink at the girls as they sit down with my parents.

Randi comes out in a dark blue strapless dress. Charli can’t help but smile at her wife. They share a special look together.

As it’s time for the bride to come, everyone stands. I swallow hard and place a hand over my heart.

Kristina is breathtaking with her hair down in her strapless dress. I start crying as she walks towards me. I can’t hold back the tears as the love of my life, the mother of my children, is coming my way to spend the rest of our lives together. Kristina and her dad stop short of me and I groan out loud, which makes everyone laugh.

“Who gives this woman to this man?” the minister asks.

“Her mother and I do.” Kristina’s father speaks up. He kisses her cheek. He shakes my hand and whispers in my ear. “Hurt her and they’ll never find your body.” He slaps my back and I chuckle out of nervousness.

“I love you,” she says to me.

“I love you, too. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Fireworks go off in the background as we kiss for the first time as husband and wife. It’s funny how a video on an app gives you an idea that you run with and end up finding love. I never thought in my wildest dreams that a little balloon could change our lives forever.

We release a balloon into the sky with Mr. and Mrs. Collins, July 4thon the card.