Page 38 of Allison

Allison’s father is the officiant for the ceremony. Allison didn’t get a chance to greet him or her mother before practice began. Mr. Simpson has Emma and Wallace turn to face the crowd and be presented as husband and wife. Then they walk down the aisle and the bridesmaids and groomsmen follow in pairs.

“Alright, dinner will be served in fifteen minutes,” Susie Beth announces when the practice is over. “Everyone should head up to the reserved room on the second floor.” Worm watches as Bull takes Susie Beth’s elbow leading her toward the elevators. Surprisingly she doesn’t resist like Worm would have expected.

“You think we could get away without eating dinner?” Worm asks Allison, who shoots him a look that says maybe. He grins, slipping his arm around her waist with the intent to lead her back to her room.

“Allison?” an older version of Allison calls from the door leading in from where the outdoor ceremony will take place.

“Mom!” Allison exclaims and hurries into the woman’s waiting arms. Worm watches the family reunion take place feeling a bit awkward while waiting for them to finish. “You’ve lost weight, Mom.”

He can hear the concern in Allison’s voice. He takes a long look at the woman, who does appear to have lost a significant amount of weight recently. The skin on her face hangs loosely and her clothes seem to be too large for her.

Allison’s father joins them. “Allison, my girl, you look lovely.” Allison beams up at the man, adoration evident in her gaze. She gives him a tight hug.

“Hi, Dad. How did your appointment go?” Allison turns to her mother.

“Oh fine, dear,” the woman dismisses her. “Who is this?” All three of them turn their gazes on Worm. He’d been hanging just behind Allison. He probably should have gone on up to dinner, but for some reason, he felt like he should wait for Allison.

“Mom, Dad, this is Russell Chapman,” Allison introduces him. “Russell is one of Curtis’s friends and will be my escort for the ceremony, as I'm sure you noticed.” Allison wraps an arm around Russell’s left arm. “Russell, these are my parents, William and Sherry Simpson.”

“It’s good to meet you, sir,” Worm says politely,extending his right hand out to shake William’s. The man might be thirty years his senior and have soft as a baby’s butt hands, but he has a strong grip. “And you as well, ma’am.” Worm turns to shake Mrs. Simpson’s hand.

“Oh, come here,” the older woman waves his hand away and pulls him into a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you, young man.” She releases him. “I hope you didn’t mind. I’m a hugger.” The woman’s giggles are so much like Allison’s. “It seems the two of you are getting along well.” Her eyes darting between him and Allison for a moment.

“Mom,” Allison’s tone is a warning. Worm suppresses the urge to grin and encourage the woman further. He doesn’t want to make Allison uncomfortable. “We should get upstairs for dinner. Susie Beth will have a fit if we’re late.”

“Oh, yes,” Mrs. Simpson agrees. “She’s always been a little feisty. Has she settled down with a man yet?” Allison shakes her head. “Well I’m sure it won’t be easy for her to find a man who will tolerate her outlandish behavior. Maybe Emma settling down will help Susie Beth to calm down some. Give her an example.”

Worm is shocked at the woman’s judgement, although he supposes he shouldn’t be after everything he has seen and heard from other members of the family this week. Allison takes his arm again.

“Let’s go,” she murmurs and they all pile into the next elevator.

“So, you’re in the service, too?” Mrs Simpson asks the moment the doors close.

“Yes, ma’am,” Worm answers. “I’ve been in for ten years.”

“You’re planning to make a career of it?”

“Yes, I suppose I am.” Worm replies. “That was the plan when I joined.” The woman looks at him. He isn’t sure if he’s seeing concern or disappointment on the woman’s face.

“Isn’t it difficult to have, um, romantic relationships?”

“Mom!” Allison exclaims with a nervous laugh.

“Sherry.” Mr. Simpson chides, shaking his head. “Don’t start matchmaking. Leave the kids alone.” Mrs. Simpson looks chagrin, but also disappointed she’s been shot down on her line of questioning.

Thankfully they reach the room full of tables covered with white tablecloths and set with fancy place settings. Worm leads Allison inside, her parents trailing behind them. All of the tables have little white cards with burgundy writing on them, matching the wedding theme colors. It seems they have assigned seating.

“Allison, you and Russell are seated over here,” Susie Beth directs them to the table at the front of the room. Wallace and Emma are standing behind their seats in the middle of the long table.

Everyone is standing around chatting, like they aren’t sure what to do. The sound of metal on glass draws everyone’s attention to the front of the room. Worm peers around those standing to his left, toward where Wallace is standing.

“Please everyone take your seats. The servers will be in with the first course in a few moments,” Susie Beth announces to the room. There’s a hum of voices and chairs scraping on the wooden floor as the crowd takes their seats.

Worm holds out Allison’s chair for her, scooting it in once she’s seated. He takes his seat beside her, noting that all of the wedding party is seated at this table, including Susie Beth and Bull. Bull is leaning into Susie Beth’s side, seeming to whisper something to her. Worm is fascinated at the expressions flitting over her face, annoyance, shock, embarrassment, and desire?

Susie Beth whips her head in Bull’s direction, likely intending to tell him off as she’s been doing this entire week, but Bull is ready for her. His hand grasps the back of her head, pulling her mouth to his. Worm has to look away from the intensity of the kiss which is reminiscent of the kisses he’s shared with Allison.

Worm glances back in time to see Bull release her. Susie Beth sways a little then turns back to the table grabbing her glass of water and downing it in a few seconds. No one else seems to have noticed the exchange. It seems Worm and Allison won’t be the only ones getting busy tonight, if that exchange is anything to go by.

---