Page 77 of Mason Wilder
“Knock, knock. I think you lost a little groomsman.” Mason’s mom entered the suite with one more little guy at her hand. Ronnie, one of Aunt Kira’s twins, came running up to Mason and hugged him around the waist. “Aunt Audra said it’s time to get married.”
Mason cupped the back of his little cousin’s head and smiled down at him. “It sure is. Let’s go.”
“Not yet,” Mason’s mom said. “I need a moment with my son.”
Mason gulped. He wasn’t prepared for an emotional declaration from his mother, but there wasn’t time to think about it because she took his arm and pulled him to the corner of the room. She looked beautiful in a floor length gown in deep coral which highlighted her youthful complexion, and he gazed at her just as he’d done when he was five years old. “You look really pretty, Mom.”
“Thank you. You’re so sweet, Mason.” Her head fell to the side and she smiled as she ran her hand over the front of his tuxedo. “Look at you. It seems like yesterday you were just a little boy barely big enough to see over your dad’s drum kit.” She sighed and a tear appeared in the corner of her eye. “Now you’re getting married.”
He took a deep breath. If she cried, he was going to lose it.
“I’m so happy for you. You’re an amazing person. Never a harsh word to say about anyone. You have nothing but love and kindness in your heart. You’re a wonderful big brother. You’re smart and talented.” She cupped his face in her hand. “And so handsome.”
He felt his cheeks blush. “Mom . . .”
“It’s true.” She smiled. “Tessa is a very lucky girl. You’re going to make a wonderful husband. I’m so proud of you. And I love you so much.”
He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her, blinking back tears and swallowing a ball of emotion. “I love you, too, Mom.”
A set of strong arms circled them, and Mason looked up to find his dad with his head against his mom’s back, hugging the both of them.
His dad kissed his mom’s cheek from behind. “We did good, sugar.”
His mom nodded in agreement. “Yes, we did, but it was easy with a boy as wonderful as Mason.” She smiled at him. “Now go get married already.”
Jessi walked down the aisle first, a single long stem red rose in her hand. Mason’s parents walked next, arm in arm, glowing with pride and love, but Mason was the one who was proud today. He couldn’t have better parents if he had handpicked them himself. They’d given him everything, including room to grow and the ability to be independent.
As he watched them walk down the center aisle, Mason took in the grandeur of the rooftop for the first time. Naturally, he’d seen it when they booked the hotel, but it wasn’t set up for a wedding ceremony. A pergola stood almost 20 feet high at the end of the long white runner. An assortment of white flowers covered the top and draped down the corner posts, accentuated by deep red roses in places. Everywhere he looked there were white flowers and greenery, and the soft breeze blew their aromatic fragrance throughout the air. He had worried about the unpredictable New York City weather, but today was a perfect 80 degrees with low humidity, and the sky was a bright blue.
The Waldorf Astoria was the jewel of Midtown Manhattan, and the immediate choice by both Mason’s mom and Angel, two people who thrived on extravagance and pampered their kids. Mason didn’t really care about the glitz and the ultra-posh decor, but Tessa did. She was never a spoiled rich kid, but she was used to the finer things in life, and she had fallen in love with the marble floor and enormous chandelier in the main lobby of the hotel years ago.
“We’re up, Mase.” Lucas clapped his hand onto Mason’s shoulder. “Unless you wanna make a run for it.” He looked to the left, then to the right. “I can cause a distraction and you can split.”
Mason looked at Lucas’ grinning face and chuckled. “Not a chance.”
“Ya sure? My sister’s a handful.”
That she was. Tessa had a strong will and the determination of a bull. She didn’t back down and never compromised her ethics. “That’s one of the reasons I love her so much. I wouldn’t change a thing about her.”
Lucas slapped Mason on the back. “Good answer. That was a test. You passed.”
Mason chuckled and then slung his arm over Lucas’ shoulder. “Let’s do this, brother.” As Mason started down the aisle with his best man, arms slung over the other’s shoulder, he turned to look at Lucas. “I’m really glad you’re walking down the aisle with me, man. You’ve been by my side my whole life. We’ve been through it all together.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way, Mase.”
When they got to the end of the aisle they moved to the left-hand side of the pergola and gave each other a long hug, which earned hearty applause from the guests.
Soft music played while they waited for the small wedding party to make their way down the white runner. Nerves tickled Mason’s belly. He wished this part of the ceremony didn’t have to be so slow. Why couldn’t they all just walk down the aisle together and start the nuptials already?
“Relax,” Lucas rubbed Mason’s shoulder. “You’re gonna leave a bruise on your leg.”
Mason hadn’t realized he was drumming a heavy beat into his thigh until Lucas brought it to his attention, and he curled his fingers into a fist. “I just wanna get married.” A flutter overhead caught his attention as dozens of beautiful orange and black Monarch butterflies took flight.
Lucas chuckled, eyes raised to the sky. “My sister’s going all out today.”
The little joke settled Mason’s nerves, and he laughed with his best friend.
The music grew louder, and Sindy started down the aisle. Mason immediately stiffened, anticipating Tessa’s arrival.
