Reckless Abandon(95)

A toast?

Oh my God. I am in no condition to make a toast right now. I scoot back and away from him and start to make myself look presentable. I grab my purse from where I left it in the bathroom and look into the mirror. My face is flush, my lips are bright red from the scruff of his jaw and my hair is out of place from his strong hands grabbing at it.

“You’re beautiful.”

I look over to Alexander who is leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, looking at me like a man in love.

My shoulders rise and I let out a sigh. If only he knew what his words do to me.

I put some lipstick on and fix my hair just enough to look presentable. When I am done, Alexander takes my hand and together we walk downstairs just in time for the toasts.



Thankfully, I wrote my speech out so I can recite it verbatim. When I am done, Leah and Adam hug me, thank me for the beautiful words, and I take my seat. At my table, I see Alexander has a place beside me. When I look back at Leah, she winks at me and I thank her with my eyes for accepting Alexander into her life. It is the most Leah-like thing she has ever done. Her methods may be unorthodox but then again, that’s what makes Leah, Leah.

Alexander is an exceptional wedding date. He has been dancing with me all night, is patient when I have to leave him to do my maid of honor duties, doesn’t give me a hard time when I choose to avoid catching the bouquet at all costs, and gives Leah and Adam the most spectacular wedding gift: an all expenses paid trip to Capri.

I am talking to Adam as he, drunkenly, gives his blessing on my new relationship when I look over and see my dad pulling Alexander over for a chat.

I hug Adam and let him go back to enjoying his party and stand here, on the edge of the dance floor watching my dad and Alexander interact. Dad is a few inches shorter and narrower but he’s trying his best to be as intimidating as the man standing in front of him.

I am biting my thumbnail, watching the two of them talk. It’s foolish I would be nervous. I guess they just mean so much to me I want these men to get along. This is my future. The man who raised me and the man who completes me.

“Is that the young man you were telling me about?”

Grandma has slowly crept up next to me. All four feet, eleven inches of her. She’s a silver fox-tress, as Leah calls her, and is very proper. Everyone in the family says I’m just like her.

“Yes, Grandma.” I answer yet my eyes are still on dad and Alexander. Dad has a serious look on his face and Alexander is simply nodding at whatever he is saying.

“Well, if that boy doesn’t light your fire, your wood is wet!”

My head on a swivel rolls in Grandma’s direction to assess the old woman as she walks away with her cane and a smile.

Can’t say I disagree with her.

Looking back at dad, I see he is crying. Oh, God, dad and his tears.

“It’s fine, honey. He just wants to meet the man who is in love with you.” My mom has sidled up next to me this time. My hands find my stomach as I brace for the forewarning. Be careful, Emma. You are strong, Emma. Take care of yourself first, Emma. “I like him. I think he’s good for you,” she says.

I relax my hands and turn to face her. The lines around her eyes are wrinkled in and they’re slightly wet from the tears that are filling up her eyes. “It’s good to have you back, honey.”

Mom pulls me into a hug and I hold right on to her. We haven’t shared a good hug in way too long.

I look back at the men in my life. My dad extends his hand to Alexander, who shakes it back and then my dad pulls Alexander in for a hug. I’d be lying if I said Alexander didn’t look wildly uncomfortable with the gesture but he is going along with it anyway.



After the reception is over we make our way to McConaughey’s for the after party and I am relieved to switch my wedding heels for a pair of slippers. Alexander loosens his tie but leaves his suit intact. Instead of the usual scotch, he orders a pint with me and together we sway and sing to the music blasting from the speakers as Leah leads us all in a song.

When we head back to my parents’ house, Alexander and I are tipsy as we walk through the back door, clawing at each other’s bodies and making out like teenagers and being entirely too loud. My parents are still up, wearing their robes and talking in the kitchen. When we see them, Alexander and I halt our laughter and remove our hands from one another.

Dad looks uncomfortable with the situation, his eyes darting to the floor. “Alexander, you’ll be in Leah’s room tonight. Pam made up the bed for you this morning.”

Alexander offers him a “Yes, sir” and it causes me to snicker at the idea of Alexander being schooled by his girlfriend’s dad. From the grin on Mom’s face, I can tell she finds this amusing as well.

Dad walks over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Good night, darling,” he says about to turn around but then faces me again, “It’s so nice to see you smiling.”

I place my hands to my mouth and feel the smile across my face.

My parents head out of the kitchen and I push Alexander’s back so he’s following them up the stairs.

When we get to my room, Alexander offers me a sweet kiss on the cheek and then disappears across the hall to Leah’s room.

I take my time in the bathroom, showering off the caked-on makeup and washing out the massive amount of hairspray in my hair. When I emerge, the hallway is dark and the house is quiet. I glance at Leah’s bedroom door and contemplate paying a visit to the man who traveled here to tell me he loves me.