Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(172)
With a red rose bouquet in hand, I start off the precession with Joe. He models my steps down the curved staircase until we meet in the center. My body shakes from nerves, but Joe’s sweet smile eases some of the tension before we start walking arm in arm.
“You look beyond beautiful,” he whispers before we get to the first row of guests.
“You don’t look too bad either,” I playfully respond. Our eyes meet briefly before I quickly return my focus on where I’m walking in order to not to fall. We successful manage to make it to the alter without a step out of place.
Now the hard part, stand while the rest of the group makes their way down. They aren’t supposed to start until the pair in front of them have made it to their positions by the alter. Jared and Jimmy are next and they beam from ear to ear. A few gasps escape guests’ mouths when they see two men walking together and again when Jared stands behind me. Kim and Richard are the last two to come down before the parents. M?qīn is being escorted by Eric followed by Nǎinai being escorted by Peter. When the harpist changes her song, F?qīn appears at the top center of the stairway. Five seconds later, I know because I counted, Maggie emerges. A light buzz of chatter floats in the air as F?qīn and Maggie walk down on the same side together all the way to the edge of the first row of guests. Henry steps down to take Maggie’s arm from F?qīn and Joe helps F?qīn to his seat next to M?qīn.
As Maggie climbs the three steps, our eyes lock and it takes everything I have to fight back tears. I feel Jared’s loving hand rest on my left hip as if he already knows what I need. All I can do is look down at the ground to prevent the water from dripping. I want to see Maggie, but I know that I’ll lose control if I do. I feel Jared take a step closer, sliding his left hand over my forearm and clasping the top of my hand. He holds me softly but firmly as my ears listen to the priest’s words.
When the time comes for me to take Maggie’s bouquet, I muster a quick glance at her face with a smile before lowering my eyes. That split second is all I need for her to know how I feel and for me her. Upon the priest’s cue, I turn and hand Jared Maggie’s bouquet before he hands me the box that contains Henry’s wedding ring. Once Maggie takes it, Jared and I swap again.
I’m able to finally peek up when the priest announce that Henry may kiss his bride. Just like in a fairy tale, Henry dips Maggie backward a little when their lips join for a second time. I find myself chewing on the inside of my lip as my gaze lifts and connects with Joe. I can’t help but smile when I see him, especially when he’s staring back at me.
Once Maggie and Henry make their way inside, the rest of us follow, awaiting instructions for photos. By the second photo area out of three, I manage to get Amelia and Barbara to get some of the waiters to sneak some food out to everyone in the bridal party. With a bottle of champagne, we have a mini toast at the third and final photo-op location.
In the reception, M?qīn and F?qīn are announced first, followed Mr. and Mrs. Wú, Kim and Richard, Amy and Lee, Nathan and Allen, and then Jared and Jimmy before Joe and myself. Once we are standing by our seats at the table, Maggie and Henry are introduced and the entire room cheers. Maggie and Henry start going around the room to greet and thank everyone for coming. Everyone mingles and enjoys hours d' oeuvres for the next half hour until dinner is served.
Some soft music comes over the speakers signaling Joe and I that it’s time to toast now that dinner is finished. Once the song finishes, Joe stands tapping his fork on his glass. Amelia hands Joe the microphone.
“Good evening,” Joe greets the room in Mandarin. “Henry. Maggie. It is my utmost honor and privilege to share this day, your day, with you. The love you have for each other is an old love that has cycled back around to find itself once again here in this present moment, and will continue to do so, growing and inspiring with each lifetime you two share together. Your love is endless and I hope to share the same kind of love with someone, someday. Live each day with love in your heart, no matter what the circumstances are, and you will be forever rewarded with love around you and within you. Love will test you. Love will guide you. But most importantly, love will make you stronger, so long as you let it. Lead with love in your heart every morning you wake and end with love in your heart every night before you go to sleep. To my seventh brother and my fourth sister, Henry and Maggie!”
My eye catches Joe as I do my best to stop the few tears that have rolled down my face. How am I to follow that?
After everyone takes a sip from their glass, Jared nudges me to stand. My lips purse as I watch the room’s attention turn to me. Jared kindly takes my hand. I look to him and he nods. “You got this,” he mouths.
My eyes circle back around through the crowd, but I force myself to only focus on Maggie and Henry. They are the only important people in the room right now. Envision that they are the only two people in the room right now, Emma. What would you say to them?
“Hi,” I begin in Mandarin. I take a deep breath, trying to figure out how to start. “I’m not one for words, especially when it comes to expressing my emotions. I’ve had a lot of them since you two met . . . and some . . . not so good.”
I hear people laugh. Maggie and Henry both smile and laugh a little too. Jared squeezes my hand encouragingly.
“I’ve already lost one family and I wasn’t interested in losing another. I’m still not.” I look to Jared pulling him closer, and then back to Maggie. “But . . . even in this short time of getting to know you Henry . . . I’ve realized some things. To me . . . Maggie was already a perfect. The perfect friend, aside from Jared . . . .”