Epilogue: Fee Will and Fate
April 17th came with sunshine and warm temperatures. The fence between Markus’s and Jeremy’s backyards had been converted so that it could be opened completely up for bigger gatherings like today. What had started out as a small wedding had become a little more than originally planned. While the guest list was still minimal, with other two dozen of their closest family and friends, by the time Jeremy’s mother had finished decorating they had needed the two backyards.
Jeremy had to give it to her, she was trying. She was proving to be a doting grandmother and there were times when he would hear her talking with Ruby that he would remember parts of his own childhood. Seems like she wasn’t always as cold as he remembered her being. If she could be a good grandmother to Ruby, that was really all that mattered. He could live with her extravagances. He looks over at this mother, who is bouncing his daughter in her lab not caring that she is drooling all over her. As if sensing his appraisal of them, both look his way with big smiles. He always thought he could never be happier than when Melissa smiled at him but when Ruby did, well, that was a whole new ballgame.
Jeremy looks at his watch and rubs his hand along the back of his neck. “What’s keeping her?” He mumbles to himself.
Markus, who is standing next to him laughs. “Don’t worry man. It’s not like she is going to run. After all, her daughter is still here!” To which he simply receives an eye roll from Jeremy.
“You’ll see. Your day is coming.” Jeremy comes back at his best friend and today, best man. One New Year’s Day, when Jeremy and Melissa were welcoming their daughter into the world, Markus had been proposing to Mel. They had a wedding coming up in the exact same location in July. When the men had suggested they save time and money and have a double ceremony the women were appalled. Something about a special say and taking the spotlight from each other. Women!
Just then soft music starts to play and Markus’s breath catches. Jeremy looks up to see Mel walking out through the french doors in a bright yellow bride’s maid dress. While Jeremy can admit, she looks good, not many women could pull off that color, he just wants her out of the way so he can see Melissa. He turns for a second to see Markus and chuckles, “close your mouth man, you’re getting drool on me,” he teases his friend.
Mel gives Jeremy a smile as she stands across from Markus, who she winks at. Markus groans making Jeremy and the minister laugh as his clear discomfort. Then he hears The Bridal Chorus start and his eyes fly back to the house. Melissa’s mother is standing by the door with her arm held out then Melissa comes through the doors and Jeremy’s breath catches. She stops, takes her mother’s arm, and continues towards him.
Melissa spots Jeremy the minute she steps out of the house. How could she not? He simply takes her breath away every time she sees him and today he is all she sees. He is smiling from ear to ear and she has no doubt whatsoever that this is the man for her. Her one attempt at a one-night stand was the best risk she ever took. As she passes Jeremy’s mother she hears Ruby squeal and she looks over to see her flapping her hands as she smiles at her, then as quickly as that, she forgets about Melissa and turns to pat her adoring grandmother on the face.
Melissa is now at the alter. Instead of butterflies, a sense of calmness comes over her as the minister begins the ceremony. Being English professors, they chose to write their own vows. Jeremy goes first.
Taking Melissa’s hands in his, he has to clear his throat. “There is no doubt in my mind that it was fated in the stars that we are here today. All the hurt and deception I experienced in the past resulted in my moving to California. In an uncharacteristic move from both of us,” He pauses to wink at Melissa, “we met. From that first meeting, we were fated to produce the most wonderful daughter a man could ever ask for. The stars were aligned when you walking into that room to defend your dissertation. We couldn’t avoid each other, we were fated to be together and I will always thank the fates for that. You were destined to be mine and I was destined to be yours and today we bring that destiny from the heavens to the earth. I love you Melissa and I will love you to eternity.” Melissa had to take the time to wipe her tears and clear her throat.
Looking Jeremy in the eye, she begins, “I Melissa, choose to be here today with you Jeremy, of my own free will. I believe that everything we do determines our final place in life. The first time I met you I chose to do something I had never done before and that ultimately brought me here today. I chose to let you break down the walls I had built around my heart and I will forever be grateful that you had the courage and determination to not give up on me. I chose to give you, our daughter, and any more children that may be, all my love and devotion for the rest of my life. I, of my own free will, give my heart, my body, and my soul to you, Jeremy. I love you Jeremy and I chose by my own free will to be your wife until death do we part.
Although Jeremy and Melissa had not planned their vows together, they were so in tune with each other, it just seemed that way. Inspired, the minister himself ended the ceremony with, “By the power invested in me by the state of California, the Father, our Lord, Fate, and Free Will, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
***The End***