Silvy
Today was a special day. But not for me. For my dad. For Gena and Xavier too. They are becoming a family today. My dad is getting married. I still can’t believe it even though I’m standing in their bedroom at my dad’s house helping get Gena ready. I never thought this day would come. Not that there is anything wrong with my dad. There isn’t. He is wonderful. But dating and marriage were never a big deal for him. I learned as I got older it was because of me. He was focused on raising me. Then as I got older and moved on with my life he thought he was too old. I called bullshit on that several times. But there was nothing I could do about it, it was his life.
Then Gena came along and all of that changed and I could be happier for them. I have gotten to know Gena since my dad introduced us. She is pretty cool. I will never see her as a stepmother. Our ages are too close. And I am beyond the age of needing a mother figure. Gena knows this and respects it. She has said she would feel weird by it so we are fine just being friends. The most important thing is Gena loves my dad. You can see it every time she looks at my dad. Add that she is a good mom to my soon-to-be little brother Xavier. Hell I would back this marriage just to have that little dude in my life. But Gena is a good person so it isn’t a problem. I happy for my dad and ready to help him bring Gena and Xavier into our family.
Gena and I are already dressed. Gena went with a knee-length cream-colored off-the-shoulder bodice dress. It was made of chiffon and tulle to make it light. Me, to not upstage her I went with a pale yellow, thick trapped maternity dress made from the same material as Gena’s that stops below my knees. I already did my hair and makeup while she was in the shower. Gena is sitting in a chair in front of the mirrored vanity Dad surprised her with as a moving-in gift. I had just finished helping her with her makeup. We both went with light makeup. Cat eyes, mascara, light eye shadow to bring out our eyes and tinted lip gloss to enhance the color we already have.
I was helping pull Gena’s hair back on the sides. My belly pressed against the back of her neck. I clip one side of her hair and Gena starts laughing. “ You okay Gena?” I asked. Thinking maybe it is a nervous reaction. “ I’m fine. Someone is active today,” she said pointing to my belly. The baby had been kicking on and off for the last hour. How did she know that? “ With you so close the little one has kicked me in the head twice,” Gena said answering my unspoken question. “ Oh, Gena. I’m so sorry.” I said. Gena waved her hand and dismissed what I said.
“ No big deal. I just thought it was funny.” Gena said. She looked over her shoulder at my stomach. You could see the baby kicking. Or punching. “ Do you need to sit down?” Gena asks. I shake my head “ No. Standing sometimes helps it not be so painful. This kid got some power.” I laughed. I rubbed my hand over my belly. “ It must know Goof is around. Can sense it somehow.” I laughed. I go back to fixing the other side of her hair. “ How are things going with you and Goof?” Gena asks as soon I clip the other side. I’m looking over both sides to make sure they are even before I answer.
I take a deep breath to think over how much I want to tell her. “ Let’s just say things with Goof and I are wonderfully complicated. But we aren’t going to talk about that right now. We are going to finish getting you ready so we can get you hitched.” I laughed. “ How much time do we have?” Gena asked. I picked up my phone and looked at the time “ Ten minutes.” I told her. “ Do you think your dad is nervous or getting cold feet?” Gena asked. I moved around to stand in front of the vanity to look at Gena.
I shook my head “ No. If anything he is anxious for you to get down there.” I walk over to the window that was facing the backyard where the wedding was being held. It is packed with people. Not hard to do since it isn’t a very big backyard. There are only about twenty guests since they wanted to keep it small. There are tables in the back on one side of the yard that has the small buffet they had catered and two workers meaning them. At the very back of the yard facing the house is Matt with his d.j equipment. There are fairy lights on the top of the fence. I keep my eyes moving to find what I’m looking for. When I see it I can’t help but laugh. In front of Matt is a small alter that Viper, Goof, Uncle Rivet, my dad and Xavier are standing on.
“ What is it?” Gena asks. I can’t tell she is nervous but the change in her voice. “ Just something too cute. Come look.” I said. I hear the chair move and her shoes hitting the floor. I feel her move beside me. I don’t take my eyes off the sight in front of me. Goof, Viper and Uncle Rivet were all talking. It was Dad and Xavier that held our attention. Dad was on his knees in front of Xavier helping him adjust the flower in his vest. Xavier was shuffling his feet like he was nervous. Dad was just smiling at Xavier talking to him. My guess reassuring Xavier.
Gena is watching the scene with a smile on her face. “ I can’t believe I get to marry that man,” she said. “ I can. I know I was a bitch at first but I will be the first to admit you both deserve each other.” I told her. “ That means a lot coming from you Silvy. Thank you.” Gena said. “ Thank you for making my dad happy,” I said as we keep our eyes on Dad. I don’t know what Dad said to Xavier but suddenly Xavier raised his head high and puffed out his chest. I could even see a smile on his face before he hugged Dad. Goof looks over at my dad and Xavier before turning his head toward the window where we are standing. He winks and smiles before he raises his wrist and taps the center like he is wearing a watch.
Gena and I both laugh at his antics. “ I guess it is time to go,” Gena said as she turned away from the window. There was something in her tone that bothered me. I reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder to stop her and get her to look at me. “ Gena, you know you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. You can cancel or postpone if you need to. Dad will understand.” “ Oh no. I want to marry your father more than anything. I would have married him the day after he proposed if he would have let me.” Gena said. And the way she was smiling dreamily I could tell it was the truth.
“ I don’t understand what the problem is then. You sounded down when you said it was time to go.” I said. “ It is standing in front of a crowd that bothers me. Even though they are friends and a few families.” Gena said. Ah, now I get it. “ I don’t like crowds that much myself. So I get it. Just focus on Dad and Viper. I have been to all the weddings he has done. Trust me you will forget about everyone else in no time.” I told her. Viper’s weddings are, shall I say untraditional and different in the best ways. Gena nods and smooths down her dress not that it is needed. “ You are right. This isn’t about them. This is about me marrying the love of my life. Everything else is just background.” Gena said.
“ That’s the spirit. Now let’s go before Uncle Rivet and Goof come up looking for us.” I said laughing. Gena links her arm through mine and we walk out the bedroom door. We head down the small halfway to stairs to the sliding glass doors that will lead us outside. When we get to the doors Uncle Rivet and Xavier waiting for us. Xavier, I knew that he was going to walk with me down the aisle. “ Uncle Rivet?” I ask. He smiles at me before opening his arms to me. “ There my beautiful niece,” he said wrapping his big arms around me. I pull back after hugging him. “ Not that I’m not happy to see you. What are you doing inside and not with the rest of the guests?” I asked.
“ Well, princess I was talking with your dad and he told me that this little lady.” Uncle Rivet said pointing to Gena, “ was walking down the aisle herself. And that just isn’t right, so I got his permission to walk her down.” “ Rivet that is very kind of you, but not necessary,” Gena said. I step back towards Xavier not saying a word because I know it is pointless. Gena should just give up because it is no use arguing with him. “ Necessary, no. But you are family and it's what we do,” he said. That is all it took. Xavier and I got in position at the door just as the music starts to play. I look over my shoulder just to check on Gena one more time to see her arm in Uncle Rivet’s and eyes glued to the door. The best part is the smile she is wearing. I look down at Xavier and loop my arm through his. “ Ready little brother?” I asked. He beams up at me “ Ready big sissy.”