Chapter 93

2 weeks later

"Kevin! Come on! We have to be there before everyone else!" I yelled as I began to walk towards the front door.

"I'll be there in a second Pumpkin!" yelled Kevin as he opened his chest of drawers.

He moved the clothes out of the way, looking for what was underneath. He smiled as he found what he was searching for.

"Boo, I'm going to leave without you," I said.

"Coming!" he yelled.

Then Kevin quickly grabbed what he was looking for, shut his drawer, and then ran downstairs.

"What took so long?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing. I just had to find something," Kevin said as we walked out of the house.

"Oh, okay," I said as we got into the car.

Kevin got in and quickly drove to the secret destination.

Once we had passed security we parked in front of the two-story beach house.

"Wow, this place is gorgeous!" I exclaimed, as both Kevin and I got out.

"Yeah, the whole area is wonderful," Kevin said as we walked into the house.

As we stepped into the house we were met with the site of people running all over the place, shouting orders. They were finishing the last touches on the inside of the house. While others were bringing through flowers and other assorted decorations for outside under the canopy, where Brian and Ashley would later stand.

"Kevin! Janel!" yelled Jackie.

We spotted her through the mass of people walking back and forth. Kevin placed his hand on the small of my back as he led me over to her.

She smiled and hugged us both.

"Congratulations you two," she said, happily.

"Thanks Aunt Jackie," Kevin said.

"Thank you," I said.

"All right now you need to go upstairs and calm down my son," Jackie said. "And Janel, if you'd go straight back down that hall, last door on the right, you'll find my very nervous daughter-in-law."

"Okay," we said.

Kevin bent down and kissed me. "I'll see you in a while, Pumpkin."

"Love you, Kev," I said.

"Love you too," he said as he headed towards the stairs.

"Are you coming with?" I asked Jackie.

"No, I'm staying out here. I'm making sure everything is done properly and giving some orders. It's fun telling people what to do," she said, smiling.

I laughed. "All right, you stay out here and have fun." Then I went to Ashley's room.

Knock! Knock!

"Come in!" yelled someone.

I opened the door to see Ashley sitting on the bed as her mom curled her hair.

"Janel!" she exclaimed as she got up.

"Ashley," her mom scolded.

We hugged each other, then sat down on the bed.

"Hi Janel. It's good to see you again," Ashley's mom said.

"Hi Cheryl. It's good to see you too," I said as I hugged her.

"Now Ashley sit, so I can continue," Cheryl said.

"So is Dave here also?" I asked as she continued to curl Ashley's hair.

"Yeah, he's around here somewhere. He said he was going to find a quiet room to watch some game that was on," Cheryl said. "But he probably just wanted to be alone so he could shed a few tears."

I smiled. "Not ready to give his little girl away?"

"Not really. But he is happy that it's Brian," Cheryl said.

"That's good," I said.

"So how come you guys were late, Janel?" Ashley asked.

"Blame that on Mr. Richardson," I said. "At the last minute he decides he needs to get something."

"Oh, I was just a little worried," Ashley said.

"Sweetheart, you were more than a little worried, you were pacing back and forth," Cheryl said.

I laughed. "Wedding jitters?"

"No, not really. I don't think so," Ashley said. "I just want everything to be perfect. And when you two were late all these thoughts were running through my mind. Like what if you couldn't find the directions, or you got lost, or you got in a car accident?"

"Don't worry, we're here now. And you're wedding is going to be absolutely perfect," I said.

"I hope so," she said.

"It will be. Because you're going to marry the man you love," I said.

Her face brightened as she thought of Brian.

Kevin opened the door to Brian's room. He walked in and saw Brian staring out the window.

"Hey cuz," Kevin said.

Brian turned around and smiled. "Hey Kevin. What took you so long?" he asked as he hugged Kevin.

"Sorry, I had to grab something before we left," Kevin said.

"Did you get the ring?" Brian asked, worriedly.

"Yes Brian, I got your ring," Kevin said, smiling.

"Good, cause I was starting to get worried. I thought maybe you lost it or something happened to it," Brian said.

"No Brian, I didn't lose it. It's right here," Kevin said as he handed it to Brian.

Brian smiled as he took it from Kevin. He opened the tiny box to reveal the sparkling diamond ring inside.

Kevin watched as Brian looked like he was lost in his own world. Kevin knew he was obviously thinking of Ashley because he had a dreamy look on his face.

"Hello! Earth to Brian!" Kevin said as he waved his hand in front of Brian's face.

"Huh? What?" Brian asked.

"Did you get lost there for a second?" Kevin asked.

"Sorry, just thinking of Ashley," Brian replied.

"So I've noticed," Kevin said, smiling.

"I'm sorry, I can't help it. I can't wait until she's my wife," Brian said.

"Just a little longer and it'll be official," Kevin said.

"I know and then I can shout it out that Ashley's mine and we're finally married. I'm going to tell everyone," Brian said, excitedly.

Kevin just shook his head and smiled.

"Which reminds me, Kev can you do me a favor?" Brian asked.

"Sure. What is it?" he asked.

"Can you go tell Ashley that I love her and ask her if we could hurry this wedding up to like, oh NOW?" Brian asked.

"You're not anxious or anything, are you?" Kevin said as he chuckled.

"Just go," Brian said as he pushed Kevin out the door.

Kevin walked out and went downstairs to Ashley's room.

Knock! Knock!

I opened the door to see Kevin standing there. He smiled, bent forward, and kissed my forehead. Then I took his hand, pulled him inside, and closed the door.

"Hi Kevin," they said.

He hugged Cheryl and then Ashley. "Hi you guys. It's good to see you Cheryl."

"You too Kevin," she said. "Is your mom here yet?"

"I don't know," Kevin replied. "She said that she'd get here a little earlier if she could get a ride from Tim or Jerald."

"Oh, okay," Cheryl said.

"So Kev, why are you in here?" Ashley asked.

"Oh yes," Kevin said, remembering his purpose for seeing Ashley. "I have a message for you from Brian."

Ashley smiled. "What is it? What'd he say?"

"First of all, he says he loves you…" Kevin began.

"Tell him I love him too," Ashley interrupted.

"Okay, I will. And he's a little anxious, so he wants to know if we can start the wedding now," Kevin finished.

Ashley laughed. "No, we can't start yet. I'm not ready. But tell him there's only 2 hours and 37 minutes left."

"Okay, I'll tell him that," Kevin said.

Kevin quickly kissed me and then left. He walked into Brian's room, to see Harold.

"Hey Harold!" Kevin said as he hugged him.

"Hey Kev. It's been a while," he said.

"Too long," Kevin said.

"So what'd Ashley have to say?" Brian asked.

"She says she loves you," Kevin said.

"Obviously, and?" Brian asked.

"And no you can't start the wedding now. But she wanted me to remind you there's only 2 hours and 37 minutes left," Kevin said.

"Darn," Brian said.

"It's not that long bro, so we might as well get ready," Harold said.

"Anything to help the time go faster," Brian said.

"All right let's turn you into a good looking groom," Kevin said.

"Hey! I am a good looking groom," Brian said.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever you want to think," Harold said.

"I've always been the cuter brother," Brian said.

"Have not," Harold said.

"Have to," Brian said.

"Okay guys, just face it. I'm better looking than both of you," Kevin said, smiling. "In fact, I happen to have the best looks in the family."

Both Brian and Harold looked at each other then at Kevin. Then they ran towards Kevin and tackled him to the ground. Soon body parts were flying everywhere in the air as the three of them wrestled with each other.

"Come on Ashley I want to see what your dress looks like!" I said.

"One second!" she yelled.

I sat on the bed impatiently waiting for her to emerge from the bathroom with her wedding dress on.

"Ash sweetie, is it fitting okay?" Cheryl called through the door.

"Yes Mom!" yelled Ashley.

Soon Ashley opened the door and walked out wearing her wedding dress.

Cheryl and I stared at her.

"Wow," was all I could say.

She smiled and turned in a circle, modeling the dress for us.

I looked at Ashley as the dress twirled around her. She looked absolutely gorgeous in her white wedding dress. It fit her perfectly, hugging her petite frame. The front was low cut with small ribbons connecting the straps to the dress, while in the back the straps criss-crossed against Ashley's back. It was so simple, yet it looked so beautiful on her.

"Do I look okay?" Ashley asked.

"Of course sweetheart, you look beautiful," Cheryl said.

"Brian's going to drop dead when he sees you," I said.

"Well that wouldn't be good," Ashley said.

I rolled my eyes at her. " You know what I meant."

"Yes I do," she said, smiling. "Now why don't you go get changed?"

"All right," I said as I got up.

Kevin, Brian, and Harold lay on the floor staring at the ceiling, and still laughing.

"Just like old times," Kevin said.

"Yeah," Harold and Brian agreed.

"Man, that seems like such a long time ago," Harold said.

"I know," Kevin said.

"We're getting old," Harold said.

"Hey!" exclaimed Kevin and Brian.

"Speak for yourself cuz," Kevin said.

"Okay, well I meant that we've grown up so much. I mean look at you Kev, you're going to be a dad in a few months, and bro you're getting married already," Harold explained.

"Way to bring us down," Kevin said, as he punched Harold in the arm.

"Yeah! You make it sound like it's a bad thing I'm getting married," Brian said.

"I was just saying that…," Harold began.

"Nope, ssh. I don't want to hear it," Brian said.

"Fine then," Harold said. "I won't say anything more. . . Baby Duck."

Brian groaned while Kevin laughed. Then Brian got up and stepped on Harold.

"Oops, my bad," he said as he got his suit and went to change.

Harold just stuck his tongue out at Brian.

"You know what, Ashley?" I asked as I walked out.

"What?" she asked as her mom began putting her hair up with curls dangling down perfectly, and putting white ribbon through out.

"I love you," I said.

She laughed. "Why do you say that?"

"Cause you're not making us wear shoes," I said. "I'd die if I would have had to wear high heels."

She smiled. "Glad, I could help."

"Yeah, cause I'm beginning to have a hard time putting my shoes on," I said. "Heck, I can only see half of my feet when I'm standing."

Ashley and Cheryl laughed. "Wait until 8 months," Cheryl said. "You won't be able to see them at all."

"Oh, that's comforting," I said. "Can't wait for that. Actually, I can't believe that I'll still get that much bigger for that to happen."

"Don't worry sweetie, it'll happen," Cheryl said, smiling at me. "Now come here so I can fix your hair."

"Okay," I said as I sat next to Ashley and Cheryl began to curl my hair.

The time quickly passed as we all rushed around getting dressed, fixing our hair, and putting our make-up on.

Jackie then walked into Brian's room.

"Are you ready Baby Duck?" she asked.

"Yes Mom," Brian said.

"All right, well I'm going to tell Ashley that you're ready so we can get this wedding started," Jackie said as she walked out. "By the way, you look handsome."

Brian just smiled.

"Well this is it. No longer will you be a single man," Kevin said.

"I know. It'll be great to finally settle down with Ashley," Brian said.

"Yeah," Kevin agreed. "Actually, I wish it was me getting married right now."

"Don't worry Kev, you'll have your wedding," Brian said.

Kevin smiled. "I know."

"Well bro, are you ready to go out there?" Harold asked.

"Yes," Brian answered. "If I have to wait any longer I'll go insane."

The guys laughed as they walked out.

"Are you girls ready?" Jackie asked as she walked in.

"Yep, we're ready to go," I said.

"All right well everyone is here and waiting," Jackie said.

"Okay," Ashley said.

"Sweetie, I'm going to go out there with your dad," Cheryl said. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

"I love you Mom," Ashley said as she hugged her mom.

"I love you too Ash," Cheryl said.

Then she walked out with Jackie.

"Oh my god Janel, I'm so nervous," Ashley said.

"Why? There's nothing to be nervous about," I said.

I walked over to her and hugged her tightly. "You'll be fine. As soon as you see Brian you'll forget about being nervous."

She smiled at me. "Thanks for being here."

"You're welcome sweetie," I said.

Then we walked out to the back of the house where the glass double doors were. They had flowers draped over the outside so you couldn't see through them.

"Ashley! Ashley! Can I throw flowers now?" Jaime, Ashley's soon to be niece, asked excitedly.

"Hold on sweetie, wait until the music begins to play," Ashley replied, smiling.

"Kev," Brian said quietly as he waited for the music to begin.

"Yeah?" Kevin asked.

"My heart is racing. I'm so nervous and anxious and excited," Brian said.

"Just a few more minutes cuz," Kevin said. "Then you'll see your beautiful fiancée."

Brian nodded his head in agreement. Then he said, "Please start."

All of us stood inside the double doors waiting, until finally we heard the beautiful music begin to play.