Page 72 of Father of the Bride
“I’m here,” he said softly. “Participating.”
“And you’re sure about walking me down?”
“A hundred percent.” He led her to her chair in the front row, brushing the seat off before she sat.
She squeezed his hand, giving him a smile as he took his place at the altar.
Daisy nodded. “Okay. Bridesmaids! Groomsmen! Places!”
Sunny turned to her parents, who had arrived just a couple of hours ago.
They all smiled, doing little wiggles in their seats as they anticipated the actual day. Just one more day, and Sunny could relax. One more day until Davion walked down that aisle.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen did their thing like professionals, then Brooklyn’s cousin Jade’s kids came down the aisle with the ring pillow and a basket of fake flowers for practice.
“Perfect!” Daisy said. “Ready for the bride and her father!”
Sunny turned to watch Mark, but after a few minutes, it was clear he wasn’t coming.
Daisy stalked up the aisle, her ankle rolling a bit on top of her espadrilles. Aunt Sadie met her in the middle, her face pinched.
“She needs a minute.”
“Is she okay?” Daisy asked.
“She’s upset.”
Davion took off, sprinting up the aisle to get to his bride. Sunny was hot on his heels.
They found Brooklyn on the patio, pale, trembling, eyes wide and wet. Her practice bouquet sat on the table next to her, forgotten. Mark knelt at her feet.
“What’s wrong?” Davion demanded as he approached. “You okay?”
“I don’t know,” Brooklyn croaked out. “I…I can’t b-breathe.” She sucked in a breath that clearly didn’t satisfy her need for oxygen, and Sunny recognized it immediately.
Panic attack.
Davion knelt next to Mark, staring up at his bride. “Look at me. Baby. Please. Look at me.”
As much as it pained him, Mark stood to his feet and stepped aside. She wasn’t his little girl anymore. She was a day away from being Davion’s wife, which meant it washisjob to take care of her.
“You’re okay,” Dav assured. “Take some deep breaths for me. Here.” He put his hand flat against her heart. “You gotta calm down, Brookie. Breathe in for me.”
She did what he asked.
“Hold that. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Now blow it out. Good. Again.”
Sunny’s eyes filled with tears as she watched her son, her baby, being what Brooklyn needed him to be. It was like a switch had flipped. She wasn’t acquainted with that young man, Davion the husband, but she sure was proud.
“What happened?” he asked his bride.
She sniffed, tears running down her cheeks. “She…she’s supposed to be down there. In that first ch-chair,” she hiccupped. “But it’s just…empty. And I can’t…” she trailed off, finally breaking.
“Shit.” Mark turned away, putting his hands on top of his head. Sunny wanted to go to him. Touch him. Reassure him. But she couldn’t.
Dav moved to sit next to Brooklyn on the settee, pulling her into him. “She’s here, baby. I promise. She’s with you. She’s still in you. She always will be.”
Brooklyn’s breathing slowed. Dav wiped her cheeks with the pads of his fingers, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead.
