Page 188 of The Legend
And itwasn’t that Easton was a bad kid because he wasn’t. It was just me not wantingto let go.
EventuallyI did though and I gave my little girl away to become Mrs. Arie Marie Levi.
Swaywasn’t nearly as emotional at her wedding as she was at Axel’s but I could tellit did bother her. Me, I had to drink before, during and after the wedding justto get through it all.
The mostsurprising part about the wedding was Casten’s speech to them. He’s always beenthe center of attention but he really was then.
“Don’tworry,” he said first looking at me, “I’ll make it appropriate.” And thenwinked at the girl he brought with him. Sway rolled her eyes next to me. “I’vewatched Easton and mysister getto know each otherand then jumped into getting married...maybeit was the se...” he waited until my eyes widened. “I’m justkidding.” He arched his eyebrow with a smirk and cleared his throat whenSpencer started laughing like a fucking lunatic beside me. “You two deserveeach other but remember Easton...she hastwo brothers, four male cousins, four insane uncles, two body guards and a veryunstable father. I’d watch your step if I was you.” He warned with a chuckle.“I can’t offer you any other advice than that...ohand she’snotfriendly in the morning.”
Eastontook it all in good fun. But Casten was right. Arie meant the world to a lot ofmen in her life that would gladly lay their life on the line for her safety.
“Justremember,” I told them as they left that night. “She will always be my littlegirl. But I know you’ll take care of her.”
Ariecaught me before they left but all she said was that she loved me. And that’sall she needed to say.
It’salways hard to give your daughter away and I knew then how difficult it hadbeen for Charlie.
Icompletely understood his hesitation when it came to me.
Everyoneseemed to enjoy themselves especially Casten and Sway who spent a lot of timedancing. I never grew tire of watching those two feed off each other. The bondbetween them was amazing. He looked at her as though she was the greatestperson on the face of the planet.
They had aconnection and it showed.
My momfound me at some point during the reception while I watched my wife and son actlike the crazy family I always loved. She smiled and held out her hand. “Comeshow your mother you can still move.”
“Don’tdoubt my skills mom. I can still smoke any of these fools on the dance floor.”
“Don’t Iknow that but you were always my best dancer growing up.”
“Iremember when you were a baby; I used to kiss your toes while you weresleeping. I think that’s why you dance so well.”
I lookedat Spencer and chuckled. “You must not have kissed his toes?”
Mom eyedher oldest lunatic of a son throw his large body around in a motion he calleddancing. “I did, but something went wrong.”
I pulled herclose gently and she tried to wrap her arms around me. My mom was tiny thoughso I ended up having to slouch a little just for her to reach. Thankfully, shewas wearing heels today.
“I’mreally happy for Arie. Easton is such a sweet boy.”
“Yeah, heis.” I agreed slowly moving us around the dance floor.
“Are youdoing okay with it?”
I thoughtfor a moment while my eyes caught Sway laughing hysterically at somethingCasten told her. “Yeah mom,” I smiled down at her green eyes examining me. “I’mdoing fine.”
And I was.I wasn’t lying. Yes, there was a time when I wasn’t fine. But with time, Iunderstood what happened and moved forward, just like she did.
“Are you?”
Her eyeswatered. “There are days when I’m not okay. I do miss him. It’s times like thiswhen I really miss him. He thought the world of you kids.”
I noddedquickly as I was getting a little choked up now.
Her eyesmoved to Axel who let out a loud laugh as him Casten and Lane danced around.“Those three kids right there held a very special place with him as well. Heloved all his kids and grandkids but I knew just as well you have differentbonds with each one. Lane, Axel and Casten were always close to my dad, more sothan the others.
“He wassoproud of you Jameson.” She said as a tear slipped down her cheek. “I don’t knowthat you will ever understand the pure joy hegot knowingthat everything you set out to do with racing you did.”
“I knew. Ialwaysknew.”
