We'll Always Have Paris
Justin
My father’s hands shook as he fumbled with his bow tie.
“Let me do that.” I took hold of the tie and crossed the longer end over the shorter before looping it through. “Why are you so nervous? You’re not getting cold feet, are you?”
He laughed. “Maybe I should make a run for it now.”
“Not a good idea. Mom would hunt you down before you made it to your getaway car.”
He mocked a sigh. “You’re right. I guess I have no choice but to marry her… again.”
I pulled the two sides together, straightening his bow tie. “Done.”
He stepped back and held out his hands. “How do I look?”
My father rarely ever wore a suit unless he was forced to, but the white tie and black tux reminded me of Gary Cooper in his prime. No one could wear a tux like Gary Cooper. “Very handsome. Mom’s going to love it.”
“Thanks for helping with the tie. Hopefully I can return the favor one day.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder, a mix of warmth and pain in my heart. “I hope so, too.”
He patted my hand and smiled.
“Ready to head out there?” I asked.
“With my best man by my side? You bet.”
The whole process of walking out, seeing the faces looking up at my father and me, brought back a lot of memories. I closed my eyes, trying to calm my heart from beating out of my chest.
My eyes scanned over the people filling the benches, and I saw Isabella sitting next to Crystal. I imagined Vivian sitting beside them, looking up at me with that warm smile of hers. My shoulders relaxed, and I let out a deep breath.
I can do this.
The music started, and my aunt, Melonie, started down the aisle. My mother didn’t do the whole tradition of bridesmaids and ushers. She kept it simple. All she really wanted was her sister by her side and me by my father’s while they renewed their vows… and one hell of a reception party. That part was my wedding present to them.
The traditional wedding march came to a halt, and Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” filled the room. My dad grinned, letting out a laugh. It was their song. That grin soon turned to awe when my mother stood in the doorway and slowly made her way down the aisle.
And she looked incredible. Grace Kelly herself couldn’t have worn that dress any better.
“She’s beautiful,” he whispered as if seeing her for the first time.
“She is.”
“I’m a lucky man.” He choked up, and tears rimmed his eyes.
The music stopped once she was by his side. The love between them was palpable. I’d been to a few weddings, and there was a newness, a light of a beginning. With my parents it was a knowing. They had already danced and learned how to flow together. They were just celebrating the journey they were on.
And for the first time, I could see myself standing there again one day.
But the woman I hoped would be by my side was in Paris.
* * *
After the toast and the dinner plates cleared, my parents had their “first” dance together. Instead of a slow song, they did their own dance to the song “Footloose” and brought down the damn house in laughter and cheers. When they finished, the DJ got everyone to cheer again before announcing the mother and son dance. I hugged my dad before he walked to the edge of the dance floor, and I held my mother in the traditional waltz pose. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole’s “Over the Rainbow” rang through the ballroom, a song she sang to me many times when I was a little boy.
My throat burned as memories of my childhood filled her eyes. I hugged her close and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Mom.”
