So, I stayed away.
Soft music floated in through the french doors leading to the garden area where the wedding would be held. I managed to make it to the stairs this time around after everyone had been seated.
I ascended the stairs in search of my sister and found her in her room, dressed in only a blue robe and playing with Kennedy on the floor.
“Shouldn’t you be getting ready?” I said by way of greeting. “Your guests are already seated.”
“Uncle!” Ken screamed when she spotted me. She ran over and caught her balance when she teetered by grabbing my leg tight. Her dark curls were pinned in a ponytail and held with a royal blue bow to match her dress. Innocence showing in her eyes as she looked up at me, the reminder of how we almost lost her still fresh. I felt the need to hold her close, so I picked her up high in the air before settling her against my chest.
“What’s up, troublemaker?”
“I not a trouble,” she pouted.
“Of course not. How could a pretty girl in a pretty dress be trouble?” I asked myself that very question almost every day. Those days I pushed myself the hardest.
“Daddy said I’m a princess.”
“Your daddy doesn’t know anything. You’re the princess.”
“Where’s Lake?” Sheldon cut in. “I need her to help me with my dress.”
“She was downstairs arguing with Mom about the flowers. I wanted to see if you needed anything.”
“Sure! Could you help me with my hair and makeup?”
“I don’t think so.”
“It’s simple really. Try not to make me look like an overdressed hooker and—”
“I meant, I won’t do it.”
She let out a dramatic sigh and moved closer to lay her hands on my jacket. “Dash, I love you like a brother—like a twin brother—but if you keep your grumpy attitude at my wedding, I won’t have any other choice but to cut you. Try to find that infamous charm deep, deep inside and turn it on for my day, okay? Who knows… maybe you’ll finally meet someone.”
Nervousness crept in when I remembered the other reason I came to find her. “I wanted to talk to you about that. I brought a guest.”
“Funny. I don’t remember your mention of a plus one a few months ago when the invitations were sent.”
“That’s because I didn’t have one a few months ago.”
“Dash,” she shrieked and stomped her foot.
“What’s the big deal?”
“Nothing, I suppose. Who is it?”
“Rosalyn.”
“Come again?”
“You heard me, Sheldon. I brought her with me. Is that going to be a problem?” I didn’t mean to sound so cold, but guilt was tough to deal with while keeping a smile.
“Why did you bring her? I thought you were done with her after…” Her voice trailed off and a guilty flush colored her cheeks.
“After what?”
“After Willow,” she finished quietly.
“Sheldon, it’s been four years. Let it go. She’s probably married by now.”
“The only way she’s getting married this young is if she was knocked up by some—Oh… sorry,” she amended at the look on my face.
The thought of her with someone turned me cold, but the thought of her giving someone else what I wanted with her made me want to kill something.
“There’s more, but I’m not sure now is the time—”
“If you think you’re leaving this room alive without telling me, think again.” She plopped her hands on her hips, letting me know she was serious.
“Fuck.” I ran my fingers through my hair and instantly regretted it when I remembered the occasion. “Just remember… you wanted to know.”
“Dash…”
“Rosalyn and I are getting married.”
She took a step back in shock. “To separate people?” she asked lamely.
“Come on, Sheldon. Don’t make me say it.”
“Say it, brother. Let me hear how much you don’t want this.”
“What’s the big fucking deal? We say a few words, we’re bonded forever, and our families will keep rolling in the dough.”