Chapter 74: Wedding Bells, Part Two

Saturday, October 28th, 2006

Josh awoke on Saturday to an empty bed. He ran his hand over Katie’s side of the bed, wishing she were there. The warmth of her absence lingered, a quiet reminder of the tradition they were honoring. He longed to cuddle up beside her and stay wrapped in the cocoon of their shared world, but he knew he had a full day ahead. Being late to his own wedding wasn’t exactly the headline he wanted to start the next chapter of his life with.

With a stretch and a sigh, Josh slipped out of bed and headed to the back patio to get his morning workout done. The cool morning air helped shake off the last remnants of sleep. He ran through his routine - push-ups, sit-ups, squats - each movement steady and controlled, anchoring him in the moment. He didn’t want his mind to drift too far ahead. Not yet.

After finishing up, he went inside, stripped off his sweat-damp clothes, and stepped into a hot shower. The water hit his back like a familiar rhythm, washing away both physical tension and some of the nerves building in his chest. He mentally ticked off the tasks ahead: meet up with his brothers, make sure everything was packed and ready, and head to the venue.

Just as he was toweling off, a knock sounded at the front door. Still wrapped in his towel, he padded barefoot across the hardwood and cracked it open.

Standing there were William and Joel, their hands full with trays of coffee, donuts, and garment bags slung over their shoulders.

“You planning on answering the door in a towel at your wedding, too?” Joel quipped, eyeing him with mock disapproval.

Josh smirked. “What can I say? It’s my signature look.”

William held up a bag. “We brought breakfast, figured you might forget to eat.”

Josh stepped aside to let them in. “Good call. Come on in.”

Joel gave him a once-over. “Jesus, Josh. Eat a sandwich. You look like a pull-up bar with a goatee.”

Josh shot back without missing a beat. “Says the guy whose abs haven’t seen daylight since the Clinton administration.”

William chuckled as he set the drinks on the kitchen table. “Same old banter. Some things never change.”

Josh directed them to the living room. “We’ll suit up at the venue. For now, let’s double-check everything. Make sure we’re not forgetting anything.”

They laid out garment bags on the back of the couch, confirming they had tuxes, shoes, ties, pocket squares, and cufflinks. Josh opened a duffel bag and pulled out the rings, still in their velvet boxes. He handed them to William, who was his best man.

“Hold onto these until the ceremony. Don’t lose them,” Josh said.

William nodded solemnly. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Joel raised an eyebrow. “You got the license, right?”

Josh nodded. “Front pocket of my tux. Right where Katie told me to keep it.”

They moved through a quick checklist - wallets, phones, deodorant, backup buttons, breath mints. Joel laughed when Josh pulled out a tiny lint roller.

“Dude, you are so prepared, it’s borderline terrifying.”

Josh shrugged. “I’ve waited too long for this. I’m not letting anything screw it up.”

The mood shifted subtly as they stood in the quiet kitchen, each holding coffee, the weight of the day beginning to settle.

Joel broke the silence. “You nervous?”

Josh thought for a moment, then shook his head. “No. I’m ... ready. More than I’ve ever been for anything.”

William grinned. “Then let’s get this show on the road.”

They packed up the last few things, zipped the bags, and made their way toward the cars. As Josh locked the front door behind him, he took one final glance back at the place where their new life had taken root.

It was time to make it official.

Josh pulled into the gravel parking lot of Christmas Tree Acres, the Phaeton humming quietly as he eased it into a spot near the venue’s main barn. A light breeze carried the scent of pine across the lot, a subtle reminder of the farm’s name and the rustic charm they’d embraced for the wedding. He stepped out, grabbing his overnight bag and tuxedo garment bag from the back seat. Just as he shut the door, he spotted Will and Joel pulling in behind him, having driven separately from Josh’s place to the venue, their vehicles coming to a stop in the row just behind his.

“Ready, gentlemen,” Josh greeted as they stepped out of their vehicles.

“Groom’s here,” Joel teased, slinging his own garment bag over his shoulder.

Will grinned. “Wasn’t sure if you changed your mind on the way and bailed.”

Josh laughed, shaking his head. “Not a chance. Katie would hunt me down and drag me back by the ear.”

They made their way into the barn and down the hall to the groom’s suite, a cozy space converted from an old tack room with wide-planked floors and wood-paneled walls. A few framed photos of past events hung on the walls, and someone had added a folding table stacked with bottled water, granola bars, and an emergency sewing kit—courtesy of Dorothy, no doubt.

Inside, they hung up their suits and unzipped the garment bags to inspect the contents. Shirts, ties, vests, shoes—all accounted for.

“Alright,” Joel said, clapping his hands once. “Let’s run through the to-do list.”

Will pulled out a folded piece of paper. “Ice tubs need to be filled, the florist’s supposed to arrive at noon, and Kyle should be wrapping up the sound check with Barry. Also, Pam said she’d be finishing the welcome table and guestbook setup.”

Josh nodded. “I’ll check on the ice and coolers. Joel, see if Kyle needs help with power or cords. Will, double-check that the florals match the layout Katie planned. If anything looks off, call Judith.”

They split up efficiently, each man diving into his assigned task. Josh wheeled the large galvanized tubs to the barn’s prep area where the caterers had set up. He poured in the first few bags of ice and layered them with canned sodas and water bottles, just like Katie wanted: no alcohol, just plenty of cold drinks. The sun was starting to warm the field, so getting the drinks iced down now would pay off later.

Nearby, Barry had his DJ booth wired and running, music softly pulsing as a test track played. Kyle was setting up the microphone stand and giving the sound levels a quick once-over. Josh gave them both a thumbs-up and moved on.