Chapter 11

It was eight o'clock the morning of June 23rd, and everyone at Jamie's parents' house were still asleep, except Jamie. He, his father, and Brandon had spent the night there while Lynn, Denise, and Marlene stayed at his house. This was the first night since he moved in with Lynn that they had spent apart and he missed her terribly.

He tried to convince her to let him stay at their house after the rehearsal dinner the night before, but Lynn wasn't taking any chances. She wasn't the superstitious type, but for this she stood her ground. There wasn't anything that was going to cast a cloud over their day.

After spending hours talking and laughing with his dad and Brandon, Jamie went to sleep around eleven but was up at five. He was so anxious to get this day started, he was already halfway dressed when his father came in to wake him.

"Jamie, the wedding's not until two o'clock. You still have six hours to go," Brian said.

"I know, Dad," Jamie said. "I just want to make sure I look perfect."

Brian could tell Jamie was jittery and said, "You're going to look just fine. Brandon and I will make sure of that. You don't have to worry about a thing."

Jamie sighed and said, "I can't believe it's finally here, Dad. This is just so..." he paused and said, "I'm so nervous. I have played all of this out in my head hundreds of times. What I'm going to say, what I'm going to do. I just don't want to make a complete fool of myself up there."

"I know exactly how you feel," Brian said. "I was exactly the same way on my wedding day, but when I saw your mother coming down that aisle looking so beautiful... , he shook his head and said, "I still get choked up when I think about it. Sure you will be shaky at first, that's human nature. But I'm telling you now, when you see Lynn you will be amazed at how your anxiety will just melt away, because you know this is the woman you love and want to spend the rest of your life with."

Jamie heaved a huge sigh and said, "Dad, I just want you to know that I'm honored to have you here to help me with all of this. You've been a great father, and for the rest of my life I will be grateful for all you have done for me."

Brian, who had never been the emotional type, surprised Jamie when he saw tears welling up in his eyes.

He then hugged his son and said, "I love you, Jamie."

"I love you too, Dad."

Brian then took a deep breath and said, "Come on, let's go get that lazy lump of a best man out of bed. We have a lot of work to do. But first, do you want some breakfast?"

"Oh, Dad, " Jamie said as he was holding his hand over his stomach, "I have a lump the size of a bowling ball in my stomach. Please, don't even mention food."

"You should at least try and eat something," Brian said. "How about my famous banana pancakes? You could never turn those down."

"Well," Jamie said, knowing how much he loves his dad's pancakes, "You talked me into it. I could try to eat one, or two, or five."

Brian laughed and put his arm around his son. They walked down to the spare bedroom where Brandon was sleeping.

"Yo! Get up man!" Jamie said as he banged on the door.

"Huh? What?" Brandon said in a fog. He then looked at the time and said, "Dude! It's only twenty after eight!"

"Don't make me have to come in there!" Jamie joked.

"Oh, alright," Brandon said as he dragged himself out of bed.

He opened the door with his eyes half open, and Jamie said, "Good morning, sunshine."

"Ugh," Brandon said, making Brian and Jamie laugh.

"Come on, wake up dude," Jamie said as he mussed Brandon's hair. "We've got a big day ahead of us. Dad's making breakfast, so make yourself gorgeous and come downstairs."

"Okay, just do me a favor," Brandon said.

"What's that?"

"The next time you make me your best man, make sure your wedding's at night," Brandon said with a smile. "It should be illegal to be awake before noon on a Saturday."

"I can't promise you that," Jamie said. "This is my one and only wedding, so tell that to the next guy who has you in his. Now, come on down and eat."

"Okay, I'll be right there," Brandon said.

Brian and Jamie headed downstairs and looked outside. It was a bright, sunny day and Jamie's anticipation was at an all-time high. He heeded his dad's advice and was determined to make this day one he will remember forever.

While Jamie, his father, and Brandon were eating their breakfast Denise was styling Lynn's hair and trying to convince her to eat herself.

"Lynn, you need to have at least a little something," she said.

"I can't," Lynn said nervously. "My stomach is so tied up in knots right now, I don't think even a pea could fit in there."

"I can make you some tea if you think it would help," Marlene said.

"Thank you," Lynn said, "that would be nice."

Ten minutes later, Marlene brought Lynn's tea out to her. She took the cup and saucer, her nerves so shaky she could barely hold them in her hand.

"Lynn, keep cool," Denise said as she took her tea from her. "Remember, this is your dream come true."

"Oh God, I know it is," Lynn said. "I just can't help being anxious. I want this day to be so special. Especially for Jamie."

Marlene walked over to her, took her hand and said, "It will be, Lynn. We have gone through so much planning together to make this day perfect. I promise you that with me and Denise by your side, we will do everything in our power to make this the most beautiful, exciting day of your life. You have made my son the happiest he has ever been, and as his mother I will forever be indebted to you for that. I am honored to be your soon-to-be mother-in-law."

Lynn was moved to tears by Marlene's words and stood up to hug her.