A Simple Life: Chapter 227 (End)

Sunday arrives. The big day!

Where the first half of the week had flow by in a blur the second half disappeared in a blink. With all the preparations happening around work and everything else we barely had time to change our clothes never mind our minds. Not that cold feet were going to be an issue here. For Winona and I this day couldn’t have gotten here soon enough. Though the jam-packed hours bad been frantic they passed smoothly. If there were going to be any further problems with Jack we’d yet to see a sign of it.

Less than an hour before the vows I am cloistered away inside of our suite with just Grandpa and my best maid Kayla while music and the murmur of our gathered guests wafts in from outside. As Kayla obsesses over every little detail of my makeup Grandpa watches on proudly looking oh so handsome in his rented tuxedo. He’d even shaved for the occasion! Vest and tails and bow ties he and I were a matched pair. Though his was black and mine pink our outfits were otherwise identical.

We hear another vehicle approach and a hush fall over the crowd. We three inside go quiet as well, our ears perked to the window. When we hear Winona’s joyous cry we knew right then and there that today was going to be perfect.

“RUSSELLLLL!!!”

I smile and whisper. “They m-made it!”

“Unciii! Ohhhhh, I missed you guys!” After a pause for what I knew were hugs and kisses Winona says. “You just gotta meet Avery, little brother. He’s just…he’s just…”

“You are going to get your dress on!” Cher cuts in sternly. “Besides, it’s bad luck to see the, um, groom before he’s walking up the aisle. Amos can introduce them.”

“Right. Right.” Winona says. “We’ll talk after. Ohhh, it is so good to see you two!”

As Winona hurries off for the teepee that was acting as her bridal tent we hear the husky voice of an older woman ask. “Bad luck to see the groom? And what’s this about him takin our name?”

“Don’t even start asking those questions.” Cher mutters, not realizing or not caring that her voice would carry into the suite. “Let’s just say that your takoja and Avery dance to their own drum.”

“Heh! That’s mah girl.”

No more than a minute later a knock comes to the door and Grandpa lets in the newly arrived members of our growing family. Behind Amos comes a woman in a lovely green and red dress whose wrinkled face was tanned by the sun and wind and whose deep brown eyes carried a wisdom even beyond her years. And behind her…

“Woah!” I gasp under my breath at just the same moment that Kayla does.

Winona had warned me that Russell was a big boy, bigger even than his larger than life father, but I was not prepared for the giant that stepped in to fill the room. The man had to be hovering at just over seven feet all and tipping the scales at well over three hundred pounds. This was Winona’s ‘little’ brother!? With both he and Amos in here at once I felt no larger than an ant. Though enormous his face was kindly and his mannerisms shy and gentle. When he glances to meet my gaze then looks down again right away, intimidated to hold eye contact, I knew in a heartbeat that I was looking upon a kindred spirit.

Stepping forward I offer my hand. “It is s-so good to meet you at last.”

He nods as his huge mitt engulfs my slender hand for a shake. “Heard a lot about you, Avery.”

“And me you.”

He stops a moment…then leans down to engulf me in a big hug! “You look after her now.”

“I will, R-Russell.” I hug him back, my arms coming nowhere close to reaching around him. “I p-promise.”

Stepping back he smoothes his gray suit and thumbs back over his shoulder. “I’m, uh, the best man so I should…”

“Go.” I giggle. “She’s excited to see you.”

“Yeah.” He nods then after an awkward silence, the type I was a master of myself, he spins and hurries back out the door.

Winona’s grandma then steps forward. Taking me by the shoulders her dark eyes narrow as she studies me closely, inside and out. On the surface she would see this slight, feminine white boy in his pink tux and a subtle touch of makeup. Beneath that though she saw a man madly in love with her granddaughter. With Johnny watching on reminding me to ‘fuck the haters’ and with Winona’s love secure in my heart I stare right back at her and await the elder’s words.

After a time she nods and simply says. “Winkte with winkte. Four strong spirits made greater as one.” With a hug of her own she whispers to me. “Welcome, young Crow.”

“Thank you!” I say as I hug her back.

She then turns to Grandpa and hugs him too. To him as well she whispers something to which he smiles.

“Alright, Ma. Lets give these guys space.” He looks my way with a grin and a fatherly wink. “It’s almost time.”

After they’d left Kayla pulls me into yet another hug. Today was a day of hugs. “You ready for this, bestie?”

“I am.” I say. “I’ve n-never been more ready for anything.”

She gives me a nod and a peck on the cheek. “I’ve never been happier to be proven so wrong. You two were meant for one another.” Taking up the framed photo of my grandma what was to be placed on her reserved seat in the front row she says. “See you out there.”

With Kayla’s exit it left just me and Grandpa alone. Beaming like never before he steps forward to flatten my already perfect lapels.

“I am so proud of you, Buttercup. I am so…” His voice cracks, not with a cough but with emotion. His blue eyes twinkle as the tears gather. “You’re beautiful!”

“Hey.” I smile. “If you c-cry I’ll cry and K-Kayla’ll have to come back to fix my makeup.”

He chuckles and sniffles the tears away. Laying a hand over my heart he pauses a long time before saying. “Be happy. Above all else, be happy.”

“I w-will Grandpa.” I say as my own misty eyes threatened to leak.

From the window comes Briar’s voice in a loud whisper. “You ready in there?”

Grandpa smiles. “We’re ready!”

After kissing Brutus’ fuzzy head for good luck the next thing I knew I was being marched up the aisle on Grandpa’s arm as the Bridal Chorus, which Grandpa had recorded earlier this day, rings out from the big speakers. The big field of grass beside the garage, the same field where Winona and I were planning to build our permanent home, had been mowed to give room for two columns of seats and big balloon arch at the end.

With my bouquet clutched tightly in my hands we walk, one step at a time, down the aisle. I glance left and right at all the smiling faces. All those eyes locked on little old me. This time I welcomed their gaze. Near the back among our more distant friends and acquaintances was Mom and Chris. Despite it all I didn’t have the heart to deny her this day. Besides, I was happy she’d shown up to see that despite all of my weirdnesses and shortcomings that I was doing just fine just the way I was. Today she looked smaller and humbler than I’d ever seen her. For all her faults she was here and she was happy for me. Right now that was all I could ask of her. Seated in front of them was a dapper and groomed Joshua who, I couldn’t help but notice, had just so happened to find himself beside Eddie. I shoot my brother a quizzical look to which he simply smirks. Before I look away Josh holds up his phone upon which I see my sister Paige watching from her living room in DC. She waves at me wildly through the screen. I smile and blow her a little kiss back again.

To other side is Cain and Riley looking absolutely stunning together. Perhaps her cleavage was a bit much for such an occasion but after seeing Hoppy Bunbun at her best this was downright modest by comparison. Beside them sat Brayden and Onyx, him in his work suit and her in a jet black gown more fitting for a funeral than a wedding. Looking back the other way I see Briar with a huge smile even as the tears of joy flowed over her cherubic cheeks down onto her frilly green dress. As we pass by I reach out to take her hand and give it a squeeze. Beside her is Lauren, her eyes brimming with delight and gratitude, with the good girl Pepper sat wagging her tail beside her. And then, along the front row, there sits Cher and Unci on one side of the aisle and on the other was the seat upon which my grandma sat. From the seats my eyes panned the grass for I knew that somewhere out there Mama was watching too.

Before me to the left towered Amos and Russell with identical grins on their happy faces. To the right was Kayla looking magnificent as always in a gown of pink that matched my tux. Beside her was the Lakota holy man that had come with Unci and Russell along with the official that would make this ceremony legal. And then…and then there was Winona.

Winona stood tall and powerful and beautiful. Her raven black hair had been braided then wrapped around her head like a halo. Tiny pearls dotted through the braids gleamed in the afternoon sun. Her make up was bold and highlighted her every perfect feature. And her gown was resplendent! Made of white buckskin with a mantle of pale blue beadwork and long fringes that hung from arms and hem it was a wedding gown unlike any other. A one of a kind look for a one of a kind woman. What I see more than anything though was the love inside of her. Truly the blushing bride I bow my head as I feel my cheeks warm.

Grandpa takes me forward and ‘gives’ me to Winona. I hand my bouquet to Kayla then slip from his arm to put my hands in hers. Grandpa slips away to go and sit with his soul mate while I married mine.

“Hey, baby.” She whispers to me.

“Hey.”

Gazing up into Winona’s hazel eyes everything else just…melts away. Traditional prayers are made and some very lovely things are spoken, but the only words I really cared about was when Winona says loud and proud. “I do!”

“Avery Beckett.” Says a voice. “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I doooo!”

“I now pronounce you wed. You may kiss the bride.”

Winona grabs me with both hands and dips me down into the longest, deepest, most loving kiss of my life. Wrapping my arms around her I kiss her right back.

From the crowd rings Riley’s rowdy hoot. “WHOOOOOO!!!”

The crowd laughs. Though we didn’t want it to end Winona and I break our smooch as newlyweds. Mrs and Mr (and sometimes Mrs as well) Crow stands and turns to face family, friends and elders hand in hand. We’d done it! We’d gotten our happily ever after.

***

Four months later I am looking out over another group of faces, some of them the same but many different. These ones were somber as I am handed the urn with Grandpa’s ashes.

In that moment the wedding day, truly the happiest day of my life, flashes back in my mind. I remembered it all so well. The cool traditional drumming and dancing after the vows. The laughter, the love, the good wishes and the endless amounts of hugs from all of our friends and family. And the best part of all, besides the vows of course, me and Grandpa singing as he played on his keyboard. It was all better than I’d even dreamed. It had been perfect. The perfect day. The perfect wedding.

But today was about him and all of the lives he’d touched. Before me were all of the people I’d expected to see and so, so many more. It felt like half the town had shown up to offer their goodbyes to one of Ehkolie’s legends. People that even I hadn’t realized he’d made a difference to wept at his loss. Although he would have disapproved of all the tears I knew just how much this gathering would have meant to him. Even now the man could draw a crowd.

Hugging the urn to my chest I take breath and say. “M-My G-Grandpa…” I pause, recollect my thoughts, and start again slower, just like my speech coach had taught me. “My Grandpa would be so happy to see so many here today. Thank you. Thank you all for coming.” I look to my wife and in her eyes find the strength to continue. I’d spilled tears enough to refill the Pacific and more would be shed soon, but right now I had something to say. “Grandpa taught us many lessons. So many lessons. But I think…what he would want us to remember most is that if you focus on what you love and what really matter to you that life can be simple if you let it. Be kind. Love one another. Walk your own path and let others walk theirs. It’s really not that hard if you t-try.”

***

A week later finds me at the helm of the Bella pulling out of Haven Point harbor toward the setting sun. Out there I would set Grandpa’s earthly remains free on the wind to drift across his beloved blue ocean and back toward the island he’d called home. For him this was merely symbolic as I could sense that his spirit had already left for heaven to reunite with his one true angel, for me it was an important part of letting go.

“How ya doin, Sprout?” My wife says as she climbs up to join me. Coming up beside me she slides an arm around my shoulders. In my breezy sundress with the cool of evening setting in I welcomed her warmth at my side.

Looking from the rosy horizon down to the plain urn in front of me I let out a wistful sigh. “Actually…I’m okay.”

My words were truth for as much as I missed that man, and oh God how I missed him, I was so very grateful for the time we’d had. The final weeks had been tough, real tough, though they’d also been some of our best together as I helped him get through day to day and he helped me get my Captain’s license at last. What a proud day that had been. It was time. Past time. Every voyage must at some point come to an end. Grandpa had left his mark. His legacy lived on in the hearts and minds of so many. In mine most of all. Between all the days of torment in my past and all the years of joy before me stood the love and belief of one great man. Without him to bridge the gap this beautiful sunset would have been forever hidden behind the clouds.

Looking up at Winona I say. “I love you. You know that?”

“Yeah, baby girl.” She tilts her head. “I know.”

“Just making sure.”

“Ah.” She squeezes me close. “I love you too!”

“You still want to hit the mainland tomorrow?”

“You’re the Cap’n.” She smiles. “I’m always up for another adventure!”

Grabbing the throttle of the Anna Bella I say. “Come on, old girl. Let’s see what you got!”

The End