Oliver Cooper
Three days ago.
Iris Meyer.
She is the one. From the moment i read her profile and when we first met. I knew that she was going to be my first choice.
She was beautiful and held a resemblance I couldn't trace back to who.
She grew up in a country setting, attended the best universities and had a string of awards to her name. Heck, she had a scientific theory of her own creation. Her intelligence was undeniable, and I couldn't help but envision our future children inheriting her brilliant mind.
Her family was a respectable wealthy one. Private in their affairs. Which made her more desirable.
Her father owning several food processing companies of his own, and had inherited an oil company from his family as the only child. Her mother, despite the tainted roles she played on the screen she had redeemed herself in the eyes of the society and had set up a charity foundation.
"Oliver, nice to meet you." She had greeted at the introduction dinner. Her voice was tamed, she carried herself with grace.
She wore a long pleated skirt, and a long blazer on top with no accessories. In short, There was no frivolity in her choice of attire; it was all about practicality and elegance.
"With pleasure," I smiled back. I had truly won.
As the night progressed It was clear that humor was not her forte, and she seemed to prefer straightforward, earnest conversation.
Within seconds of meeting she was showing me an entire folder of how she laid out her life, at eighteen she had frozen her eggs, at twenty two attained her doctorate and at thirty she had set out to be married and at thirty one have her first child. She had never had a relationship in her life.
Things seemed to be going as she had intended; i just hoped what ailed me was not going to interfere with that.
"I don't believe in love," She would say , in the middle of a conversation.
I sipped my water. "Love can be beautiful," I said.
Our arrangement was purely business but her saying those words out loud saddened me.
"I believe in the practicality of marriage," She would reply and allowed her words to sit with me.
Despite her seemingly impenetrable exterior, I found myself drawn to Iris's sense of purpose and the determination that radiated from her. I admired her for having her entire life mapped out, for knowing who she was and what she wanted. There was an aura of reliability and dependability that surrounded her, a quality i found strangely comforting.
"Please, you don't have to settle with her. I haven't seen her smile since we met. " Cara would whisper to me that night as Iris sat alone on the table reading a book on the night that was suppose to be an engagement night.
"I like her." I would reply
"You could marry someone you love."
"Not everyone finds love like you and Quinn. We just take what life gives us."
Cara stared at me, her eyes filled with love and sadness all together. "Congratulation then, brother."
As Cara walked away, i knew i had to reveal my condition to my bride to be.
Present time
The wedding day.
The wedding day has arrived. Quinn helps with my cuffs while Theo shines his shoe at the furthest end of the room. He glances up at his father and smiles; he's all grown up, and to an outsider, they may look like brothers.
"For someone who swore they'd never get tied down, you look very happy to be," Theo remarks.
I chuckle and admire my reflection in the mirror.
"Even the wildest stallions need to be tamed," I quip, and Theo shakes his head.
"I'm never getting married with so many endless options," he adds.
"You talk like your father did when he was your age, but look at him now," Ryan walks in.
"I'm not weak; they won't take me down that easily," Theo says as he finishes shining his shoes.
"You'll meet her someday, and before you know it, you'll be a goner," I say with a sense of melancholy.
He smiles and shakes his head, "You all are a bunch of helpless romantics."
Quinn's phone rings, and he immediately answers it.
I adjust my tie for the umpteenth time. Doubt starts to creep in, and I wonder if I'm making a mistake. It's a leap of faith, a plunge into the unknown, and uncertainty gnaws at me. I take a deep breath and remind myself of the reason I'm doing this.
"Everything is set, and they're waiting for us," Quinn informs, and the initial nervousness sets in.
We walk out; the wedding is being held at the Nickel Manor. It's a small, invite-only ceremony, and only close family and friends are aware of it.
Most of the guests are already seated. I spot Cara and Mr. Wayne at the front row. Ryan has already taken his spot as the DJ, and as soon as we get closer, he starts to play "Shut Up and Dance."
Quinn, as my best man, stands beside me, and the other groomsmen begin to dance, stirring the cheers of the audience. I look over at Quinn and assure him that I'll kill him for putting me in a position where I'll embarrass myself. I told him no dancing. I suck at it!
I make a mess of myself, but thankfully, no legs are broken as I reach where the priest stands and nervously wait for my bride.
Ryan announces that the next song was requested by the bride, "Bless The Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts. It's an unusual choice, I think, as I listen to the lyrics.
A whirlwind of emotions sweeps over me as I see her on her father's arm, Meyer. Something seems different, even under the veil. She looks shorter, and her head hangs low in a sad slump. Even as her father hands her over to me with a concerned look, all my focus is on her.
The priest's words get lost before they reach me. I hadn't written any vows, so we rely on the general traditional ones. "....in sickness and in health...." When the priest gets to that part, Iris clears her throat, and silence falls as the priest stops to ask her if she's okay. She nods.
He continues and finally says, "You may kiss the bride..."
I hesitate for a moment before I step forward to lift the veil and freeze as I see the face under it.
It's Jessie!
Playlist
Then by Brad Paisley
Bless The Broken Road by Rascal Flatts
Slowly by Meddy
Love potion by Mafikizolo
I Don't Dance by Lee Brice
Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon
Hotline Bling- Drake