59. The Perfect Gift

Sky.

✙ ☠ ✙

It's the day of my wedding. I haven't seen Aron since he swears it's bad luck even though that's complete bullshit. But hey.

The wedding photographer is snapping pictures of me and everyone's acting all happy and saying how special today is. It just makes me nervous.

Aron was finally able to get everything 'perfect' whatever that may mean. The church looks great. Very festive yet simple and elegant. I hope he's happy.

I'm wearing a black tux that Aron handpicked. He hasn't seen me in it yet but I hope he'll like how it looks. I'm in my dressing room with Harry and Loren.

"You look perfect! Aron will be so happy." Loren smiles. She looks proud.

"Oh look, he's blushing!" Harry cries.

"I'm not! Stop looking at me like that!" I cover my face.

The camera flashes as the photographer takes more pictures of my embarrassment.

"Don't you have enough photos?"

"Mr. Santiago told me to just keep clicking." The man says apologetically.

"Well, I think you should take a break."

"I'm sorry. Mr. Santiago told me to keep taking pictures at all cost... He's really scary.." The guy shivers.

Harry and Loren laugh.

"How are you feeling?" Harry asks.

"Like I'm gonna throw up. What if Aron doesn't like me in this suit? He'll have a meltdown."

"Oh, come on! We're both telling you you look great! Plus, Aron would love you even if you showed up in sweatpants."

"He would throw something at me if showed up in sweatpants."

"But you won't. Stop complaining and get yourself ready. Wanna do a meditation?" Harry asks.

"No." I say bluntly.

"It'll really help you."

"What would help me is if Chase could tell me how Aron's doing. Can you go get him?"

"Sure." Harry squeezes my shoulder and heads out the door.

Loren smiles at me. "I never thought I'd say this but I'm really happy with the way things turned out. I mean, it's not exactly perfect but I've always dreamt of a future with you. With Rose we'll always be connected."

I grab Loren's hand.

"I'm so glad you're with Aron. I've never seen you so happy."

She leans in and we embrace each other.

"Thank you. I'm happy for you and Charlie too."

Loren kisses my cheek.

"Alright, I'll see you in there. Good luck."

"Thanks."

She heads for the door. "And don't trip!"

"Loren!"

She giggles and disappears into the hallway.

Soon after, my mom and Steven enter the room.

Steven whistles when he sees me.

I laugh.

"Aron has great taste."

"You like it?" I pull at the blazer.

"I wasn't talking about the clothes."

I cover my face. "Everyone's embarrassing me today."

"Sky." Steven grabs my shoulder. "I'm proud of you. You've come a long way since I met you. Aron is obviously the one for you and I couldn't be happier for you two."

I hug him. "Thank you." It means a lot hearing that he thinks we fit together. His opinion really means a lot to me.

He pulls away. "Now, I'll leave you with your mom." Steven gives mom a reassuring shoulder squeeze before leaving the room. Strange.. I thought they weren't talking.

Mom look just as proud as Loren. Except... more emotional.

"Mom, please don't cry!" I grab her hands.

"I'm just.."

I pull her into a hug.

"I'm so proud of you. I'm happy you were lucky enough to find someone who means so much to you so young. I want you to know that I fully support you. And I know your dad would've said the same thing if he was here today."

I can't help but tear up now that she's mentioning my dad. I was so surprised at how supportive he ended up being about me and Aron.

"Now I really wish he would've been here for this." I say softly.

"I know." Mom caresses my back.

"But at least he met Aron. And he knows how good he is for you." Mom looks deep into my eyes.

Yeah, she's right. In the end I'm glad they at least sort of knew each other.

Mom wipes her tears.

"I've got something for you." She says.

"Mom, please. You're gonna make me cry and then my eyes will be all puffy and Aron will divorce me!" I joke.

Mom shakes her head and hands me a small box.

I take a deep breath and open it. Inside is a silver bracelet. It has one plate in the middle with a blue gemstone pressed into it.

"It's a blue topaz. Your birthstone."

"Mom.." I was right. I am crying yet again.

I hold her into my arms. "Thank you! I really love it!" I sniff.

"You have made me so proud, Oliver. With how you've handled everything from Rose to Loren to the passing of your father. You've grown into a wonderful man. And you've done it all by yourself."

"I'm so scared, mom."

She pulls away and holds my shoulders. Then she smiles at me. "You have nothing to fear. Aron is the gentlest, most patient person I've ever met. He'll be there for you no matter what."

"I know. But I don't wanna hurt him." I whisper.

Mom grabs my hands.

"But you will. And he'll hurt you. But you'll always come out stronger because that's what this is all about. The confidence that no matter what happens you always stay together. And I know you will." There's not a shred of insecurity in her eyes. She's one hundred percent certain that Aron and I will make it. It's heart warming to have a mom that has so much faith in me. Even if it took a while to meet her.

"Alright. Enough crying." Mom wipes my tears.

"You've got this, Oliver."

I take a deep breath. "Okay."

"I'll see you soon." Mom squeezes my hand and leaves the room.

I look down at the bracelet and take it out of the box. It's beautiful. The perfect gift.

I smile and look at the inside.

I gasp when I notice it has an engraving.

I'm proud of you, Dad.

I chuckle and my eyes fill with tears again. The engraving is in his godawful handwriting. It's not the most elegant but it's absolutely perfect. I wonder if dad made this before he passed.. I couldn't have wished for a better gift.

I try to put it on but it's actually impossible with one hand. That's when I realize Chase still isn't here.

I go out into the hallway and spot Harry coming from the ceremony place.

"Harry! Where's Chase?"

"Has he still not come to you? He went to the bathroom and I told him to find you after."

My mind immediately goes to the worst scenario. That he's still in the bathroom and not breathing anymore.

"Are you okay?" Harry grabs my shoulder.

The bathroom door opens and Chase comes out.

I sigh of relief.

"What's going on?" He asks confused, picking up on my mood.

I take a look at him. His eyes and nose are red. He's been crying.

Chase notices my worried look. "I'm sorry. I don't wanna ruin your wedding. I'm really trying to keep it together—"

"You're not ruining my wedding! It just hurts me to see you like this. All because of that fucking—"

"It's not his fault. I knew this going to happen sooner or later. I guess I should be glad it didn't last long." Chase walks past me into my dressing room.

I stare at the door.

Harry caresses my back.

"This is so stupid. I can't believe that idiot let Chase go over something so small."

"What do you wanna do?" Harry asks in a compassionate tone.

I walk towards the back exit. "Tell everyone I'll be back soon."

× × ×

I race through the streets with frustration coursing through my veins. I'm gonna change Anthony's mind. Yeah, at first I might have thought him and Chase breaking up wasn't so bad but not anymore. I've seen how much Anthony means to him. Why is that kid so goddamn stubborn?

Fawn gave me his address so it's time for a little house visit.

I pull up at Anthony's house. The sun is setting and the sky is clear.

I step out of the car and make my way down the path. As I do, I notice a pink motorcycle in the driveway.

I definitely have the right house.

I knock on the door. No response.

Come on, I know you're home.

I knock again and again and finally the door opens.

Anthony is wrapped in a pink blanket. He's wearing gray sweatpants, a matching sweatshirt and he looks awful. Unlike last time I saw him his hair is completely black and not all gelled up. He's holding a tub of ice cream in his hand. The exact one Chase has been eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner these past few weeks.

I slip past him and walk right into the house.