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It was the day of Jeff and Rosamund’s wedding. Over the last eleven days I had gotten to know Rosamund a little better and while I still wasn’t thrilled about them getting married, I didn’t hate her as much as I had at first. One thing that I had figured out about her is that she was a very reserved person. She didn’t really talk to people unless someone talked to her. She was always watching people; almost as if she was calculating things in her head.
I was pleasantly surprised by how Jeff and her interacted.
They did seem to complement each other. Jeff seemed to be much more relaxed
around her and I even caught glimpses of a gentler, more loving Jeff. It was a
side of him I had never really seen before and it seemed to soften my opinion
of Rosamund, ever so slightly.
We arrived at the church and Jeff and Charlie immediately
went to change clothes. I was standing in the entrance way when Rosamund and a
woman that looked almost exactly like her walked in. “Oh! Hi Bridgette. This is
my mom, Regina. Mom, this is Jefferson’s sister, Bridgette.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
“Yeah he’s in the groom’s room with Charlie.”
“Oh good. We can go up to the brides’ room and he won’t see
us.” Rosamund commented. They walked up the stairs and I kept staring at the
stairs.
“Are you hoping that if you stare long enough that I’ll
appear on them? Cause I can make that happen.” Carson said from behind me.
I turned around and shook my head at him. “You’re hopeless.”
I told him.
“You love me that way, and you know it.”
I laughed and kissed him. It wasn’t long before someone was
clearing their throat. I looked over and Dad was standing a couple feet away
from us. “Oh my gosh, Dad. I’ve lost count how many times you’ve done this
while I’ve been home.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
He walked to the groom’s door, knocked and went inside.
“Are we home yet?” He asked.
“Just one more day.” I smiled. He sighed and I grabbed his
hand. The front door opened again and Ms. Honey and Star walked in. Jeff walked
out of the groom’s room and the exchange I saw between Star and Jeff shocked
me. I had heard from Kate about what had happened between Star and Jeff. He
didn’t know I knew. I felt really bad for Star, I knew she had liked Jeff but
because of a mistake he made, she and him weren’t really friends anymore. Ms.
Honey gave Jeff a hug and then went outside. That left Jeff and Star alone.
“Come on.” I pulled Carson outside.
“Star and Jeff really aren’t friends anymore. The only
people that know that are Kate, Charlie and me. Not even our parents have
figured it out.”
“But didn’t she used to come over to your house all the
time. Doesn’t that make your parents and her parents suspicious?”
“I guess because Jeff is with Rosamund, they figure that he
and Star aren’t able to spend as much time together.”
Mom came up to us and suggested we find our seats since the
ceremony was going to start soon. Carson and I stood near our chairs and I felt
a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Patrick and his parents standing
behind us. “Oh my gosh! I knew Mom and Dad had invited some of their old
friends but I didn’t know you all would be here.” I turned to Carson. “You
already know Patrick, but these are his parents Johnny and Wanda.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Carson said as he shook both their hands.
We continued to talk until the music started. I watched as
Charlie walked down the aisle with a cousin of Rosamund’s and then Jeff’s
friend Peter walked down with another cousin. The music changed and we all
stood up. I turned to look down the aisle and even I had to admit, Rosamund
looked beautiful. As she joined Jeff I
saw him whisper something to her and she whispered back. We all sat back down
and I watched as my little brother got married. I had mixed feelings through
the whole ceremony. At one point Carson reached over and held my hand. I looked
over at him and sadly smiled. The minister told Jeff he could kiss the bride
and he did. Everyone stood up and cheered as they turned to walk back up the
aisle. I still had mixed feelings. I wanted to cheer but nothing would come
out.
I had to stick around outside for pictures so Carson went
upstairs to grab us some seats at the reception. I walked over to the rest of
the family and we waited for Jeff and Rosamund to come back out. When they
emerged the photographer positioned people for photos. I, thankfully, wasn’t in
many so I got to go inside before some of the family. I found Carson standing
near a table talking with Patrick. “I don’t know if I trust you two together.”
I joked.
“Did you tell him what happened the last time?” I asked
Carson. He shook his head no. “Let’s just say that if we go back, I’m not
drinking.”
Patrick laughed. “Sounds like an interesting story.”
“You have no idea.” I told him.
Everyone else came up stairs and we waited for Jeff and Rosamund to be announced. A couple minutes later they arrived and everyone cheered. The next part flew by. We ate, they cut the cake, and then it was time for the first dance. Jeff and Rosamund went onto the dance floor and I watched as Patrick’s dad went over to the piano and played while Jeff and Rosamund danced. Carson wrapped his arms around me and I leaned back into him.
Everyone else came up stairs and we waited for Jeff and Rosamund to be announced. A couple minutes later they arrived and everyone cheered. The next part flew by. We ate, they cut the cake, and then it was time for the first dance. Jeff and Rosamund went onto the dance floor and I watched as Patrick’s dad went over to the piano and played while Jeff and Rosamund danced. Carson wrapped his arms around me and I leaned back into him.
When they finished dancing they kissed and even I thought it
was sweet. People piled onto the dance floor and Carson and I joined them. We danced to a couple songs and then went to
go sit down. I walked past Mom and heard her talking to someone about Jeff and
Rosamund living in married housing on campus.
I waited till she was done talking and then asked her a
question. “Why are Jeff and Rosamund moving into married housing?”
“The freshman rule only applies to unmarried people. If
you’re married and a freshman, you can live off campus.”
We saw Jeff taking a break from dancing and walked up to
him. I explained to him what Mom and I were thinking.
“We wouldn’t want to impose on you and Carson.” He said.
“Nonsense, Carson and I can stay downstairs and you and
Rosamund could live upstairs. It makes sense. Mom and Dad are paying for it,
after all. This way they don’t have to pay for another living place.”
“Really, Mom?” I rolled my eyes at her.
After calling Carson over we decided it was a good idea and
Jeff went to go talk it over with Rosamund. Mom started to question Carson and
me about there only being one bedroom downstairs.
“I’m not going to give you a long speech considering where
we are; but I have had two children father children before they were married. I
would like all of my future grandchildren to be fathered after marriage. Do you understand?”
“Yes. Mom. Are you going to tell Dad?”
“Eventually because if we come visit you, which I’m guessing
we will after Rosamund has the baby, he’s going to find out. I’m going to wait a
couple of weeks. I can’t promise he’s not going to be upset.”
“Thanks Mom.” I hugged her and she sighed. “This having
adult children thing is stressful.”
Jeff came back over with Rosamund.
“Really, there’s plenty of room. The weeks after Julia and
Trent moved out have been strange. The house is way too big for just us.”
“Like I said, the house is plenty big enough and it keeps
Mom and Dad from having to pay for another place.”
“I’m so happy! I’m going to go tell your father.” Mom
exclaimed.
After Mom walked away Jeff’s curiosity got the best of him.
“So, how’d the whole one bedroom conversation go?”
I rolled my eyes. “She very firmly explained that the next
grandchild was to be conceived after a wedding.”
“Is she going to tell Dad?”
“Yes, eventually.”
“We better go socialize.” Jeff suggested to Rosamund.
“I’ll text you after you get back from your honeymoon. We can
start talking about when you want to move in and you coming down to see the
house and decorating.”
“Sounds good.” They walked away and Carson turned me to look
at him.
“All of a sudden you’re okay with Rosamund enough for her to
move into our house?”
“It has less to do with Rosamund and more to do with Jeff.
You know me. I’m always looking out for my little brother.”
“Bridge, I’m not sure this is a good idea. . .”
“What?!”
“You and her in the same house, everyday.”
“Everyone has been pushing me to know her better. What
better way to do that than by living with her. Plus, I can keep Jeff out of
trouble.” He had a doubtful look. “What?! Everything will be fine.”