Wedding Day, PT. 2

“Are y’all ready?” Lynne asked, blinking rapidly.

Isaac walked toward her and took her hands before he gave her a kiss. Violet walked over to him, hazel eyes shining as she took in his suit. She reached for his hand and squeezed as she whispered, “Do I look okay?”

“Okay?” he echoed.

“Yeah.” Again, she fussed with the material of her gown. “This is the first time I’ve ever worn a dress. I feel silly.”

“You don’t look silly,” he reassured her.

He wanted to say more, but the words eluded him. In the past months, mom had worked wonders on Violet. She was teaching her girly stuff—how to dress, how to do her hair. Violet still preferred shorts or jeans, but at least now they actually were from the girls department instead of the boys. Violet still had trouble taming her unruly hair. He personally loved it wild and free, but he appreciated it as it was now—drawn back from her face and held at bay by some kind of fancy braid.

“How’s dad?” Violet whispered, looking over her shoulder at their parents who were having a moment.

“A little nervous,” he said distractedly as he smoothed the back of his hand over the material of her silky dress. “I like your dress.”

Violet turned back to him with a giddy smile. “Thank you.” She pulled up her skirt and extended her foot so he could show off her fancy shoes. “Aren’t they pretty?”

“You painted your nails?”

“My first time ever! I got glitter nail polish.” Violet did a spin so he could take it all in. “I feel like a princess.”

“You look like one,” he said.

“And you look…” She smoothed her hand over his chest. “You look perfect.”

He cleared his throat and eased back, worried she’d feel his heart racing. He thought he’d gotten over that odd nervousness she made him feel when they first met. They’d become inseparable since their parents started dating. He had more fun being with Violet than his friends. She was unpredictable and enthusiastic in whatever he wanted to do. She filled the void that had been left after his father died. They’d become best friends and were their parent’s biggest supporters. Between his mom and them, Isaac hadn’t had a chance.

 “Violet.”

She turned to face her father. Isaac’s eyes were wet as he looked her over.

“You’re growing up too fast, kiddo,” he said in an unsteady voice.

Violet gave him a hug before she took his hand. “You ready?”

“Yes.”

As they started for the church, he turned to mom.

“You were right to push for a wedding and not get married at the courthouse,” he said.

Mom held up a hand. “I don’t want to ruin my makeup. Save it for after the ceremony, please. I’m going to bawl if you…”

“You got it,” he said and took her hand and led her into the church as someone began to play a sweet melody on the piano.

Violet winked at him before she faced forward and started down the aisle with Isaac.

“You two are like two peas in a pod,” Mom whispered.

He grinned as Isaac and Violet reached the stage. She stepped to the right, while Isaac stepped to the left. On cue, the music changed and everyone got to their feet for their entrance. Mom’s hand shook on his arm as they made their way down the aisle.

It was a modest crowd of fifty people who watched him escort his mom. Everyone was all smiles. He offered mom’s hand to Isaac. Thanks to a growth spurt, they were now almost at eye level. Isaac held his gaze, silent promises passing between them, as they turned toward one another to say their vows in front of their children and friends.

At some point, his eyes moved from mom and his new stepfather to Violet who was watching the proceedings with rapt attention. She was so excited, the bouquet of flowers she held, shuddered. When Isaac slid a ring on mom’s finger, Violet blinked back tears. The urge to go to her and comfort her was paramount, but he restrained himself.

Violet had a hard, defiant shell, but it concealed the most fragile heart he had come across. Violet loved hard. Mom gave him the psychology behind it—that never having a mother and Isaac being physically and somewhat emotionally absent made Violet cling to him and Lynne. She wanted them around all the time and cried when they left. It killed him every time. But that would be a thing of the past now. Now, they would be together forever.

**This is a raw draft of the prequel for Corrupt Idol. Please do not share or distribute.

Copyright © 2024 Mia Knight. All Rights Reserved.