Alien in the Family

walk around the crowd, join up again at the back of the room, then walk back up the aisle to the altar set up at the head of the room. Then they’d do the same thing again, only with the men going to the right and the women to the left.
    This meant the wedding party was doing a lot of walking. It probably seemed like less when you were moving at hyperspeed. At human speeds, it was long and drawn out. I wasn’t sure we’d make the marriage deadline at this rate, but everyone else seemed really calm and unworried.
    “When do I see Jeff?” My voice sounded squeaky, and half our wedding party hadn’t made it inside the room yet. Chuckie was busying giving the “wait” and “go next” signals. I heard a lot of oohs and ahhs from inside, over the strains of wedding-type music coming from somewhere in there.
    “The groom is already inside,” Jareen said, sounding like she was reciting from memory. “He waits on one side, for his bride to enter . . . and, that’s all I can remember, other than what I’m supposed to do later. Christopher?”
    He laughed. “She really is just like you. Jeff and his parents are waiting for you at the left side of the altar or, in this case, front of the ballroom. Once you walk in, you don’t go down the aisle and neither does he. You both circle the attendees— Jeff going clockwise, you going counterclockwise. You pass once, near the altar, then keep going. You meet back up pretty much in front of the door we’re going through. Then the parents give you to each other, and Jeff walks you down the aisle.”
    “White! Move it!” Chuckie hissed.
    “You’ll be fine,” Christopher tossed over his shoulder. “Just do what you always do. You know, fake it until it works.”
    Mom sighed. “He knows you well.”
    “Last chance to tell me why I shouldn’t marry Jeff, Mom.”
    She kissed my cheek. “Can’t think of one reason. You look so beautiful, kitten,” she added in a whisper. “Jeff’s going to be so happy.”
    My throat was tight, and I was having trouble focusing. “Uh-huh.”
    Chuckie looked over and grinned. “We’ve all spent too much money. Too late now, no matter what the movies want to tell you. Bachelor Number Three,” he nodded his head toward Christopher’s back, “and Bachelor Number Two here are both going to be big boys and tell you to marry the guy you’re in love with.” He looked down at the kids. “You guys ready?”
    “Yes!” they chorused together, sounding totally excited. Wow, the only unison thing that didn’t freak me out.
    “Okay, remember, dignified, don’t run, and if you do run, don’t get in front of Christopher and Jareen, okay?” They nodded. “Oh, and Kimmie, those petals are mostly for the main aisle, so do most of the dropping there, when you’re with Raymond, okay?”
    “Okay, Chuckie!”
    He looked shocked, then started to laugh. “Okay, you, and only you, can call me Chuckie like Kitty does. But I draw the line there.”
    Raymond nodded, and he looked very serious. “I understand, Mister Reynolds. And I’ll make sure we don’t go too fast.”
    “Good man. You’re up.” Chuckie ushered the kids in. Then he came back to us. “I’m going inside. Per A-C regulations, the last person to walk through this doorway has to be the bride. Angela, watch the door, you know when to enter.” My stomach clenched. I didn’t want him to leave.
    Mom nodded. “Once all the hiking is over.”
    “Right.” Chuckie examined my expression, took my hand, and led me a few steps away. “You alright?”
    I swallowed. I didn’t really know how to put it into words. But they came anyway. “You’ll always be my friend?”
    Chuckie smiled. “Always. And I’m not deserting you—I’ll be right up front in the Majordomo seat, ready to take care of whatever you need.”
    I relaxed a little. “Then I’m good to go.” He turned, but I grabbed his arm. A thought had occurred. “Chuckie?”
    “Yes?”
    “Do you have any advice?”
    He was quiet for a long moment. “Actually, I do.”
    “And?”
    “Be yourself.”
    “That’s it?”
    Chuckie nodded. “That’s it. Because the reason we love you, Martini and myself particularly, is because of who you are.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek through the veil. “I know you’re scared, but it’s no bigger step than any other you’ve taken. Now do me proud and go show everyone out there how the comics geek-girl who made good gets married.”

CHAPTER 72

    CHUCKIE WENT