Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

said. "Like I'm in a dream."
    "You two are a dream," she observed, "and I'm so happy for you."
    He pulled her into an embrace. "I love you," he whispered.
    "It's time for me to go," she said. "Will you be okay?"
    "I'll see you in a few minutes," he smiled. "At the altar."
    She squeezed his hand and made her way out of the room. After the door closed, Jason glanced down at his watch. Ten minutes. In ten minutes he'd be walking down the aisle beside his groom. How could the day be any more perfect? How could he ask for anything more?
    He looked up as the door opened.
    "You look fantastic."
    Jason stood there, staring at the man who meant so much to him. "Dad," he whispered.
    They paused momentarily then stepped closer to each other. "Son, I'm so sorry."
    He couldn't speak. The lump in his throat made it impossible, so he simply nodded. With his eyes filled with tears, he stepped forward, holding out his arms. His father's embrace enveloped him, and Jason buried his head in his Dad's shoulder.
    "Dad, I love you," he whispered. "Thank you for coming."
    "Jason, I've been such a jackass."
    "I know," Jason said.
    His dad pulled back, holding him at arm's length, and nodded. His eyes were moist as he smiled at his son. "Look at you," he said. "If your mother could only see you, she'd be so proud."
    "I think she can," Jason whispered.
    "I've been thinking a lot about your mom lately." He looked down at the floor then raised his head to again look Jason in the eye. "It was Laura who really made me think about it, see things clearly. When I got your invitation I did what you probably expected me to do. I threw it straight in the garbage. I didn't know it then, but she had fished it out and held onto it.
    "She brought it to me, placed it on my desk when I was working. Asked me to think about what your mother would say to me if she were alive today." The tears streamed down his cheeks. "I didn't have to think long. I knew. I already knew a long time ago. She'd say, 'Robert, you're a stubborn, bull-headed fool. Get your head out of your ass before you lose the one person you love more than life itself.'"
    "Oh, Dad."
    "I was so angry when I lost—when we lost your mom. I was furious, pissed off at God and the world. I couldn't believe how damn unfair it was. She was so young, so beautiful, and she had so much more to give to the world. Worst of all, she had a child, and it was so wrong that she wouldn't get to see him grow up.
    "It was so wrong that as you grew up, you wouldn't share all those special moments with your mother. The science fairs. The band concerts. Your graduation from high school and college. And now… your wedding.
    "It was this anger—this rage—that made me so crazy. I was bitter and wanted to lash out, but I didn't have anyone to take it out on. I attacked the one person who'd helped me the most. I know Glenn didn't do anything wrong. If anything, he saved my ass. But I drove him away, and then it was too late. I was too proud to admit my own foolishness."
    "Dad, he knows. Glenn knows how much you were hurting."
    "I have to tell you, this is going to be an adjustment. I've thought of Glenn as my friend, my business partner—or former business partner—for a lot of years. It's kind of strange to think of him as a son-in-law."
    Jason grinned. "I know, right?"
    "But for as long as I've known him, he's always been an upstanding guy. He was your mom's dearest friend, and I know if he loves you as much as you say he does, then he's gonna take very good care of you."
    "We're going to take care of each other."
    Robert nodded. "Yes. Son, I'm so sorry. Will you please forgive me?"
    "Yes," Jason whispered. "Of course, yes. And will you forgive me for lying to you?"
    He nodded then pulled his son back into his arms.
    "Oh my God, that's my music," Jason said. "Dad, will you give me away?"
    He wrapped his arm around Jason's shoulder as they headed for the auditorium.
    ****
    Glenn and Jason met at the center aisle, Jason being escorted by his father. When they approached, Jason saw Glenn look his dad directly in the eye. Robert held out his hand and they shook firmly, both smiling, before Glenn took Jason's hand.
    As they walked up to the altar, Jason's heart soared. He now knew the answer to his question about how the day could be more perfect. He and Glenn stood before the clergy, their family, and their friends, and they declared their love for each other.
    When Jason looked down at Glenn's hand as he was about to