Cold Feet
Chapter 40

RICK

The day of our wedding has arrived. I survived Christine's anger after the Viola incident. This is the day. Looking back it seems like it's been really hard work and I'm looking forward to getting this over with.

I wonder if that's how I should be feeling. Maybe not but then I guess most guys don't have the incidents leading up to their wedding that I've had.

I've stayed away from Viola. I'm afraid that Christine will ask for my phone to see what messages I've been sending. If she replaces that I've been in touch with Viola it won't bode well for us. Christine's told me that Viola's been fired and I wonder where she is now. I wonder if she's leaving Los Angeles again or if she's going to bite the bullet and stay until she replaces a new job. I wish her all the best.

I wake up on my own this morning as we agreed that Christine and I would spend the night apart. She has to get ready for the wedding with her dress and make up as is custom. I'm glad that I have these few hours alone. I get dressed and head to the church early. I want to get this over with. I know getting there early isn't going to make this go any quicker but I don't want to be waiting at home alone until the time is more appropriate to leave.

Lewis is my best man and I've agreed to meet him at the church.

He arrives closer to the time of the ceremony and replaces me pacing in the front of the church. I greet familiar faces as they arrive.

Lara is there checking a last few things. She seems strangely distant and I guess that she's got a lot on her mind. She's there alone and has left the children at home with her husband. She wishes me all the best and I can't help but feel that it's not sincere but more sympathetic.

I tell myself that I'm imagining things and that I'm just being nervous. I check that Lewis has got the rings and he pretends he hasn't. He really has me going before he finally smiles and admits he's pulling my leg.

As I wait my eyes scan the room for Viola. In a way I hoped she would be here but then I ask myself why I think she would be so stupid as to turn up here.

The time for the ceremony to start draws nearer and I realize that Christine is late. I begin to worry that she's decided not to go through with the wedding.

As if sensing my worry, Lara approaches me and tells me

Christine is on the way. I thank her

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and watch as she returns to her seat. I replace it strange that she's not sitting near the front of the church but almost at the back. It's a minor detail and I forget about it as the organ begins to play.

Christine has arrived. I look to the back of the church and I see Christine enter. Her brother who I've only met once is walking beside her. He'll be doing the honor of giving her away. Christine looks beautiful in her white dress. It has a long train and two flowergirls provided by Lara make sure it doesn't get caught as she approaches.

Christine is wearing a veil and I struggle to see Christine's face

behind it but think I can make out a smile. Then, as she approaches my eyes are drawn to the church doors behind her. They open and I see? Viola enter. My eyes follow her and I see her take a seat near the back. Then, just before Christine reaches me, I see the door enter again and a man enters. I don't know who he is and I think nothing of it. My gaze returns to Christine. She reaches the front of the church and hooks her arm through mine.

The organ music ends the minister begins the ceremony...☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐