A life changing realization

"Groomsmen, Groom, you guys got to be out of here in the next twenty minutes and be in the church." The wedding planner said as he walked into the room.

Jackson stopped buttoning his shirt, gazed at him, and said, "Oh is the bridal party ready?"

"No. I got words from the ladies' planner, and she said that the bridesmaids and the bride will be ready and in the church within the next one hour."

"Oh! Okay. We will be out in ten."

After the wedding planner left, Jackson turned to gaze at Steven, and a frown settled on his face.

"Steve, breathe," Jackson mumbled, walking over to his friend.

"I'm getting married today," Steven whispered, holding in his breath.

"I know. But you have to exhale to release the tension building up inside of you."

"There's so much 'what if' questions going on in my head. Like what if Julie falls out of love with me at the altar and refuses to say 'I do."

A sigh escaped Jackson's lips. Then he gazed at Chris and said, "Can you talk some sense into this dude?"

"Don't get me involved. I'm not the one who's been married before and might get married again." Chris said, wearing his shoes.

"What do you mean by again?"

"Oh, don't play dumb with me. I see how you and Miya have been acting doing the wedding rehearsals. All cute and lovey-dovey. Anyone who sees you two will take you guys as a couple."

"But we are not. Both of us are just co-parenting."

Finally, Steven drew a sharp breath and slowly exhaled. Then he stared at Jackson and said, "The only ones who don't know that you guys have a thing for each other are the two of you."

"I think only I have a thing for her," Jackson mumbled, buttoning his cuff.

"Ooooh!" Steven and Chris said in unison, staring at each other with a smile on their face.

"Why haven't you acted on your feelings yet?" Chris asked, putting his tie around his neck.

Staring away from his friends, Jackson picked up his socks from the comforter and sat at the edge of the bed.

"Well, for one, we are still married to others. Secondly, Miya has been through so much, and I don't know if she would want to start over with someone new." Jackson mumbled, pulling his sock on his foot.

"Well, you are not going to know how she truly feels until you guys talk. Also, you have been through a lot, and if your heart can still beat for someone new, then maybe her heart can do the same." Chris said, sitting down beside Jackson.

"Look at you giving love advice, Mr. I'm single for life!" Steven teased.

Within a split second, the three of them burst into laughter. Then the door suddenly opened and the planner walked in.

"Gentlemen!" He said, gazing at them.

"We are ready," Jackson said, standing from the bed.

Then he patted Steven on his back and said, "Are you ready."

"Yeah. I can't wait to see Julie." Steven said, smiling at Chris and Jackson.

Ten minutes later, they walked into the church and stood at the altar.

"Dad, can you stop crying and get out!" Julie yelled, staring at Mr. Harper's reflection in the mirror.

"When did you grow into such a gorgeous woman? Where did my little girl go?" Mr. Harper said, wiping his nose with a handkerchief.

For a moment, she pitifully stared at her father, then her gaze swayed towards Mrs. Harper.

"Mom," Julie mumbled, softly smiling.

"I'm on it, sweetheart." Mrs. Harper said, returning a smile.

Then she walked over to her husband, held his arm, and said, "Let's go, honey."

"But…" Mr. Harper cried as his wife dragged him out of the room.

It got quiet after her parents left. Then Julie gazed at Kate and Miya, and they burst into laughter.

"Boss is so in trouble with your father," Kate mumbled, chuckling softly.

"My dad loves Steven. He just has a weird habit of being protective of me like every father is with their girls' children." Miya said, smiling brightly as the makeup artist applied her eyeshadow.

"I don't know how that feels," Miya mumbled out loud even though she meant to say it in her head.

When Kate and Julie pitifully stared at her, she smiled slightly and said, "I'm sorry for ruining the moment."

"You are not. I'm glad we can be open with each other. Your father might have not been the best, but your kids have an amazing dad." Julie said, holding onto Miya's hand.

"I know. He's awesome with them."

"So… What's up with you two?"

An awkward smile crept on Miya's lips as she stared at Julie and Kate.

Then she softly exhaled and said, "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

"You say that like you want there to be something," Kate mumbled, winking at Julie.

"Well, I don't know. Maybe, I do. But I don't think he feels the same."

"Well, have you guys talked?"

Suddenly the door opened and the wedding planner walked in along with Mrs. Harper.

"The groom and the groomsmen are in the church hall. bridal party, where are we at?" The wedding planner said, staring at the three of them.

"Well, both of us are ready," Kate said, smiling at Miya.

The wedding planner clapped her hands and said, "Great, you guys, please come with me. Bride, I will be back for you."

As Miya was about to leave with Kate and the lady, Julie gently grabbed her wrist and said, "Talk to Jackson."

She then let go of Miya and watched as they walked out of the room.

Everyone in the church hall waited anxiously. Suddenly, the door opened and all head turned towards the entrance.

Holding a posy bouquet in her grip, Mila marched into the hall wearing a peach form-fitting gown, and when Jackson laid his eyes on her, he held his breath for a second.

'I think I want to get married again,' Jackson thought, swallowing excessively.