the wedding (thia)

That night, the others slept quite peacefully, but like the night before, I found it harder to drift off. At least last night I had Jay for a little while. I felt rather lonely thinking about it, even though I'd just spent the day with all the people that I loved. I suddenly missed America.

Not wanting to wake any of the others up, I quietly got out of bed, crept over to the window, drew back one of the curtains and sat on the window sill. Either the sill was so big or I was so small that I could fit on it and draw back the curtains without even making a dent in them. I just sat there, looking out of the window. It wasn't much of a view as we were in some sort of town or city, but there were a few spots of greenery here and there. It must have been late evening,

for I could still see the moon quite low in the sky. I stared at it, wondering if those same people I was thinking about were watching the moon thinking of me too. I watched for a while—a rather long while—until it had gone past the window and over my head. Then, without getting up to get any covers or even a pillow, I lay my head back and fell straight to sleep. When I woke, the sun was just beginning to rise. I watched, not caring if it hurt my eyes, I'd always liked the look of the sunrise.

I thought I'd better get back into bed before it could rise properly though, else people might realise I'm missing.

I still didn't sleep though. I waited for the adults to get up, then, pretending I'd just woken up, gave a big stretch and yawn.

The wedding was that day. Before long us kids were told to: "run along out of the room while the Bride and Groom got ready."

Jay had to get ready too; he was page boy for his brother.

He didn't seem to like the Idea much, but I thought he looked quite cute in his black jacket and red tie.

"I won't have to wear it long, will I dad." He asked Steev just before we left for the car.

"You'll wear it as long as the wedding goes on for, but don't worry, you look very handsome."

Jay sighed. I giggled. Steev turned to me.

"You do too." He said.

I was in one of my mother's old dresses, given to me by Aunt Rose. It was purple, and frilly, and just my size which wasn't very usual for me.

"But I can take it off when we get back." Jay said, just before his dad went out the door.

He hung back for a bit. "That's not for me to decide." Then he left.

It wasn't that long a journey to the church. It was a big church. I thought it was more like a castle really. There were lots of big rooms, and in the middle,

there was a large outdoor space. I didn't really pay attention to all the details of the wedding, but I could tell it was a happy thing.

Jay did look very smart in his page boy outfit, even if he didn't look very happy.

Addison and Sarah, on the other hand, looked happier than anyone else in the room. I'd seen Addison quite a lot of times while growing up, as his dad had been the one to help raise me and Tiana

but I'd only seen Sarah a few times before I went to America.

I knew I had to sit quiet during the service, but I still didn't pay much attention. I did try to, as this was the first wedding I'd ever been to, but I just didn't really find it very interesting. After the service, we all went to a big room, where there were two tables of food at the sides, and there was some dancing starting. I stayed in the corner with Jay and the other kids. Jay had already taken off his jacket, and loosened his tie.

"I thought your dad said to leave it on until the wedding was over."

"He didn't say I had to keep it all on, nor did he say, I couldn't re-arrange things a little."

I laughed.

The afternoon wore on and more people started dancing. But we decided to go and play in the outside area until it was all over.

Unfortunately though, the others decided they wanted photo's before it was over—and wanted them outside.

We did get in some of the photos. One was just of the carpenter family, and Jay stood at the front with his dad and brother. The three sisters stood behind them, and Tiana (though she wasn't technically a proper member of the family.) stood the other side of Steev, in between Roha and Angeline.

When it was—finally—all over, we got back in the cars, drove to the Hotel one last time, to pack again, (and for Jay to get his suit off.) then drove off to Newark to see Rachel, and meet this Larry person.

"If all weddings are this chaotic, I don't think I ever want one." Jay said to his brother.

"You'll change your tune when you get older." Answered Addison.