Chapter 79 - Funny Looks

"Drink responsibly now, would hate to see you get injured." He patted Dean on the cheek but the action was with affection. "See you inside."

My mom and dad started to go into the venue but Dean pulled up alongside us. "If you guys don't mind, can I hang out with you for a bit? Just until my family arrives." I raised an eyebrow in surprise but to my even bigger shock my Dad was cool with it. In fact, he was more ecstatic than I anticipated.

"Sure kid if you don't mind talking to some old geezers. By the way what is your bet for the playoffs this season? I have my bets but this years rookies are making the plays more interesting."

"Of course any chance your dad gets to talk baseball he is like a kid in a candy store." My mom whispered to me. She may have sounded a bit annoyed but she looked at my dad lovingly. He is constantly at work and his time to unwind by himself would be through baseball. 

Dean thankfully showed no displeasure and dived deep into conversation with him about different teams and players. Dean was a good player back in school. The coaches always praised his athleticism and wanted him to go pro but Dean never did.

I asked him about it once when we were alone in the student affairs office. He answered on the condition we traded. "As much as I like baseball, playing as a job would kill the join in the game for me. I live for pleasure and my own gratification. Besides I have my mind set on bigger things. And playing baseball is not in those plans."

Having recalled that memory, it also puzzled me. 'I wonder what those plans were? Has he found it?'

The usher led us to the rows in the pews for the ceremony. We set aside two seats for Deans parents and we took up the other seats in the row. Some of the guests who came gave us funny looks. In the sea of faces, most were spooked whereas others were confused.

Normally the pews were separated where one side was the brides friends and family, whereas the other is the grooms. But due to the fact that Rebecca and Alan shared too many friends it was split where family was on one side was family and the other was friends.

From our seats it was hard to see who was coming in but people came up to say hi every so often. Noemi and her husband came in as well as their parents. They sat in the row behind us and her mother began to converse with mine.

Noemi leaned in and whispered loudly to me. "You would not believe who I just saw. Felix and Sol came in but also in their company is his parents. His mother looks like she is passing a kidney stone." She giggled in my ear and I swatted her hand in jest. 

After our last encounter I expected them to come and was fully aware of Sol being here. But the others most likely did not know or forgot. The seats around us were being filled quickly but to my shock Felix and his company still came over to greet my Dad. "Enzo glad to see you are in good health." Felix's father Frank Carter was the first to speak. 

He was absent from the last event so I was surprised he came around this time. "Minerva you look stunning, and Celeste you appear healthy and... glowing." As always Toni Carter had some odd passive aggressive comment reserved for me. She was implying something that I wasn't sure I wanted to fully be sure was her intent.

I just never understood her, if she wanted me back for her son why not be nicer to me. "Yes Celeste you look great." Sol butt in and tried pulling her away. I had to give Sol some credit, she did not forget my threat.

The Carters were all dressed similarly. Sol and Toni matched in yellow dresses while the men wore tan. 'I wonder just how much Mrs. Carter argued with Felix before giving in and matching.'

I was thankful Gina did not choose the yellow dress she wanted and went with a muted dusty pink color instead. I would have almost matched.

"Excuse me you are blocking our seats." Deans parents had just arrived. His mother Estelle and his father León came in and looked curiously at the Carters. Deans father looked stern as usual but his mother who normally wore a bright smile also appeared miffed.

Her smile was a stiff straight line. Frank grunted a brief greeting before shuffling everyone to make room for the Cortez family to take a seat. I was surprised Dean did not make any comments aside from just getting up to greet his parents.

He was not the biggest fan of anyone there at the moment. Once seat my mother and Deans mother began conversing brightly as if the Carters were not there. "Estelle it has been absolute ages how have you been doing?" My mother gushed over her and she did the same. "Minnie it has been! And Celeste you look like a star! Pink is truly your color."

"Thank you Estelle. You too look so stunning in navy." I complimented her back. "Estelle I was not aware you would be coming, I must say-" Before Toni could speak further the usher came up and started pushing them to the back. "The ceremony is beginning soon, all guests must be seated."

In their stay they did not realize that their seats were now further back than before. "Mother lets go." Felix finally spoke up but he did not look good, he gave me a weird look before leading the group away.

Within seconds after leaving the rest of the staff made movements to get the ceremony started. The small quartet took position and the photographers and videographers got set up as well. Soon the groom took his place at the altar. With his cue the music started and we waited with baited breath for the announcement of the bride to walk down.