Empty Net
Page 16

 Toni Aleo

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Unlike Audrey, Fallon didn’t want him to give her away. Well, really, they were both hardheaded and no one would swallow their pride to ask the other to be the one to walk Fallon down the aisle. It was sad really, even though their father had been hard on them, and made them both feel like they were worthless, she still loved him. William took good care of Audrey, but that was only because she never went against what he said.
She was the doting daughter, unlike Fallon.
Audrey grinned as she glanced back at her hardheaded, strong, beautiful sister. Fallon never backed down to anyone, well, except maybe Lucas. But now, she looked just as worried as William did. She was probably wondering the same thing Audrey was; why was he there and they didn’t have to wait long for the answer.
“You both look spectacular,” William said in his strong deep voice.
Audrey smiled as she swished her dress back and forth. Fallon really did do a good job picking her dress. Audrey loved it. “Thank you, daddy.”
“Thanks,” Fallon said as he took a step forward, “Isn’t the wedding about to start? Shouldn’t you be out there with mom?”
William stopped in his place, his eyes filling with sorrow as he looked down at them.
What the hell was going on?
Audrey had never seen her father look at them like that. He always had love in his eyes for them, but at that moment, to her, it seemed that his eyes held regret.
“I know, but I wanted to see you before you went out.”
Fallon moved her free hand down the side of her dress, moving it out so that the dress was full. Audrey glanced back at their father waiting for him to go on. Just as he was about to say something the door opened again, and Grace Justice entered.
“Fallon, Audrey, we’re ready to start,” she said with a smile on her face.
“We’re com-”
“It will be a minute,” William said sternly interrupting Fallon.
Grace looked taken aback before she retreated out the door while Fallon glared up at William and Audrey looked at him confused.
Again, what the hell was going on?
“Audrey, will you excuse us, honey?”
Audrey nodded but Fallon dug her nails into her wrist, causing Audrey to shriek at the pain. “Fallon!”
“Anything you need to say to me can be said in front of Audrey,” Fallon said with her chin a little higher. Audrey looked back up at William, and saw that his neck was flushed. He was getting mad and for some reason he was controlling it.
That was new.
“Fine,” he said clearing his throat, “I wanted to say that you are beautiful, Fallon. Lucas is a lucky man to have the opportunity to make you his wife.”
Fallon took in a deep breath as William continued, “I am proud of everything that you have accomplished in the last couple months. Most of all, I am proud of you for becoming the woman I knew you were destined to be, which is a great mother, a wonderful wife, and one hell of a business owner.”
Audrey eyes filled with tears as Fallon continued to take in deep breaths. When she glanced back at her sister and saw the tears also filling her eyes, Audrey let go of hers. She knew that Fallon always wanted William’s approval and to get it on the most important day of her life was the perfect addition to her Happily Ever After.
“Thank you,” Fallon said in a whisper, “that means a lot.”
“It’s the truth. I love you two very much,” he croaked out.
“And we love you, Daddy,” Audrey cried as she wrapped her arms around him. She felt William move, and then Fallon’s tear streaked face was beside hers, hugging their father tightly. They held onto each other for a long time before Audrey backed up, taking Fallon’s hand in hers.
“This is gonna be a great day!”
Fallon smiled as William wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“I only regret that I’m not giving you away to that knucklehead you’re marryin’.”
Fallon smiled as she glanced up at him, “It’s not too late, Dad, we haven’t left the room yet.”
For the first time ever Audrey watched her father’s eyes fill with tears, “It would be an honor, honey.”
Yup, this was going to be the best day ever.
***
Tate was convinced he looked dumb in his fitted dress suit. He was too tall and thin and it made him look like a noddle. For that reason, he only owned one suit, and he wore it to everything he needed to. Lucas was lucky Tate loved both Lucas and Fallon, or he would be at home, eating cupcakes and watching TV in a pair of shorts; not wearing a stuffy grey suit that made him look stupid.
Tate ran his hand down the front of his suit and took in a deep breath as he looked around for either of his friends, and teammates, Phillip or Erik. They said they would meet him there so he wouldn’t have to do the whole wedding thing alone. He had never been to a wedding, this was his first, and for some reason, he felt uneasy. He didn’t know why. Thankfully, he wouldn’t have to think about it, because Erik and Phillip came into view.
Phillip Anderson was the guy on the team all the girl fans lusted over, a lot of the guys didn’t like him, but Tate did. Anderson was a good guy, funny. With his dark blonde hair, baby blue eyes, and easy smile, Tate had no problems getting along with him. Erik Titov was the complete opposite of Phillip. He was dark featured, with dark black hair and dark green eyes. He was new to the team, after being brought up from the Rays. Tate and Erik were friends back in Florida, and Tate was more than glad to see him when he joined the Assassins. He was a great guy, quiet and a little obsessed with Xbox but all in all, a good guy.