Waiting for Superman

One more day. Today was my last day of being Kylie MaCauley, tomorrow I would be Mrs. Kylie Patrick Kane. It felt right. I couldn't wait.

Patrick pulled me into him closer, "One day." he said kissing my forehead. I smiled, "Are you ready for this?" I asked him. "Of course" he said. "Are you?" "Absolutely" I answered.

We walked into the kitchen and found the whole bridal party and Patrick's parent cooking breakfast. They erupted into cheer. "There they are." Patrick's Dad yelled.

Patrick was quickly whisked away into a mess of groomsmen, and I into my bridesmaids.

"Okay," Erica said grabbing everyone's attention. She had a binder, and a planner opened up on the kitchen counter. "The rehearsal starts at seven, but the whole bridal party needs to be there by 6:30, the rehearsal dinner is at nine."

After breakfast, we all headed over to the venue where the reception would be held.
...
"Everything is taken care of Mr.and Mrs.Kane." The wedding planner said as she walked us through the hall. "Wow" Patrick said looking up.

The venue was gorgeous, it was covered in blush and ivory flowers and white draping along the walls. It had a sky high ceiling with a clear view of the blue July sky. It's floor length windows on one side, revealed a beautiful lake, golf course, and garden.

The tables were set with blush cloths with lace overlays. The whole room gave off an elegant view. The wedding planner called for the lighting and Patrick and I's names were projected on the floor, along with the number '88'. She flicked another switch and a huge chandelier lit up while other lights gave off a dim romantic glow. The centerpieces stood tall above the tables.

"It's gorgeous." I whispered. Patrick kissed me hard.

...
It was late afternoon and the guys had gone off to someone's apartment to play xbox while the girls started to get ready. I straightened my long blonde hair, put on light makeup, and threw the dark blush dress over my head. It was Kane tradition for the bride to wear the wedding colors to the rehearsal dinner. The first layer of the dress was white lace, the dark blush overlay was chiffon fabric, the chiffon belted at the waist and split at the middle to reveal the lace underlay. Jacqueline pulled my hair into a low bun, and I pulled the top back with a stretch lace headband.

The guys soon returned dressed and ready to go.

We spent what seemed like hours taking pictures. The bride and groom, the bridal party, the groom party, Patrick and his parent, Patrick and I and his parents, Patrick's sisters and I, Patrick's sisters and him, Andrea Kara and I, Patrick and the bridal party, me and the groomsmen, it seemed never ending.

Finally around 6, we headed over to the reception venue. The whole night was demanded to be segregated into bridal party and the grooms party by Mrs. Kane. She said the longer we were kept apart the more special it would be when we were brought back together.

The rehearsal was long, it dragged on and on and on. When it finally came down for me to "walk down the aisle" Mr. Kane looked to me and said. "Kylie, I know you have a father of your own, but since he won't be in attendance, will you allow me the pleasure of walking you down the aisle?" I almost cried on the spot. "Of course, thank you." he took my arm in his and we walked slowly.

Mrs. Kane was bawling in the first row.

"Come on Mom, it's just the rehearsal." Patrick said looking back at her.

Patrick's father took my hand and placed it in Patrick's. The priest stuttered and stumbled through the whole mock ceremony. With every mistake he would make Patrick would look over at me making a dorky face, causing me to burst out laughing more than once. The priest signaled us to turn around and face the crowd, as we held hands he said "I give to you for the first time, Patrick and Kyle Kane."

"Yay-wait what?" Patrick said turning around "Kyle?"

"Oh" the priest said looking at his book again. "Patrick and Kylie Kane."

The bridesmaids, groomsmen and Patricks parents laughed, putting an end to Mrs. Kane's tears. Along with his parents in the audience, sat Abby Sharp and her and Patrick's two daughters, Andrew Shaw's girlfriend Chaunette, Jonathan Toews girlfriend Lindsey,and Sam Gagner's fiance and my close friend Rachel.

It was at that moment that it really hit me, none of my family would be there. My own mother, the woman who I had worked so hard to please my whole life wouldn't be at my wedding. My father wouldn't walk me down the aisle and give me away. My sister wouldn't be my made of honor, wouldn't straighten out my dress and take my flowers when I got to the alter. And then I realized that my real sisters were standing next to me. My two best friends I had had my whole life were next to me, they would take my flowers, and they would straighten out my dress, and my three new best friends, who would someday be god mothers to Patrick and I's children. These were the people that acted like my family, and I loved them for it.

Finally, everyone headed over to Patrick and I's favorite restaurant for the rehearsal dinner, in downtown Chicago. Again Patrick and I were pulled apart into different cars.

The dinner was served, and everyone seemed to be pulling Patrick and I into different conversations. After Patrick's Dad stood up raising his glass, Patrick and I sat next to each other at the head of the table, bridesmaids, groomsmen and there wives and girlfriends on the either side of the table, and Patrick's parents opposite from us.

"Patrick, my only son, and Kylie, my newest daughter, you two have made it through quite a bit together," we laughed "but through all the ups and the downs, you've managed to still like each other, and Kylie god bless you for finally getting this kid off the market." we all laughed again, "but in all seriousness, Kylie," a tear began to fall down his face as he spoke to the whole table "we all know how much you gave up for Patrick and for that we are truly grateful, because you make my son happier than I have ever seen him before."

As he sat, Patrick's mother stood, "I don't think it's any secret how picky I've been with the girls my son has brought home." I laughed through tears, as his mother spoke, "And I looked for flaws in you, Kylie just as closely as I did in anyone else, and after all these months I have found that you are the absolutely perfect woman for my son, and I could not be happier to finally be able to call you my daughter. To Kylie and Patrick," she held up her glass "may you have a long, blissful marriage and for the love of God, finally make me a Grandma!" The whole table laughed, and drank their glasses. "Now get down here and give me a hug!" she said.

I stood up smoothed my dress and walked to the opposite end of the table. "Thank you both so much," I said wiping my tears, giving both of his parents a hug. "Take care of him sweetie, we know you will." his mother said.
"If you both don't mind" Patrick said coming up behind me, he took my hand and lead me outside, onto the balcony that overlooked Chicago.
"Your gonna be a Kane tomorrow" he said in my ear hugging me tight .
I looked up at him and smiled.

"You're sure you want to put up with me forever? Right?" I said.

"Forever and a day." he smiled kissing me softy.

"Hey loverboy! Let's go!" Adam Burish yelled, opening the door to the balcony.

We walked back inside together and kissed goodbye one last time.

The next time we kissed Patrick would be my husband and I would be his wife.

Notes