So I started this chapter when I was feeling well and finished it was I wasn't, so we'll see how the quality of it turns out. I hope you can still enjoy it.

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"You nervous?" Link asked.

Mason met Link's gaze in the reflection of the mirror as he casually straightened his shirt cuffs.

"Do I look nervous?" Mason asked.

Link eyed his brother and slowly shook his head.

"No, which is weird to me."

Mason's calm was a lie. But it was a lie only he knew about. Having grown up under a politician he knew how to present a front to the world that hid his emotions. He felt grateful because he didn't want to show Link how inside he fought the urge to find the nearest window, leap from it and run away.

After all, he was about to marry a girl who knew all the rough sides of him and still loved him. It didn't make sense. He'd known himself for twenty-three years and even he didn't love all of himself. How could she?

"Don't worry," Mason said, grinning at Link. "You won't have to give me a pep talk."

"I had one all written out too."

Mason raised his eyebrows. "Really?"

"No, I didn't think you'd need one. You're always in control."

Mason chuckled and fixed his cuffs again because he was about to marry the girl who made him not feel in control. Was he an idiot? Possibly.

A quick knock came on the door and one of the assistants to the wedding coordinator stuck his head inside the room.

"Mason, your mother wanted to say hi," he said.

"I'll be right out." Mason clapped a hand on Link's shoulder. "Make sure they don't break anything."

With that comment, Link looked to the other groomsmen. They were laughing and already passing around drinks. Yvette had needed seven of them to match her amount of bridesmaids. They were all friends of Mason's, but they were those type of friends he wasn't sure that they were friends because they liked each other or because they'd known each for their whole lives.

As he stepped out of the side room of the church, Mason spotted his mother waiting in a quiet hall lined with arched windows. She was the type of woman who would have looked like the First Lady even if she had never been one: tall, beautiful, confident, compassionate. When she saw Mason, she smiled.

"Hello, darling," she said, hugging him.

She smelled of French perfume. Mason pulled back and glanced over her shoulder. His mother smiled and straightened his tie.

"No, your father didn't come with me," she said. "But he is here."

With a huff, Mason turned away from his mother, staring out a window onto the reception tent.

"Does he know that I didn't invite him but Yvette did," he said.

His mother let out a low sigh, tilting her head. "Mason, when are you going to forgive your father?"

"I was thinking on his deathbed," he said. "There's a certain poetry in that, don't you think?"

For a long moment, his mother simply studied him.

"Do you know why I forgave him?"

"To be honest, I don't. I find the fact that you did to be your one flaw."

His mother merely smiled at him. She alone was the one person who could see his quips for what they were, a well-crafted shield.

"I forgave him, not because he said he was sorry, but because he asked me to forgive him." Mason raised his eyebrows at her, not seeing the connection. She rested against the wall, meeting Mason's eyes. "It's so easy to say sorry. Everyone is sorry. Sorry for being caught. Sorry that they have to face consequences. But sorry is about them, what they feel. When someone asks for a person to forgive them it means they are thinking of the other person. Asking for forgiveness isn't a weakness but a gift, it's saying you see the hurt you've caused and want to remedy it."

She reached out and touched Mason's lapel. "I forgave him because he gave me the option of not forgiving him."

Mason pressed his hands into the stone wall, not looking at his mother. He thought of how his father had asked him for forgiveness the first time he and Link had been in the same room with him. He remembered the hurt he felt looking at his father, thinking of the lies and how he'd betrayed his wife, Mason's mother. The one person he felt truly loved him.

"I'm not you," he said. "I don't find it that easy."

"I know, but I'm not asking you to forgive him for him, but for you."

At that, Mason raised his head. How could this be about him and not his father?

"Mason, I don't want you to be someone who can't forgive. Someone who is wronged once and closes the door to that person. If Yvette were to hurt you, would you forgive her?"

"Of course," Mason said without needing to think about it.

"You say that now, but marriage is something that takes work, it's not easy. It's a destination and journey. It's successes and failures. Having a forgiving heart will make it easier."

Mason released a slow breath. But before he could find a reply, the wedding coordinator stuck their head into the hallway.

"Mother of the groom we need you in the reception hall," she said. "Mason, you need to head to the sanctuary side door. Link will be waiting there."

Mason's mother smiled up at Mason and cupped his cheek. "I hope you know I'm proud of you." She kissed his cheek. "We both are."

The coordinator led his mother away and Mason walked off, his mother's words ringing in his head. When he found Link, he paused. His brother fidgeted with his suit jacket and straightened his tie.

"Do I look all right?" Link asked.

Mason didn't respond, instead he stared at one of the people who'd forgiven their father and who had always forgiven Mason, no matter how many times he messed up. Link smiled.

"Right," he said. "Not my big day, it doesn't matter if I look all right."

Mason hugged his brother and Link froze for a half-second, before returning the hug.

"This is new," Link said.

Mason pulled away and pressed down the front of his suit. He cleared his throat.

"Thank you, for being my Best Man."

Link gripped Mason's shoulder. "Thanks for being mine."

"Technically, Donovan was your Best Man," Mason said.

"You know what I mean."

The two brothers grinned at each other. The coordinator hurried up to them.

"Okay, it's time," she said.

When she opened the side door, Mason heard the soft strains of music floating through the sanctuary.

"Last chance to make a run for it," Link said.

Mason looked at him. "How'd you-"

"I've known you long enough to see when you're lying about your emotions. You straightened your cuffs twice when once was only needed."

Instead of being embarrassed, Mason felt comforted that Link knew him.

"I'm not running," Mason said and stepped into the sanctuary.

Heads turned towards him as he took his spot at the front of the church, Link taking the place next to him. Mason found Carter and Donovan among his side and knew his decision not to ask Donovan to be a groomsman had been a good one. After all, this was his day too and he wasn't going to be upstaged in the looks department by a groomsman.

He then found his father. When his father met Mason's eyes he gave him a tentative smile. After a brief hesitation, Mason nodded his acknowledgment to him. It wasn't forgiveness, but for the time being, it was an acceptance that he was at his wedding.

When Mason looked away and surveyed the rest of the guests, he was struck by the differences between his side and Yvette's side. His side was subdued and made up of mostly serious-looking politicians where Yvette's side was talkative and lively like the reception had already started and they were enjoying the party.

Mason was happy he'd met and fallen in love with Yvette before he met her family, otherwise he wondered if he'd marry her just to know them. They were everything he'd never had growing up, loving, vibrant, and boisterous.

His whole life had been restraints, but with them, it was 'come as you are'. Though she was an only child, her cousins were like family to her. Cousins who had successfully intimidated Mason the first time he'd met them. But also the ones that could match Mason in verbal jabs and accepted him like he was born into the family.

The music shifted and the back doors to the sanctuary opened and the line of bridesmaids and groomsmen proceeded down the aisle. Already Mason knew his groomsmen had been flirting with the bridesmaids in the way they smiled at each other. He only hoped his friends wouldn't make complete idiots of themselves. But knowing them, that had already happened.

At the front, they split, lining up on either side. Then the moment that Mason both anticipated and feared happened. The back doors opened and Yvette walked through on the arm of her father.

When he saw he forgot to breathe. She wasn't simply beautiful, she was stunning. Her eyes gleamed with a happiness that took his breath away. It was a happiness caused by him.

He swallowed hard, fighting back hundreds of emotions.

When they stopped at the front, Mason had to force his feet to move. Yvette's father kissed her cheek then he smiled at Mason.

He was a kind, stout Hispanic man and still, Mason felt terrified of him. Mason wished his father-in-law looked more intimidating because it would be easier to explain his fear of this genial man. At least Yvette had intimidating cousins that could not only break him in half if they wanted but were lawyers and could get away with their crime.

But all those thoughts were forgotten when Yvette took his hand and beamed up at him. He stared back, his whole heart laying at her feet.

The preacher began the ceremony and Mason heard half of it. All he could see was Yvette the confidence in which she spoke her vows. She knew, she knew to her core that he was the person she wanted to spend her life with. How could she be so sure? He was messed up? He couldn't even forgive his father, yet she loved him. She loved him.

"I Mason James Douglas, take Yvette Gloriana Rojas to be my wife," Mason said, the words terrifying and inspiring him as he continued.

To have. To Hold. The thought of wrapping her in his arms filled his mind. Better or worse. She was the better, he was the worse. Richer or poorer. Sickness. Health. Love. Cherish. Till death. All of it, he wanted all of it. Wanted to share it all with her.

When the preacher announced that he could now kiss the bride, Mason kissed her like he never wanted to stop.

******

The reception tent bubbled with laughter and voices as happiness abounded. Twinkle lights hung from everywhere giving the place an enchanted feeling. Mason smiled and thanked people for their well-wishes but all he wanted to do was take Yvette's hand, find a secluded place and kiss her until they were both dizzy.

Wife. His wife. The thought was foreign and familiar. When Carter talked about Donovan as her husband there was always a note of something deep beneath it. Until this moment Mason hadn't understood what it meant, but now he did. It was an understanding that there was one person in your life you would give anything for.

When there was a break in the line of well-wishers, Yvette leaned close to Mason, her eyes glinting but keen.

"There's something going on in that head of yours," she whispered. "Do you want to share?"

"I was thinking of ditching this reception and going straight to the honeymoon," Mason said.

Yvette kissed him, laughing.

"I know that is something you were thinking but there's something else."

Mason betrayed himself by finding his father among the guests.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

The answer came swiftly. Years of dealing with problems on his own was second nature to him. A nature that would be hard to break out of. To her credit, Yvette didn't look offended.

"All right," she said. "But I'm here if you want to."

The graciousness of her response reminder Mason of how much he didn't deserve this understanding woman. He was well aware that he might never deserve her. Before he could say something to make up for his refusal, Link rose and clinked his champagne flute calling for everyone's attention. The volume in the tent quieted as all eyes found Link.

"Since the maid of honor gave her speech I believe it's my time," Link said. "But before I go I want to call on Carter and see if she had words to share."

Mason spotted Carter at a nearby table, scowling at Link. But with everyone looking at her, she stood, glass in hand. But she didn't raise it.

"I've known Mason since high school," Carter said. "So that means that I don't have anything good to say about him and don't like him enough to fake it." She raised her glass. "Yvette, you are a brave woman."

Everyone laughed and applauded. Mason shot Carter a half-hearted annoyed look which she returned with a pleased smirk.

"Then that means it's my turn," Link said. He cleared his throat. "Growing up I always wanted a brother. Someone kind, understanding, and supportive." He smiled. "Instead I got Mason."

Laughter rippled through the air and Yvette kissed Mason's cheek.

"What I thought I wanted in a brother was someone who would always cheer me on. But what I got was more than I could have imagined. I got someone who challenged me, forced me to be a better man. Instead of someone who looked past all my faults, I got a brother who called me out on my mistakes. I got a brother who didn't encourage me to get up when I fell but hauled me out of the ruts in my life."

Link ducked his head and cleared his throat, though this time it was to keep his emotions in check. He looked to Mason.

"When I got you as a brother I got someone who not only loved me but someone who loved me enough to forgive me when I messed up." The words hit home to Mason as Link lifted his glass. "Knowing the type of amazing brother you are I have no doubt you will be the best kind of husband to Yvette. I'm so proud I get to be in your life."

As everyone cheered and toasted, Mason stood and clasped Link on the shoulder. He wouldn't go as far as hugging him with everyone watching. That was something private. Link grinned at him, seeming to understand.

When they sat back down, Mason found his father again. He was beaming at his two sons and Mason knew what he had to do. After more toasts were given, Mason excused himself, motioning to his father. They exited the tent and walked a ways off until the sound of celebrating was background noise.

Mason stopped walking and faced his father. His father said nothing, his manner quiet and patient. Everything in Mason wanted to leave him and return to his reception and his wife. He didn't want to forgive, he didn't want to let his father think that what he did was okay.

He began to pace, agitated. Still, his father remained silent as if knowing his thoughts.

Mason wanted his father to always feel the weight of his mistake.

But it was a mistake that gave him a brother who loved him. Would he want it undone if it meant Link wasn't in his life?

Mason thought of his mother, her generous spirit. He thought of Yvette who loved him and forgave him his faults. Link who believed he was the type of person who needed forgiveness from Mason when Mason knew he was the screwup.

Taking a breath, Mason stopped. He held out his arms, surrendering.

"I forgive you," he said.

The simple words lifted a burden off his shoulders he didn't realize had sat there for years.

He half expected his father to make a comment about it being a long time coming, but instead, he touched Mason's shoulder.

"Thank you," he said, his voice rough with emotion.

They stood there caught in a bubble of emotion and Mason almost thought they would embrace. But some steps would take time. With a nod at each other, they headed back to the tent. As they walked, his father gripped his shoulder, and Mason felt comforted by the gesture for the first time in a long time.

"Thank you for letting me come," his father said.

Mason sucked back in his comment of how Yvette was the one to invite him.

"I'm glad you came."

When they reentered the noisy reception, Mason broke away from his father. He walked to the wedding party table and held out his hand to Yvette. She joined him on the dance floor. The music swelled as he pulled her into his arms, breathing in the scent of her. The crowd hushed as they watched the couple.

"How did it go?" she asked softly.

Mason pulled back and looked at her. There was a quiet understanding. She knew. She knew exactly what had happened. Everything clicked for Mason then.

"You invited him for this reason, didn't you?" he said. "You wanted to give me a chance to finally forgive my father."

She smiled at him. A smile so sweet and pure that he almost believed her next words.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

He kissed her. He almost believed her words, but not quite.

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Hey there Doodle!

Leave all your thoughts, emotions, motions, lotions and ice cream here! 🗯💭💬

I know this isn't the wedding chapter you were expecting cause it's not very cute, but I was most interested in exploring Mason's emotional growth.

And since I'm the writer then tough nuts you just have to be okay with what I gave you. ☺️

I do hope you liked it, if not don't tell me. Okay you can tell me but I'm not sure I'll listen.

Vote, comment, follow! You know do you're thing!

Also this is Yvette and Mason