Chapter 13-Never Til Now
18 months later:
I stood in the sunroom, colorful leaves outside. Nicole entered, handing me a box. “Mama said to give you this,” she said. I gave her something to take back. “Thanks. Will you bring this to Mama? Are the girls almost done with photos?” I asked. “Yeah, Aunt Tori’s coming. Are you getting into your dress?” Nicole replied. “Yes, but you’ll see it at the ceremony,” I smiled.
Just then, Tori came into the room with my other bridesmaids. “You all look so beautiful,” I said, tearing up.
Demi handed me a glass of Champagne. “This is for you, sister,” she said. I thanked her as Karrion entered for a quick hug. Our bond had grown strong; he now felt like the brother I always wanted. Tori and Scarlett ushered him out.
No one had seen my dress, not even my daughters. I entered the small walk-in closet and slipped into my Crowl Neck Scoop Back A-line dress.
I tapped on the door, allowing the girls to take a peek for the first time.
When I emerged, the girls teared up. “Cici, as my maid of honor and oldest, you get to zip me up,” I said. Tori and Sydney helped close the dress while Cici zipped it. Mandy retouched all our makeup before we were ready.
Pam and I skipped a first look, opting for a last touch outside. Cici and Scarlett led me to the meeting spot for the photographer’s shot. I reached around the wall and felt Pammy’s hand find mine. Tears started—Cici sobbed, and I heard Nicole sniffling from the other side.
“Something Old,” Sydney said, handing me a small picture frame. “This was the night we all met; it’s something old, but it’s a lifelong, heartfelt memory,” Demi said. “Something new,” Cici said, handing me the wrapped box Nicole had hand-delivered earlier. I unwrapped it; it was a bracelet with four little owls, representing our family of 4. “I have your something borrowed.” We looked up to see Karrion standing there. “They are about ready to start.” He said, tears in his eyes, slipping his hair tie on my wrist, kissing me on the side of the head. “And you’re something purple,” Stephanie said, handing me my flowers and giving me a small hug before lining up behind Tori. As each one left to walk the Aisle, they either touched my hand or squeezed me. “You ready, Sis?” Karrion said, giving me his arm. “As ready as I will ever be, let’s do this,” I said, taking his arm. “You’re shaking.” He said, holding tight as All Yourn’ stopped. Amber Leigh Irish’s cover of Yellow by Coldplay began playing as we entered the October air.
Pam’s face lit up and then crumbled with emotion when she saw me. We got to the end of the Aisle. “Who agrees to these two ladies being married?” Shawn said. “I, as her brother, agree to this marriage,” Karrion said, lifting my veil and kissing my cheek before he gave Pam my hand.
We decided that instead of writing vows, we would write each other a letter and put them in a handmade box, crafted by Shayna, to be opened on our first wedding anniversary. Every aspect and detail of our wedding represented Pam’s wrestling life and their acceptance of me and my girls into their world.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of 2 beautiful souls, Pam, who I’ve seen grow from the little tree-hugging girl from San Jose to an attractive mature beast in the ring, and Brittany, who, over the last 3 years has become one of our own, and I have had the blessing of counseling them to prepare for today. “If anyone has any objections, now is the time to speak up; otherwise, you will remain silent,” Shawn said just as someone shot up from the crowd.
Pam and I looked to see Ryan standing there, before Nia headed over to him. Karrion stood up, heading for the back, and Nia waved Karrion back to his seat. Nia reached Ryan’s side before putting her hand over his mouth, but before Nia could drag him out, Cici ran towards him, giving him a Bron Breaker Spear, leaving him lying on the ground. Nia grabbed him by the foot and dragged him away, soon returning. “Sorry, please continue; I just had to take out the trash.” She said with a smile, sitting down in her seat.
“I’m Yours” played as Nicole took Pam’s hand and Cici took mine. We created a unity sand bottle: Yellow for me, Purple for Pam, Blue for Cici, and Pink for Nicole. Guests could add thumbprints to a canvas at the reception. Back at the front, Shawn explained we wrote letters for each other, to be opened on our anniversary. Alexandra Kay’s “That’s What Love Is” played as we exchanged letters, then rings, my hands trembling. Cici comforted me. “Congratulations to Ms. and Mrs. Martinez,” Shawn said. Pam and I shared our first kiss as a married couple.
“Before we head to appetizer hour, I would like to make it known that as Pam and Brittany signed the marriage license, it was brought to my attention this morning that Pam has legally adopted Cecilia and Nicole, making them a family of four,” Shawn announced to our guests, who clapped and cheered. Before walking out with my wife, I put my arm around Cici and Nicole, creating our first family of four group hug.
We enjoyed appetizers, and Dinner was served. Pam, who was aware of the calorie intake of 90% of our guests, decided on a delicious, low-calorie Brownie ice cream sundae. Shortly after Dinner, we made our way out of the venue for our entrance. Jessica and Daria were handed the microphone. “Hi, we are Daria and Jessica, friends with both brides. Let’s get ready to Rumble. Announcing the Wedding Party.
Maid of Honor, Daughter of the Bride’s Cicila Martinez,
Best woman- Daughter of the Brides- Nicole Martinez.
Matron of Honor- Best friend of the Bride- Demi Adams,
Bridewoman- Sister of the Bridegroom Jessica Martinez
Bridesmaid- Best friend of the Bride- Victoria Gonzalez
Bridewoman- Friend of the Bridegroom- Ashley Alfaro
Bridesmaid- Friend of the Bride- Stephanie Vaquer
Bridewoman- Best friend of the Bridegroom- Trinity Fatu
Bridesmaid- Friend of the Bride- Sydney Zmrzel
Bridewoman- Friend of the Bridegroom- Aoife Cusack
Bridesmaid- Sister-in-law of the Bride- Elizabeth Kesar
Bridewoman- Sister of the Bridegroom- Brenda Martinez
Bridesmaid- Friend of the Bride- Thea Trinidad
Bridewoman- Best friend of the Bridegroom- Mercedes Varado…
And now, proudly announcing the woman of the hour and probably a lifetime. Congratulations to Pam and Brittany Martinez.”
As we entered, I looked at everything we built—despite my ex-husband’s challenges, getting him to sign away rights so Pam could adopt the girls was the best choice for their future.
“So I need Pam and Brittany out on the dance floor for the first dance,” the DJ announced before we saw Alexa walk up and take the microphone. “Ok, sisters, you didn’t allow me to be a bridesmaid, you didn’t ask me to plan the wedding; I mean, come on, I knew my present had to be big; I love you both with all of my heart, Please enjoy my gift to you, I hope you find incredible happiness.” She said before a tune we didn’t know started playing through the DJ speakers.
“I’m a picture-perfect painting of imperfection
I’m a walking definition of unsettled and restless
The needle in my compass points anywhere but home
I thought I’d always be alone ’cause
I never wanted to tap my brakes
I never wanted to settle down
I was always one foot out the door
I never thought about turning around
I never saw myself with a white picket fence dug into the ground
Never ’til now
Out of all the prayеrs I’ve prayed
You’re Hеaven’s answer
Out of all the hell I’ve been through
I never thought you’d be out there
But thank God you were right there ’cause
I never wanted to tap my brakes
I never wanted to settle down
I was always one foot out the door
I never thought about turning around
I never saw myself with a white picket fence dug into the ground
Never ’til now
Never ’til you walked into that bar
Never ’til we talked over that song
Never ’til we danced ’til closin’ time
Never ’til you proved me wrong
‘Bout the kind of love you fall so hard
You never hit the ground
Never ’til now
Oh, never ’til now
Yeah, the kind of love you fall so hard
You never hit the ground
Never ’til now
Never ’til you walked into that bar
Never ’til we talked over that song
Never ’til we danced ’til closing time
Never ’til you proved me wrong
‘Bout the kind of love you fall so hard
You never hit the ground
Never ’til now
Yeah, the kind of love you fall so hard
You never hit the ground
Never ’til now.”
During our first dance, all I saw was Pam. After all we’d been through, I never wanted to leave her arms. We found Alexa afterward. “Thank you for our song,” I said. She hugged me: “Demi and Tori told me your story, so I wrote ‘Never Til Now.’ I sang it for the girls last night—they made me surprise you. I’m so happy for you both.” I wiped my tears. “It was perfect—you have to record it for us to keep.”
Karrion stepped to the dance floor. “Hello, I’m Kevin. I’ve known Brittany since childhood. After reconnecting, I saw how much she missed a brother-dad dance and felt her family’s absence. Liz said that wasn’t fair—now, I’m your brother, always. Liz and I wish you and Pam a blessed marriage.” As “Wind Beneath My Wings” played, he held me for our dance. “Sis, you’re my hero,” he said.
After the first dances were over, it was the biggest party of our lives. Dancing with our friends and our daughters, bouncing as a group to “Shut up and dance,” was the night’s biggest highlight. As the night began to slow down, Karrion and Liz approached us. “It’s almost midnight. You should be getting changed for the airport.” Liz said that when I noticed everyone was waiting for us to exit.
We changed out of our wedding outfits. Before we left for the airport, the DJ called all the single ladies out to the dance floor for one more moment. On the count of 3, Pam threw her flowers, which Cici had caught. I went to throw mine, but I quickly turned and walked up to Tori, handing it to her. I knew Adam was going to ask her to marry him. It was the best gift because she had been a wonderful friend. We hugged our daughters and were excited to head to the Bahamas for 2 weeks.
