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Levi’s Sister’s Wedding
MAY 2012
Cath was nervous. Really nervous. She was sitting in the front seat of Levi’s truck wearing a pretty purple V-neck dress with white flowers on it. The skirt was flowy and went to her knees. Her hair was half-up and half-down with her long brown waves cascading over her shoulders. Levi climbed into the truck looking so handsome that Cath’s breath almost caught. Her stomach did a little flip. Levi. They had only had their first date three months ago, but she had already told him she loved him. And he loved her. Levi loved her. And now she was going to meet his family. His WHOLE family. Not just his mom and dad and sisters…all of his cousins…his aunts and uncles…and strangers. Cath was nervous. Her stomach was unsettled, and not just from how handsome Levi looked. What if his family didn’t like her?
“Will Reagan be there?” Cath asked.
“Yeah, I think so! She and Hannah became friends when we dated,” Levi said. Hannah was the bride. Mark was the groom. Cath didn’t want to forget their names and make a fool of herself. She was nervous about dancing, too. She was fine to dance alone in her dorm room. Or even with Wren during their emergency dance parties. But in a room full of people? Dancing was so intimate, and she’d be on display. Maybe Levi wouldn’t ask her to dance. She snorted to herself, of course Levi was going to ask her to dance. Levi was probably going to dance with everyone.
“Cather?” Levi was staring at her. She had been so lost in thought she didn’t notice.
“Hmm?” She looked over at Levi. Beautiful Levi with his grey suit and his purple tie that matched her dress and his blonde hair that had been obviously handled. He just had a haircut yesterday to be “picture ready”, he said.
“Are you okay?” Levi asked, furrowing his brow. She loved his eyebrows. “You look a little…apprehensive.”
“Yeah. Yes. I’m fine. I just really want your family to like me.” Cath admitted.
“They’re going to love you. Because I love you.” Levi reassured her, taking her hand in his. He kissed her knuckles. She smiled at him, and he beamed. “You look beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you. So do you,” she replied.
****
They pulled up to his parents’ ranch and Levi jumped out of the truck. He ran around to Cath’s side to help her out.
“Cath?” Levi said. Cath looked up at him. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“Of course,” she said.
The ceremony was being held down the road at Levi’s mom’s church and the celebration after was being held at the ranch. Levi said the church was within walking distance and Cath was glad she had decided to wear ballet flats instead of heels. Although, by the looks of things, she should have worn cowboy boots. When they walked in the house they were greeted by three of Levi’s sisters–all in matching sage green bridesmaids’ dresses and matching cowboy boots–and Levi’s mom, Marlisse. She was a short, chubby, blonde woman with a huge smile, just like Levi’s. She grabbed him and pulled him into a big hug the moment she saw him walk through the door. Levi refused to let go of Cath’s hand which meant Cath was dragged alongside the hug while Levi wrapped his free arm around his mom.
“My baby boy is home!” Marlisse exclaimed.
“Mom,” Levi said warmly, disentangling from the hug. “I want you to meet Cather.”
“Oh, Cather! I’ve heard so much about you!” Marlisse hugged Cath. Levi still wouldn’t let go of her hand.
“It’s really nice to meet you, Mrs. Stewart. You can call me Cath,” Cath said, her lips remembering to form a pleasant smile.
“Oh please, honey, call me Marlisse,” Levi’s mom said.
“Cath, these are my sisters, Rebecca, Rachel, and Beth.” Levi’s sisters waved at her. She waved and smiled back. Levi’s youngest sister was blonde like his mom and him, but the other two sisters had honey-brown hair and brown eyes. Levi and his sister – Beth? – had blue eyes like their mom. Cath wondered what Hannah looked like.
“Come in, come in,” Marlisse said, ushering them into a sitting room that was decorated in peach and cream. Levi pulled Cath along and sat down on the couch–the antique couch (no wonder Levi loved antique couches.)--and settled Cath next to him, still holding her hand, like if he let go she might run away. He leaned over and kissed her on the top of the head.
“So, Cather, Levi told us you’re a twin!” Marlisse said, fascinated.
“Yes, identical,” Cath said, unsure how to respond.
“It must be something else walking around with someone who has the same face as you,” Marlisse said, chuckling.
“It’s all I’ve ever known,” Cath replied, politely.
“Of course, of course,” Marlisse said. “And you study English?”
“I do.”
“Cath’s a writer,” Levi said proudly, looking at Cath with that same awe in his eyes that he always had when she read him something she had written.
“Well that’s wonderful!” Marlisse replied. She had a big, toothy smile on her face that reminded Cath of Levi when he was meeting new people.
“You have a beautiful home here,” Cath said.
“Well thank you darling!” Marlisse drawled. It was the same drawl that Levi got sometimes when he’d been home for a while. Cath already loved being here, seeing where Levi came from.
“Mom?” a voice called from upstairs. Marlisse popped up and hurried out of the room saying something along the lines of “duty calls!”.
Levi put his arm around Cath after Marlisse had left the room and pulled her into him. She loved being snuggled into Levi. His solid warm body always felt like an anchor for her. Cath wondered at what point a person determined they wanted to spend the rest of their lives with someone, because right now, she couldn’t imagine life without Levi’s constant presence in it.
“Hey, Cather…” Cath looked up at him. He kissed her on the nose. “Want to read me some fanfiction?” He waggled his eyebrows?
“Here?! No!” Cath felt a pang of panic. There was no way she wanted Levi’s mom to find out she wrote gay wizard fanfiction. Levi burst out laughing and Cath relaxed, rolling her eyes. She gave him a gentle smack in his chest.
“Levi,” a honey-brown haired sister (Rachel?) popped her head in the doorway of the room.
“Yes, Rach?” (It WAS Rachel!)
“The photographer is upstairs and Hannah wants you in a couple of the shots.” Rachel said. Levi stood up and turned to Cath letting her know he would be right back. Cath nodded and turned to Rachel as she sat down in a chair across from Cath.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Cather,” Rachel said.
“Please, call me Cath,” Cath said, giving her a polite grin.
“Sorry – Cath,” Rachel replied with a smile. She had a big grin like her brother and her mom. Rachel was older than Cath, older than Levi even. Cath thought that Rachel must be the first-born Stewart child. She had a wedding ring on her left hand and there were smile lines at the corner of her eyes.
“Did you all have braces or do you just have naturally great smiles?” Cath asked before she realized what she was saying. Rachel laughed.
“No braces here! We can thank our Mama for that,” Rachel said, smiling wider. She leaned in toward Cath. “Can I tell you something?” Rachel said, conspiratorially.
“Sure,” Cath said, leaning in to match Rachel.
“I have never, in my life, seen my brother as happy as he’s been these last few months. And I’ve been around for his whole life,” Rachel said. Cath couldn’t help but smile. “He was a bit of a mess when he came home for Christmas, said he had royally screwed up with this girl he liked but then he came home for Beth’s birthday in March and he was like a little sunbeam and that’s when we found out he had patched things up and had a new girlfriend.”
“Oh, well, I am very glad to hear that,” Cath said. Her cheeks were turning hot and she was sure she was blushing a bit. Rachel just smiled wider.
“Would you like a tour?” Rachel asked. “Of the house, I mean? I’m sure Levi will give you a full tour of the ranch later.”
“Sure,” Cath replied, happy to have a reason to change the subject. Rachel stood up and Cath followed her around the house, learning more about Marlisse’s decorating style in every room they wandered into. There were family photos in every room and Cath loved watching little Levi grow up next to his four sisters, his mom, and his dad.
***
The wedding was beautiful. Levi’s sister Hannah was blonde like him and her new husband had dark black hair. Cath wondered what their children would look like. The couple recited their own vows and there was more prayer than Cath was expecting, but she supposed she should have known. Cath sat with Levi and Reagan during the ceremony. She was glad to have a friend other than Levi here. Although she wasn’t sure being friends with Reagan was going to gain any bonus points with Marlisse. Reagan was on her best behaviour, though and Cath appreciated that.
After the wedding the three of them walked back to the ranch together and talked about summer plans, making promises to see each other. Reagan didn’t want to come back to Arnold for the summer but didn’t have much choice as she wasn’t allowed to stay in their dorm over the break.
Levi introduced Cath to every family member he could find starting with his dad. She met all six of his ranching cousins, his three uncles and aunts on his mom’s side, and then there was a plethora of cousins, uncles, and aunts on his dad’s side, too. She couldn’t remember all of their names. She met Levi’s sisters’ boyfriends and husbands, and some of their friends from high school. Cath hoped there wouldn’t be a pop quiz later.
The reception included a five-course meal and speeches from Levi’s sisters and the groom’s brother and friends. Levi’s parents made a tear-worthy speech and Cath found herself with quiet tears falling down her cheeks over a couple she had never met before. Levi squeezed her leg and kissed her head. Reagan rolled her eyes.
After the couple’s first dance, others were invited to the dance floor and Levi immediately grabbed Cath’s hand, pulling her into a dance. He put one hand around her waist and held her hand in his other. She lifted her dangling arm up and placed her hand on his shoulder. She looked up at him.
“You really do look so beautiful tonight, Cath,” Levi said. Cath smiled at him with the smile she reserved only for him.
“You think so?” Cath asked.
“I know so,” he said with his big, beautiful smile–the one reserved for her in return.
The song was slow and they swayed back and forth. It was a lot more comfortable than she expected. No one was paying attention to them. Levi took Cath’s hand and moved it around his neck and slid his other hand around her waist, resting it on her lower back, so that they were dancing close. She rested her head on his chest. This was nice. Dancing with Levi.
When the song ended, Levi squeezed her tight like he didn’t want to let go yet, but then he released her and they broke apart.
“Can I show you the ranch?” Levi asked.
“Now?” Cath raised her eyebrows. It was dark outside with only the twinkle lights to light their way.
“Yes, now.” Levi laughed. “Come on.” He tugged her toward the door. Cath looked around the room and Reagan gave her a salute, downing her drink and chatting with Rebecca and some guy built like a football player–one of Hannah’s friends from high school, Bart? Brock? Brook!
Levi led her through the dark to the barn and showed her around. When they were alone and out of sight of the reception, he pulled her into him and kissed her. He pushed his chin into her like he couldn’t get enough of her lips. Cath kissed him back, hungry. It had been two weeks since she’d seen Levi. Two weeks since she had really had a chance to kiss him like this. When they came up for air, Cath pulled back to look at Levi. His blonde hair in the lamp light was feathery–almost white looking. She remembered their first date through the East Campus gardens. He looked so much like that now; shades of black and white.
“Levi Stewart, did you lure me out here to kiss me?”
“Maybe…would you be mad if I did?” Levi smirked.
“No,” she admitted.
Levi pulled her back to him and kissed her again. He was urgent, desperate with his kisses. He ran his left hand up her back and fisted his fingers in her hair while his right hand steadied her, holding tight on her hip. She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck.
“God, I missed you,” he murmured onto her lips.
“I missed you, too,” she said, breathless.
He pulled back to look at her for a moment.
“I’m not sure how I’m going to make it through this summer without you next to me all the time,” Levi admitted. “I found myself looking at apartments in Omaha the other day,” he laughed. Cath laughed too.
“It’s only a couple of months, and I’m not a freshman anymore, so now they’re just regular months,” she joked. He smiled.
“I love you so much, Cath.”
“I love you too, Levi.”
After a few more minutes of kisses, Levi finished the tour, deciding that their swollen lips might be too much of a giveaway as to what they had really been up to. When they finally headed back to the wedding, looking put together and proper, they found Reagan and danced the night away with Levi’s family and friends.