Today is the day of the wedding. It’s the first time in a long time most of us will be together in seven years. Crazy how fast the summer after graduation passes and we all started our own paths after high school. Mathew and I are part of Marco’s groomsmen. We arrived late considering it’s the night before the wedding at this estate Marco is having his wedding at. Most of the guests arrived a day before us but because of Mathew’s last game we had to catch a midday flight to get here the night before the wedding. 

We went straight there from the airport and got there around 11pm. Some of the guests had already gone to sleep. Some people hung around after the rehearsal dinner. 

I had told my parents not to pick us up so they wouldn’t have to deal with all the commotion it would cause. Mathew rented a car we were picking up at the airport. When we arrived at the estate the valet service took the keys from Mathew. This place was like a hotel, you just rented it out of all of it or a room. We got off and my parents were waiting outside. It was beautiful even in the dark. I walked over and hugged my dad. 

¿Cómo llegaron?” My mom asked Mathew as he hugged her.

“Bien, nomas eran cuatro horas.” Mathew replied. Mathew was now fluent enough in Spanish. Enough to answer questions and have conversations. He still sometimes would ask me about words but he didn’t need me translating anymore. 

I hugged my mom and we headed inside. The valet took our bags from the car. Mathew helped him push them to the desk. We checked in to see what room we had and they took our bags. My parents said goodnight and headed to their room. We headed to the hall where the rehearsal was to meet with Marco. He had texted me to do a practice real quick because we were groomsmen. Mathew and I were both in sweats when we walked into a room with people in dresses and suits. There weren't a lot of people left, maybe 20. People started looking either because we looked out of place or they noticed us.

“Alexis! Mathew!” Marco shouted over the talking and music. Heads started to turn towards us. He looks around making eye contact with his future wife. They walk over to greet us. 

We walk in a little more and Mathew grabs my hand. As we start getting closer we feel someone hug us from behind. “I thought you wouldn’t make it. Now we can get the party started.” Troy told us, his head between Mathew and I. 

We both turn around. He loosened his hug and we let go of our hands. “I missed you brother.” Mathew hugs Troy squeezing him hard. He lets him go and I hug him. 

Troy winks at Mathew while he hugs me. “I missed you guys too.” He holds me tight. “How was the flight?” He asked. 

“Good” I tell him and he lets go, holding my waist in his right arm and throws his left over Mathew brings him in close. He puts his head to his. The crowd was starting to look over at us more. 

“I’m glad you guys made it on time.” Marco told us. Marco’s soon to be wife greeted us too. “We should do the rehearsal ceremony real quick. You guys must be tired.” He pointed to the door.

“These party animals?” Troy pointed at us and laughed. 

“Us? You guys are getting married tomorrow, why are you still up?” I asked them, smiling. 

“Haha we’ll be heading to bed right after too.” Carol told us. 

All five of us headed to the room and Marco told everyone he’ll be back. I recognized some people now that I’m actually looking at them. Mainly Marcos cousins. The rest must be Carol's family and friends or Marco's friends. 

We walked to a chapel. It was just a generic looking room that looked like what a Catholic Church looks like. I don’t mean generic in a basic way just how you would envision any type you would walk into. It was beautiful with high ceilings and decorations along the walls and ceiling. Had the same type of stained glass windows and everything. Marco basically just told us what would happen and how it would go down tomorrow. The order of everything. I would go first being the best man, Marcos two cousins behind me, then Mathew, after him Troy and ect. He told us where we would stand and Troy stood where he would. Explained how the ceremony would happen and when I needed to hand him the wedding rings. Lastly showed us when we would leave. 

“I always knew Marco would be the first one of us to get married” Troy blurted as we walked out. 

“How so?” Carol laughed.

“He’s always been the serious, start a  family type of guy.” Troy replied.

"Oh really?” She smiled at him. 

We messed with him some more before heading to our room. “I made sure to get you a room with more privacy so no one bothered you. There’s also 24 hour security so call the front desk and they’ll handle anything and call the cops if needed.” Marco told us before we walked to our room. 

“Marco, I told you that wasn’t necessary. Any room would have been okay. Give it to the me of your family members or Car-“ I told him. 

“No. It’s already been decided” Marco stated. 

“We insist” Carol backed him up. 

“We appreciate it but it really wasn’t necessary.” Mathew tried to explain to them. 

“Yeah… we can wait till tomorrow to change it.” I told them. 

"No, it's better this way. I would be stressed if I didn’t know that your room was secure and something happened during the wedding.” 

Mathew and I didn’t challenge him. We said goodnight and went back to the front desk so they could show us the room. It was on the second floor past almost all the rooms. It was the second biggest after the main bedroom for the bride and groom. It’s technically the honeymoon sweet I believe it’s listed as. It was towards the back but had no way of entering other than the main door. Mathew opened the door and headed towards the bathroom. 

I opened our suit cases and took out two pairs of underwear for us on the bed. When I entered he had already started the shower and was done undressing and about to get in. “It's ready.” He told me as he got inside. 

I joined him washing his back as he scrubbed his body. We finished showering and got ready for bed. Mathew just brushed his teeth and went straight to the bed. We were really tired. Mathew had a game Thursday night. We didn’t get home till late. After the game he still didn’t get home till around 12 something because of traffic. Our original flight got pushed back so we got up early for no reason. We were at the airport and plane all day.

After I was done I went and joined him in bed. As I got in I moved in close to him. Like reflexes he moved his arm so I could lay on his chest. I feel his warmth coming from his body as he runs his fingers along my back as we fall asleep.