There is a lot that you can say about a man that has it all. Some of it was good and some of it was bad. A man that had it all did not have to ask, he took. He did not want, but demanded. He had the right to everything before it was even given. He never had to choose, he never had to wait. He worked hard and played even harder. He lived on the edge, there was nothing he feared. He dominated everything and everybody. He was a god in his world.
That was Trayton DeCarlo.
Today this is Trayton DeCarlo.
A man that came from all of the wrong things but got all of the good things. He learned how to care about everyone except himself. He got to feel how it felt to be hurt. He was taught how to fight for something he wanted. He experienced loss and disappointment. But the greatest thing he did was fall in love. He got to get to know how it is to feel.
But it all did not come easy, it was quite an uphill battle. From winning Ava to losing her to winning her back again. Ava was a victory in itself, if that is what you can call it. Her telling him where to stick his dirty hands and then allowing him to touch her to be close to their babies.
They had to endure the pain of her past and safe her from the clutches of a horrible evil man. Losing her mind was the worst way he ever lost her but seeing her gain the strength to make it through was his most proud moment.
Ava went above and beyond to risk her life to save his own. When the mistakes he made finally caught up to him. It was most definitely the biggest sacrifice she will ever have to make.
Through this all she gained a family while he healed his owned. Friends became enemies which lead him to chance his life. Now he is a complete man. He is doing something he is passionate about and is very much looking forward to take this now path and start his own family.
Was this all fate? Did karma play a joke on him? Whatever way you see it, he came out a better man.
It is the day before the wedding, many late nights and lots of arguing finally brought them here.
Trayton ~”Baby girl we are going to be late. You look absolutely gorgeous in that.”
Ava ~”Baby I know that you are only saying that because you want to get me out of the house.”
Trayton ~”We can always stay here if you want to.”
Ava ~”And miss my own rehearsal dinner, I really don’t think so.”
Trayton ~”Well can your cute little bum hurry up so we can leave?”
Ava ~”You wanted to say my big wobbly bum didn’t you?”
Trayton ~”Baby girl I would never say something like that.”
Ava ~”Nonsense you say it all the time.”
I walk up to her and take her hand in mine. I slowly twirl her around in a circle and am in awe of her beauty.
Trayton ~”Baby girl, you can have a tiny ass or a wobbly one, I love you all the same.”
She lays a soft kiss on my lips and runs her fingers through my messy hair.
Ava ~”And I will you just as much the same.”
We make our way downstairs and head straight to the car. I help her into the passenger seat and run around and get behind the steering wheel. In less than two seconds we reach zero to sixty and hit the open road.
The drive to the venue is quiet, she has been quiet for days. I would like to believe it is the nervousness that goes with planning a wedding and not cold feet.
Just a few days ago we were at the doctor who gave our two little baby bugs a clean bill of health. They seem to be growing so fast and are kicking more often.
As we arrive at the venue, everyone is already waiting there.
Dominic ~”You are late.”
Trayton ~”You should know by now that I am always late.”
Kenton ~”You probably will be late for your own wedding too.”
Trayton ~”Give a man some credit, you making me sound bad in front of my future wife.”
Kenton ~”Sorry to break it to you bro but she has seen all the bad sides of you.”
Dominic ~”And the poor girl still wants to marry you.”
Ava ~”You do know the poor girl is still standing here. Where is mom? Is Kaylin here yet?”
Kenton ~”They both are running around checking on the caterers and making sure that every damn flower is in its place.”
Trayton ~”Sounds exactly like your kind of fun baby girl.”
Ava ~”Trayton…”
Trayton ~”Yes baby girl?”
Ava ~”You are treading on very thin ice here.”
Trayton ~”Baby girl I am just joking.”
Ava ~”I am going to go find mom before I accidentally strangle you.”
She is off leaving us boys alone.
Dominic ~”So are you ready for this man?”
Trayton ~”As ready as a damn nervous man can be.”
Kenton ~”How difficult can it be? You walk down a carpet and get to some priest that spins you a story and you slip a ring on her finger. And just like that you got a wife.”
Trayton ~”Please remind me not to go to your wedding one day. If you can have your way you will slap a ring on her finger and head on straight to the party.”
Kenton ~”Hahaha you know me all too well.”
We head inside to meet up with the rest of the wedding part. All our friends and family and every other important person has joined us to celebrate and prepare for our big day.
Kenton, my mom and Kaylin and I join the right side of the main table while Ava and her parents and sister are seated on the left. I take my side next to her and softly lay my hand on her tummy. It has become my new favorite habit.
We decided to dedicate tonight to all of those who want to make a toast, we want our wedding day to be about us and not taken up by friends and family speaking.
Kenton being the life of a party decide to run things.
Kenton ~”Welcome to all the family, friends and acquaintances of Ava and Trayton. We have come here tonight to scare the shit out of them. Not only into parenthood but into wedded bliss. So if you want to speak just jump off your seat and take the floor.”
Dominic ~”Well let me be the first one to go.”
Trayton ~”Oh god I am going to regret it. There is some tender ears here, just keep it tidy.”
Dominic ~”Hahaha don’t make me tell them your darkest secrets.”
Kenton ~”Like that little red room down the hallway.”
Trayton ~”Hey! Don’t go making shit up. You will have Ava’s father deny me her hand.”
Dominic ~Fine. I met Trayton shortly after his father had passed away. I saw a man with conflict and a lack of passion in his life. He lived for many years in a world of fake people and easy money. One thing he never had was the ability to feel, to really feel and to fall in love. I remember that very first night he saw Ava, his exact words was ‘She is mine, only mine’. I have not in all my years seen him so determined to have someone as bad as her. And look at them now. I am proud and happy for you man.”
Trayton ~”Thank you Dominic. If it was not for you I’d be lost a long time ago.”
Dominic takes his seat and next up is Jackson.
Jackson ~”Trayton we have been friends since even before we knew what the word cleavage was. We both discovered things in life that made us the men we are today. You have always been there when I needed you and I guess Kayley is right, we only see each other when we are in shit. But that is what friends are for. Ava, I never knew you that well until that day you turned to me for help. I saw a determined woman wanting to give her child the best. Even if it meant on your own. I am glad you two found each other.”
Ava ~”Thank you Jackson, you have really been a true and loyal friend to both me and Tray. You have done so much in playing a part to why we are still together.”
Jackson sits back down next to his wife, Kayley. Next one to talk is Kaylin.
Kaylin ~”I really do not know you guys all that well. But I got to know a few good things about you in this very short time. Ava you are a unique soul, you are the glue that keeps you guys together. If it was not for you this man will still be whoring his way around Madison’s. He would not have turned these two other boys, Dominic and Kenton into better men. I admire your strength and your determination. From the stories that you tell it is true that you guys been through it all and you are still standing.”
Trayton ~”You make me sound like a saint. Thank you for your kind words.”
Kenton ~”Hahaha you a saint, more like the devil I would say.”
Trayton ~”You really stealing my thunder today.”
Kenton ~What I did steal was your life. I knew that you made one bad choice and I took it on me to take the responsibility. You always had so many options, a future that I would never have. I always just wanted what was the best for you. The day I came out of that hell hole; you were there, you did not ask any questions, you took me in your home and gave me back my family. You have a heart of gold bro, you have always had, and it took this beautiful woman to bring it out of you again.”
Trayton ~”Kenton, you made a sacrifice that no man should make and yes not everyone knows our story. They don’t need to, all that they need to know is that you are the best big brother anyone can have.”
Kenton ~”Hey don’t forget the brother with the best looks cause damn I don’t see what your wife to be sees in that ugly face.”
Ava bursts out laughing.
Ava ~”Hahaha you got that right Kenton.”
Trayton ~”Baby girl that is not nice.”
Ava ~”Aaahhh baby I am just joking.”
As we wait for the laughter in the room to calm down, my mom gets up and comes to stand between us.
Mary ~”There is so much I can tell you about this boy. And just as much I have learned about this girl but what stands out to me is loyalty. For years I was lost to the world but Trayton still came as often as he could and just sat and talk to me, he even sometimes read. He never gave up on me, he believed that one day I will get better. When he was with me he was just a boy, not that man that everyone knew him to be. He was soft and gentle and even cried, he thought I never saw it but I did.”
Trayton ~”Mom you making me look like a softy..”
Mary ~”My boy, you are a man, no matter how soft you get. You spend hours on end by this girl’s bed when we too nearly lost her. God you drove the nursing staff mad, you even got them to move a bed into her room just so you won’t spend awaking minute without her. Ava, my girl, you are more than beyond special. You have that uncanning ability to creep into one’s heart. You and your baby bugs have shown me more love that I have had in so many years.”
Ava ~”Aaahhh thank you mom.”
We both get up and give mom a big old hug, well as big enough as Ava can.
Then last it seems is Ava’s parents.
Richard Owens ~”My baby girl, even though you have grown into a beautiful woman, you will always be my little girl. We missed so much of your life, it is time that we will never get back. When everyone was telling us to make peace with it, we never gave up. We never stopped looking. Losing you was the hardest thing we ever had to do. The day that Trayton here found me and you said ‘hello daddy’ to me, it was by far the most happiest day I have ever lived.”
Trayton ~”Richard seeing the joy on her face was just as rewarding tome. If I have ever experienced giving life, it would be that moment.”
Ava ~”Hey, what about the baby bugs?”
Trayton ~”Baby girl that is going to be different.”
Teresa Owens ~”Even though you were always our Maddi, you will always be our Ava now. I am not only grateful that you found this man but I am just so happy that he found you. You are going to be one of those couples that stick it to the end. When you are both grey and old, you will still be watching the sunset while holding hands. Don’t ever go to bed angry and never walk out without saying I love you. Always bring out the best in each other and live a long loving and blessed life.”
Ava’s mom sits down but her father remains standing. He is fiddling with a piece of paper in his pocket. He hands it over to Ava’s sister before he sits.
Lucy ~”Hey sis. It feels kind of weird to say that again. The biggest regret I have is that day I left you behind, I should have never done it and so did Adam believe. I was robbed of a life with a sister and most of all a good friend. Even if it takes up forever, I will try to make it and until you can forgive me. My life has been hard without you but it was even harder for Adam. Sis, as I stand here I want to say that I love you and that I am sorry.”
I can see the tears start to build up in Ava’s eyes. She made me promise her not to make her cry but she is going to and I am not going to make her stop.
But Lucy is not finished.
Lucy ~”Ava, Trayton, I have a letter from Adam. As you both know he cannot make it here with us today. If you allow me then I can read it.”
Adam came out of rehab a week earlier than we all expected. He immediately went back to his old habits. One night it just got all too must. He was not ready to face his demons let alone face his sister Ava. He took the decision to take his own life that night. Sadly Ava could not and never will see her brother again.
Ava ~”Lucy please can you read it.”