She hadn’t realized her mother had stepped into the living room and was watching the scene. Mom looked surprised, as if she hadn’t seen this side of her daughter before.
“Don’t worry, Mom. He was laughing.”
Mom shook her head. “I shouldn’t wonder, dear. You really should have a look in the mirror.”
One very short week later, Christy heard her mother once again say, “You really should have a look in the mirror.”
Only this time, no one was laughing at how Christy looked.
She was wearing her wedding dress and was standing in the middle of the living room of a hotel suite that Marti had rented close to Rancho Corona. At Marti’s insistence, Bob and she had stayed overnight close to the college and then turned over the suite as a dressing room for Christy on the morning of May 22. Marti also had insisted Christy allow Marti’s favorite hair and makeup artist to come at eleven so that, after Christy showered, she could have two hours set aside for what Marti called “beautification.”
It was now one-thirty. The wedding was at three o’clock. Christy was ready. In every way, she was ready.
“Your gown turned out perfect.” Katie adjusted the train in the back. “I’ll make sure it’s smoothed out like this when you stand under the arch.”
Christy inched her way to the bedroom in the suite so she could have a look in the full-length mirror on the closet. Katie followed her, adjusting the train as Christy walked.
“Wait! Don’t look until we put on your veil!” Marti bustled over to the refrigerator, where they had stored the flower wreath that arrived from Maui that morning.
“Close your eyes.” Tracy came up alongside Christy and took her by the hand. “It will be better if you wait and have a look once your veil is on. Then you’ll see for the first time what Todd is going to see when you come down the aisle toward him.”
Christy closed her eyes and felt at peace. All the extra planning had paid off. Everything was coming together perfectly. Marti’s extravagant pampering had been a blessing, and Christy had told her so several times.
At the rehearsal dinner the night before, Todd had stood beside his father and praised him in a kind and generous way. Todd’s mother couldn’t “work out the details” to come to the wedding. Everyone knew it was a last-minute letdown and silently had sympathized with Todd, but he seemed to handle the disappointment well.
After honoring his dad, Todd had turned to Bob and Marti and thanked them for being his honorary parents. He called Marti the “mom I never had,” listing how she had been there at many key moments in his life as a teenager and a young adult. He told her he loved her and always would. He kissed her, and Marti cried.
Christy let Tracy lead her into the bedroom and position her in front of the mirror. She smelled her wreath of flowers before she felt Marti place it on her head. The sweet fragrance of the island tuberose filled her with exotic memories. She knew Todd would recognize the fragrance, as well. It would circle both of them as they repeated their vows.
“Bend down, Christy, dear. You’re too tall for me,” Marti said. “I don’t want to ruin your hair. It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect. That’s it. A little lower.”
Christy’s grandmother spoke up. “Why don’t you let Margaret help you with that?”
“I’ve got it,” Marti stated firmly.
“Don’t start an argument here,” Katie teased.
Behind her closed eyes, Christy thought back on the argument she and Todd had two days ago. It was one of the worst they had ever had. More than five months ago, when they had decided they were going to say “I promise” instead of “I do,” Christy and Todd had agreed they would write their own vows. Christy had worked on hers off and on for months and had finalized them before their last meeting with Pastor Ross, who was performing their ceremony.
Todd, however, as of two days ago, hadn’t begun to work on his. When Christy found out, she fell apart. She said some awful things, Todd said some awful things, and for one frantic moment, Christy feared the whole wedding would be called off.
But they found their heads. Cleared their hearts. Talked calmly. Then they called Pastor Ross, and he made some helpful suggestions. In the end, they decided to repeat the traditional vows so that neither of them would go blank at the last minute while under the pressure of the ceremony. Christy decided she would place her personally created vows on a beautiful piece of stationery and make it her final entry into the shoebox of letters for her future husband.
That collection of letters, complete with her written-out vows, was wrapped with a white satin ribbon and tucked into the bottom of her honeymoon luggage, directly under her white lingerie. A smile played across her lips as Christy thought about all that this very special day and night would hold for her and her beloved.
“A little more to the right,” Marti said. “Katie, fix that strand of hair over on her shoulder. We want to make sure all the beautiful embroidery shows perfectly. That’s it. Okay, moisten your lips, dear. Good. Now everyone stand back. On the count of three, Christina, open your eyes.”
Christy felt her heart do a little cha-cha as her eyelids fluttered, trying to remain closed.
In unison, the most precious women in her life began the countdown. “One, two . . .”
19 “THREE!” the women-in-waiting cried with one voice and one heart.
Christy opened her eyes to view her reflection in the full-length mirror. The wreath of fragrant white island flowers graced her head like a crown of purity and peace. The delicate, sheer veil cascaded from the wreath and circled her shoulders like an elegant cape belonging to a fairy-tale princess who had made it from translucent firefly wings spun into the finest threads.
The wedding gown was indeed a gown and not just a dress. Christy’s small waist and trim figure were accentuated by the wide band that united her mother’s wedding dress with hers. The new version of both their dreams blended into one was exactly what Christy had hoped for. She knew it always would be one of her favorite parts of the wedding. The embroidery shimmered in the overhead lighting and drew attention to Christy’s face.
She paused, catching her breath in amazement at her own reflection. The makeup artist had done exactly what she had asked with her hair and face. She looked natural yet with a warm glow on her cheeks and a sparkle in her blue-green eyes. Her long, nutmeg brown hair was tucked behind her ears with shimmering clips, and two long, full curls danced down her bodice, just under her veil.
“Okay, I’m going to cry now,” Christy said, breaking the silence.
They all laughed except for Marti. “Don’t you dare! Your eye makeup is perfect!”
“Here,” Christy’s grandma sidled up next to her. “I was hoping for a good time to give you this. It’s the handkerchief I carried at my wedding when I married your grandfather. His mother embroidered it for me. I want you to have it.”
Now Christy was certain she would cry. She blinked quickly and, lifting her veil slightly, gave her grandmother a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Grandma. I love you.”
“I know. And I love you, too.”
“Katie,” Marti called, “bring Christy’s lipstick over here, quick. Mom, you have a smudge right on your cheek. Oh, was that a knock on the door? It must be the photographer. Everyone stay right where you are. I’ll get it.”
Marti hustled to answer the hotel suite’s door. Christy took in a full view of her friends in their sky-blue bridesmaids’ dresses. “You two look really nice. I love those dresses on you. The little baby’s breath headbands turned out nice. Do you mind wearing them? Are they going to bug you?”
“Not at all,” Tracy said.
“I like it.” Katie handed Christy the lipstick. “Here you go. Or am I supposed to put it on you because I’m the maid of honor?”
“I can do it. You just hold on to it for me and make sure I reapply some before the photographer takes all the pictures after the wedding.”
“Why?” Katie said with a grin. “Are you plannin
g on getting your lipstick a little smeared there at the altar?”
“I sure did.” Tracy exchanged a little grin with Katie and Christy.
“All right, ladies,” Marti said. “Everyone step back so that our prompt photographer here can set up for the photos. Do you want Christy in here by the mirror or out in the living room?”
The photographer didn’t move. He seemed to be sizing up the situation and more. His gaze was on Christy. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” he asked Marti.
“Where would you like her to stand?”
“This is fine.” He set up his tripod and looked again at Christy. “I apologize for staring. But I have to say, I see brides all the time, but you are, well . . . you are one beautiful bride.”
“Thank you.” Christy blushed.
“I’ll make some beautiful pictures for you.”
“Oh dear!” Marti squeaked. “The bouquet! Where is the bouquet? Katie, find the bouquet.”
With the bouquet in her hands and her lips freshly colored, Christy posed in her gorgeous wedding dress while the loving women in her life showered her with compliments and admiration. She shifted from her right foot to her left foot in the soft-soled ballet slippers she had decided to wear. They made her feel petite and dainty.
“Todd is going to be speechless,” Tracy said. “I can’t wait to see the look on his face when you come down the aisle toward him.”
Me too!
“Now, Katie,” Marti started in as they gathered their belongings and headed down to the lobby. “Do you have Todd’s ring?”
“His ring?” Katie said playfully.
“Katie!”
Katie grinned and held up her thumb to show Marti that Todd’s gold wedding band was safe with her.
“This isn’t a time to joke. Come on, now; the limos are waiting.”
Katie slipped behind Christy and lifted the train of Christy’s gown. “The limos are waiting,” Katie said in a ritzy voice. Then, breaking out in song, she serenaded Christy all the way to the elevator. “Going to the chapel . . .”
Christy loved Katie’s lighthearted touches and told her so once she, Katie, Tracy, and her mom were tucked into the white stretch limo’s backseat. Marti and Grandma said they were going to wait for Uncle Bob, who should be arriving at any minute. “All this posh fluff is for my aunt, not me,” Christy said. “She’s loving this. I’m enjoying it, too, but what I’m really enjoying is having the three of you with me.”
Mom beamed. She looked radiant in her two-piece, cream-colored outfit. Marti’s specialist had also done Mom’s makeup, and it was the first time Christy remembered seeing her mom look extra fancy. She was a beautiful woman. Inside and out.
“When we get there,” Katie said, “we have strict instructions to spirit you away to the chapel so nobody sees you. Especially your groom. So be prepared in case we have to make a dash for it. The closest the limo can get us is about a hundred yards from the path that leads to the meadow. We should be the first ones there, but just in case.”
Christy nodded. “By any chance did you bring extra deodorant for me along with the lipstick and hairbrush?”
“It’s all in the bridal basket in the trunk.” Katie leaned forward as if they were in a football huddle. “Trace, why don’t you grab the bridal basket and whatever else Marti put in the trunk. Christy, you take your bouquet and loop your train over your arm. Mom, you stay with me and be ready to haul biscuits if we have to make a dash for the chapel.”
Christy laughed. “Katie, I don’t think we’re going to need to run like we’re in a football game. There won’t be anyone there yet.”
However, when the limo parked on the upper campus at Rancho Corona University, Christy discovered she was wrong. Dozen of cars were aready parked in the lot, and her dad and David were standing by the pathway to the meadow in their tuxes.
“Aw, Mom, look! Don’t they look adorable?”
“Adorable, schmorable!” Katie said, taking over as wedding director since Marti wasn’t on the scene. “Grab your train and your bouquet and be ready to hotfoot it, missy. If two tuxedos are around here, there are bound to be more.”
Christy willingly followed Katie’s instructions, as did her mom and Tracy. When the limo driver opened the door, they stepped out and walked to the chapel at a brisk pace. Katie held on to Christy’s elbow like a bodyguard, watching every which way for paparazzi. Christy looped her train over her arm, hitched up her skirt, and picked her way along the trail in her dainty ballet slippers.
“Christy,” David called out. “Wait up!”
“Sorry,” Katie called. “Can’t stop. I’m under strict orders from your aunt. Got to deliver this woman to the chapel immediately!”
Christy felt like an elfin fairy, prancing down the meadow trail. She laughed at the bliss of it all and followed her illustrious maid of honor. Perky, red-haired Katie seemed to be the embodiment of a guardian angel, a heroic, celestial being.
But when they were three feet from the chapel’s door, Katie stopped dead in her tracks. Christy nearly rear-ended her.
“Will you look at that?” Katie drew in a deep breath. “What a fine specimen of God’s best creative efforts.”
Christy followed Katie’s gaze. Only a few yards away, Christy and Todd’s enchanted meadow was alive with color and action. Bright streamer flags on top of each canopy waved at her in the afternoon breeze. Long tables, laden with fresh flowers and blue ribbons, were adorned with a variety of food fit for a grand celebration. In the forefront stood a round table under a canopy and on the table was the wedding cake. It looked exactly the way Christy had hoped it would look.
Rows of empty chairs waited for the wedding guests. All the chairs faced “their” arch, Todd and Christy’s trellis archway that would serve as the symbolic entry to their lives’ next season. Fresh flowers and deep green ferns adorned the archway. It looked as if it had grown in a hidden cove on a tropical island and had been picked up that morning and transplanted here, in the meadow, for their wedding. Christy knew Todd would be thrilled.
“It’s wonderful!” Christy exclaimed to Katie after taking in the grand celebration being prepared. Along the edge, dozens of tall, swishy palm trees danced in the breeze like a row of hula dancers merrily sending their aloha over the event. “It’s more wonderful than I had pictured it would be.”
“What are you talking about?” Katie pulled her eyes off her target and looked at Christy. “I was saying that Rick is a fine specimen of God’s best creative efforts. He’s standing over there talking to Todd’s dad by the punch bowl. Oh no, what am I doing? You shouldn’t be here! Look out, tuxedo at two o’clock.”
Katie yanked open the chapel’s door and practically pushed Christy inside the cool, quiet sanctuary.
“Katie, that wasn’t Todd. That was Doug.”
“Doesn’t matter. If the best man is close, the groom won’t be far away. Relax. Have a seat. Do you want some lipstick?”
“I am getting excited,” Christy said, beaming.
“Nervous?”
“Not at all. Eager, yes. Bursting with anticipation, yes. This is it, Katie, girl. Todd and I are getting married today.”
“So I heard,” Katie said calmly. “Now, hold still. I have to fix your hair.”
A knock sounded on the chapel door.
“Who goes there?” Katie boomed out.
The door opened, and Tracy timidly stepped inside with the bridal basket full of just what Katie and Christy needed to freshen up. Mom followed Tracy, and a moment later, Grandma joined them.
The door lurched open again, flooding the small chapel with light as Marti made her entrance. “The guests are beginning to arrive,” she announced. “I’ve checked with the caterers. Everything is right on schedule. Looks as if the weather cooperated nicely. It’s not too hot. Now, who needs a breath mint? Christy?”
Marti fussed with Christy’s veil and her skirt for another ten minutes. The photographer came in to capture a few shots, and then
Christy’s dad joined them for his photos in the chapel with Christy. He looked uncomfortable in what he called his “monkey suit.” But Christy thought he looked dashing and classy and so did her mom.
The photographer clicked off half a dozen shots. Christy turned to Katie and quietly asked if she could get Christy a drink of water.
“Right here,” Marti said. “I had the caterers deliver a case of bottled water. It’s here in the corner. Anyone else?”
They all grabbed a bottle, and for a moment the chapel was quiet. Christy looked at her mom and then at her dad. Marti looked at her watch. “Time for the mother of the bride, the grandmother of the bride, and me to exit. The ushers are out there for us. Can you think of anything else you need or want, Christina, dear?”
“No, I’m fine. I’m ready. Thank you for everything. All of you. Thanks.”
“I’ll see you at the end of the aisle.” Mom cheerfully gave Christy a peck on the cheek.
“Check her for lipstick on that cheek,” Marti instructed. “And, Katie, for goodness’ sake, pull the veil over her face. Make sure it’s straight all around. And Tracy? You listen for your cue now.”
“I will,” Tracy said.
Christy hung back as Katie adjusted her veil. She wrapped her grandmother’s hankie around the stem handle of her bouquet. The handkerchief was already moist. If she actually needed to use it for tears, it might not do much to dry them. But it was helping her hands at the moment, and that was important.
A few silent minutes passed as Dad fidgeted with his collar. Katie opened the chapel’s door a crack and watched to give Tracy her signal to march down the white runner. After Tracy, Katie would go. Then Christy and her dad would join the procession.
Glancing at her dad, Christy noticed he was tearing up. She only remembered seeing him like this a few times before. “Daddy, are you okay?”
“I will be.” He offered her a lopsided grin. “It’s not every day a man walks down the aisle with his only daughter. I guess you’re not my little mouse anymore, are you?”