Chapter 4.23

Hailey

I knocked on the door of the bridal suite where Dakota was getting ready with a red box in my hands. The earring.

“Come in.”

“Hi sweetheart,” I smiled and held back tears, I was so proud, “look at you, you look beautiful.”

“Mom, I’m not even dressed yet.”

“I’ve got something for you, honey.”

I opened the box and extended my hand towards her.

She stared at them for a little bit, “mom, these are beautiful.”

“I’m not sure if I ever told you.” I started. “These earring were in my family for generations. I wore them on my wedding day, my mother wore them too and my grandmother before her. I was hoping you would be the fourth one to keep this tradition.”

“Of course I’ll wear them, I would be honored. Thank you so much.”

She took them carefully out of the box and put them in her ears.

“How do they look on me?” she asked.

This time I couldn’t hold the tears back and they spilled down my cheeks.

“Gorgeous,” I whispered.

“Mom, don’t cry,” my daughter said but she had a hard time not to cry herself, “you’re gonna mess up your makeup.”

I pulled a tissue from a box that was sitting on the toilet table and gently tapped my face to dry the tears.

“Are you ready for the dress now?”

She nodded and opened her arms for a hug

Dakota

Mom helped me put on the dress and right when I was was standing in front of the big mirror in the bridal room, my maids of honor walked in. I ended up having all three of my closest friends as maids of honor because I wasn’t able to just pick one of them. Luckily they all just went with it, splitting the duties between them.

All four women gathered around me, helping to adjust the dress.

“You look so beautiful, Trevor’s gonna fall in love with you all over again,” Martha said and Nora with Kyra nodded.

I looked in the mirror and I had to agree. The dress fit me perfectly and the stylist did an amazing job with my hair and makeup. I wore my hair in a side braid since I was a little girl, this hairdo really makes my face and neck stand out.

“Get together, guys,” Martha pulled her phone out of her clutch, “I’m gonna take a picture.”

I scooted closer to Kyra on the couch so she can fit us all in the photo. She had to take multiple shots, because my mom kept talking. The politician in her never went away.

After we all drank a glass of champagne, it was time to relocate to the wedding venue. In less than two hours, I will be Mrs. Morrison.

When all the guests were seated and all wedding participants were in place, my dad offered his arm and held me tight as we walked down the isle.

It was a beautiful scene with a lot of purple colored flowers to go with our purple/green wedding theme. Our friends looked so pretty standing and waiting for me and my fiance to say our I dos.

Soft music was playing in my ears but all I could really focus on was Trevor. Patiently waiting, watching me getting closer and closer to him with a slight smile on his lips.

My father let me go when we reached the wedding arch. He shook my future husband’s hand and the handshake turned into a hug.

“Take care of her, son,” he said quietly into his ear, but I heard him.

“I will, sir. I promise.”

My father took a seat in the front row, next to my emotional mother.

Trevor took my hands in his and lifted one to kiss it. Then the priest started his speech.

“We gather here to unite these two people in marriage. Their decision to marry has not been entered into lightly and today they publicly declare their private devotion to each other. The essence of this commitment is the acceptance of each other in entirety, as lover, companion, and friend. A good and balanced relationship is one in which neither person is overpowered nor absorbed by the other, one in which neither person is possessive of the other, one in which both give their love freely and without jealousy. Marriage, ideally, is a sharing of responsibilities, hopes, and dreams. It takes a special effort to grow together, survive hard times, and be loving and unselfish.”

His speech was touching and I couldn’t agree more with everything he said.

We exchanged our rings, while looking into each others eyes. It was an intense moment I will never forget.

“Go now in peace and live in love, sharing the most precious gifts you have- the gifts of your lives united. And may your days be long on this earth. I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss the bride.”

Our lips parted, but our hearts never will.

We turned to the guests and cheerfully walked away from the arch towards the exit, supported by laud cheering and clapping.

After the photo shoot that lasted over two hours, we were ready for some refreshments. Luckily it wasn’t an extremely hot and humid day like they can be here in Hillside in late May.

The tables looked beautiful thanks to Patricia who helped with planning and she gave us 50% off on everything we purchased from her wedding store.

Afternoon quickly turned into a night and I was pleased to see all our guest having a great time on the dance floor.

Martha apparently took on the selfies duty and she was on top of it.

But besides that, I noticed she was getting close with one particular guest. Garret Brown, one of Trevor’s groomsmen.

I noticed them chatting together at the table, slow dancing and giggling all night and I realized, that it’s the first time I see her with a guy in that way. I knew her through high school, but she never had a boyfriend then. Now that she’s in college she had a few dates, but never anything serious. It would be nice to see her find the one and if it happened on my wedding day, it would be even better.

I noticed Patricia sitting at the table, drinking wine.

I took a seat next to her, “hi, are you having fun?”

She smiled and nodded, “it’s a beautiful wedding, darling.”

“Thanks to you. If I didn’t yet, thank you so much.”

“Oh please. You basically planned it yourself, you are an expert when it comes to weddings,” she laughed.

Some guests started to leave shortly after midnight and I found myself sitting on a bench with a glass of white wine, staring at the sky. I’m married. It felt so surreal.

“What are you doing here all by yourself?” Trevor’s voice brought me back to reality.

“Just thinking,” I smiled and offered him the seat next to me.

“You can’t back up now,” he joked.

“I’m not backing up. Not now, not ever. You’re stuck with me,” I stuck out my tongue.

He put his glass down and placed his arm around me and we just sat there, quietly, for a couple minutes.

“I’m glad we picked this venue,” I broke the silence, “look how gorgeous it is here.”

“Me too,” he agreed and kissed the side of my head, “everything about this day is perfect. You’re perfect. When I saw you walk down the isle, my heart was beating so fast I thought it’s gonna jump out of my chest. That’s how beautiful you look tonight.”

I looked at him from the side, “you’re not bad yourself,” I laughed.

“Funny,” he said pretending to be mad, “do you wanna head back before everyone leave?”

“Just a little bit longer. Let’s take a picture.”

He picked up his glass of wine and wrapped his arm around me one more time, this time standing up and I took a picture of us with my phone.

We’re married, came to my mind again. When does it stop feeling surreal?

We were about to go back to the party when we saw my parents leaving.

“Where are you guys going?” I asked and we walked over to them.

“We’re going back to the hotel. We’re too old for partying all night,” my dad said and added a laugh.

“But we have something for you two,” my mom said and handed me a large envelope.

“What is it?”

“Just open it.”

All three of them were patiently waiting as I was opening the envelope and Trevor was looking over my shoulder. I finally managed to break the seal and pulled out two plane tickets with our names on them.

“What?” we both gasped, “are you serious?”

“We want you to have a great time on your honeymoon,” dad said and they started walking to the taxi that was waiting for them.

“We love you,” mom said over her shoulder.

“Well,” I looked at my husband, “I guess we’re going to Paris.”

I covered my mouth to hide the excitement I was feeling. Paris, the most romantic city in the world and we get to spend our honeymoon there.

“I guess so,” Trevor said and was about to hug me but then we noticed Garret and Martha walking out, “where are you two going?”

“Together….holding hands?” I added and winked at my best friend.

They let each others hands go quickly as if they just now realized they were holding them and looked at each other.

“We…uhm…we’re gonna head out,” Garret blabbered nervously and pointed to the city, “no one’s really there anymore.”

“Alright..” Trevor said in a high voice and didn’t ask any more questions, letting them leave.

I was holding in happy scream until they disappeared in a cab, “Aaaah,” I shook Trevor’s shoulders, “they’re gonna do it!”

He couldn’t help but laugh at my silliness, “yea, probably.”

“Our two best friends are gonna get married! How amazing is that?! We have Dean and Nora and if Martha moves to Hillside, we’ll have them too. And if we all have kids around the same time….”

“Ok, you need to calm down, missy.”

“Na-ah,” I lifted my finger, “not a missy anymore.”

“You’re right,” he stroke my cheek, “are you ready to head home Mrs. Morrison?”