“You look beautiful,” my mom said.
“You really think so?”
“I’m know I’m biased, but I’ve never seen a more beautiful bride than you.”
“Awww … thanks, Mom.”
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
“A bit nervous.”
She rested her hand on my bare shoulder. “Everything is going to be great.”
“I know,” I said. “I’m just worried I’m going to trip and fall or do something else embarrassing.”
“I trust you.” She nodded. “And I am more than happy to trust Caleb with you too.” Mom always had a soft spot for Caleb, but once she found out what he had done for me, she became his greatest ally. I once joked she was more loyal to him than me.
“Thanks, mom.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Now, I’m just being silly.”
I pulled her into a hug. “I love you, Mom.”
She gave me a kiss then, and walked away.
“All done,” Anna said, picking up a big round mirror that she held behind me.
I looked at the mirror to assess the swirly chignon adorned with pink dainty roses she had created for me. My makeup had been applied flawlessly, and my eyes were sparkling with anxiety and excitement.
“Wow,” I said. “You guys did an amazing job.”
“We had amazing material to work with,” she replied. “I cannot wait till your groom sees you.”
“Neither can I,” I muttered under my breath and jumped to my feet.
It was finally time to put on my dress. My mom and Sandra returned.
Sandra helped to slip the dress up over my hips and chest and zipped me up. Then Anna fitted the little crown veil on my head, and I turned around to look in the mirror.
“Oh, my God,” Sandra gasped. “You look incredible.”
My mother’s eyes were filled with tears and she began to carefully dab at the corners so as not to ruin her makeup.
I stared at myself and almost didn’t recognize myself. I was still not showing and the exquisitely beautiful dress fit beautifully. Mom and I found it in a boutique by accident. The moment we saw it, we both knew it was the one. It was simple and yet utterly and completely perfect. It had a gorgeous train that made me look tall and elegant. All the things I wasn’t.
It had taken almost thirteen years but finally, I was ready for Caleb to tell the whole world I was his. And I couldn’t wait.
A little while later, my father hooked my arm around his, and the processional hymn began. At the end of the beautifully lit aisle was the love of my life.
Caleb Daniel Wolfe.
He stood in a dove-gray suit, tall and broad, as he waited for my arrival at the altar.
He didn’t have a best man, but he did have Maria, who wore a tuxedo next to him. She was a lot shorter than him, and she appeared to be bouncing up and down with excitement. I smiled when I saw her pat his shoulder encouragingly, and playfully offer her handkerchief to him.
Then he was turning. Turning to look at me. He smiled slowly at me. After all these years we were finally going to be joined in the eyes of God.
My hand shook and my father turned to look at me. “You all right?” he whispered.
I was so emotional, so full of gratitude, I could not speak, I could not think. I could not even nod. I could barely put one foot in front of the other. My father understood and he held my hand tightly. “It’s gonna be fine,” he said. I pressed my lips together to keep from crying. By the time I arrived in front of him, my eyes were full of tears.
Caleb took my hand and gently guided me up to the altar with him.
Sandra excitedly arranged my train, and I peered through my veil at Caleb. He looked so incredibly handsome. My head filled with memories of him. From the first day at the new school when he had walked up to me.
“I’m Caleb,” the tall boy had said.
“I’m Willow,” I replied.
He smiled and that was it for me.
I thought of the time we had eaten ice cream under a tree in the storm.
“It’s dangerous to sit under a tree during a storm,” he had said.
“Then hold me,” I answered.
We had made our life promises to each other, and I thought of that night we had mixed our blood and made our promises. For all intents and purposes that would always be my wedding day. I had promised myself wholeheartedly to him, body and mind. Today would be to iterate it before our friends and family, but it was just a formality.
We got married twelve years ago. I forgot for a while, but he never did and my body never did.
“Are we still alive?” I whispered to him. “Did I die in Bradley flat, and you at the Don’s house?”