Page 44 of Beautiful Life
No, our dresses are light silver, slim to the floor with a slit up the middle in the front hitting above our knees, just high enough to show a little leg with each step. It has a tiny little kick train in the back, spaghetti straps and a deep V in the front dipping to the wide band just under the bustline. The band is made of grey and covered with more crystals to accent Gabby’s dress. The men are wearing charcoal tuxes with vests and a tie.
It’s time. I reach for my bag and pull out a small box with a silver ribbon wrapped around it. Gabby is busy chatting with Chloe who’s in her own white flouncy dress with a silver sash. Chloe is dancing in circles, talking everyone’s ear off.
“Gabby.” She looks over and so does Tony. He came shopping with me, he knows we could have a drama at the most or a moment at the very least. Tony and I both move to her. “I have something for you. I know you’re not superstitious and didn’t want anything new, old, borrowed, or blue. This is just a gift, but you’ve got to keep it together, girlie.”
“What, is it going to make me lose it?” she asks, looking curious. I look over at Tony and he gives me an encouraging smile.
“Just open it. We’ve got to be at T minus twelve by now,” I tease.
She takes my gift with a hesitant look, pulling the bow and opening the lid. The second she looks into the box she gasps. Not looking away from the box, she reaches in and touches the charms lightly with the tips of her fingers.
There are two charms, one of her mom and one of her dad. I found the pictures at her house, took them to a jeweler, had the pictures scanned and shrunk down to size. They’re soldered between glass with sterling silver around the edges with an eye hook at the top. Her mom is in one and the other side is a picture of her parents on their wedding day. Her dad is in the other and the opposite side holds a picture of the three of them.
“They’re for your bouquet,” I explain. “You can have your parents with you when you walk down the aisle.”
“Ohmygoodness,” she starts to tear up. I can tell she’s trying to keep it together because she swallows and nods her head fast while pulling in a breath. She looks up and breathes, “It’s perfect, Leigh. I can’t think of anything more perfect. Thank you.”
I give her a hug and ask, “Tony, can you get her bouquet?”
“Yeah,” he murmurs. He brings her bouquet of white roses, lilies, and hydrangeas with a hint of pink. The arrangement is round and tight with long stems, wrapped in a silver satin ribbon. I take the charms and clip them to the ribbon in the front of the bouquet.
“There,” I say. “Now it’s perfect. Time for you to get married.”
“Thank you,” she says as she squeezes my hand.
She moves toward her aunts to show them her bouquet and I feel an arm come around my waist. I know that arm, but I look over anyway and Tony pulls my side into his front, putting his lips to my ear. “Thank you.”
He leans in to kiss my jaw. I look across the room and Lizzie has a big smile on her face. I hear Tony chuckle in my ear. I guess there’s no hiding it anymore and Lizzie is still grinning like a loon. I return a small smile back to Tony’s mother. She winks and finally gives her attention back to Gabby.
Turning to Tony, I ask sarcastically, “Now is the moment you choose for public displays of affection?”
“After this morning,” he whispers, “I’m not hiding anything anymore, sweetheart. You’re mine.”
I don’t have time to respond to Tony—not that I have one—because the church coordinator rushes in and starts bossing people around. Tony gives me another squeeze and a peck on the lips in front of everyone before he releases me.
Well ... crap.
*****
“You may now kiss your bride.”
Jude takes the small step to close the distance between them and claims Gabby’s face. She immediately fits herself to him, putting her hands on his chest. Pulling her up a bit, he leans to kiss her, long and deep. When he releases her lips, he doesn’t release her, but tips his forehead to hers and murmurs something against her lips, something I can’t even hear and I’m standing right next to them. Gabby closes her eyes and nods. When she opens them, he smiles big at her and kisses her one more time before releasing her to be announced as Mr. and Mrs. Jude Ortiz.
Gabby looks up at Jude as he takes her hand to walk her down the aisle. I look at Tony who’s sitting on the front row next to his parents and Gabby’s other aunts and uncles. He’s looking at me with a new look. A claiming look, pinning me to the spot.
The only reason I look away is because Chloe yells, “Come on, Leigh! It’s our turn!” She’s skipping down the aisle with Cayden, running to catch up. I look up to see Jude’s brother and best man, Brecken, waiting for me. I break out of my claimed-by-Tony trance to finish my maid of honor duties.
*****
The reception is at the country club where Tony’s parents are members. It’s located on the outskirts of town and has a great clubhouse where the reception is being held. The walkway up to the club is lined by a mass of trees and Gabby hired someone to line them with Christmas lights going from the ground all the way up into the branches. From the branches hang balls with silver ribbon covered with baby’s breath. Inside the ballroom, tables are spotted with tall contemporary vases lit from the bottom and at the top sit enormous arrangements of hydrangeas, roses and lilies to match the bouquets.
The party is in full swing. The food has been served, drinks are flowing, and dancing is underway. Gabby’s uncles, who insisted on splitting the reception as a gift to their niece and a way to honor their brother, spared no expense.
I’m standing at the side talking to Paige and her sort-of-date, Brian. She told me earlier they’ve been friends for years and he insisted on coming with her. She said there’s nothing going on between them, but I think she needs to let Brian in on that fact because he’s acting a little possessive. I had possessive ruling my life for four years, I can spot it a mile away.
“Hey Brian,” she starts. “Will you run to the bar for us?”
“Sure,” he answers, a little too eagerly. “What’ll it be?”
