Part Six:
As the violinist began the first strains of the bridal march, I felt
Amanda’s hand slip into mine and held it tight. We shared an intimate
smile before turning to watch my mother begin her walk down the aisle.
Things couldn’t be better, I thought. We had arrived at the house early
this morning to help with the last minute details. Amanda had gone to
oversee the caterers, and to give my mother and I some privacy. We had
a long talk and realized that we had both fallen into the same old
patterns. She told me that she couldn’t for the life of her figure out
why she had lashed out at me. She really liked Amanda, she said, and
she was glad that I had found someone to love, who loved me the same
way. I looked at her, dumbfounded.
“How did you know?”
She fluffed out the skirt of the simple dress she had chosen to wear,
and chuckled. “My dear, it’s obvious the woman is smitten. You could
see it in her face every time she looked at you. Hand me that jacket,
would you?”
As I handed her the waistcoat, I shook my head. “Mom, sometimes I don’t
know what to make of you.”
She laughed. “I know. It’s part of my charm. Now scoot. I need a few
minutes to calm my nerves, or I’m afraid I’ll throw up on the
minister.”
“Mom!” We both laughed. I left her to herself and went to make sure
everything was as it should be. On my way through the kitchen, I bumped
into a large man coming in as I was going out. He was dressed to the
nines and very distinguished looking.
“Oh, excuse me,” he said. God, but the man had a deep voice. He looked
at me quizzically for a moment. “Are you Diane’s daughter?”
“Uh, yes. I am.” This has to be the groom.
He grabbed my hand and shook it gently. “I’m Richard. Langley. Uh, the
groom.” He smiled, and it lightened his whole face. I could see why my
mother had fallen for this man. His slight awkwardness was quite
endearing. I smiled in return.
“It’s very good to meet you Richard. I can tell that you and my mother
will be very happy together.”
“Thank you, Melissa. That’s very sweet. I just hope I can make her as
happy as she’s made me.”
I raised my eyebrow inquisitively, and had to fight back a grin when he
blushed. He actually blushed. I liked this man already.
“Uh-- what I mean is-- um, by agreeing to marry me.” He finished in a
rush.
I smiled and patted his arm. “I knew what you meant, Richard, don’t
worry. I’m sorry, I have this tendency to find double entendres in even
the most innocuous of statements. I should have warned you first.”
We both laughed, and he told me not to worry. After, he went his way,
and I went mine. I took my seat next to Amanda and tucked back a stray
lock of hair that had fallen out of her chignon.
“You look beautiful,” I whispered.
“Thank you. So do you.” The look in her eyes practically screamed sex,
and I blushed.
“Quit that,” I muttered.
She laughed softly. I smiled in return.
We twisted in our seats to watch as my mother glided down the makeshift
aisle. She looked lovely, and so happy. I couldn’t imagine this day any
better than it already was. We watched in silence as the bride and
groom repeated their vows, poor Richard shaking through the whole
thing. I could sympathize with him. It was scary, feeling that strongly
about someone else.
After the ceremony, the caterers served up a delicious buffet. Everyone
mingled, laughing, sharing stories and toasting the newlyweds with
mimosas. All in all, a perfect day.
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