“Grown up?” I offer.
“Yes,” he nodded. “You look like a very grown up stunning woman and not like my pretty nineteen-year old college student.”
I walk over and give him a kiss on his cheek, wiping off the lipstick residue I’ve left behind.
“I kind of miss seeing my teenage college student,” he says, blinking away a pool of tears. “I can’t believe you’re getting married and moving all the way to Texas.”
“You and mom will have to come visit us once we’re settled,” I comfort him. “In fact, since I’m an only child, you should consider moving down to Texas to be close to me.”
He smiled as my mother came over to us and squeezed his hand. “We’ve been talking about that very thing.”
“Really?”
“Really. I don’t want to be far away from you. College was one thing, when I knew you’d eventually be coming back home. But getting married and moving to Texas? That wasn’t even on my radar. Your father and I will talk some more about it later and decide what we’re going to do.”
I reach over and grab all of them for a group hug.
“Where’s Julianna?” my mother asks looking around the room and smiling when she sees Kaitlyn wiping tears from her eyes at our display of affection. “Isn’t she a bridesmaid?”
“She was,” I say. “Until I got this text a few minutes ago.” I hand my phone over to my mother, so she can read the cryptic message. “Can you believe she actually sent this to me? Today of all days?”
My mother’s face showed the confusion and shock I felt when I first read this missive.
“I’m surprised Julianna would send something like this,” she comments as she hands the phone back to me. “I don’t remember her being so cold. She might be a little opinionated, but I always admired that about her.”
“Daniel thinks she’s jealous,” Kaitlyn offers, smoothing down the fabric of her bridesmaid dress.
“I’m not sure I agree with that assessment,” my mother says, before coming fully into the room and taking a seat. “If she is, then that comes from low self-esteem. A lot of Julianna’s behavior can be attributed to low self-esteem.”
“I never thought of that,” I say, giving her a hug. “We just love her and want her to be happy for us. But this,” I hold up my phone. “This is a bridge too far. I don’t know that I can forgive this.”
“If she comes to her senses and shows up and asks for forgiveness, then yes, you will forgive her,” my mother says. “We don’t hold grudges, Sarah. That’s not good for you, the other person or anyone. Forgive, forget and move on.”
“You’re right,” I admit.
“Hey,” Kaitlyn breaks in. “You’ve got five minutes until go time. Let’s stop making this day about Julianna and focus on you and this happy occasion.”
I smile at Kaitlyn and nod. She always knows how to break me out of my musings and keep me on track. This is a happy time and I’m going to make sure this is the happiest day of my life.
My smile brightens as I look at my mother.
“Are you ready?” she asks, taking my hands in hers.
“Yes,” I say. “Let’s get started.”
I can hear the music playing from the other room. It is a small ceremony, which is what Daniel wanted. The reception will also be at the restaurant where we had our first date and our rehearsal dinner. Daniel picked out the music, because let’s face it, if it were up to me, I wouldn’t have clue except for what’s playing on the pop stations.
This music is classical, not religious. Daniel prefers listening to classical because he says it expands your mind.
Daniel doesn’t believe in God. That may be the one thing we don’t have in common.
He put his foot down when I suggested we get married in this sweet church not far from campus. It’s one I’ve been attending since I started at UVA.
He was adamant so, despite the fact my parents took me to church every Sunday growing up and it’s always been a huge part of my life, we’re not getting married in a church.
That’s okay. It was a small sacrifice to make Daniel as happy as he’s made me.
My mother leaves to take her seat in the front and Kaitlyn gives my hand a reassuring squeeze before preceding me down the small aisle. I place my hand in the crook of my father’s arm and note that he is blinking back tears.
“Dad?” I inquire, patting his chest. “It’s okay.”
He nods, and I suspect it’s because he doesn’t want to start bawling right before he walks me down the aisle.
“I love you, Daddy,” I whisper.
“I love you, too,” he whispers back, his voice raspy with emotion.
We start our short walk down the aisle and I look up to see Daniel waiting for me. My heart leaps at seeing him for the first time. His smile broadens when he sees me too.
In some ways, the entire ceremony seems to go by so fast, in others, it was as slow as molasses in January. When the Justice of the Peace was finished with the ceremony, he proudly pronounces us husband and wife and announces that Daniel can kiss his bride.
It was like something out of a fairy tale. Daniel took my face in his hands and sweetly, deliciously, kissed me for the first time as his wife.
“I love you, Mrs. Rothschild,” he whispered against my lips. “And I cannot wait until tonight.”
“Me too,” I sigh, blushing.
The two of us turn and looked at the small gathering before us. I felt as though my smile would burst my face in two from happiness. Daniel takes my hand and we make our way back down the aisle toward the restaurant and our reception.
The cake Daniel picked out was perfection. White chocolate pecan. I’d never heard of it before, but it was nothing short of amazing. And beautiful.
We awaited our twenty guests, all the while smiling and hugging one another.
“Well, Mrs. Rothschild, how do you like being married so far?”
“It’s perfect,” I say, snuggling against him.
“Do you like the dress I picked out?” he asked.
“It’s gorgeous,” I nod. “Perfect.”
“I couldn’t wait to see you in it,” he says and pulls me close. “I love the way you look in form fitting clothes. It makes other men want you and they cannot have you because you’re all mine.”
Something about the way Daniel phrased that made me feel momentarily uncomfortable, but I quickly dismiss it as me being oversensitive and self-conscious. I should be happy he wants to show me off.
“The only thing that could have made this day better was if Julianna was here to share it with me,” I say as I look around the restaurant.
Daniel looks angered at my words.
“I was so focused on you, I didn’t realize she wasn’t at the wedding. Did she call or text or anything to let you know she wouldn’t be there?”
I nodded.
“She sent a text. It was outrageous and ugly and I-“
“Whoaa,” Daniel set me away from him to look at me. “What did she say to get you so upset on our wedding day?”
“She told me she wouldn’t be at the wedding and that our friendship was over.”
“Maybe I should talk with her,” he said as he pulled me closer into his embrace.
I shake my head. “No, don’t do that. It will just turn ugly.”
“I knew she was jealous of us. Of you,” he clarified. “But I had no idea she could be so mean. And on the happiest day of our lives no less.”
“I know. I just …”
“Shhh,” he comforts me. “I’m sorry she’s not being supportive of us. Maybe after a while things will settle down and she’ll come around.”
“Who knows? I just can’t believe Julianna would do this. She’s been so down lately, and she won’t talk to me or tell me what’s wrong.”