Outside, the warm summer air crackled with laughter and voices as more guests arrived to the quaint, mountain side ranch. Inside, there was anything but laughter. Kate groaned inwardly as she heard sniffling sounds coming from the bride, her best friend Kristina. Reluctantly turning from her window perch, she went into the bedroom to help console the woeful bride.
She paused and shook her head as she beheld the sight before her but smiled consolingly as she continued to her. Kristina had always had a flair for the dramatic. The bride sat upon the bed, dressed to the nines in a Vera Wang sweetheart ivory ball gown, monstrous diamond earrings (courtesy of her worshipping groom, Ben) and a diamond bracelet. Her blond hair had not been swept up into the typical, severe bridal fashion but instead, had been left curled and cascading down her back. She was the true image of a beautiful bride, thought Kate.
Sitting upon the bed beside the bride, her arms went around her.
“Now now, all this crying will destroy your makeup.” Looking to the bride she studied her emotions as she straightened her back and started to smile, the tears drying from her big blue eyes.
“I know, I know but my emotions are a wreck and my mind will not stop whirling about. What if he is not the right man for me? What if Ben is not the man I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with? Oooooooohhhh!”
Watching her stand in frustration, tears all gone from her eyes, Kate composed herself, waiting a moment to speak.
“It’s just cold feet, pretty typical for the wedding day.” Well, not really in her opinion but the maid of honor was supposed to console, not reaffirm the bride’s fears. Kristina had always been the wild flirt, the girl that always fell hard for each guy but at the same time, had a two second rebound rate. Ben was one of a kind. He was devoted, loving, and he absolutely worshipped Kristina. She knew that too. But as much as she loved her best friend, she was really hoping Kristina wouldn’t screw this marriage up.
“I know, I guess he really is something, huh?”
It was as if she had been reading her mind.
“Yeah, he sure is. Ben is crazy about you. I mean, come on, he asked you to marry him. That means something.” Kate watched her wring her hands, a glow starting on her face, as she stopped pacing the room.
“Oh, I have been such an emotional fool. What would I do without you, Kate?”
“Love makes us fools. That’s the beauty of it. And you would do just fine without me.” She smiled at the bride, knowingly, still studying her face for any last minute fleeting emotions. Thankfully, Kristina seemed to be back to her usual, peppy self. Checking the clock, she snapped back to the present, realizing that they only had 10 minutes before the bride was supposed to walk down the aisle.
“Oh shit! We don’t have much time. Let’s touch up your eye make-up real quick.”
They rushed to the adjoining room where make-up was sprawled out on an antique, rustic vanity, Kristina’s great-grandmothers’. She sprawled into action as the bride took a seat, fumbling for the correct eye makeup. They were both silent for a moment as she worked on her makeup, wondering and knowing something was going through Kristina’s fast, little mind. She was never quite for longer than a minute. Panic swept over her as she worried that she would actually have to deal with a runaway bride. She studied her face as she finished up her make-up, looking for a sign that Kristina was thinking of bolting…again.
“You know…I always thought you would be the one to get married first.”
She continued finishing up her make-up, not letting Kristina’s comment bother her or cause any sort of knee jerk reaction. So, that’s what had been on her mind. Of all the things.
Placing the makeup back on the vanity, they made eye contact in the mirror. It was enough to stop her best friend from continuing on her train of thought.
She regained her thoughts and her composure and was thankful for a knock at the door; Kristina’s father. It was time for the wedding to begin.
“Well, looks like that’s my signal. You look beautiful. Ben is sure to tear up when he see’s you.” Bidding her goodbye until after the wedding, she made her escape into the hallway and to the back of the house where the rest of the wedding party awaited, not allowing herself to think about anything but the task ahead. She found the best man, and her best guy friend, Anson, waiting for her in the group; his height and full head of raven black hair making him an easy find. His eyes met hers as she went to him, linking her arm in his.
“I take it, from your tardiness, that Kristina was considering leaving her love struck groom at the altar?” His voice was merely a low whisper, meant only for her ears.
“Oh, you know.” She couldn’t help but smile knowingly up at him. The three of them had known each other since college, Anson introducing Kristina to his brother, Ben, the summer before their senior year, 4 years ago. If Kate confided in anyone outside of Kristina, it was Anson. He knew her too well.
“Oh, and you look gorgeous by the way.” Anson’s voice was even lower this time.
She missed the catch in his voice, his comment only reminding her to check herself over one last time. Her pale purple, one shoulder, knee length dress was different from all the other bridesmaids’ dresses. It’s satin material was covered completely with an overlay of an even lighter purple, lace, and her brown hair, like the bride’s, was left to cascade down her back with only a couple of daisies to complete the look.
After reassuring herself that she was completely put together, she returned her attention to Anson’s comment.
“Always the charmer.” She looked up at him, giving him a grin.
“Only for you.” Music flowed in through the open glass doors with his comment, turning their attention back to the present and signaling the party to start the wedding procession.
She watched as three pairs of bridesmaids and groomsmen went before them, down the stairs and to the wedding ceremony area before them. She felt Anson nudge her playfully with his elbow, making her look up at him as he gave her a wink with his twinkling green eyes.
“Here we go.”
She held in her breath as they stepped forward, hoping she didn’t trip and fall on her face, as was her tendency, but thankful that she had Anson to hold on to. The ceremony area was beautifully decorated in a rustic theme with wildflowers and the looming Rocky Mountains for the backdrop. Guests were seated upon wooden benches, only completing the look of the evening.
Kate smiled as she walked on down the aisle, glancing over the faces of the many guests. They continued on, almost up the seemingly long aisle, when her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the one person she never thought she would see again. Why was he here? She swept her eyes away from him, keeping her smile plastered on her face, meanwhile, feeling Anson momentarily tighten his grip on her arm. She hadn’t been dreaming like she had hoped. He had seen him too.
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