Chapter Forty-Seven
Ria
“Jesus, Ri, you’re gonna ruin my make up,” Ali says fanning her face, fighting back tears as she looks at me as Gabby fastens the last clasp on my wedding dress. I chose a simple satin, backless white gown. It hugs my curves in all the right places, and I know it will drive Jack crazy. I wanted elegant and classy, but also want to make my husband tear it off me later. My hair is pinned in loose waves at the base of my head with a veil clipped in.
My girls look utterly adorable in white flower girl dresses and satin bows in their hair.
“Mommy, you look like a princess,” Lexi says, standing next to me, looking at our reflections in the mirror. I bend down, careful not to crease my dress and get down at her eye level. “And so do you, my girl. Are you ready to walk down the aisle? You know what to do?”
She nods her little head. “Uh huh, I take my basket and me and Elle will throw the petals everywhere.”
“Perfect.” I smile, bopping her on the nose. Elle stands next to Ali, holding her hand, a bit unsure of all the commotion. She’s my little wall flower, quieter than her big sister, and I just hope she can manage today without feeling too overwhelmed.
“Ri, you look perfect,” Gabby sniffs, smoothing her hand down my veil.
“Me? Look at you two beauties” They both twirl on the spot, looking like models in their satin sage bridesmaid dresses. Their hair in a similar style to mine. It’s a spring wedding, and I wanted everything sage and white, plain and simple.
The flowers are a mix of white roses and calla lilies for our bouquets, and the same flowers will fill the ceremony hall and the tables at our reception. Jack told me no expense would be spared on our dream day and while that may be music to most bride’s ears, I just wanted the day to be about us and our love and celebrating it with our nearest and dearest. It breaks my heart that I don’t have parents to share this day with, but I have all the love I need around me. The one person I wish could be here is Noah. He”s deployed again, and while I hoped he would be back to walk me down the aisle, he couldn”t be released. I’m just grateful we got to spend this past Christmas with him.
“Okay, I think we need to leave. The car is waiting to take us to the church. Let”s get this show on the road,” Ali says, ushering the girls towards the door. I turn to look at myself one last time before I walk down the aisle and become Mrs. Lawson. I reach for my flowers just as a knock at the door startles us all.
“Quick, quick,” Gabby panics. It’s probably the driver. Ali opens the door and as I adjust my dress, I hear Noah’s name . I whip my head round so fast I’m sure I give myself whiplash. But there he is, my big brother, all tanned, dressed in his military blues with his white cap, looking as handsome as ever.
Tears pool in my eyes and I blink away so they don”t fall and ruin my makeup.
“Uncle Noah,” the girls’ screech. He bends to hug them both and now I’m really fighting back the tears.
“Okay, girls, let”s get in the car,” Ali instructs, giving me a nod, knowing I need a few minutes alone with my brother.
“You came,” I say, my words shaky.
“Did you think I was going to miss walking my baby sister down the aisle on her wedding day to one of my best friends?”
We’ve FaceTimed countless times since me and Jack got together and I found out not long ago that Jack called Noah before he proposed to check it was okay; ask his permission or just give him a heads up I don”t know, but the fact he did that meant everything to me. My brother, aside from Jack, has been the only man to be there for me. He’s been my constant and even though his job makes him leave a lot, he never truly leaves me.
“I hoped you wouldn”t,” I reply, reaching to hug him and he squeezes me in that protective big brother way.
“You look beautiful. You look happy. It suits you.”
“He makes me happy,” I tell him.
“I know he does, and you, more than anyone, deserve all the happiness life has to offer and I couldn”t think of a better man for you to be happy with.”
Bending his arm and offering it to me, I link mine with his.
“Now, let’s go get my baby sister and my best friend hitched.”