23. Madeleine #3
“Poor Grant,” I said under my breath. “Doesn’t have a chance.”
Blake had set aside her camera to put on her own gown, a burgundy printed chiffon, with a plunging neckline, long bell sleeves and a soft ruffled hem. She wore her shoulder length hair down, with loose waves framing her face.
“Wow,” Ivy said. “Our filmmaker looks like a movie star.”
“I do like my dress,” Blake said, blushing. “I had to order it from here, so I wasn’t sure how it would look. I didn’t realize I’d be participating in the wedding.”
“We’re glad you’re here,” I said. “Thank you for handling us all with such care.”
Blake surprised me with a hug. “You’re welcome.”
I was the last to get into my dress. Ivy and I had chosen it together months ago.
She’d wanted something for her maid of honor that complimented her gown, and this one did just that.
Wine-red, floor-length, with a beaded column that skimmed the body.
A soft cowl draped at the throat and back.
Fine beaded lattice and a small train mimicked Ivy’s wedding dress, as did the loose chignon I’d chosen for my hair.
Ivy set aside her champagne to pull five ivory faux-fur shawls out for us. “So you don’t freeze while seeing me get hitched.”
Jack and Ivy’s mothers appeared then. They, too, had chosen to dress in the wedding colors.
Carol wore a floor-length gown in dusty ice-blue satin with a subtle floral jacquard sheen, Bateau neckline, and elegant draped cape sleeves.
June, with Ivy’s help, had chosen a floor-length cabernet colored satin gown with a surplice V-neckline and a collared shirt-dress detail at the top, long fitted sleeves, a ruched waist gathered to one side with a satin rosette, and a slim column skirt.
“Mama, you look divine,” Ivy said, beaming. “And Carol, that dress is a showstopper.”
Both women smiled demurely.
“We’ve had such fun together, haven’t we, Carol?” June asked. “I didn’t know I’d get a new best friend and a son all in the same month.”
Carol nodded, squeezing June’s hand. “I feel the same way.”
“Now, we have a few things for the bride,” Carol said, pulling out a hanky from her small purse. “This was embroidered by my mother for her own wedding. I saved it for you. It’s your something old.”
I leaned closer to look at the fine white cotton handkerchief, with a white-on-white embroidery of a bouquet of roses.
“I have your grandmother’s bracelet for something borrowed,” June said to Ivy.
“It was the nicest thing she ever owned. My daddy saved up a long time to buy it for her.” The bracelet looked like it was from the Victorian-era, with deep red Bohemian garnets in a dense, domed cluster.
“You’re to keep it, baby girl,” June said. “She would want you to have it.”
“Mama, really?” Ivy asked.
“You’ve only had your eye on it since you were five years old,” June said, smiling gently. “To me, you’re still the little girl peering into my jewelry box, asking for stories about your grandmother.”
“I love it, Mama,” Ivy said. “I wish I could’ve known her.”
“You remind me of her,” June said. “She was a firebug too.”
“I have this,” Luci said, pressing a velvet pouch into Ivy’s hand. “It’s your something new, with a hint at the past. I had it made from a vintage design I found.”
Ivy tugged a delicate antique-style crescent moon brooch in gold from the pouch, with a graduated row of tiny seed pearls along the curve.
“Oh, Luci, it’s so pretty,” Ivy said.
“We’re sisters now,” Luci said. “I wanted you to have something to take with you from this day that will remind you that you’re an answer to my prayers. I couldn’t imagine a better match for my brother, who I love so much, than you.” Luci’s eyes glistened.
Ivy hugged her, laughing and crying, and scolding Luci for ruining her makeup.
“I have something too,” I said, bringing a small box to her. “From your best friend on your wedding day.”
Ivy lifted the lid and gasped. I’d found a vintage Art Deco style cluster ring at an antique shop. It had a round old-cut diamond at the center, ringed by a scalloped halo of French-cut blue sapphires laid petal-like, with tiny diamonds between the points and down the shoulders, in white gold.
“A sapphire flower for my ride or die,” I said, fighting tears. “There was something about it that reminded me of you. Pretty. Sparkly. Delicate. But soulful too. You’ve been my person all these years. Now I’ll share you with Jack, but, don’t forget, I’m always here if or when you need me.”
Ivy pulled me into a hug, then placed the ring on her right middle finger. “I couldn’t love it more.”
Sammie Moon came into the room, wearing a tasteful blue suit, her long hair in a practical pony tail. “Everyone looks exquisite. Are we ready to do this?”
“Couldn’t be more ready.” Ivy beamed at each of us. “Thank you all for being here with me. I couldn’t ask for better family or friends.”
“Let’s do this,” I said. “We’re wasting daylight.”
Everyone laughed as we filed out of the room to go witness the wedding of Jack Wilder and Ivy James.