Chapter Thirty-Nine
T he limo should arrive any minute. Vickie checked her reflection in the mirror one last time. The dresses were perfect. Since it was a fall wedding, Kristy had decided on brown bridesmaids dresses. She’d let them choose their own style. Vickie’s dress was a beautiful strapless A-line gown that came just below her knees.
“That looks perfect on you,” Ainsley said, stepping out into the hallway. Her dress was a full-length halter style.
“Wow.” Vickie looked Ainsley up and down. “You look amazing.” The dress looked perfect with her coloring. Her red hair was twisted into a simple chignon, but a few tendrils around her face softened the look.
“Can you tell I’m still carrying a little extra baby weight? Be honest.”
Vickie shook her head. “No way. You look really great.”
“Thanks. I’ve started doing yoga again, but not regularly. I still feel a little like I’m in someone else’s body.”
A loud whistle sounded from the end of the hall. “I have the two most beautiful bridesmaids ever. No one is even going to look at me.”
Vickie and Ainsley turned to see Kristy standing at the end of the hallway. The dress was simple chiffon with an empire waist. “You look very Grecian,” Vickie said, “like some kind of painting or statue.”
“So gorgeous,” Ainsley agreed.
Kristy’s hair was curled and flowed around her shoulders. Instead of a veil, she wore a tiny diamond tiara. “What do you think?” she asked.
“Ace is going to flip out. You just look so beautiful.” Vickie felt the tears well up in her eyes. If she hadn’t even made it to the ceremony yet and was already weepy, she hated to think of how she’d manage to listen to their vows. They’d written their own, too, which always made them more emotional.
“Better than the first time?” Kristy asked, uncertainty written all over her face.
“No comparison.”
Kristy smiled broadly. “Thanks.” She took a deep breath. “Okay. I think I hear the car.”
Ainsley emerged from the guest room, Faith in tow. “Let me just put her in the car seat.” She glanced at Kristy. “Sorry.”
“Please tell me you aren’t apologizing for having that angel with us today.” She leaned down and kissed Faith on the cheek. “If she was a little older, she’d be my flower girl for sure.”
Ainsley smiled. “Let’s just be glad she isn’t fussy. I don’t know what we’d do.”
“We’d deal with it.” Kristy touched Ainsley on the arm. “She’s part of you. I love her even if she is fussy. And I’m happy she’s here to share this day. Someday, I can tell her the story about how she got to ride in a limo with me on my wedding day.”
Shades of relief colored Ainsley’s face. “Thanks.”
They headed out the door toward the waiting limo. The driver opened the back door and Ainsley got in first with the car seat. Vickie turned to Kristy. “You ready?”
“More than I ever thought I could be.” They carefully climbed inside the limo and the elderly driver closed the door behind them.
Vickie leaned her head against the leather seat. They’d stayed up so late last night, talking. She hadn’t realized she was tired until she had a second to be still. She glanced over at Kristy. Her eyes were closed. Maybe she was saying a silent prayer. She looked so calm.
Ainsley leaned down and spoke to Faith in soothing tones. Vickie watched as the baby looked up at her mother with wide eyes and gave a gummy grin. She looked a lot like her dad and Vickie couldn’t fight the waves of sadness that she’d never get to know him.
The limo slowed to a stop. “That was fast.” Vickie slid closer to the window and inhaled sharply. They were in front of Rhea Springs, Kristy’s favorite spot on the park. And, from the looks of things, there was a wedding about to happen. “Kristy, you might want to check this out.”
Kristy looked out the window. “No way,” she whispered. “I wasn’t paying attention to where we were going. I can’t believe he did this.”
Nancy opened the limo door. “How was the limo ride?” She asked, beaming.
“Mom, I can’t believe this. Was this your idea?” Kristy asked.
Nancy shook her head. “Not at all. My only job was to tell you about the limo.” She grinned widely. “But enough chit chat. There are lots of people waiting on you.” She held out the box that was in her hands. “Here are your bouquets.” She handed Vickie and Ainsley small bouquets of orange gerbera daisies tied together with brown ribbon the same color as their dresses. “Didn’t these turn out nicely?” Kristy’s bouquet was just like the bridesmaids’, but with twice as many flowers.
“They’re beautiful,” Ainsley said.
Nancy leaned down. “Here comes Dorothy to take Faith.”
Ainsley unbuckled Faith from the car seat. “Okay, sweet girl. Try not to fuss.” Faith cooed and her pacifier fell from her mouth.
“Good thing you’ve got that clipped to her,” Vickie laughed.
Dorothy stepped up to the open car door. “Oh, girls. You look beautiful.” She smiled. “I’m ready to take that precious baby for a bit.” She reached into the car and took Faith from Ainsley. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.”
Ainsley grinned. “Thanks. If she gets fussy, you might have to stand up and walk around.”
“No problem.” Dorothy said, as she and Faith walked off.
“Okay, it’s my turn,” Nancy tipped Kristy’s chin upward. “You look beautiful, darling. I hope you enjoy your day.”
Vickie’s eyes immediately filled with tears. She should’ve found a way to sneak some tissue.
Ainsley grinned. “I’m guessing it’s my turn next? Seems we’re in unrehearsed territory. So much for me knowing how many steps it would take me to get down the church aisle.”
“I can’t believe he did this.” Kristy wore a dumfounded expression. “Do you think he knows how much it means to me?”
“Of course. The fact that Ace set up your wedding on park grounds, knowing that was always your idea of a dream wedding just goes to show you that he’s the right man for you.” Vickie grinned. “He gets a million cool points for this.” She was really impressed. This was straight out of a movie ending. John Cusack couldn’t have done any better.
Ainsley climbed gracefully from the limo. “See you at the front,” she grinned, then walked around the car.
Vickie climbed from the car, then turned around to help Kristy out. “No one will be able to see us as long as we’re on this side of the car.”
Kristy smoothed her dress. “Okay. Last chance.” She twirled. “Anything out of place?”
“Nope. You’re perfect.” She grinned. “I’m going. Good luck.” She slowly walked around the long limo. The closer she got to the altar, the louder Canon in D sounded. Someone must’ve brought a good outdoor sound system.
Guests were seated in white wooden chairs, on either side of a white runner that served as an aisle. Vickie paused until Ainsley finished walking up the runner and took her place up front. Ace stood at the end of the aisle, along with his groomsmen and the preacher. He was grinning broadly, and nodded at Ainsley as she passed him.
Vickie took a breath and began walking slowly down the aisle toward the front. She smiled at Owen and Dorothy, who were so enthralled with Faith they were barely paying attention to what was going on around them. She nodded at Nancy, who was seated with Kristy’s sister, Sarah, and her family. Finally, she reached Ace. The gleam in his brown eyes was enough to light a dark sky. As she took her place next to Ainsley, the first chimes of the Wedding March began and the crowd rose.
Kristy stood for a moment at the end of the aisle, absorbing the scene. The shock of the location change still registered on her face. Finally, she began walking toward Ace. Her eyes never left his, even for a second.
Vickie knew it was a moment she’d remember forever. Kristy seemed to float along the white cloth runner. The late afternoon sunlight glinted off the rhinestones on her tiara.
Ace stepped forward to meet Kristy, taking her hand in his. “You’re beautiful,” he said softly.
Kristy handed her bouquet to Vickie with a wink, then turned her attention back to Ace.
The preacher began the ceremony, welcoming the guests and thanking them on behalf of the groom for keeping the location a secret. The crowd chuckled.
“The bride and groom have chosen to write their own vows,” the graying preacher said, nodding toward Kristy and Ace. “When you’re ready.”
Ace took a breath. “Kristy, I know you were probably surprised that I chose this location.” He grinned. “But as soon as I realized we weren’t going to make it to the beach, I knew this would be the perfect spot. I know how much you love the park—you practically grew up here. This land is equally special to me, not only because my ancestors fought here, but because it’s where I found you.” He paused. “I am the luckiest man in the world for finding you.” He motioned to the scene around them. “I know that you’ve avoided this spot because of the memory it holds. But I want there to be a new memory. A memory of you, looking more beautiful than I’ve ever seen you look, and me, standing here with my heart in my hand, thanking God that he led me to you. I promise that I will always be by your side. I will hold your hand as we go on this journey and I will try my best to make you happy.” He reached out and brushed away a tear trickling down her face. “I love you.”
Kristy was quiet for a moment. “This is the best surprise you ever could’ve given me. From this moment on, whenever I drive past Rhea Springs, all I will think of is you and this lovely day.” She took a breath. “I never expected to find a love like the one we share. In fact, I never believed that kind of love existed. But you have been patient with me and let me trust in our love at my own pace. And today, as I walked toward you, I realized that I have no fear. I know there will be good times and bad times. I know that we will lean on each other and that together, we can face anything.” She paused. “I love you with all of my heart.”
Vickie brushed a tear from her face. It almost felt voyeuristic, to watch such a special moment between two people who loved one another so much. And even though she hated to think about herself, she couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever find a love like that.
Ace and Kristy exchanged rings and finally, the preacher declared them man and wife. Ace gently pulled Kristy to him and planted a light kiss on her lips. The crowd stood and clapped as the recessional began to play. Vickie handed the bouquet back to Kristy as they began to make their way back down the aisle and to the waiting limo. It had been a perfect wedding, and as Vickie climbed into the limo, she knew she’d been part of something magical.