Short story written by Ashleigh Lowry
Wedding Day
The dress -my old - My mother's, a family heirloom, passed down to each woman in our family. I am the ninth after my mother to wear it. Though parts of it have changed because of the personal taste of each bride, it has still been the same dress. This time it's mine. Not much has been altered from when it was my mother's, but it still feels like mine. Then it will be my turn to pass it on to my sister April.
The shoes -my new- my best friend’s present when she woke me up this morning. Ballet flats, because I told her once that even though I'm 5 foot 7, I always felt too tall in heels. She battled seven pairs of shoes to get the perfect silver vines and flower buds. She had even added a ribbon as a strap so they won't slip off while I’m dancing. The perfect pair of shoes from the best friend a girl could ask for.
The brooch - my borrowed - my cousin made one for her own wedding. I had always admired her ability to craft jewellery. Even when we were kids and she would make bracelets and hair clips for the two of us, and then my sister when she came along. The design was beautiful, a simple string of cream pearls with two intertwined hearts at the end. When she handed me my bouquet this morning I could see it dangling fastened to the pink ribbon. I couldn't help the squeal of joy that came out when she smiled and told me that today it’s mine.
The necklace -my blue - my mother-in-law’s, another heirloom. Her great grandma had been given it by her father after they fled the country during the war. It was one of the few things she had to remember her by. A small sapphire tear drop with a diamond on each side. Simple and beautiful. Declan would probably joke that it perfectly fits my style.
I look in the mirror and smile. I'm marrying my best friend today.
“Oh god, I'm marrying my best friend today.”
I have to look in the mirror and remind myself that I am not dreaming. In the corner of the reflection, my half of the wedding party are sharing beers and embarrassing before-the-wedding stories. Being so on edge doesn’t help when your future father-in-law loves to scare people. Him patting me on the back is enough to have me jumping out of my skin. His laugh fills the room and commands attention. I always believed that his laugh was bigger than his person, which is hard when he is so close to six foot five.
“Ready my boy?”
“I'm nervous, I want to be a good husband to June. She deserves the world. I want to give it to her.”
The sigh that comes from him is one of remembrance, I imagine he’s flashing back to his wedding day.
“My boy, the fact that you are thinking that, means that you will be.” His eyes, still dreamy as he pats me on the back again, I can't help but wonder if this was the same advice he received on his wedding day, or if it's just his own way of telling me that I will look after his daughter, no questions, no choice. The slight smile on his lips has me choosing the former as it fits his personality better than a thinly veiled threat.
“Thank you Vic.” Instead of his regular back or shoulder pat, I receive a hug.
Pulling away he returns to today and smiles with beaming pride. “Alright, I'm going to go see my daughter.” He returns to his signature shoulder pat, this one somehow feels more comforting than all the others he's given me today. “I’ll see you at the altar.”
“See you there.” I fix my tie one more time then take the second bottle of beer off my brother and best man. Raising it to my lips I can't help but smile. “I'm getting married today.”
Thank god, it's not in a church. I hate those places.
It should have been in a church. Weddings and church are just meant to go together. But he let her to talk him into getting married in a tacky barn. He has lost all the sense of style I taught him.
But I'm here because I am getting him back. Not to look at her downright embarrassing decisions. I realise five years is a long time, but I seriously didn't think that he would fall for another girl. Let alone his childhood best friend and my ‘friend’s’ older sister. She’s no good for him, I’d finally gotten him to a place where I didn't feel embarrassed showing him off at parties. She was destroying all my good work. They should never have met at that 21st. They should have never gone to those coffee catch ups. Inside jokes and shared memories turned him against me. I lost him soon after that, sure he ‘broke up’ with me because I supposedly slept around, but he never wanted sex and I had needs.
I spent months of my time making him perfect. With me he was better. So he should be with me. The final accessory to my flawless image. It is going to be perfect. He'll have the perfect job to support my lifestyle, I've already set up his interview, which is a formality, and with my influence it's guaranteed. He is mine and I am getting him back.
I spent months figuring out where this hick wedding is so I could get him back. That boho bitch doesn’t stand a chance. He will leave the stupid girl and her tasteless traditions, hand-me-downs and vintage, for perfectly modern me.
Checking my reflection I smiled. Not a hair out of place. Designer dress, white, chosen not only because of the colour but because it showed off every asset perfectly. I will admit I don't always wear white but this dress looks man killing.
Now I just need to find the groom.
“Is that who I think it is?” The Maid of Honour pointed behind the Best Man to the blonde woman in white. One flick of her salon coloured curls confirmed who it was in his mind,
“Oh hell no, not today.”
With a sigh the Maid of honour positioned herself in the direct path of the best man. “She was my friend. Let me deal with it.”
“Are you kidding? There is no way you are facing her alone. Last time you did she almost clawed you to pieces with those thousand dollar nails. Let me come with you”
So together, they ran to cut her off.
The blonde smoothed her dress when they finally got her. The whole time she smiled, without reaching her eyes. “Hey Berry, it's been forever! I just came to give a gift to the happy couple. Do you know where Declan’s room is?”
“No. If you have a gift you can give it to me and leave.”
“It's not that kind of gift honey.”
“Oh! Then you can just leave. You’re not welcome here. Especially today.”
“You can't stop me. We both know I'm better than you at everything that matters. So just don't try Berry and let me pass.”
The Best Man stepped between the two girls, pulling his shoulders back. “You not getting past.”
“You can't stop me” trying to walk on, the Best Man caught her by the arm. “I can have you arrested for harassment.”
“I believe this is me catching a trespasser.”
“Camille, just leave. Declan dumped you. He's marrying June today. Get over it and get lost.”
“That bitch stole him from me. He's mine. I'm getting my property back.”
“That ‘bitch’ is my daughter.” Walking across the lawn came the Father of the Bride. His usual laughing expression replaced with a stern look that had the Best Man taking a step back. “And that ‘property’ is my son-in-law. Who happens to be a human being not a handbag.” He waved a hand for the Best Man to let her go. “Miss Camille Carter-Mills. I formally request you leave my property with dignity before I have my property hands throw you off it.” She seemed to take a moment, so he added, “And they aren't as gentle as Liam is.”
“Son-in-law?” Panic flashed behind green eyes. “I still have four hours until the ceremony. He's not your son-in-law yet.”
The Father of the Bride scoffed. “June and Dec had a feeling you would show up. So they signed all the official paper yesterday. Today is all formality and fun.”
“No… I don't lose. I can't.” Disbelief was quickly replaced with rage. “I will ruin you.”
The Father of the Bride smiled. “No you won't, Miss Carter-Mills. As of four o’clock yesterday, you and your whole family are now under investigation for fraud. I suggest you spend today finding a decent lawyer instead of ruining this wedding.”
Fear replaced anger. “What!”
Watching her scramble to her car and drive away, was the most satisfying thing the Maid of Honour had ever seen. “Dad, you're amazing.”
He slung an arm around his daughter's shoulder. “You don't mess with the daughters of a retired police chief and a lawyer.” He air kissed her cheek so not ruin her makeup. “Your mother's idea, the married yesterday trick. June and Dec haven't signed anything yet. But she...” He pointed to the now empty road the car had disappeared down. “...doesn't need to know that.”
The Best Man scratched his head. “I’m confused. Does that mean the fraud is fake too?”
Then came the famous full-bodied laugh. “Oh that is very real. I still have a few friends on the force who like to talk shop when they come over.” He smiled. “One might have mentioned the investigation when I brought up the name up.”
This time the kiss was from daughter to father, leaving a glossy pink print on his cheek. “You are amazing.”
“I try. Now your mother is looking for you.”
Wide eyed, the Maid of Honour took off in a run. “See you both at the wedding.”
The Father of the Bride laughed and patted the Best Man on the back. “You better get back to the Groom. Make sure he doesn't faint before the wedding.”
“See you there.”
Snap
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The groom dipped the bride mid-kiss much to the enjoyment of the crowd. Laughing, the couple walked down the aisle to their new life.
I grab a shot of two beaming faces. Beautiful. Best friends turned lovers, now husband and wife. I look forward to the reception, the bride being a dance teacher and the groom a music teacher, it was guaranteed to be a good night. Walking to the reception I see a lovely photo opportunity, of the bride and groom’s parents chatting, both couples embraced as they talk.
I lift my camera, line up the shot and… Snap! Perfect.
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