Ellen scurried around from one problem to the next, putting out fires as quickly as they arose, trying not to become too flustered when she noticed that the humidity was beginning to make the lilies droop. She had planned ahead for such a contingency, and had hired a person just to cater to all the needs of the flowers.
Instead of chairs lined up in a row, like church pews, people were to be seated at small tables positioned on either side of the carpeted walkway. This would save time and space for the reception, which would follow immediately after the ceremony in the same tent. The tables each had a small clear vase on them, with blue and lilac pebbles at the base, apple blossoms lying on top of the pebbles, and floating in the water above them, was a single prayer candle. The table cloths were one layer royal blue and one layer lilac, and the chairs were covered in the same colors as the tables.
Ellen was especially proud of the altar she had designed just for this wedding. It was actually a movable altar out of necessity, where three large see-through draped floral arches will be unfolded during the ceremony by six people, two per arch, and stretched out forming a tunnel for the bride to walk through up to the alter. After she reaches the stage, the arch barriers will follow behind her, effectively folding the arches into one, and placing them in stands on either side of the stage, reaching over the stage and lying down behind the officiate. After Aidan and Vicky are pronounced married, the arches will be erected again, to symbolize the couple emerging from the tunnel as one.
Placed strategically throughout the room, were sixty-four inch TV monitors that will have a significant role in entertaining the guest before the wedding and during the reception. Though the monitors are black, Ellen draped them in the same colors as everything else, and also included apple blossoms tied in a bow at the corners. Before the ceremony the monitors will play a music video of Vicky and Aidan as children. Though there weren’t as many childhood pictures of Aidan growing up, the editor supplemented that with love phrases. During the reception the monitors will play a slide show of Aidan and Vicky today, including newly taken wedding pictures, set to the tune of Celine Dion’s Because You Loved Me, personally chosen by Vicky as their wedding song.
Just outside the tent sat the moveable stand, that will be rolled in under the flaps after the ceremony, and offer some of the best, eclectic foods the south had to offer.
*
“Do you really think I should wear it Jerry? I mean doesn’t it look like I’m bragging or something?” Aidan stood in front of a full length mirror and evaluated herself. She was dressed in a long black tuxedo jacket, with a full-back royal blue vest, a lilac Windsor tie, left loose at the top, a laydown collar on her formal black shirt, and matching pleated formal trousers over her black Durango boots. All but the boots were from the fashion designer, Jean Yves.
It never crossed Aidan’s mind that she could have worn a wedding dress also, had she wanted to. She could not envision being dressed in anything so feminine, and besides, it was Vicky’s day to shine, and that was all she ever wanted anyway.
“Yes, I think it would be perfect, Sarge, and very much appropriate. Those of us who know you‒‒”
Jerry was interrupted by Leonard, Vicky’s father, who had just entered the room, “Those of us who know and love you, Aidan, think it is very appropriate. You would honor those who sacrificed all, by wearing your Medals of Honor at your wedding. In essence, you invite them to be part of the ceremony just as if they were alive.”
Aidan looked at him with pride, “Thanks Pop, I’ll wear it for them, and for you.”
“You do this old Marine proud, girl,” Leonard replied.
Aidan turned back to the mirror and pinned her Presidential Medal of Freedom pendant to her chest on the opposite side from the lilac calla lily pinned to her lapel. Then she reached up and put her Medal of Honor ribbon around her neck, adjusting it over the lilac tie, appreciating how the blue ribbon accentuated the tie’s color. Aidan was the only recipient ever to receive both awards for acts of bravery both on the battlefield and as a civilian, but she was not one to boast and rarely showed the medals to anyone except in her immediate circle.
She turned around to obtain Leonard’s approval and instead received a salute from both Leonard and Jerry. Aidan knew they saluted out of respect for what the medals represented, but it still made her feel unworthy and bashful.
“Hadn’t we better get you to the church on time?” Jerry asked jokingly.
Leonard patted Jerry on the shoulder, and asked, “Jerry, could I have a minute with Aidan first please?”
“No problem, sir,” Jerry replied and left Leonard and Aidan alone in the room, hoping maybe he would run into Yvonne.
“Aidan, may I tell you something?” Leonard asked, as he stood in front of her.
“Of course, Pop,” Aidan answered apprehensively. Up until recently, Aidan had always feared Vicky’s father because of the very fact that he was a father. She grew up learning that fathers were mean and abusive men, and assumed everyone’s father was the same. It wasn’t until after she ran away and made friends in the Army, that she learned otherwise. Still, her own father’s abusiveness ingrained in her an immediate trepidation, whether it was warranted or not.
“If truth be told, I would not have picked a woman for my little girl to marry. But Vicky’s life is not my life to live. I raised her to find her own happiness and she did, with you. I am very proud of her, Aidan, very proud. And now, as I become your father-in-law I ask for only one thing of you. Please take care of my little girl.”
Aidan looked him in the eye and said, “I will sir, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make her happy, and loving her with all my heart.”
“Aidan, when people look at you for the first time, they see a strong willed, aloof woman who wants to be left alone. When Vicky looks at you, she sees the exact opposite. Don’t be afraid to show Vicky your anger when warranted, your laughter when appropriate, and your love, always.”
“Sound advice, Pop, thanks.”
“One more thing, Aidan,” Leonard swallowed back his emotions, “I’m going to tell you the same thing I’ll tell Vicky in a minute. Never go to bed angry, don’t use sex as a pacifier, and the most important thing of all is to remember to communicate with each other, at all times.” Leonard was proudly giving Aidan his father daughter speech, and Aidan was emotionally gratified, “You are my daughter now too, Aidan, and I love you. I hope someday you can accept that as the truth, and not see me as you see your father every time you look at me.”
Fuck me! How did he know? Aidan felt embarrassed by the revelation. She thought she had better control over that particular reflex, which had been instilled in her since she was a child. It was the only way she had of preparing herself from the disappointment she knew would come, and it had served her well, until just now.
“I’m sorry. It’s a sort of reflex that apparently I don’t hide very well. But I’m going to say something to you, Pop, that is extremely hard for me to say, and have never said it to a man before. I love you too, Pop.” It took a concentrated effort for Aidan to be able to say those three little words to him because saying them to her father, Harold, would have resulted in ridicule and sometimes punishment. But Leonard embraced those words as if they were a gift, and he grabbed Aidan’s shoulders and pulled her in for an appreciative hug. Aidan hugged him back, her eyes glistening with gratitude.
“Someday you’ll have to tell me how you got that shiner under your eye,” Leonard said, as the two took a step apart from each other.
Aidan hesitated. The last thing she wanted to tell him after such a touching moment between them was that she accidently provoked a traumatic flashback in Vicky that led to a fight with Jerry. Luckily for her, they were interrupted before she had to.
Ellen walked in with a woman she had hired to do Vicky’s makeup. “Here’s your patient,” She said to the busty, medium size woman carrying a tackle box, “make that bruise on her face go away.”
Aidan laug
hed and held up her hands in surrender. She loathed wearing makeup, but knew that it would only raise more questions like Leonard had just asked that she didn’t want to answer. And besides, she knew it would make Vicky happy.
“I assume you can also make up a man?” Ellen asked in all seriousness, and when the makeup artist nodded her head, Ellen said, “I’ll be right back then.”
“Pop, could you do me a favor?” Aidan asked with a mischievous grin on her face, “Could you find the photographer for me. I’m going to want a picture of Jerry being made up.”
*
“May I come in?” Leonard stood outside of Vicky’s bridal tent, waiting to have his father-daughter talk with her. He still had a smile on his face from seeing Jerry’s shocked response to learning he had to wear makeup.
Alice came out and told him that Vicky was alone and presentable. He kissed his wife on the cheek, and entered through the tent flap, only to stop, breathless at the sight of his only daughter in her wedding gown. “My God, you are so beautiful,” Leonard said when Vicky turned from the full length mirror to greet him.
“Thank you, daddy.”
In lieu of a veil, Vicky had her long blond hair in a waterfall braid, with rivulets of blond curls cascading down her back. Small bouquets of apple blossoms with lilac pearls had been weaved into the braids, with several pearl droplets hanging down from the center of the back of Vicky’s head.
Her gown was a strapless, floor length Victorian lavender dress made out of Taffeta material, with an asymmetrical pleated bodice and a diagnical layer of lace and pearls reaching down to the hem. The back plunged past her sculpted shoulders, to the small delicate curve of her back, with a train puffing out from her hips, trailing on the floor behind her.
Leonard took his daughter’s hand in his and looked into her eyes, “Honey, in a few minutes I will walk you down the aisle, and will put your hand in Aidan’s, and you won’t be daddy’s little girl anymore…,”
“Oh daddy, I will always be your little girl,” Vicky leaned in and kissed his cheek.
“I guess what I’m trying to say,” Leonard continued, “is I want you to be happy, and I know with Aidan you will be, so I’m not sad that you’re not my little girl anymore, I’m proud that you are the woman you have become. Don’t let anyone or anything change that.”
“Oh daddy, I promise, I won’t. I’m so glad you’re here with me today.” Vicky’s eyes glistened as she shivered at the memory of her father almost dying of a heart attack just a few months ago. I am so blessed. “I love you so much, daddy.”
“I love you too, honey.” Father and daughter hugged tight until Leonard was afraid he’d start crying and he pulled away.
“Now remember to never go to bed angry, don’t use sex as a pacifier and most importantly, remember to communicate with her.”
“I promise I will, daddy.”
“Vicky, when people look at you for the first time, they see a little girl in grown up clothes. When Aidan looks at you, she sees everything else. Don’t be afraid to show her your anger when warranted, your laughter when appropriate, and your love, always.”
“With you and mom as my example, I know my marriage to Aidan will be perfect”
*
The National Weather Service has just issued a tornado warning for Hemstead County in the southwest portion of Arkansas. Storm trackers have confirmed a tornado on the ground in Hope, Arkansas, moving southeast at 110 miles an hour. You people in Hope and the surrounding areas, you should be hearing the sirens now and know to take cover immediately. This system has produced large hail, lightning and a tornado before the supercell storm crossed into Arkansas, and it is heading parallel to Interstate 30 with no indication of dissipation. Please stay tuned to Today’s THV for further updates.
Chapter 6
There is nothing more revered in life than the promises made between two people in love. The promises are the affirmations that bind them together in a protected cocoon of love, commitment and support. And only true soul mates can reach the higher plane of evolution needed to sustain a lifetime commitment of that love. Today, as family and friends gather to celebrate in their happiness, Aidan and Vicky will promise each other their hearts, their souls, their unconditional love. The same promises that they have carried in their hearts since they were children.
As the wedding march began to play, Aidan, Jerry, and Paul, entered the room first, followed by Dr. Kline, who would be officiating over the ceremony. He felt deeply honored, because he knew firsthand what it took for them to arrive at this point in their lives.
Kline looked over at Aidan and smiled. He thought that she had a new glow, different from that of a woman about to be wed, it was a glow of confidence and self-assuredness, and he knew that she had conquered her demons.
The audience cooed as Ellen sent the flower girls down the aisle; two six year old cousins of Vicky’s on her father’s side, who dropped their rose peddles along the carpet as they made their way to the front, and then quickly ran over to sit with their mother. Ellen waited until the girls were halfway down the aisle before she let Yvonne begin her march.
Jerry thought Yvonne looked beautiful in her lilac gown with a bouquet of lilacs in her hands, so much so that he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. He was a little bit smitten with her after their last date, and though they both wanted to take it slow, they had forgotten to tell their hearts that.
Next to walk down the aisle was Vicky’s Aunt Ruth, looking particularly stunning in her lilac gown, even though she loathed wearing anything with chiffon in it. Her short brown hair with gray along the roots had an apple blossom broach gathering the hair above her ear, and styling the rest to frame her face, accentuating her blue eyes. She smiled at her best friend, Sally Barrick, as she passed by her, and then laughed at Kate, who pushed her shoulders back and arched her breasts out, as an example for Ruth to emulate. She declined, but did hold herself more erect.
Behind Ruth was the matron of honor and Vicky’s best friend, Joyce, who looked exquisite in her royal blue gown, carrying a bouquet of blue orchids in her hands. It was a rare occasion when Joyce McMillan wore anything other than scrubs or blue jeans, and Ellen savored those times. Her eyes glanced down at the polished toes peeking out from under the gown, toes that she had polished herself, and traveled up the form fitting gown to the hint of cleavage just beneath the lace, and the soft neck that reached up to her lover’s strong jaw. Ellen ended her inspection by locking her eyes with Joyce’s, and radiating her appreciation at Joyce’s beauty. “You look absolutely gorgeous,” Ellen whispered to her, as she gave her a gentle push, singling her to march down the aisle.
Finally, it was time for the bride to walk down the aisle. And as the wedding march played, and the audience stood up, Yvonne’s ten year old son, Freddie, wearing a royal blue tuxedo with a bow tie, walked down the aisle holding a sign that read, here comes the bride. He stood beside his mother, holding his sign up over his head, until Yvonne instructed him to lower it.
Ellen fussed one more time with Vicky’s gown, walking around her as she quickly smoothed out perceived wrinkles, encouraging Vicky to hold her bouquet higher, until finally, the lights dimmed, the music began to play I Will Always Love You, and Vicky entered the tent on her father’s arm. The spotlight softly illuminated her, defusing its beams into a white aura surrounding her in an angelic glow. Even without the spotlight one could tell that Vicky was glowing. Wearing her diamond encrusted heart shape locket in the center of her favorite strand of pearls, she was holding her Picasso lilac Calla Lily bouquet, and intertwined between her fingers was another necklace with the two wedding bands of her matron of honor dangling from it.
Vicky smiled when she saw Aidan’s instantaneous reaction. Her eyes grew wide with appreciation and her smile large with gratefulness. It was the reaction Vicky had been hoping for, and the reason she kept Aidan from seeing her before the wedding. It was indeed worth it, just to see the sparkle in those sea green eyes again. Oh my Go
d, Aidan is wearing makeup! How you must truly love me to allow that. Vicky looked at Aidan fully and drew a sharp breath at her beauty. Aidan could be in rags and Vicky would still think she was handsome, but to see her dressed in such a formal ensemble, wearing her Medal of Honor pendants that added to her strength of confidence, her chiseled face enhanced by her expertly done makeup, and her broad shoulders and tall frame, gave her an aura of strength, power, and sensuality that left Vicky breathless. You are my dream come true, Aidan.
Aidan feared she might be gawking when she saw Vicky, so fragile on the inside, so magnificently strong on the outside, and so breathtakingly beautiful inside and out. She knew she was looking on the face of the most beautiful angel heaven possessed, and she almost allowed herself to tear up, as the memories of their childhood love flashed before her eyes. I remember when you were just thirteen years old and wore your best Sunday dress, with your hair in pigtails, your freckles almost hidden by your smile, and your eyes sparkling like diamonds. God what a gift you were then, and thank God, you are my treasure now. This is it, kid. This is what I have wished for all my life.
Leonard escorted his daughter to the altar, where Alice, Vicky’s mother, joined them. The three held hands, as Dr. Kline began the ceremony.
“Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate the love between Aidan Marie Cassidy and Victoria Ann Montgomery,” Kline stated, and he then turned to Leonard and asked, “Who gives this woman to be wed?”
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