Forever & A Day

by Donalyn Maurer

  I set my glass down, then take hers and place it next to mine, and pull her into a hug and hold her tight. “Oh, baby sissy, I love you so much. I wish I could go back, and you never would have been in that situation.” It wasn’t until weeks later, that Abigail and I even attempted to speak of that day. But there was one thing I needed to know, and that was how he got her. It was then she told me she had gone to Grandma’s to gather some of her clothes, because she was staying with them after the fire, when she was grabbed from behind. Next thing she remembered was waking up in the cabin, tied up. She told me he asked her, over and over, where I was but she refused to tell him. Then when her cell phone chimed in her pocket and he realized she had it, he found my number and used it to call me. “Shush,” I sooth her, until she calms. She raises her tear stained face to mine, and my heart breaks even more. “I would do anything for you. You know that,” I promise.

  “Same here,” she replies. “Thank you, for not only being my best friend and sister, but also my hero,” she sniffles.

  “Oh Abigail, right back at you,” I declare, and pull into another quick hug.

  “Here,” Aunt Paige’s voice calls from behind us. Abigail and I both turn, and there she stands with a box of tissues extended. We both take one and wipe our eyes, and I notice everyone is wiping their eyes.

  “Okie dokie. Sorry. Enough of that. Today is a happy day,” Abigail says, and picks up our glasses and hands me mine.

  “Well, sweetheart,” Aunt Paige begins, “I think what everyone has already said, sums up how I feel. You are very special to your uncle Brock and me, as well as Callie. We love you, and wish you nothing but happiness. And, we think the world of Blue and his family. You’re not only marrying a wonderful man, but you’re marrying into an amazing family,” she concludes.

  “I am. Thank you so much, Aunt Paige,” I reply, touched by all their words.

  “And now me. I feel like Grandma Lila has said so much, as well as Abigail, Savannah and Paige, but I would like to tell you that I’m so excited for you. The joy and anticipation I see in your eyes, I remember having that same look for your daddy, so I know how on fire you are for your future to begin,” Violet finishes and blows me a kiss, before raising her glass. “To Jaycee and Blue, and the amazing future we all know they will have,” she cheers, and we all raise our glasses and touch the pretty crystal. Tiny chimes can be heard, before we raise our glasses to our lips and take a sip.

  “It’s time to get going on our preparations,” Grandma says, and sets her glass down. “Do you know how you want your makeup?” she asks.

  “I’m not sure. Something light. Just a little color,” I admit, and Aunt Paige smiles.

  “I think with your coloring, and the white of dress, we should go with gentle golds and a touch of pink-ish peach on your cheeks and lips. You’re a beautiful girl, and I don’t want to take away from your natural beauty,” Aunt Paige suggests.

  “Sounds perfect, and thank you,” I reply.

  “I’m going to work on your makeup while Savannah works on your hair, so come on and sit down in here.” Aunt Paige gestures to Grandma’s hotel bedroom.

  I take a deep breath and walk in. My gown is hanging in her open closet, along with Callie’s. My undergarments, shoes, and hoop skirt, as well as Callie’s, and other odds and ends, are lying across her bed. Abigail’s maid of honor dress is hanging on a roll in rack, along with four more dresses, all in shades of rose and pinks, like Abigail’s, and they’re all beautiful. I’m taken aback by the fact that they’re all matching. Each time I witness their dedication to making this an amazing day, my heart flutters.

  “Your dresses are beautiful. I can’t believe you’re all wearing the same color, well almost,” I tell them.

  “Not only us, but the woman in Blue’s family as well,” Abigail shares.

  “That’s a beautiful idea,” I admit.

  “Come on,” Aunt Savannah instructs, and has me sit down in the chair.

  The jewelry I’ll be wearing today is spread out across the vanity, along with Grandpa’s handkerchief and Grandma’s bluebonnet pin.

  I pick up the thin box holding the monogrammed handkerchief, and caress the linen gently, then hold it to my heart and close my eyes. Every time I think I have a grip on the pain of him not being here, I’m proven wrong. Nothing can take away the joy I feel marrying Max, but there’s a part of my heart that hurts without Grandpa being here.

  You deserved to be here, and I’m so sorry you’re not. Dad, Uncle Duke, and Uncle Brock, along with Jake, Jesse, Nash and Chase are doing right by you though, I tell him silently through my private thoughts. I miss you and I love you. I wipe away the few rogue tears that seem to be never ending.

  “He’s here.” My grandma’s tender reassuring voice says, and I open my eyes to see her, and everyone else, staring at my reflection.

  “Why are you crying, Aunt Jaycee,” Callie asks, sadly.

  “I miss my grandpa,” I tell her honestly.

  “Where is he?” she asks.

  “Heaven,” I whisper.

  “With Cole and my other mommy?” she asks. I glance at Aunt Paige, and see she’s holding her hands over her heart with a sorrowful expression.

  “Yes,” I confess.

  “Hold on,” she tells me happily. “Mommy, where’s my bracelet?”

  “My purse, baby,” Aunt Paige replies, and walks over to her purse that’s setting on the bed. She pulls out a small pouch and pours the bracelet into her hand, then walks over and hands it to Callie.

  “Mommy told me to take it off, just for today, since it was getting caught on the lace of my dress.” she explains, and lays out the bracelet in the palm of her hand. She points to the charm–a little boy angel, the one Abigail gave her. “This is for my brother, Cole.” Her little finger points to the tiny trinket. Then she goes a charm over and it’s the mother’s love charm, “This is me and my mommy.” She smiles, then points to the next one that’s angel wings on a heart. “My mommy told me that my other mommy in heaven wanted me so very badly, but she was sick, so God brought her to Him, so she wouldn’t be sick anymore.

  “I remember her. She was always laughing and tickling me. She would take me to the park and swing me on the swing, and then she’d take me to get ice cream. She always snuggled with me in bed, until I fell asleep, and she was really pretty too,” she gushes up at me with a huge smile. This is the first time that she’s speaking of her birth mother, Sasha, so I listen closely. “Cole was sick too. I didn’t know him, but I know I would have liked him,” she shares.

  “Yes, I’m sure you would, Callie,” I agree.

  “Daddy told me since I had to stay here, God gave me another mommy to take care of me, and that I was super special because I have two mommies. Daniel says I’m super-duper special too, and that I’m his girl,” she bursts with pride. I love that Daniel has such a close relationship with her. “Was your grandpa sick?” she asks. I’m not sure if she understands he was her grandpa too, or how much Uncle Brock has shared at her young age, so I don’t go into all that.

  “Yes, he was sick,” I admit, and sniffle along with hiccup a breath, as this little girl shares her innocent words.

  “Did God leave you another grandpa?” she asks, and I nod, yes.

  “Kind of,” I sniffle again, but then smile. “My dad, your uncle Stone.” One day I’m sure she’ll understand the confusing dynamics to our family, but she doesn’t question me.

  “Oh, that’s good. I love Uncle Stone,” she chirps.

  “I do too,” I echo.

  Callie then glimpses back down at her charm bracelet and points the heart with angel wings and goes on healing me, “Mommy told me that sometimes when people have to leave here it’s sad, but we shouldn’t be too sad because now their love has wings, like a bird or butterfly. She says their love is now, umm...” she squeezes her eyebrows together, then casts her silver peepers at her mommy, my beautiful, sweet aunt Paige. Aunt Paige walks over to Callie and bends down in f
ront of her, and whispers in her ear, but I hear her. Boundless. “Boundless,” Callie repeats, and smiles at me.

  “Boundless,” I whisper as I stand from my chair, then lean down and hug her tight. After a moment I pull back, and stare into her amazing silver eyes. She’s smiling, and her dimples are popping out, and her little button nose is scrunched up. “How did you get so smart?” I ask.

  “Mommy makes me study my flash cards every day,” she sighs, and we all laugh. Before I can say anything else, Grandma sits down on the edge of the bed calls her over to her.

  “Callie, sweetheart, come give me a hug,” she instructs, and Callie skips over to her and hugs her without hesitation. “Thank you, dear girl,” Grandma murmurs and lays her cheek against Callie’s head and holds her close. After they break Grandma cups her cheek and smiles. “We have to get going,” she advises the room, so I turn around in the chair and face the mirror and take a few cleansing breaths.

  “I’m ready now,” I promise, and smile at all of them in the mirror.

  “While you’re doing this part, I’m going to check on Blue, grab my shoes and take him your gift. I’ll be back,” Abigail tells us. After she leaves, we get back to the task at hand.

  Not long after Abigail leaves, she returns with her shoes and informs me Max is with his dad and Johnny, and they’re doing just fine. She didn’t see him open the gift, but he did give her something to give to me. She hands over a slim jewelry box, and I carefully pull open the lid. There, splayed out on white satin, is a bracelet that matches my wedding band perfectly. Delicate diamonds and sapphires line the length. “Oh God, it’s beautiful,” I say as I run my finger along it.

  Over the next few hours, Aunt Paige works on my makeup, while Aunt Savannah works on my hair. Abigail and Grandma, both, do their own makeup, then do Callie’s hair. Grandma pins Callie’s hair back, then Abigail adds the tiny shining flowers.

  My makeup is so subtle, but makes a statement. The green in my eyes is pronounced with the golds and soft browns Aunt Savannah, added along with a soft brown eye liner. My cheeks are just exactly peach, with a touch of pink along with my lips. Aunt Savannah is just finishing up my hair, when there’s a knock on the door.

  “I’ll bet that’s Stone,” Violet says, and heads out of the room.

  “Hey, baby.” I hear my dad’s voice rumble.

  “Oh my Lord, honey.” I hear Violet gasp.

  “I look okay?” my dad’s voice asks, sounding unsure.

  “Um, honey, way better then okay,” she gushes “Come in. Have you had anything to eat?” she asks him.

  “I did,” he returns, as their voices come closer.

  I watch them both walk into the bedroom, and my head jolts back when I see my dad. Wow. His vest isn’t buttoned up yet, and he’s carrying his jacket, but he’s wearing the rest of his suit along with his snazzy brown dress shoes. Dad is as big as a bear, and he’s in shape. He may be the CEO of McGinty Construction, but doesn’t spend much time behind the desk if he can help it. He prefers to be working on site, just like he did when building my home. Violet is the one who runs the day to day, and spends most of her time at the office.

  “Wow, Dad,” I exclaim and, almost simultaneously, Abigail lets out a high pitched wheetwheew. “You’re even more handsome than usual,” I state the truth, and my dad actually blushes.

  “Thank you,” he mutters, uncomfortable with the attention. “We have to leave soon, so I thought I’d come by and check on you. See if you need anything.”

  “I need you,” Violet blurts out almost breathlessly, and I glance at her. “I’m about to change into my dress, and I could use your assistance with the zipper,” she states, and bites her lip while giving Dad flirty eyes.

  “At your service,” Dad murmurs with a smirk, and Abigail and I, both look at each other and make a yuck face.

  “I’ll be right back,” Violet informs him, then rushes to the free-standing rack and removes her dress, before heading into the other room. When she walks through the doorway Dad glances at the bedroom door, then gently pulls it together, leaving my aunts giggling.

  “Okie dokie,” Abigail says, frowning at the door her parents just went through. “We all need to get dressed. We need to leave in the next thirty minutes.” She turns back to me and shudders.

  “As soon as I change, we’ll get your dress on and I’ll add the veil to your hair,” Aunt Savannah tells me, while smiling at my reflection in the mirror.

  “Okay,” I reply with a smile.

  While everyone changes, I help Callie into her dress. When I get her done, she sits on the edge of the bed and waits for us quietly. Eventually, Violet opens the door slightly and peeks in to make sure we’re all dressed. Everyone is ready, but me. She steps inside the room, and I see she’s wearing a beautiful, long, light rose, strapless dress, with sweetheart neckline that hugs all her generous curves.

  “You look gorgeous,” I tell her, as I admire her long red hair, flowing down her shoulders and back.

  “Thank you,” she replies, and does a little curtsey. “I have your dad watching television. I’m trying to get him to relax a little. He’s a nervous wreck,” she informs me with humor in her voice.

  “Okay, good,” I respond with a smile.

  Behind me, Grandma is now in her dress. It’s a dark rose, tea length, with lace overlay and short sleeves. Aunt Savannah is in an above the knee, off-the shoulder, raspberry dress, while Aunt Paige is in a one shoulder, mermaid style dress, that reminds me of a cherry. Abigail has just slipped hers on, and is pulling her hair up in a loose bun, with long pretty tendrils falling down around to frame her face.

  I sit in awe of these amazing women, while they put final touches on their outfits, and then begin to pack up what we’ll need at the cabin.

  “Stone?” Grandma calls, out while picking up a garment bag and draping it over her arm, then picking up two overnight bags.

  “Mom?” Dad replies as he steps into the room, his eyes scanning all of us before going back to her.

  “Would you go on and take these down to my car? We’re not taking the shuttle. When I get there, I’ll take these things inside. But right now, we have to get Jaycee’s dress on her,” she informs him, and hands everything over.

  “No problem,” he mutters, and exits the room with a quickly.

  “Poor Dad,” Abigail whispers, but loud enough for us to hear.

  “He’ll be okay,” Violet assures all of us, then smiles at me. “Let’s get you in your dress, then finish up your hair.”

  “Okay,” I softly chirp. I glance at the clock, and we literally have less than an hour before Max and I become husband and wife. This is it. I strip off my tank top and shorts, while Abigail closes the bedroom door. “I’ll be back.”

  I grab my white lacy panties, stockings, corset and garters, then walk into the bathroom and lay them carefully out on the counter. I switch out my panties, then slide the smooth silk stocking up my legs, followed by the two garters. I hold the corset to me and head into the bedroom, so Abigail can secure the back, then I secure the top of my stocking to the corsets fastens. I slip on the hoop skirt and fluff it up a bit, as Abigail holds the dress open and slips it over my head. I feel the silky material begin descending down my body, and my heart flip flops. When I get it situated across my breasts, Grandma laces up the back.

  I walk over to where my jewelry is laid out, and fasten the pearl necklace around my neck, then clasp the pearl teardrop earrings to each of my ears. Lastly, I pick up the case with the bracelet Max sent down with Abigail. I admire for a few moments. I attempt to place it around my wrist, but I’m struggling, so Abigail comes over fastens it for me. Aunt Savannah walks over and lays the veil across my hair, and secures the two tiny combs. I walk over to the mirror and study myself, while Grandma buttons up my train, so it won’t drag. It’s all so perfect.

  There are no tears looming and, for a moment, that startles me, but then I relax. My entire body relaxes. As a matter of fact, my entire b
eing relaxes, because I know from here on out, I will never have to face anything alone. Knowing this, and that the man I dreamt of all these years is about to become my husband, settles me. A peace seeps into my bones, heart, and soul, and I feel like I’ve been infused with a strength I had no idea I had.

  “Jaycee, we’re going on,” Grandma tells me. “When I get to the cabin, I’ll lay the rest of your things out. I’ll take your purse as well.” She caresses my cheek, then grabs her clutch and walks over to the door, with Aunt Savannah and Violet behind her. When they enter the other room, I hear my dad speak up.

  “See you there, babe,” he says to Violet.

  “You going to be okay?” she asks softly, but we all hear.

  “Yup,” is all Dad says, and Abigail and I sneak a glance at each other, our lips twitching.

  “Okay, then. See you all there,” Violet says, and I hear the door open and close.

  “Oh, I forgot. We need to transfer Callie’s car seat,” Aunt Paige says when she walks into the other room, but Dad informs her it’s already been done. I take once last glance around the room to make sure I’m not forgetting anything, and when I see I haven’t, I head for the other room.

  I step into the room and see my dad, but his back is to me. I stand, waiting for him to turn around, and when he does he grabs onto the wall to steady himself. For a moment I’m concerned, then rush to him.

  “You’re wearing her veil,” he chokes, as I lay my hand on his arm.

  “I should have asked. I’m sorry,” I rush to explain, my hand trembling as it slides from him. I should have checked with him first.

  “What?” he asks, his eyes glassy.

  “I didn’t mean to shock you,” I sniffle, feeling guilty. She may be my mom, but I never knew her, and she wore this on their wedding day. It may have been something of hers he wasn’t willing to share.