by Tiara James
Once my hair and makeup was done, the wedding coordinator came through the doors, giving me no time to myself. “Okay Eva, honey, it’s almost time! We just need to get you into your dress. Now there’s a car waiting right out front for you, you’ll sit in the back and they’ll drive you up to the lawn at the main entrance. Do you remember how to count when you’re walking down the aisle, darling?” She raised her eyebrows at me expectantly.
I nodded, too nervous to speak.
She picked up a champagne flute and held it out to me. “The champagne will surely calm your nerves.” She rubbed my shoulder.
“Thanks,” I mumbled and took the glass, throwing the whole drink down in record time. She was right, the alcohol soothed me…only slightly. But I preferred that over being on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
“I’ll see you there,” she winked at me before heading out.
“Eva how are you doin’ baby?” Mama slowly closed the door to the grand powder room.
“I’m makin’ it…” I answered. “I’ve gotta get myself into this dress and then…I’m good to go.”
Mama took the wedding gown out of its bag and motioned for me to stand up. “Take the robe off.”
“Thanks for the help, Mama.” I sighed as I untied my robe.
Mama smiled. “It’s no problem, baby. But…before you go out there, I just want you to know somethin’.”
“What is it, Mama?” I asked, looking at her in the mirror.
She took a deep breath before explaining. “Eva…I just have to say I thank you so much for not resenting me and your daddy for all the stuff we’ve put you through all these years. I’m more so ashamed of how I forced Ray onto you; that’s not how a mother should act whatsoever, I was just so afraid of our lives falling apart…” Mama’s voice trailed off and she shook her head. “I don’t know if I could ever forgive myself.”
“Well Mama, forgiveness may be one of the hardest characteristics to learn in life but it surely is one of the most powerful traits any human can possess. It’s what moves life forward. So whether you do or don’t forgive yourself…just know that I forgive you. You’re my mother and I love you.” I turned around and held her hand in mine, smiling warmly at her.
Mama reached up and perfected my veil. “Oh I admire you so much, dear.” She pulled me in for a hug and held me out at arm’s length. “Absolutely breathtaking. Take a look.” She spun me around to get a look in the mirror.
I gently gasped at the sight of myself. Is that you? My mind questioned, taken aback by the beautiful being in the mirror. I wore a simple yet stunning long bell-sleeve, scoop neck gown with intricate leaf and vine embroidered lace that fit perfectly around my waist and hips. My hair had finger curls with a low side chignon that complimented my flawless makeup. I couldn’t believe it was me! Tears nearly welled up in my eyes as I thought of my daddy not being able to see me on such a special day. The lump in my throat prevented me from saying much.
“Baby, what’s wrong? Don’t you love it?” Mama eyed me with a confused expression.
I nodded and took a deep breath, trying to keep myself from crying. “I love it, Mama. It’s so beautiful, I wish daddy was here to see.”
“Oh darlin’,” She pulled me in for a hug and rubbed my back. “You have to trust me when I say it’ll be alright. Now it’s time for me to go and time for you to head out to the car.”
The jitters began returning to my bones. I knew seeing David at the altar would calm me down. “You’re right, I don’t wanna miss my own wedding.” I laughed slightly.
Mama grabbed my hand and began walking me to the door to exit the powder room. “The car is waiting for you in the front. David mentioned he had a wedding surprise for you, let me know if you like it. Good luck, baby, I’m so proud of you!” She blew me a kiss before heading out the back door.
I blew her a kiss as well and took a deep breath once I was alone in the building. Shutting my eyes, I decided to say a quick prayer in my head for everything to go alright before I made my way out to the car. I could only hear my breathing and the sound of my heels on the stone as I walked to the car. Trying to rid myself of stress, I tightened my grip around the bouquet of flowers in my hand. My driver stood with his back to me, wearing all black. There was something familiar about his stance…
He turned slowly. “And what would a wedding be without a father to walk his one and only daughter down the aisle?”
My eyes widened and my heart began rounds of backflips in my chest as I took in the sight of my father! Joy overflowed from my heart, pushing tears out of my eyes almost immediately. “Daddy!” I cried and picked my dress up, running to him.
Daddy held his arms open for me to run into them with a grand smile on his face. “My baby!” He kissed my forehead and rubbed my back.
“I thought you weren’t going to be here. Oh Daddy, I was so scared, I’m so glad you’re here!” I sniffed.
“I wouldn’t miss this moment for a damn thing Eva-Marie. Even if I had to break out of jail I was going to be here for you.” He pulled me back by the shoulders and looked at me, smiling with furrowed eyebrows. “Oh Eva-Marie don’t cry, you’re gonna mess up you’re pretty makeup, baby.” He lifted the veil and carefully wiped my cheeks.
“I know, I know I’m sorry. I just love you so much, I can’t believe you’re here.” I told him in a shaky voice.
He embraced me once more, wrapping his arms around me. “Oh I love you too, my Eva-Marie. I love you too. Now what do you say we get you up there to that lovely husband of yours? Huh?” Daddy peered down to look at my face.
I nodded with a smile. “I’m ready.”
Daddy turned and opened the back door of a white and black, 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom. “Nice choice of car, baby.”
I giggled. “You know I know how to pick ‘em Daddy.”
As I settled into the backseat, my nerves were finally at bay. I had my father with me at my wedding! It was something I thought could never happen, but thanks to David it was all possible. Daddy beeped twice before slowly driving up the hill to the ceremony. I looked out the window at everyone proudly. I loved the sight of my friends and family all dressed and spiffy, gathered together for me! Kate, Sarah, Rita, and Yvonne looked gorgeous in their bridesmaid’s dresses and Timmy looked very handsome in his tuxedo. I didn’t see David until Daddy opened my door. The sight of him at the altar was enough to take my breath away. He stood strong, confident, and still as if he was a chiseled Greek statue waiting for a kiss to bring him to life.
“This is it baby, I’m right here next to you.” Daddy whispered to me as he held his hand out to me.
I grabbed his hand and linked my arm into his once I was on my feet. The cue in the music that the wedding coordinator had told me to listen for sounded and we began to walk. I didn’t break eye contact with David once as we ascended up the aisle. David eyed me with the look of absolute admiration; the first movement he made was to wipe the silent tear that had escaped from his eye. In that moment, any anxiety and any fears I had of forever were washed away. There had been many other times when I knew David was the one for me, but none of them beat the moment he cried tears of joy over me at the altar. I was in disbelief over the fact that God had blessed me with someone so humanly perfect.
Once I made it to the altar, it took everything I had in me to not burst out into tears of happiness. Oh I was a mess! However, keeping my eyes on David kept me under control. I couldn’t keep from smiling as our pastor was saying his part. As if my grinning was contagious, David smiled right back at me. The moment made me want to laugh, it was almost as if we were speaking a silent language that only we could understand. That’s how connected we were. Once again, my tears got the best of me – and the rest of the crowd – when it was time to say our vows. Though, all eyes were clear when it came time to say ‘I do’. A sigh of relief escaped both mine and David’s mouths when everyone burst into cheers and began clapping as we made our way down the aisle together, waving to everyone with
ecstatic smiles on our faces.
“We did it,” David swiftly leaned down to my ear as we walked.
From the ceremony, we walked straight to the main club house of the Chicago’s Prestigious City Club for dinner. It brought me a great amount of bliss to see my family and a small portion of David’s family getting along so well and enjoying each other’s company. The sight of my parents together on such a special day warmed my heart as I knew how much it hurt Mama to have Daddy away for such a long time. I looked over to Kate and Timmy who were adorably trying to feed each other but having a hard time getting it done and laughed along with my friends as we watched their failed attempts.
Soon, it was time for David and I to head out. Everyone gathered outside and formed a walkway to the car to see us off. We looked at each other with warm smiles and locked hands before stepping out and being greeted by another round of applause. I shyly leaned onto David’s arm and waved at everyone before we descended down the stairs. The clapping continued the whole time we walked through the crowd.
“I’m so happy for you!” Kate grabbed me and pulled me into a tight hug, with Sarah, Rita, and Yvonne smothering me as well.
“Enjoy your honeymoon!” Yvonne exclaimed with a big smile.
“Don’t get too wild, and have fun.” Sarah winked.
“We love you!” Rita yelled as David and I continued walking.
I blew my friends a kiss. “Muah! I love you guys too!”
Mama pulled me close next. “Enjoy yourself darlin’, if you need anything you know how to get in contact with –”
“She’ll be alright, dear.” Daddy nodded at Mama and eyed me proudly. “You’ll be alright, we love you.”
I hugged both of them tightly. “I love you both, I’ll write you!”
Timmy stopped David next. He pulled David in for a hug and looked at the two of us before putting his hand on David’s shoulder. “My man. Both your mom and your dad would be so proud. Chris as well.”
David placed his hand on Timmy’s shoulder. “I love you, brother.”
“I love you too!” Timmy exclaimed. “Wolf pack, never forget!” Timmy howled after David, bursting into a fit of laughter.
David howled back and held his fist in the air, laughing.
A driver awaited us in a sleek black convertible. David opened the door and stepped in, he then held his hand out to help me up onto the seat. We sat on top of the seats so everyone could see us. More cheers erupted as the saw us close the door, getting ready to leave. I turned and waved to all of my friends and my parents.
“Can you believe this?” I asked David, still gazing out the crowd.
“Believe what?” David questioned.
“How far we’ve come. Who knew that the day you dove into the water to save me would lead to this?” I laughed.
David nodded. “Funny how God works things out, isn’t it?”
“We’ve been through so much, I’m so proud of us, David.” I placed my hand on his.
He turned his hand up and squeezed mine before leaning in for a kiss, making the crowd go wild once more. “Words can’t explain how much joy you bring me. Now I get to have you to myself, forever.”
“Forever?”
“Forever.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.” He answered.
A mischievous grin spread across my face. “Well you’ve got to say it with a smile, that way I know it’s sincere.” I teased.
David laughed at me and shook his head. “I promise…” He leaned close to my ear. “With a smile.”
The End