Unexpected Chance

by Annalisa Nicole

  “Ginger,” I whisper, as chills race through my body. I can’t help the loud, uncontrolled sobs that come from deep within me. “But, how?” I manage to choke out, looking back at Aiden.

  As soon as my eyes connect with Ginger’s again, suddenly I’m that ten year old little girl. I’m brought back to that day in the hospice center with my mother, Aunt Molly, and Ginger. But what plays in my mind isn’t the sadness of my mother dying, it isn’t the anger toward my aunt for not seeing things through, it’s just before that. When my mom had clarity, when I was by her side for the last time and she seemed to be back to her normal self. It was only for a brief time, but she was there. In a flash, it’s like she’s right here standing with me, celebrating my big day with me. I look up to the sky and close my eyes. I don’t want it to end. I feel the warm sun on my face and I see her reach for my hair, softly take a chunk and twirl it in her fingers with a smile. She’s so proud of me. I know she is, I can feel it. I hear her sweet voice in the warm breeze telling me, ‘I love you, Savvy girl. I’m so proud of you and the woman you’ve become. I’m here with you every step of the way.’

  I open my eyes and look at Ginger. She smiles that warm smile at me. Oh, do I remember that smile. I remember that smile like I just saw it yesterday, so caring and compassionate. A loud horn blares behind Ruby. I look around Ginger and see Jax’s H3.

  “That’s for me,” Aiden says, grabbing his tux from the closet doorframe. He grabs his bag on the floor, kisses me on the lips, touches Ginger’s shoulder with a smile, then walks down the walkway.

  Following behind Jax is the limo loaded with all the girls. Aiden and the rest of the men are getting ready at Asher’s house while we get ready here. I introduce everyone to Ginger, and then it’s all hands on deck as the chaos begins. Chloe is the last to leave Ginger’s side. She brings her in for a hug that I’m sure Ginger doesn’t understand. But the way Ginger hugs her back and her own tears in her eyes, I think she does understand.

  All the girls are dressed. They look so beautiful in soft, one shoulder, flowing pastel orange gowns. I’m sitting in a chair in a ratty button up shirt and sweats as the makeup artist finishes the final touches, when Ava walks up to me and holds out a small rectangular box between the two of us. I’m not going to lie, I’ve thought about this moment so many times. I still can’t believe it and I’m so honored to take place in the Wellington bridal tradition. I smile as I try not to cry a full on blubbering snot ugly cry.

  “You’re something new,” Ava says, letting go of the box. I take deep breaths to try and calm myself. This has already been the best day of my life, and I’m not even to the I do part yet.

  “Open it, sweetie,” Willow encourages.

  I remove the lid and the contents take my breath away. It’s a brilliant orange sapphire tennis bracelet set in platinum. At the end of the clasp is one dangling ruby. She’s thought of everything to make this the absolute perfect gift.

  “Ava, it’s just beautiful,” I say standing up, and then I give her a big hug. She hugs me back then pulls away, takes the bracelet out of the box, and secures the bracelet around my right wrist.

  I wish I could put it around my left wrist, but my cast is too big. It’d look killer on the same arm as my engagement ring.

  She continues to hold my hand, and I see on her wrist her beautiful tennis bracelet Chloe gave to her. It’s a platinum bracelet that alternates lemon opals and canary yellow diamonds. Chloe puts her hand on top of ours, with her beautiful tennis bracelet dangling from her wrist, given to her by Shay. It’s a platinum bracelet with alternating black diamonds and purple amethysts. Shay puts her hand in, and her beautiful tennis bracelet dangles from her wrist that Amelia gave to her. Her’s alternates with sea foam green and peach diamonds, and is also set in platinum. Amelia puts her hand on top of all of ours. Her beautiful, brilliant diamond tennis bracelet, given to her by Willow, sparkles in the sunlight on her wrist. Last, Willow puts her hand on top of everyone’s and squeezes. Her beautiful diamond and pink sapphire bracelet set in platinum, sparkles brilliantly. Her’s was given to her by the man who started this amazing tradition, Asher.

  All I can think is that we look like a bunch of fruity Rainbow Bright sisters with all of our multi-colored bracelets. “All of us together look like the leprechaun from Lucky Charms threw up all of his marshmallows all over our wrists,” I say, looking at the girls. They all look at our wrists, then Willow lets out a sob. We all look at her and it’s contagious. Amelia is next to get watery eyes, then Chloe.

  “Savvy, you cry, and I swear to God, I’m never doing another Wellington bridal makeup session again,” the makeup artist says next to me, wielding her cosmetic application wedge at me.

  Willow watches the wedge go back and forth with her eyes, then busts out laughing, “Don’t worry, there aren’t any of us left,” she says, as her large pregnant belly bobs up and down as she laughs, making the rest of us laugh. She wraps her arms around her belly and says, “Shit, now I have to pee,” then waddles toward the bathroom. We all crack up just watching her. “You all will so pay for that,” Willow says, closing the bathroom door.

  “For your something old,” Ginger says, stepping forward, handing me a small box.

  My heart immediately goes to my throat. Her being here was the best gift ever. If I had to say it, which I’m glad I don’t, seeing her here on my wedding day is way better than getting Ruby back. I take the box from her and open it. Inside is a symbol I’m very familiar with. It’s an antique brooch. It’s a caduceus, but in the center there is an old nurse’s hat like they used to wear before the 1980’s. On the bottom are the two little words that I’m working so hard toward, Hospice Nurse. Ginger takes the brooch from me, walks over to my dress, flips the hem up, and pins it to the inside of the skirt. She walks back over to me, takes my hand, and gives it a squeeze.

  “Thank you,” I whisper, barely holding it together.

  “For your something blue,” Ava says. “Sky and Hope helped me make it,” she continues.

  I open the small, flat box. Inside is a beautiful blue garter. The girls did a fabulous job making it.

  “It’s beautiful! Thank you,” I tell her, giving her a hug.

  I pull away from Ava and stand there. Everyone’s eyeballs are looking at each other, but no one’s saying anything.

  “Oh for heaven’s sake, Willow. Hurry it up in there, you’re up with the something borrowed,” Amelia yells toward the bathroom.

  Willow comes out of the bathroom fluffing her skirt. “You all try going to the bathroom with a basketball in your lap wearing this dress.” She walks over to her bag, removes a box, then walks over to me. “Your something borrowed.”

  I take the box from her and open it. Inside is a beautiful antique strand of pearls. “Thank you, Willow, it’s beautiful.”

  “Oh, I have something for you, too,” Quinn says, running to her purse. She comes back and places a small coin in my hand.

  “What is that?” Shay asks, leaning in to look at it.

  “It’s a sixpence for your shoe,” Quinn replies.

  “I didn’t have a sixpence in my shoe,” Amelia says.

  “I didn’t either,” Willow says.

  “Stop being babies. I saw it on the internet and thought it would be nice. Plus, I didn’t want to be left out. You all have given a gift at one point or another. I wanted to, too,” she says.

  “Girl, there aren’t any Wellington men left to marry off, but honey, you fit right in,” Willow says to Quinn with a smile.

  “I think it’s time to get you in that dress, and get you to the marina,” Shay says.

  I smile, knowing this is the moment that I get to put on my wedding dress for the last time and I finally get to say, I do, to Aiden. Chloe brings it over and the girls help me get into it. Ava helps me put the garter on, then Quinn pops the sixpence in my left shoe, then helps me put them on. Amelia tucks my veil in the back of my up-do, then they all stand back and smile at me with tears in their
eyes. I turn around and look into the floor to ceiling mirror on the back of my bedroom door and gasp. I am beautiful. The beautiful woman I see looking back at me in the reflection isn’t the woman I saw just a few short months ago. So many of my dreams have come true. I am Cinderella, and I even have sisters now. They’re all the most amazing sisters a girl could ever ask for.

  “You’re beautiful,” Ginger says next to me. “I just know your mother is smiling down at you, so proud of the young woman you’ve become.” That did it, even though the makeup lady threatened me with a vicious makeup wedge, a tear slides down my cheek.

  “Just one more thing, then we’ve got to get going,” Chloe says. She walks up behind me and ties a pastel orange sash around my waist.

  As much as I wanted to go with the orange color in a tiger lily, I didn’t think that was a very wedding like orange. My bouquet is all tiger lilies, but I went with the same pastel orange as the girls’ dresses. She ties a beautiful bow, then lets the long pastel orange satin fabric flow down the back of my dress.

  “Perfect,” Willow says.

  We walk out to the limo, and the chauffeur drives us to the restaurant. I don’t dare sit back in the seat, afraid of ruining the perfectly tied bow. The butterflies start dancing in my stomach and I’m glad I used extra strength deodorant this morning, because I feel like I’m sweating like a pig. He pulls up to the restaurant, and we’re immediately whisked away to a private room until it’s time for the ceremony. I saw Jax’s H3 and a bunch of Max’s Explorers out in the parking lot. That means that Aiden is already here, too.

  Chapter 15

  Aiden

  There’s not a cloud in the brilliant blue sky. The sun is at its peak, and the salty smelling ocean breeze is light and warm. The sounds from the marina behind me are just like I pictured them in my imagination every time my dad told us the story about his wedding day. The terrace is packed to capacity with two hundred guests. To my right are Savvy’s maids of honor, Ava, Chloe, Amelia, Shay, Quinn, and Willow. To my left are my best men, Adrian, Asher, Kyle, Jax, and Max. I inhale several breaths through my nose, then out through my mouth. I close my sweaty hands into fists, then shake them out. The anticipation of seeing Savvy is killing me. Then the traditional bridal music starts, everyone stands and turns around, then all eyes go to Savvy. I remember every word my dad told me about his wedding day, but I never really understood the waver in his voice when he described it, until this very moment.

  How this woman ever thought she wasn’t beautiful is incomprehensible. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. She watches her feet as she walks toward the last row of chairs, careful not to step on her dress. Then she stops and her stunning green eyes come up and find mine, her face is that of an angel. Her eyes leave mine and go to Gary. His hand is resting on hers, which is resting on his right arm. His eyes are entranced and glossy, he pats her hand, smiles, then takes one step forward. She looks back at me and wipes a stray strand of hair from her face with a smile. My heart stops, but with every step she takes closer to me, my heart takes a single beat. Only this woman makes my heart beat. She’s the driving force of my existence.

  Savannah and Gary are now standing just inches from me. Ava takes Savvy’s bouquet of tiger lilies from her, then Gary pulls her to him and gives her a hug. She smiles as he takes her casted left hand, and places it in mine.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today on this exceptionally beautiful day, to witness the joining of two souls. Who gives this woman to be married?” the officiant asks.

  My heart skips a beat as I look into Savvy’s terrified eyes. The officiant was specifically told to leave that last part out.

  Both Gary and Ginger stand and say, “I do,” at the same time.

  Both Savvy and I look back and forth between the two of them and smile. In that brief second, we both see the spark of a smile exchanged between the two of them. Ginger nods her head and is the first to sit back down.

  Gary continues to stand and stare at Ginger with a cheesy smile. Quiet laughs are heard throughout the crowd, then Gary looks around and realizes what he’s doing, “Oh, sorry, continue,” he says embarrassed, then has a seat.

  “Aiden and Savvy wanted to make this short and sweet. They’ve each written their own vows and will recite them for you now,” the officiant says.

  “Savannah Russell, my life was incomplete and void of true happiness until you landed in my arms. Since that day, my heart has come alive. Every day when I wake up and I see your beautiful, smiling face next to me, I finally know what it feels like to truly be in love. I finally understand the goofy looks on all the men’s faces standing next to me. Savvy, I promise to always be there for you. I promise to be your lover, your companion, and your place of refuge. I promise to be your ally in conflict, your greatest fan, and your best friend. I promise to be your student and your teacher, your accomplice in mischief, your strength in times of need, and most of all I promise to love you until the day I die.” As I finish, a single tear rolls down her cheek. I take her face in my palm and wipe it away with my thumb.

  “Aiden Wellington, I was lost with no direction before I met you. I had no idea when they made Cinderella that they made it with me in mind. You’ve restored my faith in mankind with your kindness and love. You’ve shown me that despite hard times, there is hope and a silver lining just waiting to be found. Aiden, I promise to always be there for you. I promise to be your lover, your companion, and your place of refuge. I promise to be your ally in conflict, your greatest fan and always your best friend. I promise to be your student and your teacher, and I promise to be your sisters’ and sister’s-in-law accomplice in mischief . . .”

  “Hell, yeah,” Willow shouts.

  All the girls and guests laugh. Aiden smacks his hand over his eyes and shakes his head back and forth.

  “I promise to be your accomplice in mischief, your strength in times of need, and most of all I promise to love you until the day I die.”

  Adrian hands me Savvy’s rings and I take her left hand. “Savannah, with these rings as a token of my love and fidelity, I promise to love, honor, and cherish you until the day I die.” I slip her engagement ring and her new wedding band on her finger.

  Savvy turns to Ava and takes my wedding band. “Aiden, with this ring as a token of my undying love and fidelity, I promise to love, honor, and cherish you until the day I die,” she says, and slips the ring on my finger.

  “Savannah and Aiden, on this beautiful Seattle day, in front of your family and friends, you have promised each other your love, and have given each other rings to wear as a sign of your deep commitment. It is my distinct pleasure to declare that you are now husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  I take a step toward Savvy, wrap my arm around her waist and pull her to me and kiss her lips as everyone cheers.

  Savvy

  It’s no wonder there’s no cloud in the sky, I feel like I’m walking on air. I feel special and beautiful and I’m so in love with Aiden. His warm lips are pressed to mine, and I just officially became Mrs. Savannah Wellington. Aiden pulls away and places his forehead on mine.

  “I’ve fallen in love with you, Savannah Wellington,” he says.

  “I’ve fallen and collapsed in love with you, Aiden Wellington,” I return.

  We turn and face our family for the first time as man and wife. Ginger is crying with a beautiful smile on her face. Everyone is on their feet, clapping and cheering. Aiden and I make our way down the aisle and back to the room where I waited before I came out.

  “Are you happy?” he asks me.

  I chuckle, and the only thing I can think of to say are the exact same words I said to him the last time he asked me this. “Happy?” I ask.

  “Yeah, are you happy?” he asks again, then he realizes we’ve once had this exact conversation.

  “Is there something that comes after happy?” I ask.

  “You mean like, ever after?” he returns, playing along, putting
his hands on his hips.

  “Why, yes, that’s exactly what I mean Mr. Wellington, ever after. You are my happily ever after. Thank you for giving me a happily ever after, Aiden,” I say, lacing my arms through his.

  “Anything and everything for you,” he says, kissing me.

  We walk hand in hand into a cheering Alani room. Everything has just been perfect. I look around the room at the many faces that I now call family and friends. I stop when I see Quinn sitting next to Levi. Hmm, I wonder what’s going on there. I also see Ginger sitting next to Gary, like that’s a shock.

  Aiden and I smoosh cake in each other’s faces, and dance the night away until my cheeks hurt from smiling so much and my feet hurt from my shoes.

  “I have one more surprise for you,” Aiden says. He takes my hand and leads me outside.

  There is still not a cloud in the sky. The magnificent black night sky is lit with thousands of twinkling stars. As we get closer to the marina edge, we see someone standing there alone. As we get closer, I recognize Mrs. W.

  “Ma?” Aiden softly questions.

  She turns around, and from the moonlight, I can see her tear stained face.

  “It’s just so beautiful. I’ve only ever seen a night this beautiful once before in my life, the day your father and I got married,” she says, looking at Aiden.

  “Oh, Ma,” Aiden whispers, then wraps her in his arms.

  I go to her other side and wrap my arm around her waist. All three of us are just mesmerized with the beauty of the night. Aiden reaches past his mother and puts his hand on my shoulder. We both look at each other behind his mother. Just then the sky is lit with fireworks. The vibrant reds and blues and oranges streak up the ink black sky and explode high in the sky. Mrs. W steps forward, places her hand on Aiden’s cheek and smiles. She then comes to me, kisses me on the cheek, then disappears behind us.