Tipping Point

by Maisie Johansson

  “First, a little something old,” Alana began as she reached into her pocket and took out a worn rectangular jewellery box which she opened and passed to Rhetta. “This is the necklace that your grandma wore on her wedding day and that I wore on mine. Now it’s yours.”

  Rhetta gasped. She could remember the fine chain of silver leaves and flowers from the photos that had adorned her childhood home, but she had never seen it in person. It was far more beautiful than the photos had made it seem.

  “Oh Mom,” Rhetta sniffed, trying desperately to hold back her tears even though she had been assured by her makeup artist that no amount of crying would ruin it. “Will you put it on for me?”

  “Of course, sweetheart.”

  When the necklace was around her neck, Rhetta couldn’t help but shed a tear. It was as if it had been made for her gown and it made her wonder if she hadn’t unconsciously chosen her dress in hopes that she would get to wear them together.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said reverently.

  “Not as beautiful as you are,” her mom assured. “Now come on, enough with those tears, you have presents from your wonderful bride-to-be to open. Okay, let me make sure that I get this right.”

  She reached into a silver gift bag and took out a smaller jewellery box. “You have your something old, so this is your something new.”

  Rhetta took the box and opened it to find a pair of earrings that matched her necklace inside.

  “How?”

  “Caroline had them made specially. She’s had that necklace since just after she told us that she was going to propose.”

  Rhetta wanted to cry again, but she busied herself with taking out the earrings that she had in and replacing them with the ones from Caroline.

  “They’re perfect.”

  Alana smiled. “Now your something borrowed.”

  Another box, this time, one that Rhetta recognised.

  “Caroline’s favourite tie pin.” She giggled. “What does she expect me to do with this?”

  Sam swooped in, taking the box from Rhetta’s hands. “This is where I come in. Caro left me instructions, cos we’re bros like that.”

  “Of course she did,” Rhetta laughed as Sam took the pin from the box and carefully fixed it to the lace flowers in her hair. “What’s my something blue?”

  “Something that you apparently you cannot open while I’m here,” Alana said pointedly as she handed Rhetta the gift bag. “But she said that you’ll need help. She suggested Liz. I do not want to know what’s in that bag.”

  Rhetta giggled. “Guess that means that you have to leave too, Sam.”

  Sam pouted. “But R!”

  “You can send Liz in on your way out,” Rhetta grinned.

  Sam sighed dramatically on his way out. A moment later, Liz entered the room.

  “Please tell me that she didn’t send you anything too outrageous,” Liz laughed as she shut the door behind her. “I don’t want to be traumatised, you know. You’ve already done that enough over the years.”

  “Oh please, like you weren’t eager to hear it,” Rhetta scoffed as she dove into the bag and pulled out a white garter belt with deep blue stitching and a pair of sheer white stockings to go with it. She bit her lip, excitement flushing her cheeks.

  “Damn,” Liz swore. “That’s actually pretty hot. Well done, Caro.”

  Rhetta giggled. “I know, right? I am definitely going to enjoy her taking this off me later.”

  Liz glared at her. “Too much information Morsten. Let’s just get this on you before that image is burned in my brain forever.”

  When the garter belt was in place and safely hidden by the dress, Liz hugged Rhetta and wished her luck before telling her that it was time. Rhetta took a deep breath, nodded and followed her out into the hallway where the rest of her bridesmaids and her dad were waiting for her.

  “Daddy!” Rhetta said excitedly, rushing to hug him. “You look so handsome!”

  He chuckled. “Lucky for me, that girl of yours had good taste in suits.”

  Rhetta scrunched up her nose in a giggle. “She totally does.”

  She ran her hand over the neat lapel of his suit jacket. “Does that mean that this is a preview of what she’s wearing?”

  Her dad laughed. “Don’t even try, R. I’m sworn to secrecy.”

  Rhetta pouted. “Everyone’s on her side.”

  Kevin just smiled and shook his head at her, before holding out his arm for her to take. “You ready to be on her side for the rest of your life?”

  “It’s really time?” Rhetta asked, biting her lip. Her stomach was doing somersaults.

  “Only if you’re ready,” her dad said softly.

  Rhetta took a deep breath and nodded. She was ready.

  * * *

  Caroline stared at her reflection in the mirror. The makeup artist had just left her alone and for the first time all day, she had a moment to think. It was over twelve hours since she had seen Rhetta and the longer they were apart, the more unsettled she felt. A part of her couldn’t quite believe that it was real. There was something surreal about waking up in a hotel with everyone she loved in the world. Especially when the person she loved the most was sequestered away, out of sight.

  It has been just after sunrise when she had been woken by Natalie, Charlie and the Singer girls. They had come to take her out to the beach, to play amongst the surf. For an hour her heart was light as she chased the girls, hearing them giggle and shriek. Then came breakfast with her family and lunch with Farah, Charlie and Nikki. All the while she felt herself feeling emptier and emptier. Every moment that passed making the hollow in her belly grow. And the people around her didn’t suspect a thing.

  So as she stood there, looking at herself in the mirror, she couldn’t help but feel cheated. This was her wedding day. She was supposed to be on top of the world. But the one person who always soothed her soul was out of her reach and she could feel herself beginning to spiral.

  And at the exact right moment, the only other person able to break through to her walked though her bedroom door.

  “Grandma!” Caroline greeted, leaving her empty reflection to wrap her shrinking grandma into a tight hug. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well hey there little starfish,” her grandma greeted. “That gorgeous girl of yours has sent me with some coffee and a few little goodies to keep you going. And I couldn’t resist seeing my little girl all dressed up.”

  Caroline gratefully took the coffee and found herself smiling at the thought of Rhetta sending it for her with the exact person that she needed to see. “Mmm… this tastes like-”

  “Your coffee from home,” her Grandma confirmed with a knowing smile. “Rhetta brewed it herself. She said that you’d need the reminder of your morning coffee together amongst all this madness.”

  Caroline felt her belly tingle and warm and her eyes closed as she remembered the hundreds of times that they had sipped this coffee together. It made her feel a little less empty inside and she had never loved Rhetta more.

  “I’ll never know how she always knows,” Caroline mumbled.

  “Because she shares your soul,” her grandma said. “She knows you better than you know yourself and that’s something special.”

  “Yeah,” Caroline mused. “It really is. Have you seen her?”

  “We had breakfast together.” Her grandma nodded. “She’s so happy, little starfish, waiting to marry you. And she told me all about your secret little trip tomorrow morning.”

  Caroline’s eyes widened, and just like that, she felt her low mood ebb away for the time being. “She did?”

  Grandma nodded, smiling warmly. “She did, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

  Warmth radiated through Caroline’s body and she threw her arms around her Grandma’s neck to hug her before tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “You’re going to be amazing, my girl. I can’t wait to see it.”

  The alarm on Caroline’s phone went off, signalling that sh
e had half an hour before she had to be at the ceremony room.

  “Thirty minutes,” she relayed to her grandma.

  “Well, I guess it’s time for your gifts then, huh?” Grandma grinned, producing a gift box from the bag she had brought in with her.

  Caroline took the box from her grandma’s hands and pried off the lid. Inside, on top of a bed of dark grey tissue paper, there was a small envelope with ‘for my love’ carefully written on the front in Rhetta’s best cursive writing. Caroline eagerly took the envelope and took out the letter inside.

  Hey baby,

  I’m missing you something fierce right now! I’m so excited that I get to marry you today. From the moment I woke up, I haven’t been able to stop grinning. I want you to know, though, that if you’re feeling a little low, that’s okay too. It’s a big day everything and there’s so much expectation to be happy. Feeling off is just as valid as bouncing off the wall with excitement (which is what I’m doing by the way!). But I believe in you. I know how amazing it’s going to be to be your wife and I can’t wait to walk down the aisle towards you.

  But first, some presents to remind you of how much I love you. Go on, open them! I know how much your love to be spoiled and I love spoiling you.

  I’ll see you soon, baby. I’ll be the one walking towards you in a white dress, grinning like an idiot.

  All my love,

  Your R

  Any lingering emptiness was filled up with Rhetta’s love and suddenly Caroline couldn’t wait to open up her presents and get to the end of that aisle to wait for her love.

  The first thing she pulled out of the box was a little velvet box containing a familiar pair of cufflinks.

  “Grandpa?” Caroline asked, looking up at her grandma for confirmation.

  “They sure are. I’m sorry to say that they were in a pretty poor state, but Rhetta has had them cleaned up real good,” Grandma explained. “I near had a heart attack when I saw them. I haven’t seen them look like that as long as we’re had ‘em. I got them for your Grandpa from a thrift store when he asked me to marry me. I polished them up with vinegar and lemon juice before the wedding and he wore them on the day. They’re your something old and your something borrowed. God willing, I’ll get to give them to Peri to wear at his wedding one day, but I couldn’t resist seeing my little starfish wear them too.”

  “They’re awesome,” Caroline said emotionally. “Damn, I’m shaking so much I can’t even put them on.”

  Grandma laughed and took them from her. “Your Grams still has to do everything for you, huh?”

  When he was done, Caroline pulled her into a tight hug. “Damn right.”

  Grandma gave her a swat on her arm for cursing, before urging her to open the rest.

  Caroline’s something new was a brand new tie clip with the date and coordinates of their wedding engraved on it. It was stunning and Caroline immediately fixed it to her tie, grinning. The last thing in the box was her something blue. It was a pair of lapis lazuli stud earrings that had been intricately carved into skulls. Caroline marvelled at the gold-flecked blue earrings, touched that Rhetta would buy her such a present, despite her reticence when it came to skulls. She carefully took out her trusty diamond earrings and replaced them with the lapis lazuli before turning to the mirror to check her reflection one more time. She smiled when she saw herself. The jacket of her tailored charcoal grey suit laid perfectly over her pale pink shirt and the tie that Rhetta had made to match the bridesmaid outfits stood out beautifully with the shining silver tie pin. A matching pocket square was folded neatly in the top pocket of her jacket.

  “Ready, my little starfish?” Grandma asked, using the name that she had used for Caroline since she was a little baby, wiggling about in the sand.

  Caroline took a deep, shaky breath. “Ready.”

  * * *

  The music began and the double doors leading to the wedding room opened. Caroline turned and watched as Rhetta’s bridesmaids filed into the room two by two, her anticipation growing with each passing moment. First came Sam with Liz on his arm. Then Tamara and Sadie Sanduchi. Finally, Rhetta’s little cousin skipped into the room, throwing petals out of her basket and running right up to Caroline, holding up her arms to be picked up. Caroline laughed and plucked her up off the ground, settling her on her hip.

  “What’ya got there, cutie?” she asked as Allie reached into her basket and held up a rosebud.

  “For your pocket!” she giggled. “So you look pretty for Aunty Rhetta!”

  Caroline’s heart swelled at the sweetness of the little girl and she pressed a kiss to her soft, pink cheek before thanking her and putting her down on the floor. She took hold of Allie’s little hand and spun her around, cooing at how pretty she looked as Allie giggled and twirled. And then she was running off to her place, standing in front of Sam just like they had practiced.

  Caroline shook her head and laughed, obediently fixing the rosebud into her top pocket as the music grew louder. When she looked back to the entrance she saw Rhetta waiting patiently, smiling at her and Allie’s antics, and looking like a goddess.

  “Oh wow,” Caroline breathed, trying to stop her knees from giving out.

  * * *

  When Rhetta reached the room in which she was about to be married, the first thing she noticed was Allie up on Caroline’s hip, handing her a flower. She sighed happily, earning a chuckle from her dad. A smirk tugged at her lips as she watched the two play for a moment and waited patiently for Caroline to notice her. Trust Caroline to get distracted by a child moments before her wedding. Not that Rhetta minded. It was just as ridiculously cute as it always was and it made excitement bubble in her belly for what was to come.

  She didn’t have to wait long for Caroline’s eyes to lock onto hers.

  By the time that Rhetta really realised that she was walking down the aisle, she was halfway there. She was too busy trying not to lick her lips at the sight of Caroline in her gorgeously tailored suit. She failed, but it quickly turned into a grin when excitement overtook her because holy shit she was about to get married!

  As Rhetta neared her destination, Caroline stepped forward to meet her. Kevin stopped their progress a few feet away and took Rhetta’s hand from his arm, leading her a few steps further before placing her hand into Caroline’s. Their eyes met and Caroline brought Rhetta’s hand up to her lips and kissed it softly, making the whole room ‘aww’.

  “Dork,” Rhetta teased lightly, but the joy and love in her eyes told Caroline that she thought that she was anything but.

  A polite cough caught their attention and they turned to their officiant, neither of them able to stop smiling, even for a moment.

  “We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Caroline Sarabelle Williams and Rhetta Anna Morsten. They have invited you, their family and friends, to help them celebrate this day and witness their love and commitment to each other. They have asked me to thank you for the love and support that you have given them on their journey to this day and they hope that you will all be a part of it for many years to come,” the officiant began, addressing the crowd of friends and family. “Rhetta has told me that one of the hardest parts about planning this wedding was deciding where to seat people for this ceremony. Traditionally, two sets of family and friends are divided by the central aisle. But Rhetta and Caroline share so many of their friends and are so entwined in each other’s families that this was an almost impossible task. To me, that spoke of the kind of love Rhetta and Caroline share. They are not yet married, but their lives are already as one. The path they walk down in life is already a singular one.”

  Rhetta squeezed Caroline’s hand and turned to grin at her quickly, thinking about how true the officiants words were.

  As the ceremony went on, a few of their friends and family members were invited up to read out poems that they had chosen. After which, it was time for the vows.

  “Now comes the part in the ceremony where vows and rings are exchanged. Carolin
e and Rhetta have written their own vows, which they will read now.”

  Rhetta went first, accepting the vows from Sam as both rings were passed to the officiant on a velvet cushion.

  “Caroline,” Rhetta began. “I knew from the moment that I first saw you that you were the one, my soul mate. I promise to spend the rest of my life keeping your heart and soul safe. I promise to love and cherish you with all that I am and to fill our home with love and family. I promise that no matter how far apart we are, I will always be by your side, no matter where life takes us. But we’ll never be apart for long because I promise to follow you wherever you go, no matter what sacrifices I have to make to do that. I promise that I will be your rock through the good times and the bad and that I will always be honest with you. I promise to honour you and be faithful to you with my body and my soul. And, though ‘obey’ is the wrong word,” she paused and their guests and Caroline all chuckled, “I promise that every decision that I make will be one that we make together and that I will always let what you have to say be the loudest voice in everything I do. You and me, we’re a team. And now that I’ll be your wife and you’ll be mine, that team will be even stronger. There’s nothing we can’t do if we do it together and I can’t wait to see each and every one of our dreams come true.”

  By the time that Rhetta had finished, Caroline’s eyes were damp with tears and her hands were shaking as she took the card on which her vows were written. She wanted nothing more than to kiss Rhetta, to breath her in and let her sooth her soul before she gave the most important speech of her life. But Rhetta had wanted tradition and Caroline was determined to give it to her, no matter how hard it was.

  “R. My beautiful, smart, kind, strong, R,” Caroline began, her voice cracking with emotion. “When we met, you changed my life. You helped me become the person that I always wanted to be. You loved me, even before I loved myself and I knew that with you in my life, I could do anything and be anyone that I wanted to be. It was being with you that made me realise who I truly am. I’ve accepted things about myself that I didn’t have the courage to do before. You’ve made me more loving, more forgiving and more joyful than I ever dreamed that I could be. But I know that I’m not finished yet. None of us ever are. So I promise that I will spend the rest of my life being a better me. I promise to try and grow as a person each day in the same way that my love for you grows, never endingly.” She took a break, licking her dry lips before carrying on. “I vow to love and protect you, even though we both know that, when it comes down to it, you’re stronger than I am. I vow that I will take care of you and our family, and that I will always put you first. Most importantly, I vow to love you for the rest of my life, with every inch of my heart. No matter what, R, I’m yours.”