Everyone laughs and thirty minutes later, I’m in my dress and standing alone before a full-length mirror. I knew this was my dress from the minute I found it. Originally, I wanted something simple but with a little sparkle and flare. I thought I’d found it in another dress with cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. But then, on a whim, I went back to the dress shop alone. As much as I wanted flare, that’s not me. I’m simple. I wanted my wedding gown to reflect who I am. This sleeveless chiffon dress with a long train is more me than any other gown I tried on. Plus, the low-cut back is a fun surprise and adds a little sexiness to the simplicity of the gown. I feel beautiful and suddenly, standing here before the mirror, I realize every moment of my life has led me here, to this day when I marry my best friend.
I grab my phone from the side table and snap a picture of myself. I’m sure there will be hundreds of photos of me today but this one, one of my final photos as Piper Lawrence . . . this is something just for me.
My in-laws pulled out all the stops with a vintage Rolls Royce limousine for our drive to the ceremony also known as my house. I look at the four most important women in my life in the car with me, and I realize how grateful I am for each of them.
“I want to thank you all for everything you’ve done to make this day happen. I know, I know I’ve been difficult. I think Laurel has called me “bridezilla” more than she’s called me Piper lately.” Everyone laughs. “But, I’ve waited for this day my entire life. I wanted it to be perfect.”
“It will be, honey. My son is very lucky to have you. I’m just glad he figured it out before you dumped him.” I smile at Patty before reaching for the bottle of champagne on ice and filling everyone’s glass and holding my glass up to clink.
We turn onto the path to our house, and I see the hustle and bustle of the pre-ceremony activities. The cars are all parked in the designated area, the ceremony area is off in the distance, but I can make out people walking in that direction. My mom pulls her phone out and taps it a few times before confirming the guys are all down at the ceremony site and the coast is clear for us to enter the house.
The car pulls up in front of the house where Laurel stands to greet us. Yes, it is strange to be friends with your fiancé’s ex-girlfriend. And, it’s probably more than unconventional to have her as your wedding coordinator. But, the relationship Ben and Laurel had was over long before I came into the picture, and they’re friends. Best of friends, actually. My friendship with Laurel happened organically once Ben and I moved in together, and I knew for a fact she wasn’t a threat. I mean, Ben has loved us both, it’d be more surprising if we didn’t like each other.
“Damn, girl. You clean up nice.” Laurel says after whistling. I didn’t know she could whistle like that.
“Uh, thanks? You look pretty.”
“Piper, I look like a mortician. But, my job is not to look pretty, it’s to make your life easy today. And then to get shitty drunk. I’m glad you insisted we have a fast-paced schedule. Plus, you know how much I love ordering people around. It’s been a lot of fun. Especially your man, Ashton. Jameson is not a fan of being told what to do.” Laurel laughs and Ashton snorts in agreement.
We head in the house and freshen up before the ceremony is going to start. I wasn’t sure how she was going to pull off the long walk from the house to the ceremony site near the creek but Laurel has a couple of golf carts ready for us to ride in closer to the ceremony.
I know tradition is for a father to give his daughter away. I don’t have a dad. I mean, I do, obviously or I wouldn’t be here, but I’ve never had him in my life. I could have my mom give me away but that didn’t seem right either. I considered having Ashton give me away but Ben vetoed that. So instead, today, I’ll be walking down the aisle solo. Part of me is a little sad I won’t have the tradition of my father by my side but it’s just not my story and that’s okay.
The moms are driven down to the ceremony first while Ashton and Minnie follow. I’m last to go so everyone is ready for me when I arrive. I’m standing in my kitchen and reminded how much I love this house. I remember when Ben brought me here the first time. He hadn’t bought it yet and wanted my opinion on it. I lost the ability to talk at first. I’d had a dream most of my life about this amazing farm house with a piece of stained glass in the kitchen door. The moment he pulled up in front of the house an overwhelming feeling of home and comfort came over me. This house was what I had dreamed of. To know I live here now, that it is the home we’ll raise our children, it overwhelms me sometimes. In the best of ways but still, overwhelming.
“Are you ready, Piper?” Laurel asks from the other side of the door. I nod and walk out onto the porch.
“Laurel,” I say before stepping up to the golf cart. She pauses, getting in behind the wheel and looks at me.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. For everything. For helping today, for being my friend, and as awful as someone would think this is for me to say, thank you for letting him go.”
“Don’t thank me. This is how it was always meant to be. I’m grateful to you both for your friendship and support this past year. This day, helping, it is the least I can do. And as for Ben, he was never really mine to keep. Now, let’s get you to your groom.”
As we approach the site and I see the girls standing with our flower girl, Hope, I smile. Once I’m out of the cart and sufficiently fluffed and looked over by Laurel, I turn to my wedding party. Hope, wearing a similar version of my dress with her shoulder length hair pulled back from her face, a wreath of flowers adorning her like a crown, looks up at me wide-eyed and smiling.
“Oh, Piper!” she exclaims. “You are a princess.” I laugh because that’s what she said the first time she saw me in my dress.
“Thank you, love. You look beautiful. Are you ready to show everyone how it’s done?” I ask.
She nods and I look to Laurel who nods and raises her hand to signal the beginning of the ceremony. Tracy Byrd’s “Keeper of the Stars” begins playing as Hope takes off before it’s her turn. I shake my head because while it’s not tradition, it’s perfect.
Minnie waits for Hope to get at least halfway down the aisle before stepping behind the screen when Ashton turns to me. No words are exchanged between us. We both know we’ll start crying, and I refuse to be puffy and blotchy for my wedding. Ashton reaches for my hand and squeezes it before she turns and begins walking toward the altar. Laurel hands me my small bouquet of wild flowers, and I take a deep breath before the music changes and I take my first step toward my future.
Landon’s discovery earlier still lingers in the back of my mind as I watch my dad stand at the beginning of the aisle talking to my mom and Tessa, Piper’s mom. What if Piper’s pregnant? I mean, we are about to get married so it wouldn’t be a big deal. I mean, it is a big deal. A kid. Wow. I want nothing more than to start a family with Piper, but the idea of it happening is a little overwhelming. Exciting but still, overwhelming.
Memories of the last few weeks flash before my eyes, her nausea, her being beyond tired, and then her ravenous appetite. Not just for food but for me. We’ve blown it off as food poisoning or the flu and the wedding. But, what if it’s a baby? A huge smile spreads across my face at the thought. Huge enough my mom cocks her head in my direction quizzically. I immediately replace the wattage of the smile with one that’s a little less obvious.
Poker face in place, I look around me. Friends and family linger at their seats, the wedding only minutes from starting. I look toward the house, and while I can’t see anything thanks to the makeshift curtains Laurel had put in place, I know just off in the distance the girls are getting ready to head this way. In less than thirty minutes, Piper and I will have exchanged vows and been pronounced husband and wife.
A hand smacks me on the shoulder, jarring me from my thoughts, and I turn to find Jameson standing next to me with a smirk on his face.
“Thinking of the wedding night?” he teases.
“Nah, just thinking of how rea
dy I am to get through this ceremony.”
“Did you finish your vows?”
“Yeah, kind of. I wrote out some words that remind me of Piper, and I’m going to speak from the heart. That’s what she said she’s doing, and I figure that’s more our style anyway.”
“You two? Off the cuff? That’s not you at all.” Jameson begins laughing and Landon walks up with a confused look on his face.
“What’s so funny?” Landon asks.
“Ben thinks he and Piper can just say their vows without preparation. He said it’s ‘more their style.’” Jameson uses air quotes for the last part of his statement and his laugher increases.
“Fuck off. We can be spontaneous. It’s how we got together anyway.”
“I’m giving you a hard time. Don’t get your panties in a bunch. Landon, where’s Owen?” Jameson inquires, looking around the crowd.
“He’s helping Laurel with something before she goes up to the house for the girls. And, I think you and Piper can totally pull off random declarations of love and shit. I mean, you guys do it all the time in front of us, why not another seventy-five people?”
I flip him off before shoving him a bit. The three of us laugh and shoot the shit for a few minutes before I see some movement behind the screen, and Owen begins making his way over to us. He extends his hand and I take it in mine, shaking it as he pats me on the shoulder before taking his spot between Jameson and Landon.
“It’s go time, boys,” Owen says as the music begins, indicating the ceremony is beginning.
When Piper came to me a few weeks ago to talk about a few specifics with the ceremony, I didn’t have much input other than the music I wanted played. We’ve had various love songs playing in the background for the last hour or so as people arrived and mingled. But, the songs for the ceremony, those were my choice.
I know, I’m a guy and you wouldn’t expect me to have much input in something like the songs while our parents and the bridal party walk down the aisle. But, there is one song that’s always held a special place in my heart. It’s a song my mom used to play over and over when we were kids. My dad would always take her in his arms, regardless of where we were, or who was around, and dance with her. I remember walking in the kitchen more than once with my mom covered in flour and in my dad’s embrace dancing to Tracy Byrd’s “Keeper of the Stars.”
So, that was the song I wanted while they all walk down the aisle and Piper and I begin the first moments of our journey into marriage. I told my dad ahead of time but not my mom. I had to tell my dad so he wouldn’t try to dance with her down the aisle. He’d do it. The man has no shame.
As my dad escorts both my mom and Tessa down the aisle, one on either arm, I smile at my mom as she wipes a tear from her cheek and smiles at me. I nod my head toward her in understanding and once my dad has handed Tessa off to her boyfriend, Michael, he turns to my mom and pulls her into his arms. It’s only a short dance, but it’s a dance nonetheless. I laugh to myself and shake my head as they both turn to me and wink.
Our flower girl, Hope, begins her walk down the aisle, tossing rose petals along the way and waving to a few people she knows. Once she sees her parents she breaks into a huge smile that is reciprocated by her mom and dad. But, it’s when she sees her uncle Jameson that she really turns on the charm. Walking up to Jameson instead of taking her place next to Piper’s mom, Hope motions her finger toward Jameson, so that he squats down to her. She kisses his cheek and he pulls her into a quick hug before scooting her towards Piper’s mom. A few giggles and snickers fill the air when I hear Owen curse under his breath as Minnie begins her walk down the aisle.
Jameson mocks Owen’s reaction, but is cut short when my sister takes her first steps from behind the screen that blocks my bride. I hear the moment he takes in the full effect of Ashton walking towards us. I turn my head slightly to see him wiping a tear from his eye. My sister has always been beautiful but, today . . . today she looks angelic. That’s saying a lot because most of the time, she’s a pain in the ass. To me anyway.
Ashton keeps her eyes on Jameson, her smile growing the closer she gets. When she sees him wipe his cheek, she rolls her eyes and blows him a kiss. She’s sassy but she loves my best friend, and it shows in those two actions.
As the song ends, “Canon in D” begins to filter through the speakers and the guests rise turning toward the beginning of the aisle where Piper stands. My breath hitches as I take her in. Her beautiful auburn hair is down and a slight breeze is enough to pick up the pieces around her face. She looks ethereal.
I don’t bother to wipe away the tears that fill my eyes and spill down my cheeks. What’s the point? Everyone here is wiping their eyes. Piper is the epitome of beauty in her white gown and bouquet of simple wildflowers. Like Piper, her gown is elegant and perfect. She looks at me, only me. Her gaze never leaves mine. I hope she sees how much I love her, how much she means to me. My love and adoration for her knows no bounds.
When she is about halfway down the aisle, I step away from my designated spot and walk toward her. Confusion marks her face as I approach, but she doesn’t stop walking until I’m in front of her, taking her hand.
“Hey, baby.”
“Ben what are you doing?” she whispers.
“Meeting you halfway. We do this together from here on out. Side by side, as partners.”
Piper smiles and I lean down to kiss her, but she turns her cheek. “No way, mister. Save that for the big finale.”
I laugh and take her hand to lead her to the altar. Our guests wait for the pastor to offer permission to sit. Once everyone is settled in, the ceremony begins. Pastor Timmons is a family friend and has known all of us most of our lives. He’s able to personalize and bring a level of familiarity to our ceremony that’s exactly as we hoped it would be. A few tears are shed by all, but it’s the laughs that dominate the ceremony. When it’s time for us to recite our vows, Piper turns to hand Ashton her bouquet as Pastor Timmons secures the rings from Jameson.
Piper and I face one another, holding hands and smiling. I want to move this part along. The faster we get through this, the sooner I can kiss her.
“Ben, Piper,” Pastor Timmons pauses, looking at us pulling our gazes from each other and toward him. “Marriage is more than love and commitment. Marriage is about partnership, understanding, and forgiveness. Piper, we know Ben is probably going to drive you crazy from time to time.” The guests snicker and Piper nods her head in agreement. “And Ben, Piper is sure to frustrate you on the very rare occasion.” I agree and Piper smacks me playfully before taking my hand again. “But, it is in those moments that you will choose how you react. You will choose respect and love above all other emotions.”
Piper and I nod in agreement, and I watch as Piper takes a deep breath. She knows this is when we begin our vows.
“It is my understanding that you are both prepared to recite your own vows, is that correct?” Pastor Timmons asks, and we nod in agreement. I remember from our meetings with the pastor and the rehearsal that I am to go first.
Taking a deep breath, I begin to declare my feelings for my future wife in front of all our family and friends.
I am freaking out. I didn’t write any vows. I wrote some words on a piece of paper and then stared at it, willing something epic to pour out of me. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. And that paper? With the words? I left it in my purse. In the house. I was so flustered before we left the house for the ceremony I forgot to grab it from my purse. I was kidding when I told Ben I was going to “wing it” but looks like the joke’s on me.
Now as I watch my amazing fiancé, soon to be husband, clear his throat to begin his vows, I hope I’m able to hold it together long enough to fly by the seat of my pants when it’s my turn.
“Piper,” he begins while tightening his grip on my hands, his nerves evident. “Damn, girl. You blow me away. That’s not poetic or even romantic, but it’s the truth. I’ve known you most of your life but last year when I saw you sitting on th
at bar stool, waving your arms around dramatically, you captured my interest and never let go. I didn’t know it that night but I should have, you not only captured my interest but stole my heart. My vow to you is to always respect and honor you. To hold your needs and feelings to a higher standard than my own, and never let you feel any less than cherished. I look forward to creating more memories with you, memories blanketed with laughter and love. But mostly,” Ben pauses and takes a deep breath, closing his eyes before opening them and looking at me. His eyes are full of love and I melt a little on the spot.
“Mostly, I look forward to creating a family with you. I can’t wait until the day our children run around this land playing and teasing. I look forward to the day I hear a smaller version of you fill the silence with laughter. I told you once that your voice is like honey. The sweetest and thickest honey. That holds true. And, as much as I’ll still listen to you recite the phone book to me, reading bedtime stories to our children will be the highlight of my life. Piper, I promise to always put the toilet seat down, throw my laundry as close to the hamper as possible, and keep the bed warm.” Ben earns a few chuckles from the guests and me.
“I love you, Piper. You loving me makes me a better man, and I can’t wait for the rest of our lives to show you how much I cherish you.”
I unclasp my hand from Ben’s and attempt to wipe my tears away without smearing my makeup. A handkerchief appears from my side as I note Ben’s dad extending his hand toward me. I smile and take the offered blessing and smile my gratitude. He doesn’t know what a saving grace this is because it’s about to get really messy when I have to say my vows.
“Piper,” Pastor Timmons encourages me. Taking a deep breath, I look up at Ben through my lashes and all my worries melt away.
Champagne & Forever Page 9