She should be nervous, right? She thought back to her first wedding. When she woke up that day she had been so worried about the details, whether everything would go as she planned it. She didn’t know if it was because she had done this before, or just because she was so ready to marry Ben, but she just wasn’t worried about anything. As long as she ended up with the hot doctor as her husband tonight, it didn’t matter what happened in between.
Ben had stayed with his sister and Paul last night, so that they could keep the tradition of not seeing each other today until she walked down the aisle. She missed him not being in bed with her, and had reached for him all night. Alexis was still sleeping, and for a little while, until everyone arrived, she was by herself.
The wedding was taking place at a resort on the beach. As long as the weather held out, the ceremony was on the beach and the reception was off to the side in a huge tent. If the weather didn’t hold out for their sunset wedding, then it would be inside the hotel’s ballroom.
She looked down at her beautiful engagement ring. In everything he did, Ben was thoughtful, right down to the meaning behind her ring. It was a three stone ring to signify the three of them. It also happened to be the prettiest ring she had ever seen, and it was way bigger than anything she ever needed. He spoiled them both rotten. If he could’ve gotten a ring for Alexis, he probably would’ve. She hadn’t seen her wedding band because they both decided they were picking out each other’s, and that it would be a surprise at the altar.
“Hi, Mommy,” Alexis stood in the hallway, holding her Bitty baby that Ben had gotten her for her birthday. “Daddy?”
“Daddy is at Mom-Moms. We’ll see him later. Good morning, sleepy head.” Alexis climbed onto her lap, resting her head on her shoulder. Rubbing her back, she squeezed her gently. Alexis really had no understanding of what was happening today. She just thought it was a big party and she was going to get to wear a pretty dress and throw petals out of her basket, and that Cate was going to be with her. Emily had just given birth to Cate’s little sister, Calleigh Lynn, about a month ago. She wasn’t very thrilled to try to fit into her bridesmaid dress only a month after giving birth, but she had done it.
Kayley’s other bridesmaids were Rachel, Ben’s sister Lindsay, Cam’s wife Kellie, and Cathy, her sister in-law. She loved their dresses. They were short, knee length, sweetheart neckline strapless dresses in a beautiful Tiffany blue. Ben’s guys Cam, Paul, Kevin, Trevor, and a cousin, Gabe were wearing khaki pants and a short sleeved white dress shirt and no shoes. Ben’s attire was sand colored suit pants with a Tiffany blue tie and a white dress shirt with the arms rolled up. She hadn’t seen it on him, but she didn’t need to see him to know that he was going to be hot enough to set fire to the sand.
Alexis sat up, breaking Kayley from her thoughts. “Want some breakfast, little girl? We have a busy day today!”
Alexis climbed down and headed for the pantry, where she retrieved a box of Cheerios. “Wex want Cheewios, pwease.”
Kayley poured her cereal and sat her in her booster seat at the table, wondering what Ben was doing and what he was thinking.
Ben sat out by the pool at his sister and Paul’s, listening to the birds chirp and the breeze rustle through the trees. It was here. Sixteen months ago, he met the beautiful woman that today would become his forever. He had no nerves. There was no reason for that. Today just made official what he had felt for a long time. He was going to be a married man in a few short hours. Running his vows through his head for the millionth time, he knew he was ready. As long as his nerves didn’t fail him, he knew those words inside and out. He and Kayley had chosen to write their own vows to each other, feeling that it meant more that way.
The prospect of them increasing their family also excited him. Kayley had officially gotten off the pill a few weeks ago. They were both up for a honeymoon baby. He couldn’t wait to hold the product of their love in his arms. He also couldn’t wait for Alexis to be his legally. At the age of two, she had no idea what was happening, but someday she would. The paperwork was all set, and after the ceremony today, he would announce to their family and friends that he was now officially the proud father of Alexis Nichols.
“Hey bro, ready for today?” Paul walked out onto the porch, carrying a cup of coffee.
“More than ready,” Ben said, smiling at his brother in-law. “I wish I could fast forward until 7:30 tonight, to be honest. This sitting around waiting all day is going to kill me. I just want her to be mine, officially.”
“Well, that’s why we aren’t going to sit around. Go get ready. The boys and I are taking you golfing and to grab a late lunch. By the time we get back, you won’t have long before you have to get ready to go.”
Her house was no longer quiet- it buzzed and hummed with the excitement and anticipation of today. All of the girls had arrived, plus Ben’s mom and grandmother, whom she had just met today, and Kayley’s mom. The two hairdressers that were doing everyone’s hair was there, as well as a makeup person for Kayley and a few of the girls. A spread of lunch items were laid out on the bar: sandwiches, fruit, and salad were there to enjoy, plus some wine, mimosas, and other mixed drinks.
Emily had Cate and Calleigh with her, not able to be away from her for a whole afternoon, since she was nursing. Kayley couldn’t keep her eyes off of her. With little tufts of red hair, fair skin, and big blue eyes, she looked like a porcelain doll. Cate played with Alexis as they watched all the mommies get pretty for the party.
“You going to have one of those, soon?” Cathy, her sister in-law, looked at her knowingly. All eyes swung to her at the question.
Kayley felt her cheeks getting red at the attention. “We really hope to, maybe even after today,” she joked, deciding just to go with it. The room burst into excited chatter, mostly lead by the two mothers in the room. Kayley allowed herself to daydream as Melanie, her hairdresser, worked on creating her masterpiece. Reciting her vows in her head, she was glad that they had decided to come up with their own. There was so much that she felt needed to be said to Ben, more than just traditional vows could cover. Nothing about their relationship had been conventional, so why start now? She couldn’t wait for so many things—seeing that wedding ring on both of their fingers, starting their honeymoon tonight at the resort on the beach where they got engaged, leaving for their cruise to the Caribbean tomorrow for a week, coming home to their new house, and starting their forever life together. Of course, in her near future she wanted to hold a little bundle of joy that was hers and Bens in her arms.
“Earth to Kayley,” Emily snapped her fingers in her face. “Thinking of the honeymoon? You can wait a few hours, can’t you?”
Kayley narrowed her eyes at her best friend, mock anger on her face. “Maybe I was, and you just ruined my daydream.”
Rachel guffawed and rolled her eyes. “Seriously. You two are like the poster children for Romantic Times. Are you two even for real?” She was kidding, but there was an underlying belief she had there that love and romance weren’t real.
Kellie sat on the other side quietly, still not sure how to handle the personalities of both Rachel and Emily. Kellie was very soft spoken and always kind, never sarcastic like her friends were.
“Kell, how’s Kasen? I can’t wait to see him in his little tux.” Kayley worked to include her in the conversation.
Kellie beamed at the mention of her little boy. “He looks so adorable in it. Thanks for including him today.” Cam was going to walk down the aisle holding baby Kasen, since he was too young to join in with the other ring bearers, Kyle and Josh, Kevin and Cathy’s boys.
“Of course.” Kayley really liked Kellie. She could see that they were going to be good friends.
“I can’t wait to see all of the girls in their matching dresses,” Lindsay piped up, her hair getting put in an elegant updo. They had five actual flower girls, plus baby Calleigh walking down with her mom as an honorary flower girl. Alexis, of course, Cate, Krista, Ella, and Melinda, Cathy
and Kevin’s youngest. Kayley couldn’t pick just one.
“Me either. It’s going to be the cutest picture ever, those frilly organza dresses on their little bodies, all walking together to throw out the flowers.” Kayley smiled over at Cate and Alexis, playing with her dolls on the floor.
“What are the boys doing?” Kayley’s mom asked.
“Paul said they were going golfing and to lunch,” Lindsay answered.
“All done,” Melanie said, putting a mirror in front of Kayley’s face so she could see her hair. The room gasped as they looked at it finished. It was loose around her shoulders and curled. The sides were pinned up loosely and she had a pretty diamond star clip on one side. She wasn’t wearing a veil. Melanie sprayed it until Kayley was sure she was going to go into a hairspray coma, and then Melanie moved on to doing Kellie’s hair while Kayley went for makeup. She looked at the clock, smiling when she saw it was 3:00. It was getting closer.
Once Kayley was done with makeup, she wandered away, needing a moment to collect herself. She wasn’t scared, but the emotions bubbling up inside her made her want a few minutes alone. Walking into her bedroom, she saw her dress hanging from the outside of her closet, and she smiled. She loved this dress from the second she put it on in the store, and knew, just like they say, that it was the one. Fingering the skirt on her dress, she thought back to how much fun she had had that day, picking out the last wedding dress she would ever wear.
The group walked into Fairy Tale Bridal, ready for their appointment. Kayley had told them on the phone that she needed something that she could either order to arrive quickly or off the rack, since she was trying to plan the wedding quickly. They assured her that they could assist her with many of the dresses in their store, especially since her size was common for trying on.
She hoped that they were ready for this group. She had brought Emily, Rachel, Kellie, Cathy, and Lindsay, all of her bridal party, as well as her mom and Ben’s mom. She was most worried about her two opinionated friends, Emily and Rachel, though Emily had been shopping with her when she married Alex.
As the bridal consultant, Yvonne, that was assigned to them fluttered around Kayley, asking her questions about where the wedding was to be held and what type of dress she was looking for, Kayley was answering but her eyes were everywhere, looking at the dresses. She wanted something that was sexy, but not revealing, without a huge train since it was on the beach, and somewhat mermaid style, but with a fuller skirt at the bottom.
“I have several that I think you will like,” Yvonne answered. “But I would also like your permission to pick a few other styles that you may not think of as your favorites right now, but many times brides completely change what they think they will like once they see things on.”
Kayley agreed, wanting to make sure she found the perfect dress, but she also made sure to tell Yvonne the type of dress she absolutely would not try on. She wanted her dress to be totally different than the one she married Alex in. It wasn’t anything against him, of course, but those memories were best left where they were, and not brought into her wedding with Ben. Yvonne got a little teary as she explained that she had been married before and he had passed away, then she insisted on seeing a picture of Alexis and Ben. All tears over, she went to work on piling Kayley’s dressing room with dresses.
“All ready?” Yvonne said to the group, who sat outside Kayley’s dressing room in soft chairs. The seven women nodded in unison.
Kayley tried on several gowns, all of which the group thought were beautiful on her, but Kayley didn’t feel that any of them were “the one”. She wanted it to be so beautiful, so breathtaking, that she couldn’t stop the emotion from spilling over in every single one of them. She wanted the dress that she picked to knock the socks off her groom. And she hadn’t found it yet.
“Okay, Kayley, let’s get this off and try the next one. I think you’re going to love it,” Yvonne said, carrying her train back into the room. Undressing, Kayley looked at the new one that Yvonne was taking out of the plastic bag. Just looking at it, it was more spectacular than any of the ones she had on previously. It was a light champagne color, strapless with a sweetheart neckline, a mermaid style with Swarovski crystals and clear, iridescent beads adorning the bust and bodice with just enough sparkle to make it stunning. Layers of organza rippled like waves once the dress got past the knees, and the small train barely trailed behind it. Perfect for a beach wedding. Kayley looked down at herself as Yvonne zipped it up. There was no mirror in the room, so she had to wait until she walked out, but she could tell that this dress blew the others out of the water.
Kayley stepped from the dressing room, looking at the faces of all seven of the women that were here today. Turning around, she stepped up on the platform and looked at herself in the full length mirror. She could see them behind her, and they all had the same look on their faces. Her hands instinctively went to her face, and tears filled her eyes. “Ohmigod,” she breathed. What she saw in the mirror was beyond her wildest expectations. It was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. Turning, she could see in the three way mirror that the back lowered into a V that was sexy but not too revealing. She looked—stunning.
“Kayley,” Renee stood up and walked to her daughter’s side. Tears shimmered in her eyes. “You look so beautiful.”
Karen wiped her eyes, and every one of the bridesmaids started talking at once, ooing and ahhing over her. Emily ran up to the platform, hugging Kayley tightly as tears ran down her cheeks.
“I love it,” she sobbed. “God, I’m so happy for you. This dress is perfect.”
“Is this the one?” Yvonne asked, watching Kayley’s eyes fill with tears. “It fits you like it was made for you. You’re a knockout, doll.”
Kayley nodded. “This is it. This is my dress.”
Kayley smiled at the thought of Ben’s face when he would finally see her in this dress. She knew that his eyes would widen in shock and desire, and his gaze wouldn’t leave hers as she walked towards him. She knew like she knew she would marry him today that he would lean over and whisper something in her ear when she got to him, and it would be something that would take her breath away. She couldn’t wait.
“Are you okay?” Karen, Ben’s mom, stood at the doorway. Kayley had spent a lot of time with Karen and Joe over the last few months, and they had formed a very close bond. Alexis loved her as well, accepting her as a new grandma without a moment’s hesitation.
“I’m wonderful,” Kayley said, hugging her tightly. “I can’t wait.”
“Kayley, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’re marrying my son. You’re truly a match made in Heaven. I thank God every day for sending you into his life, our lives.”
Kayley waved her hands in front of her face as to not cry and ruin her pretty makeup. “No crying, Karen! None! I’ll be a mess by the time I get to Ben!”
“Sorry,” Karen laughed. “No more. I love you, Kay.”
“Love you too, new Mom.” Karen grinned at Kayley’s new name for her, hugging her one last time before leaving her alone again, for the last time as a single woman and mom, and for the last time in the house she shared with Alex.
Kayley stood in the room at the hotel where they were getting married, anxiously waiting to get the signal that it was time to head down. She was ready. Smoothing her hands down her dress, Emily and Rachel fluttered around her, touching up her lipstick and tucking any stray hairs. She ignored them, lost in her own thoughts.
“Do you need to go to the bathroom?” Emily asked. “Because we’re all going to have to go help you if so.”
“No,” Kayley laughed, looking down at the form fitting dress. “And even if I did, I think I’d hold it at this point. I just want to get to Ben. Can we go now?”
Emily looked into Kayley’s face, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I am not sure I will ever stop wanting to cry when you say that.”
Kayley blinked, refusing to cry and ruin her makeup. At least until she saw Ben. Then, all
bets were off. “You’re just hormonal, Em. It will pass,” Kayley teased, causing Emily to laugh and hug her quickly.
A knock came on the hotel door, and Kayley’s stomach clenched. Her mom opened it, and on the other side was Alex’s mom, looking beautiful in a knee length light pink dress.
“Kayley,” Elizabeth gasped as she saw her. Stepping into the room, she put her hands gently on Kayley’s face, tears in her eyes. “You’re so beautiful. My God. This dress is stunning.”
As much as Kayley had sworn she wasn’t going to, tears filled her eyes at the sight of her former husband’s mom crying in front of her. “Elizabeth,” she sniffled, trying without success to keep tears from dropping out of her eyes. “Thank you so much for being here. I know that it couldn’t have been easy for you.”
Elizabeth dabbed Kayley’s face carefully with a handkerchief as the rest of the girls watched, not a dry eye in the place. “You will always be my daughter, Kay. I love you. And I miss him, every day, as I’m sure you do. But, I am so happy for you, and know he would be, too. I’m so glad you get to have your fairy tale.” She opened her small clutch purse. “I have something for you, if you want.”
Kayley watched her, so much emotion filling her she couldn’t stop another tear from dripping down her cheek. Emily dabbed it this time, careful to keep her makeup intact. Alex’s sweet mother took something out of her purse and closed it in her hand. Taking Kayley’s hand and turning it over, she dropped it in her hand. Kayley looked down, and a sob escaped her throat without warning. It was Alex’s cufflinks from their wedding. She would recognize them anywhere. They were silver with a C engraved in script on them, for Carson.
“For the last day you’re a Carson,” Elizabeth cried, not even stopping the tears from dripping down her face. “Alex is with you. I thought maybe we could pin them under your dress somewhere.”
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