***
“You look beautiful princess,” Paul said softly when he got to his daughter. Then he drew her into his arms and gave her a fierce hug.
“Thanks, dad.” Tanesha laughed, hugging her father back. “But I’m not the bride.”
“Can’t I pay my daughter a compliment?” Paul said, leaning down to kiss Tanesha on both cheeks before turning to face Briana. “So you’re Briana.” It wasn’t a question. Paul chuckled when Briana laughed excitedly. “You, my dear, look absolutely fabulous.” He took her right hand and kissed the back as though she were her knight. “So…how do you want to do this?”
Briana actually blushed. “Well, I was thinking…”
“Don’t think. Just tell me what you want.” Paul chuckled.
“I want to walk down the aisle alone. You will stand close beside the first pew and wait for me to come to you, Mr. Ashton. That way, my dad won’t get too jealous when he watches the video.” She laughed. “When I get to you, you’ll take my hand and present me to…Cole.”
“I can do that.” Paul grinned. A grin which faltered when he turned to look at his wife. It was obvious she was struggling to get her emotions under control. He could tell she’d been crying and would have loved nothing more than to take her into his arms. But Paul knew he had to be careful not to raise his daughter’s suspicion.
“Thanks.” Briana said and then turned to Tanesha, who had never made it to the so-called rehearsal, thanks to Briana’s ‘mix-up’. She’d actually communicated a wrong time to Tanesha the only time they were all to go for rehearsals. By the time Tanesha got to the church, they were already done. “As I told you yesterday, Tan, the groomsmen, and bridesmaids will proceed to their position around the altar. Then you will proceed alone.” Briana smile at Tanesha. “When you get to where Mr. Ashton is waiting, you will stop right there beside him and wait whilst I walk majestically and in all my glory down the aisle to him.” Tanesha purred.
Tanesha rolled her eyes. “How weird.” She turned to her mother to see how she was taking Briana’s strange arrangement and gasped. She could actually see her mother’s hands trembling.
“Mum, are you okay?” Tanesha asked worriedly.
“I’m good, darling,” Dora said, quickly stepping into Paul’s opened arms. “Just tired that’s all.”
“That’s how I want it, Tan. Sue me.” Briana virtually shouted, just to distract Tanesha from Dora’s telling reaction. “That’s about it Mr…” She trailed off when someone knocked on the door.
“We’re ready for you please.” The altar server popped his head in to announce.
Paul and Dora hugged Tanesha and Briana and went out. Briana quickly went to the other room to call the other ladies, and then signaled the ladies helping them dress to fix her and Tanesha’s fascinators. The fabulous birdcage veil fascinator was fixed perfectly on Tanesha’s head, covering her eyes. She quickly turned to complain to Briana but shut up when she saw she also had the same thing on her head. Briana was the weirdest bride ever, Tanesha thought with a shake of her head.
Mary, Kayla, Jen, Caroline, Thea, and Queenie joined them, oohing and aahing over Tanesha and Briana’s dresses. Tanesha didn’t think it was necessary to point out that they all had similar dresses as Briana. Everyone’s gown had the same mermaid cut. Again Tanesha couldn’t help but feel she looked different. Hers was the only different gown amongst them all. Tanesha didn’t want to fuss but she definitely wasn’t comfortable. In any case, what would complaining achieve at that particular moment? So she kept quiet.
“Time to go,” Kayla said, pushing into Tanesha’s hand a beautifully arranged creamy white bouquet which comprised roses, calla lilies, and baby’s breath. It was breathtakingly lovely.
That bouquet was the last stroke that brought Tanesha’s gorgeous bridal look to perfection. Tanesha again looked at what the others were holding and noticed theirs were only roses. Well, Briana’s had some lilies too at least.
“Okay let’s get hitched.” Briana squealed. “Wish me luck, ladies.”
There was a chorus of good lucks. As Tanesha wished Briana well and kissed her on the cheek, she couldn’t help but think how strange Briana’s behaviour was. Weren’t brides supposed to feel sort of…solemn at such a time? Especially so when the bride in question’s parents couldn’t make it to her wedding. Briana’s carefree behaviour seemed rather weird. Either she was trying very hard not to look affected or she was just plain crazy.
“Are you okay?” Tanesha asked quietly as the others went out.
“You have no idea just how thrilled I am this very moment Tanesha.” Briana purred, making Tanesha actually laugh. “You look spectacularly beautiful.” She said softly.
“So do you,” Tanesha said as they turned towards the door. “But I still don’t see why we should both have our faces covered though. I’m not the…” She suddenly turned to face Briana with a bemused look on her face. “Okay, what’s going on here?” Tanesha asked.
Briana’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?” Her heart nearly stopped.
“This whole…wedding feels…weird,” Tanesha said with a frown.
“Tan…” Briana started but Tanesha held up her hand to stop her.
“You’re acting weird, which is so unlike you. It’s like seeing a cat walking on its hind legs weird, Bri.” She sighed.
“Oh don’t be silly.” Briana’s laughter sounded strained even to her own ears. Was Cole going to win after all? Had her behaviour ruined Ty’s surprise? After all the work everyone had put into it? Her heart was pounding so hard she needed to drink some water. “I just…”
“I know you’re not yourself Bri.” Tanesha cut her off. “I think it’s because your mum is not here. You told me how close the two of you are, remember?”
Briana gave a vigorous nod and let out a sigh of relief. “It’s killing me Tanesha.” She gasped. “I’m just trying to…”
“Appear strong, I know.” Tanesha hugged her again. “It’s also affected some of your…decisions and choices. I must say most are very questionable but…I guess we don’t have any choice now but to go with it.” She really didn’t want to give her too much stress. “Just let yourself go and enjoy your day okay?”
“Okay. Thank you, Tan.” Briana tried very hard not to laugh as she placed a hand at Tanesha’s back and propelled her towards the door. “Now I want you to keep this in mind. Please stand for a moment before you start moving down the aisle. And please walk very slowly as you go. I want the people to appreciate the work we put into our dresses. No rush. I’ll be right behind you. Well, not right behind you. I’ll come eventu… You know what I mean.” Briana was rumbling and she knew it. Her heartbeat was thankfully back to normal. That had been so close. Her job was almost done.
Whew!