Fenella’s POV
“Honey, you looked absolutely stunning,” my mother said.
“Thank you, Mom.”
I smiled wide upon hearing my mother’s compliment. She handed me a bouquet of wedding flowers that was a mix of pink, red, and white colors. I then grabbed the small bouquet and held it tightly.
“I couldn’t believe we pulled this off all in just a week.” My mother shook her head, her eyes wide.
“We even thought to get married the day after he proposed, but I remembered your words about wanting to prepare every detail of my wedding. You only have one chance because I’m your only daughter, so here we are.”
“I just hoped those fruit tarts and crab cakes would be enough for all the guests.”
“It’s okay, Mom. If the food wasn’t enough, we could stuff them with the wedding cake. That’s the job of the five-tier cake you ordered.”
“You’re right. I’m grateful that Mrs. Maddox’s bakery shop is willing to take on the order.” She sighed and stared at my face.
“Oh, I wish your father could see you, even though he couldn’t walk you down the aisle,” she said softly as she adjusted my wedding veil.
From her sparkling eyes reflecting the morning sunlight, I knew she was moved. If I hadn’t interrupted her dramatic speech, she would have been crying.
“Oh, it’s okay. Malcolm Golden is good enough for me. I couldn’t believe he was willing to take the time to come to Boston to walk me down the aisle.”
My eyes glanced at the old man in a black suit with a small white flower pin attached to his pocket. He stood near some other relatives, glancing at us a few times.
“How did you manage to persuade him to be my escort down the aisle?” I asked my mother, tilting my head toward her.
“Ah, all I needed was a promise of a homemade dinner for him,” my mother laughed, a blush on her cheeks replacing the red in her eyes.
Her laughter sounded crisp mixed with shyness, even a bit too loud for a woman her age. Combined with the special-shaped cookies, I began to suspect more.
“Just the two of you?”
“That’s what he asked.”
“Oh, you two would be a cute couple. I say, just jump on it.”
“Jump on what?” My mother was startled while a cute, embarrassed laugh escaped her.
“On your fate. You’re not getting any younger, so just do whatever you want,” I shrugged. My mother looked pensive after hearing my advice, her eyes blinking.
“Are you ready? They said they were ready,” Mr. Golden asked as he stepped closer to us.
“Oh, okay. Let’s go.”
“Bless you, my beautiful child.” My mother kissed my forehead briefly.
“Come sit beside me once you’re done walking,” my mother said to Mr. Golden.
“Sure. Just go ahead first,” the man replied with a small smile.
My mother then walked quickly to sit in the front row on the left. We waited until she sat down, then Mr. Golden turned back to me.
“Ready?” He raised his arm.
“Yeah.” I sighed softly.
I wrapped my arm around Mr. Golden’s, and we walked out of the waiting room. Truly, it was a coincidence at the right time. Since my father passed away, I thought I would walk alone down the aisle. While that wouldn’t have bothered me, having a father figure escort seemed like a crucial support.
Because my legs were weak and trembling!
I saw Laird in front of the altar. His face was bright with a wide smile he couldn’t hide. His dark blonde hair was neatly styled, and the black tuxedo fit perfectly on his body with a white flower pin in his pocket. His broad shoulders and tall stature made women want to run into his arms.
His emerald green eyes shone brightly, looking straight at me without glancing away. A flashback from prom night made this scene feel familiar.
He was still devilishly handsome after all this time.
He was still the same man I loved all my life.
Laird stood at the end with a beaming smile. Next to him, Matthew stood as the best man carrying the rings. Jessy stood beside the altar as the man of honor in a black suit. Lloyd was seated in the front row.
They all looked at me with bright smiles, reflecting how I was smiling wide at that moment.
There weren’t many guests. We only invited a small number of neighbors, relatives, and close family. There were only two pianists and one violinist beside the altar, playing a classic romantic tune as background music.
It was a close and intimate wedding. Not what I had in mind for a grand wedding with a luxurious designer dress or shoes.
I wore my mother’s wedding dress with a little bit of modification, adding tulles and laces here and there. I even bought the white wedding shoes from a thrift shop down the block. None of it could be called a celebrity wedding, but it was so much better because there wouldn’t be any haters screaming harassments or paparazzi’s flashing cameras.
I kept walking down the aisle in slow motion. It felt like a long walk to get there. Closer and closer to Laird. Until finally, I stood beside him, just like I had always dreamed.
“Thank you,” I quickly said to Mr. Golden. He smiled and nodded his head before taking his seat beside my mother.
The pastor spoke for a moment, reading several holy verses. When the pastor reached the question of whether anyone objected, I waited with my heart racing. Afraid that Alan, Amy, or Chris would suddenly appear at the door. But no one did.
The ceremony continued to the moment of the wedding vows. I handed my bouquet to Jessy, who looked eager to squeal with joy. We shared a brief laugh, whispering thanks for holding my bouquet, before I prepared myself for the next part of the ceremony.
Laird held both my hands tightly. We stood facing each other, and I couldn’t help but smile at the beaming smile on Laird’s blushing face. I took a deep breath and exhaled to calm myself.
“I, Laird Evans, take you, Fenella Baxter, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live.”
“I, Fenella Baxter, take you, Laird Evans.” My eyes felt hot, and my voice caught in my throat.
The rumble in my chest felt too real, and my stomach twisted painfully because of it. This emotional moment intricated deep in my soul, filling my head with dizzying high. I knew I couldn’t ever forget how Laird’s face lit up under the chapel’s mosaic light. This was the moment I had always been waiting for.
It was real!
I held back tears of joy in my eyelids. Truly, I didn’t want to ruin my makeup. Even though I heard sniffs and sighs from the guests, I steeled myself to continue my vows.
Laird still waited with a blossoming smile on his face. He squeezed harder and shook our clasped hands to help me relax.
“You got this, baby.” He whispered.
I stifled a small laugh, then stood up straight to brace myself. I gazed at him once more.
“I will take you to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live.”
He sighed in relief, then took the ring from Matthew and placed it on my finger. With the pastor’s permission, Laird leaned towards me. His hands wrapped around my waist while I draped my arms around his neck.
His lips brushed against mine in a soft and delicate touch. So light yet so firm. Not a forceful or steamy kiss. Just enough to make my heart flutter with a satisfying sigh from my lips.
Jessy cheered, the guests stood, and even Matthew whistled loudly. We walked down the aisle, showered by applause.
Laird and I laughed wide. Then we kissed for the second time in front of the chapel’s door.
From that point on, I knew we would be okay as long as we were together.