Wedding Day
A white archway stood in the middle of the yard, roses laced in and out of the lattice. A trail of white petals blanketed the ground, creating a snowy path to the arbor.
Rows of ivory chairs had been placed, creamy yellow bows decorating each. To the far right, an elegant banquet table dressed with a lace runner, topped with dozens of presents.
The blue sky watched over the ceremony from above like a stained glass cathedral ceiling. It was as though Heaven had opened its doors for the day in recognition of their love.
Guests had begun arriving shortly after lunch, eager to see the new couple wed.
Lily's mother and sister, Sheridan, were bustling around making sure all last minute details were attended to. Quinn dressed in an elegant cream sundress and her long caramel hair pinned up, welcomed guests and led them to their seats. Her demeanor was slightly more pleasant than expected.
A sweaty Father Matt, wearing his heavy ceremonial robes, mopped his brow as the hot sun took no mercy on the poor priest.
Lily's father had taken it upon himself to inspect the arbor, as well as each and every chair for sturdiness and safety.
Gabe's mother arrived late because she had to pick up Anna from the airport. Anna had just come back from a fun-filled holiday in Mexico. Dimitris hadn't arrived yet, but called to say he was on his way.
As friends and family filed onto the property, a very nervous bride was having her hair curled.
Sarah had come the day before to help. Curling Lily's long caramel hair took almost two hours, but it was well worth it. Long ringlets hung from Lily's head like butterscotch ribbons. A wreath of fresh daisies laced along her crown and trailed down the back of her hair.
The ivory sleeves on her dress began at mid-arm, draped long and flowed to her waist. A cascading shawl of translucent white graced her bare shoulders. The bust of the dress was a tightly fitted corset, laced up in the back with a thick white ribbon. Flowing from her waist to the floor, the bottom of the dress was several pieces of white satin shaped like long, elegant petals.
Staring at herself in the mirror, she thought she looked like a beautiful white orchid. Tears filled her eyes as she realized the gravity of the day.
I'm getting married today. She thought as tears of happiness welled at the base of her eyes. I'm marrying Gabe.
~
On the other side of the house, assisting Lily's brothers with valet parking was a very happy groom.
Gabe's cheeks hurt from all the smiling he was doing. His hair had been freshly cut that morning at the barbers. Short and slick, he thought he looked like a new man.
Lily's going to be so shocked I cut my hair. He thought humorously.
Fiddling constantly with the rings in pocket, he decided he'd hand them over to Dimitris when he arrived, since he was the best man.
Gabe's mother kept looking at Gabe and every time she did, she'd dab away fresh tears forming her eyes.
A crash from the kitchen startled everyone outside.
“Quinn! Land sake's girl, shape up or get out of my kitchen!” Maggie's annoyed voice hollered from inside.
Gabe chuckled, thinking of Quinn getting in trouble.
As the time grew nearer, many people seated them themselves, eager to see the bride and groom.
Upstairs, Lily used a fan to cool and calm herself.
“Eat Lily!” Sarah insisted as she forced a muffin into the bride's shaking hands.
“Ugh. The thought of food is nauseating right now.” Lily grimaced as she pushed the food away.
Lily sat on the bed, waiting for the signal to go downstairs. Outside, she could hear many people talking amongst themselves, waiting for her. Her head spun a little as she recalled the events over the last couple of months.
It seemed unbelievable that she and Gabe had gone from having absolutely no romantic future together to getting married in such a short time. She smiled as she realized that today was truly the best day of her life...so far.
A light knock came at the door, stirring Lily out of her thoughts.
Lily's mother peeked in and said quietly, “It’s time.”
As she looked at her daughter for the first time as a bride, however, she became nearly hysterical.
“Mom, it’s okay!” Lily attempted to sooth her mother.
“Mrs. Donovan, please!” Sarah begged, checking her watch.
It took Lily and Sarah nearly ten minutes to calm her mother enough to go downstairs. At the front door stood Lily’s father, dressed in a black tuxedo, awaiting the arm of his daughter.
His eyes glistened as he looked at his daughter’s face and said, “Lily, my girl, I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you Daddy.” Lily said in a quiet voice, a tear escaping her eye and gliding down her cheek.
Walking down the steps, everyone turned to look at Lily. Everyone gasped at the sight of the beautiful young bride. Music played softly as she and her father walked arm in arm down the aisle.
Standing at the head of the aisle, was Gabe.
~
Looking down the aisle at his Lily, Gabe was dumbfounded by her beauty. Never before had he seen a real, live angel...until today.
They didn't have a rehearsal, but Father Matt had instructed Gabe as to traditional wedding procedure. Apparently none of that mattered at this moment. Instead of waiting for Lily's father to bring her up the aisle, Gabe met them half-way and taking his bride by both hands, led her to the altar. Lily's father nodded respectfully to Gabe as he let go of his little girl.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of these two children of God.” began Father Matt.
As the old priest continued, Lily whispered to Gabe, “You cut your hair!”
Smothering a laugh, Gabe shushed her. Father Matt, slightly deaf, continued without noticing their conversation.
“Do you, Lily Evelynn Donovan take this man, Gabriel Adonis Konstantinos, to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, until death do you part?” Father Matt asked.
“I do.” Lily replied staring into Gabe's eyes.
“Do you, Gabriel Adonis Konstantinos take this woman, Lily Evelynn Donovan, to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and hold from this day forward, until death do you part?” asked Gabe.
Gabe responded solemnly, “I do.”
They exchanged their vows, their rings and their love.
“You may kiss your bride.” Father Matt announced proudly when the ceremony was done.
Gabe grinned, took Lily's face delicately into both of his hands and leaned in. Tilting her tiny face upward, Gabe tenderly kissed his wife's lips. Lily finally let the tears of joy that had been swimming around in her eyes all day, flow freely.
Gabe lifted her up in his arms and held her tight.
With a roaring standing ovation, the crowd of family and friends celebrated their union.
~
After a whirlwind evening of food, dancing and drink, the last guest was just driving away. White Christmas lights twinkled in the trees as the moon and stars hung silently against a black canvas of sky.
Gabe and Lily, wrapped in their handmade wedding quilt, cuddled contentedly near a crackling fire. Just after midnight, the two were exhausted, but happy with how the day went.
The acreage was silent except for the occasional wind rustling the leaves overhead.
“Mrs. Konstantinos?” Gabe whispered in Lily's ear.
Giggling, Lily answered, “Yes, Mr. Konstantinos?”
“I have a surprise for you.” He said slyly as they stood up and he led her away from the fire.
Lily's eyes lit up, “A surprise!” She exclaimed excitedly.
Shushing her, he beckoned her to follow him. Hand in hand, he led her behind the house.
After a few moments, she realized he was leading her out to the tree house.
“Wait here.” He grinned as he climbed up the old ladder and disappeared through the trap door.
Shivering from the night air and anticipation, Lily hopped up and down.
“Close your eyes.” Gabe demanded playfully, leading her up the ladder. “No peeking!”
“I'm not!” She giggled.
Carefully, she lifted herself through the trap door, with Gabe holding onto her waist. She waited impatiently for him to climb in before she opened her eyes.
“Okay. Open your eyes.” Gabe said softly.
Slowly, she opened her eyes. There, before her, was a tree house made for a princess.
Gabe had placed several softly lit candles within the tiny room. A small mattress lay in the middle of the floor. A beautiful white duvet lay upon it, covered in pink rose petals. White lace fabric hung from the ceiling, draped over the tiny bed. A bottle of champagne chilled in the corner with strawberries and chocolate sauce decorating a plate beside it.
“Oh Gabe.” Lily whispered, taking a breath in. “It's so beautiful.”
“Anything for my wife.” Gabe replied sincerely from behind her.
Crawling over the bed, Lily immediately reached for the strawberries. Laughing, Gabe tried to steal them from her. Pouring the champagne, they made a toast to one another.
“To you, Mrs. Konstantinos.” Gabe said sincerely as he raised his glass.
“And to you, my sweet husband.” She replied, touching her glass to his.
Staring into each other’s eyes, they savored their champagne.
Reaching for a strawberry and dipping it in the chocolate sauce, Gabe slowly put it to Lily's mouth. Teasing her, he let a tiny taste of chocolate touch the tip of her tongue. Finally, after Lily had tried several times to bite at the strawberry, he placed it in her mouth.
Gabe, who had taken off his suit jacket hours ago, now began unbuttoning his crisp white shirt. Lily watched him, biting her lip.
After his shirt was off, he whispered to Lily, “Turn around.”
Slowly, she maneuvered herself, her back to him. Slowly and carefully, Gabe unlaced the white ribbon from Lily's corset. One side at a time, her dress became looser until it eventually slid off, landing at her waist.
Pushing her hair to the side, Gabe kissed the nape of her neck. Lily lifted up her hair and held it with both hands, piling it loosely on her head. Gabe's hands trailed down the insides of Lily's raised arms, sliding past the soft curves and resting his hands on her hips.
Turning around to face him, Lily reached for the dish of chocolate sauce. Dipping her finger into it, she placed a tiny taste onto the tip of her tongue, eyeing him seductively. Dipping her finger lightly into the chocolate, she then trailed a line of sweetness from Gabe's collarbone to his stomach.
Licking it slowly off of him, she then whispered, “Lie down.”
Complying, he removed the remainder of his clothing and lay down.
The twilight glow of the moon eventually became the dawning of the sun. The newlyweds saw the early hue of the Sun kissing the eastern horizon as they finally fell asleep.