SYDNEY STOOD IN FRONT of the Church of Panagia Episkopi and thought Brigit had picked the most picturesque setting. The church had a blue domed roof and white plaster walls and stained-glass windows. Green trellises connected stone walkways and there was an altar with a gold cross.
She peered out the double brass doors and gazed at the sharp cliffs and the Kamari coastline far below. It was late afternoon and a soft breeze blew up from the Aegean. After everything that had happened, she couldn’t quite believe that Brigit was in the anteroom, waiting to walk down the aisle.
* * *
When Brigit burst into their room and said she and Nathaniel were getting married, Sydney wondered if she regretted not being able to put on her satin wedding dress and gold sandals. But Brigit explained how Nathaniel had finished his novel, and that they both finally had grown up. She realized you didn’t have be perfect, you just had to be in love.
* * *
Now the priest arrived in his embroidered gown and pointed hat and Sydney stifled a laugh. Trust Nathaniel to find a traditional Greek priest, an hour before the wedding. She thought about Nathaniel and her heart warmed. Ever since he snuck under the fence and sauntered into the kitchen when he was five years old, he belonged in the family.
Voices drifted up the path and she saw Francis talking to another couple. She looked closely and realized it was Harley Adams and his wife Margot.
“Look who I found in the square in Fira.” Francis climbed the stone steps. “I invited them to the wedding. I thought we should fill some pews.”
Sydney’s cheeks turned pale and she wondered if Harley would mention the château in Gordes. Then she looked at Francis and her shoulders relaxed. It didn’t matter if they talked about Gordes; she had nothing to hide.
“I’m thrilled you came.” She turned to Harley and Margot. “We need more people to drink all of this Veuve Clicquot and toast good health to the happy couple.”
“I told them we are going to Montreux after the wedding,” Francis said. “Harley suggested we visit the Grand Hotel du Lac in Vevey.”
“Margot and I stayed there last year.” Harley nodded. “It’s on Lake Geneva and the restaurant has a Le Cordon Bleu chef. It was like a second honeymoon.”
“We’ll have to try it.” Francis squeezed Sydney’s hand. “Visiting these exotic destinations is exhilarating, I feel like I’m twenty-five again.”
“I completely agree,” Sydney said and a tingle ran down her spine. “I can’t wait to go to Switzerland. The mountains and lake sound so romantic.”
* * *
Daisy smoothed her yellow chiffon dress and clutched her bouquet. Topaz earrings glittered in her ears and she wore silver sandals. She inhaled the scent of jasmine and roses and thought the floral decorations looked breathtaking.
She had been hesitant when Brigit appeared at the café in Fira and said she and Nathaniel were getting married. But Brigit was calm and confident, like an astronaut who had just returned to earth. She begged Daisy to be the maid of honor and asked Robbie to take photographs.
It wasn’t just that Brigit looked so in love, it was more she looked like herself. She was right where she belonged and this time nothing would stop her and Nathaniel from being happy.
Daisy had sipped her lemonade and suddenly panicked. What had she been thinking, saying she would go to London with Robbie? She had to return to New York and take care of Edgar.
But the house sitter called and said she was delighted to stay in the apartment and watch Edgar until she returned. Daisy had her whole future ahead of her and nothing to worry about.
* * *
“Brigit picked a spectacular church.” Robbie appeared beside her. “It was built in 1767 in the foothills of the highest mountain in Santorini. Previously a Christian basilica stood on this land and some of the frescos date back to 1100.”
“I never thought I’d fall in love with a place as much as Santorini.” Daisy sighed. “Everywhere you turn there are gorgeous views and spectacular sunsets.”
“Most people don’t think they should enjoy life, they just wait for the next thing.” Robbie touched her arm. “But there is nothing better than exploring interesting locations, and being with the person who makes you happy.”
“I saw Brigit in the anteroom.” Daisy blushed. “She’s the most beautiful bride.”
“I’m sure she’s lovely.” He kissed her softly. “But the most beautiful woman in Santorini is standing in front of me.”
Daisy kissed him back and wondered if she would catch the bouquet. She grinned and thought she didn’t want to get ahead of herself. But there was nowhere she would rather be than sitting in the pew with Robbie, waiting for Brigit and Nathaniel to say “I do.”
* * *
Brigit rubbed her lips with red lipstick and brushed her cheeks with powder. She paced around the tiny room and felt like a ballerina waiting to go on stage.
Her mother and Daisy had helped her button her Oscar de la Renta gown but then she asked them to leave. She wanted a few minutes to savor the intricate mosaic ceiling and vases of hyacinths and the knowledge that in a few minutes she would be married.
She glanced at the clock and wondered where her father was. He was supposed to arrive fifteen minutes ago to walk her down the aisle. She heard footsteps and smoothed her skirt.
“God, you look more radiant than the first time we did this,” Nathaniel said. He wore a black tuxedo and yellow tie. His hair was slicked back and his cheeks glistened with aftershave.
“What are you doing here?” Brigit gasped. “You’re not supposed to see me until my father walks me down the aisle.”
“I told him I wanted to do it,” Nathaniel explained.
“You can’t walk me down the aisle.” She flushed. “You have to wait at the altar.”
“Technically your father already gave you away,” he said. “I thought this time we could do it together.”
“You want to walk down the aisle at the same time?” Brigit asked.
Nathaniel studied her high cheekbones and slender neck. She wore sapphire earrings and a pink coral necklace.
“We wasted two years, I don’t want to miss another minute.” He took her hand and opened the doors. “Everyone is waiting for us. Will you join me?”
Brigit saw the afternoon sun streaming through the stained-glass windows and thought everything looked so beautiful. She clasped his hand and smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it.”