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The day of the wedding, the temperature dropped sharply and the sky clouded over. It being the last week of December, it couldn’t be helped. The weather couldn’t dim Arabella’s happiness. Her parents, sisters, their families, and Braylen had all arrived a few days ago. The day Bray arrived, Arabella and Braylen had stayed up all night catching up on everything that had happened in the three months they’d been apart.
“So, thanks for messing up the siren potion, Bray,” Arabella said. “It worked out quite nicely.” She winked.
Braylen laughed good-naturedly. “You’re welcome. I’ve learned a lot from Nelari, so that will probably never happen again.”
“Did you ever tell her about the bunts?”
Braylen laughed again. “I did. And she told me that once she accidently turned her little brother into a parrot. He was a very mad, talking parrot until her father helped her change him back. She wasn’t allowed to make any potions for a month.”
Arabella laughed. “See? Even the greats had to start somewhere. By the way,” she said, her voice becoming serious, “you were right, Bray.”
“About what?”
“When you whispered to me at the hotel in the Golden City that Graham and I were perfect for each other.” Arabella squeezed his hand.
Braylen smiled. “That’s because I know you so well, Aira.”
***
True to her word, Corinna had brought cookies. Delicious ones. She had also brought a package for Arabella from Mr. Jacobson, the shoemaker. Arabella regarded it curiously. She gave Corinna a questioning look. Her sister merely shrugged. Arabella opened it. At the top of the box was a white envelope with her name on it. Arabella lifted it up, and underneath, a beautiful pair of shoes was nestled inside folds of midnight colored satin.
Arabella looked up at Corinna in surprise. Her sister was grinning. “Aren’t they amazing? I told Mr. Jacobsen your size when he told me he wanted to make them for you.”
Arabella pulled one shoe out. “I can’t believe the heels are made of glass!” she marveled, holding the shoe up in front of the window. Light shone through the peach colored glass heel. The soles were gold. The body of the shoe was made of white satin and centered in the toe of each shoe was a peach and white seashell. Peach satin ribbons dangled from the back of the shoes. Arabella carefully set the shoe back in the box so she could read the note Mr. Jacobsen had sent.
As magnificent as I promised, Jacobsen had written. Arabella smiled.
“Put them on so I can see!” Corinna said eagerly.
Arabella acquiesced, sliding her feet into the soft satin. She tied the satin ribbons around her ankles, then stood. It felt like she was walking on a cloud. A grin spread across her face. “They’re perfect. I love them!” she declared happily. Jacobsen was right. They were immeasurably finer than Cinderella’s glass slippers.
***
Now Arabella’s sisters, her mother, and Gigi were helping her get dressed for the wedding. Grandma Emmelyn’s ivory dress had been tailored to fit Arabella perfectly. She had a new peach satin sash to match her shoes.
“I have something for you,” Gigi announced. She handed Arabella a small rectangular white box.
Arabella opened it to find a lovely rose gold bracelet. “Thank you,” she said, touched. She kissed Gigi’s cheek.
“You’re very welcome,” Gigi replied with a smile. She was elegantly dressed in a silver gown and her hair was pulled back in a sleek twist. She hooked the bracelet around Arabella’s wrist, and everyone crowded around to admire it.
“Just one more thing,” Daphne said. Arabella turned around so her mother could clip a veil into her updo. Daphne stepped back, tears glistening in her eyes. “All my girls are grown up now,” she said wistfully.
“You’re going to make me cry,” Arabella sniffed. Her sisters, her mother, and Gigi gathered around her for a group hug.
A short while later, everyone walked over to the little palace chapel, dressed in warm cloaks. Snow began to fall lightly. It’s so beautiful, Arabella thought. The interior of the chapel was equally lovely. It was decorated with evergreen boughs, white lilies, and glittering peach and gold candles.
When it was time for Arabella to walk up the aisle, her eyes went immediately to Graham. He looked so handsome in his white tunic. Arabella kept her eyes on him as she walked slowly down the aisle, clutching her bouquet of white lilies and peach roses. When she reached the altar, Graham took her hand and she stepped up beside him, her eyes shining.
Her fingers were cold, but they soon warmed up in Graham’s hands. When the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Graham leaned down to kiss her. When his soft lips touched hers, everything around Arabella disappeared. She felt like she was flying. After a few minutes, the sounds of clapping and cheering from their families began to register in her consciousness. Corinna and Braylen were louder than everyone else. Arabella laughed as she and Graham pulled apart.
As they turned to walk down the aisle, she leaned over to whisper in Graham’s ear. “This is the happiest day of my life.”
Graham smiled at her. “It’s mine, too.”