Down the narrow corridor stood Lucia. Elly had never seen such a gorgeous bride. Her dress was an elaborate ballgown, with a tight fitted shell that barely covered the tops of her breasts. The bottom fanned out in layers upon layers of white feathers, only broken by a sweeping piece of satin that swirled around the waist. Her long cathedral veil floated behind her. She was bending over, her long red hair falling over her face as she talked to a tiny flower girl who nuzzled her nose. Lucia giggled and pulled the little girl into a hug, the girl’s flower pomander swinging wildly. The pride and bliss in Lucia’s face were obvious, even from fifty feet away.
Pity washed over Elly. As easy as it was to hate Lucia, she was nothing more than what Elly had been four years ago – a bride in love, ready to give everything to Aaron – Aaron, who would take it all away one day. She was struck by such a strange feeling, wanting to pull Lucia into her arms and steal her away, to save her from a fate that at times had felt worse than death. But she couldn’t. Lucia was embarking on the journey that Elly had already made – a journey through heaven, hell and back again. There was nothing she could do that wouldn’t appear done out of selfishness or jealously, aside from telling Aaron not to show up. But that would mean seeing his face again, and that was something Elly wouldn’t do. Not ever again.
She watched one of Lucia’s bridesmaids – holding a resplendent bouquet – walk over and whisper in Lucia’s ear. Lucia nodded and steadied herself, taking a deep breath in before an elated smile erupted on her radiant face. Elly ducked her head, feeling ashamed for seeing such a private moment, one that each bride had, a moment that should be hers alone. Her father walked up to her, swaying slightly, and took her arms in his. Awash in empathy, Elly quietly let herself out of a side door, not wanting Lucia to notice her. Without realizing it, she had forgiven her. Elly ducked under the vine covered arbor, staying perfectly still as Lucia walked past her, on her way to marry the man of her dreams. She smiled sadly as she turned toward the parking lot, her last thought of Aaron evaporating from her mind. The first strains of the wedding march rose up behind her as she looked to her new life ahead.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
Elly arrived at the hospital thirty minutes later, disheveled and beaming with happiness. She rushed to the front desk where an exhausted nurse looked her up and down.
“You here delivering flowers? They go to the delivery entrance in the North Wing.”
Elly ripped off her apron. “No, no, sorry. I’m here to see my best friend, she’s in labor and delivery I would assume.”
The nurse rolled her eyes. “Is she IN delivery?”
“Yes.”
“Okay then. What is her name?”
“Kim and Sean Creeden.”
The nurse sat down slowly at the desk and began typing. Elly tapped her foot impatiently. “Look, I know that you must get this all the time, but…can you hurry? I was delivering a wedding so I’m already late, and I don’t want to miss it.”
The nurse looked up at her with big, placid brown eyes. “Everyone is in a hurry, miss, so you can wait just a few more seconds.” Elly clenched her hands and did a little dance of impatience. “She’s in room 414, just down this hall to your right.”
By the time the nurse finished her sentence, Elly was already running down the hall. She wheeled in front of room 414 and took a second to calm her heavy breathing. I shouldn’t run, she reminded herself. I’m not really a runner. She took a deep breath and knocked softly.
Sean opened the door slowly. “Elly” he whispered, “Come on in, wait until you see him.”
“Him?!” Elly was practically shouting. Sean shushed her.
“Oh, sorry” she whispered.
“Follow me.”
He led her past a pink hanging curtain into a small but pretty delivery room. The walls were a pale beige, lined with wood paneling. Dim uplighting gave the room a soft, warm glow. In a large bed framed with metal rails, Kim lay sleeping, her chest rising and falling quickly, interspersed with soft murmurs. Elly put her hand over her heart and stared at her friend. She quickly sat down in the chair beside the bed. She looked over at Sean, who was looking at his sweet wife with such pride and tenderness that it forced a sob into Elly’s throat.
“Should I wake her?” she whispered.
He nodded. “She couldn’t wait to see you. I have to call my parents so I’m going to step outside. Could you get her some water?”
Elly nodded, overjoyed to have something to do. She walked over to the tiny cart next to the window and poured some water into a plastic cup, then walked over and kissed Kim on the forehead.
Kim stirred, opening her eyes slowly. “Elly?”
“Hi, sweetie. Congratulations. Drink some water, okay?”
Kim nodded and pushed herself up, her arms shaking with exhaustion. Elly wrapped her arms around her waist and helped her sit up. “Don’t try that with me, okay? We’d be here for hours.”
Kim gave her a weak smile.
“Is the baby okay?” Elly asked nervously.
Kim nodded. “The doctors said that he looked perfect, even though he was three weeks early. He’s a fighter, like his dad.” She let her head sink back against the pillow. “Elly, you wouldn’t believe it...he’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life. I can’t put it into words, but I’ve never felt so much love, not ever. He’s the center of my world and he’s only been here five minutes.”
Elly grinned, running her fingers through Kim’s ratty ponytail. “You look like a trainwreck.”