She gave me an appraising look, her eyes wandering up and down my long red locks, before she said, “You’re right. It’s much better.”
I don’t know if I was more relieved that she liked it or a little hurt that she agreed I wasn’t cool enough. But either way, we were ready to
move onto makeup, and that is where Leah came in. She was a wizard of all things cosmetic. She’d been doing my makeup for special events ever
since we were old enough to have special events.
“Plant it right here,” she said, pointing to an empty chair at the desk. It was a perfect spot, situated in front of a large mirror so I
could watch as she did her work.
Half an hour later and with a little help from Ella, she was done. She’d done a beautiful job of making me look classy and sexy but not over
the top. Just enough, with shimmery natural shadows and peach blush and gloss, and I looked radiant.
With Leah standing over my shoulder, our eyes locked and held in the mirror. I knew she was thinking about the last time she did my makeup for
a major event—the day I married Ethan. Her lip quivered and my hand went up to my shoulder to grasp hers.
“I know,” I said. It was all I had to say. I knew, like her, that we were all still grieving and always would be. I knew that this day was
hard, even though there was so much joy. I knew this all because sometimes when a friendship goes beyond normal borders and you find a sister,
rather than an ordinary friend, conversations aren’t necessary.
“Well, let’s get you married,” Leah said, trying to steady her now shaky voice.
“Yes, let’s do that,” I agreed.
Both mothers gushed over my makeup, and complimented Leah on her fine job. She politely thanked them and we all made our way to my gown, which
was still hanging in its bag by the closet.
“So Laura was telling me that your original dress was ruined?” Cece asked. She had obviously been caught up on the dress drama by my mom when
they shared their hair appointments that morning. Both were sporting sophisticated updos that made them look regal and lovely. Their updos didn
’t resemble Lady Gaga at all.
“Yes, the airline ate it. But, it worked out well,” I said, as I slid down the zipper and pulled the dress from its bag to a collective gasp.
“This one is much better.”
“Oh my goodness, Clare,” Cece said, at the same time my mother said, “Oh, sweetheart, you’re going to be stunning!”
“Well, let’s get it on me!” I exclaimed. The gown I’d chosen wasn’t overly complicated which fit our outdoor wedding perfectly. It was
vintage in style, with champagne satin underneath a beautiful lace overlay that flowed slightly behind me in an elegant train. A matching
champagne colored satin bow completed the look and wrapped around my waist.
With everyone’s help, minus Maddie who was jumping up and down shouting her Mommy was the prettiest Mommy ever, I was soon standing in front
of the floor-length mirror in my gown.
“It’s just…” Leah started.
“Perfect,” I finished.
With teary eyes, Cece asked, “Do you have your something blue?”
Panic. Pure panic took over and I looked at everyone standing behind me with wide eyes.
“Oh my God. I completely forgot. Everything. The something old, the something new…I don’t even have something blue! Is my marriage doomed?”
Leah’s face curved into a smile and I seriously wanted to turn around and smack her for smiling in my time of need.
“Why are you smiling?” I nearly shouted.
“Logan knew you’d forget.”
“What?”
“He knew you’d forget, with everything being so last minute and rushed. He knew this, so he took care of everything and asked me to deliver
the goods to you.”
“And you’re just deciding to tell me now?” I asked.
“It was worth that face, that’s for sure.”
As I was silently chanting I love my best friend, I love my best friend in my head, Leah ushered me over to a plush chair where I sat down
while she gathered whatever it was that Logan had planned.
She took a seat on the sofa adjacent to me and began.
“He wrote a letter. Do you want to read it, or shall I?”
Fearing I wouldn’t make it through reading the letter myself, I gave her the go ahead, and she began.
“Clare,
Today you will become my wife, and I will give my sacred vow to always take care of you and Maddie. It is my honor and I will spend every day
of my life trying to prove I’m worthy of the task. Ever since the day I met you, I’ve wanted to protect you from everything that may harm
you, or cause you pain or stress. I know this impromptu wedding has been less than ideal, and if the circumstances were different, we would
have had time to plan something different.