Sarah and Jane walked me to the French doors that led to the backyard, but made me stand behind the door away from the wedding guests. Jane walked down the aisle first and before Sarah took her step she whispered, “Jake is looking for you.”
Sarah stood between me and my future husband so a glimpse of him wasn’t possible for a few more minutes. My best friend fixed my veil one last time, and told me to keep my head down till I heard Wagner’s march and left me to face the audience alone. I chose to walk down the aisle by myself even though Bobby and Uncle Henry both offered to be by my side.
There it was. Wagner’s wedding march. My time had finally arrived. I walked toward the door and saw the feet of every guest stand and turn my way. My head stayed down for a few more seconds to make sure that my heels were not caught on my dress, and to make positively sure my stance was solid. What a nightmare it would be to trip. Hundreds, maybe thousands of rose petals lay on the grass as an aisle for me to walk down.
As my head lifted, I searched only for Jake. Overwhelmed with emotion, our eyes locked. He lovingly held my gaze all the way down the aisle. The walk made me think about my parents. They would be proud of me. They would also love Jake as Sandy and Bobby loved me. It made me sad to wish that they could’ve been here today to witness our union in love. We would have all rejoiced together. But now, there was Jake and the Reid family, who compensated a thousandfold for all my lonely days.
When I got to the altar, Jake stepped out and held my hand over toward the minister. He pushed back my veil and whispered, “You look beautiful” and unorthodoxly kissed my lips even before the ceremony began. Our guests chuckled, and the minister proceeded. We exchanged rings and said our vows, and promised to love another for as long as we both shall live. I proudly got through the entire ceremony without a tear. When the minister told Jake that he may now kiss the bride, he held me tight but kissed me gently. We both rejoiced that we were finally husband and wife.
Hand in hand, we walked back down the aisle, kissing a few more times before we got back into the house. Jake picked me up and spun me around.
Elation. Felicity. Bliss.
Just a few of the many words to describe what we both felt. Two, finally became one. There truly were no words to describe this joy, this feeling of total happiness.
Jane rushed over with the makeup artist and had her reapply my makeup before we all went out to take family pictures. On our way out, I greeted many guests, but with some difficulty, as Jake refused to let go of me. With a newfound appreciation for his possessiveness, I knew that he would not ever let go again.
With joy cascading, I told Jake, “I can’t believe we’re finally married!”
“I know, Mrs. Reid. I didn’t think that I could be this happy. I love you, Sweetheart.”
“I love you too,” I answered. We tried to kiss again, but Jane came between us and stopped Jake from ruining my makeup. She called us to the photographer and we obliged by taking copious pictures with family and friends.
The reception was in full swing when we arrived, and our guests immensely enjoyed the dinner spread. We first walked into the lounge tent where everyone comfortably sat around the chaise lounge and ottomans happily eating their appetizers. There were three bars with three bartenders, each serving every possible cocktail invented. The first station near the bar prepared Mediterranean Tapas as appetizers. Guest noshed on bacon-wrapped dates filled with parmesan cheese, chicken liver crostini with pancetta, and jamon Serrano.
A few yards away from them, Sandy had rented an outdoor pizza oven and this staff busily popped out pizzas and antipasti. My favorite bianca pizza with sage and fennel sausage was on the menu, as well as Jake’s favorite funghi pizza. We also asked the staff to prepare fried squash blossoms with ricotta and brussels sprouts with prosciutto breadcrumbs. My mouth watered watching everyone eat. Jane wouldn’t let me eat yet for fear of ruining my wedding dress. The DJ began spinning his tunes while we waited for the dinner tent to open.
Over by the dinner tent, I saw the sushi chef and his staff of three in a large area to themselves. He had laid the stunning ice sculpture I saw him carving this morning, out in the middle of the table. About a dozen variety of sashimi graced the table. From a quick glance, I spotted three kinds of tuna—toro, hon maguro, and albacore; salmon, yellowtail, shrimp, several snappers and tamago, along with grated wasabi root. His sushi chefs also used this same fish and assembled a large variety of nigiri sushi.