Marriage Matters

Eighty-one

Kristine looked around in delight. The enormous church where June’s wedding was to be held was still decorated for Christmas, just as they’d planned. Garlands draped the pews, while red and white poinsettias dotted the aisles. The wedding planner had added clusters of holly decorated with tulle and bright red berries. White candles glistened from tall holders and a harpist strummed softly, filling the church with music.

Charley, the silver fox, stood waiting at the altar. He was impeccably handsome in a simple gray suit. His back was straight and his hands were folded as he patiently awaited his bride.

Kristine smiled at him as she slid into the pew. He nodded, giving her a slight wink. “I like that man so much,” she told Chloe. “He has really brought out the best in June.”

“It’s bizarre,” Chloe said. “Who would have thought that tiger could be tamed? If we’re not careful, she might expect us to run our own lives.”

Kristine thought about that for a moment. “That will never happen,” they chorused.

Laughing, Kristine reached out and pulled her daughter into a half-hug. Rue was sitting two pews over and eyeing them with disdain. Kristine let out a little sigh. Subtly indicating Rue with her chin, she said, “Are you doing okay?”

Chloe followed her gaze. Giving Rue a bright smile, she waved. The old woman tossed her head and looked away. “Oh, she’ll thank me soon enough,” Chloe promised. “Mark my words on that one.”

Kristine nodded. Based on some of the things Chloe had said, it wouldn’t surprise her if Geoff did indeed get back together with his ex-wife. In some ways, that could be the best thing for everyone.

“Besides,” Chloe beamed, “I’m sorry, but . . .” Turning to Ben, she patted him on the knee. “This is the man I love.” Looking slightly embarrassed, she said, “Can I say that yet? The whole ‘I love you’ thing? Or is it too soon?”

Ben, who had been busy reading the program, closed it and grinned. “Dating tip number seven thousand: Only if you are totally confident that the guy you’re saying it to is going to say it back.”

Chloe considered this. “Okay, so . . .” She grinned. “I love you?”

Ben’s face lit up. “I love you, too.”

Even though the kids were laughing, Kristine could see that they meant every word. She shook her head, amazed at how things worked out. After so many years, Chloe had finally found the man of her dreams and he had been right in front of her, the whole time.

The first seductive notes of “At Last” by Etta James started to play.

“It’s starting,” Chloe squealed, and Kristine held her breath.

There was a sound at the back of the church. The heavy wooden doors were thrown open and June took center stage. As she surveyed the church, her ash blonde hair perfectly in place and her jewelry shimmering, Kristine couldn’t remember a time when her mother had looked more radiant.

Quickly, she turned toward the altar in order to capture the look on Charley’s face. It didn’t disappoint. He was shaking his head and smiling at June, as though she were the most astonishing thing he’d ever seen.

“Grandma’s so happy,” Chloe whispered. “Just look at her.”

Kristine nodded, squeezing her hand tight. “I know. She looks . . . Well, as June as ever.”

Chloe burst out laughing.

True to form, June was dressed in the most outrageous wedding getup Kristine had ever seen. The dress was pure white, with a fitted corset that was perfectly molded to her upper body. Around the neck, a dramatic gathered neckline made out of red silk plunged down and across the bodice, where it was cinched into place with a dried white rose attached to a sparkling piece of jewelry.

“That’s the flower from the bouquet,” Chloe practically squealed. “Ben, look! Remember the bouquet?”

Thinking back to that day at the wedding, Kristine felt a profound sense of sadness. She and Kevin had veered off course and had no idea they had such a long journey in front of them.

As Kevin walked her mother down the aisle, Kristine watched him with a renewed heart. She couldn’t imagine being separated from him for even a day, ever again. Opening her purse, she showed her daughter her collection of dried baby’s breath from the bouquet at the wedding.

Chloe’s eyes widened. “Hey! You told Grandma you threw that out.”

Kristine grinned. “I was just torturing her.” She clicked the latch on her purse shut. “Of course I kept it. I was carrying it with me last night.”

Chloe smiled. “Nice one, Mom.”

Ben leaned forward, squinting. “Wait a minute . . . My eyesight could be failing me but is June covered in flowers?”

Kristine pulled out her camera. “She sure is.” Just below the sparkling jewel, a cacophony of blooming white roses moved with the delicate sway of the dress. The seamstresses had gone to work that very morning, to ensure the white roses were as fresh as possible.

“Now do you see why I had to drop out of this wedding?” Chloe teased Ben. “It wasn’t that I was secretly, madly in love with you. It was because it would have been impossible to outshine my grandmother. Who could compete with that?”

Kristine had to agree. The dress was spectacular. The wedding guests oohed and ahhed, several of them pulling out their phones to take pictures. As June swished by to join Charley up at the altar, the sweet waft of roses trailed behind her.

“It’s perfect,” Kristine sighed.

“And very symbolic,” Chloe added, “considering they were brought together by roses.”

Looking up at the altar, where Rose and Bernice fussed over June’s dress, Kristine smiled. “In more ways than one.”

She watched with pride as her husband kissed her mother on each cheek. As everyone in the church fell silent, Kevin gave June’s hand to Charley. Then, he walked down the aisle toward Kristine. Sliding into the pew, he wrapped his arm around her. She placed her left hand in his.

“Dearly beloved,” the priest began.