"These were put away to pass down. Eliza wore them on her wedding day and it’s only right that you wear them today. It will be Eliza’s way of being here." Swallowing hard, I took the earrings, putting one in each ear.
"And something new," My mom put the necklace Aidan had made for me around my neck.
"A sixpence for your shoe," Celia leaned down and slid the coin into my shoe.
"Thank you. All of you." I felt the twinge of guilt from all of this. These were things that should be happening for Aidan and I, when we marry someone for love, not convenience.
"Okay, time to head to the lighthouse!" Phoebe grabbed the flowers and passed them out. The limo was waiting for us and we climbed in.
Arriving to The Lighthouse at Chelsea Pier, we were ushered in by the wedding coordinator that helped Viola. As we stood in a back room, I looked around at the women in my life.
My mother was talking animatedly with Viola, both of them looking stunning in champagne colored dresses. Viola's dress was classic, while Sarah's dress was freer flowing. Phoebe, Celia, and Maggie were all beautiful in their dresses. Celia's hair was pulled up into large curls, almost Marilyn Monroe like. Phoebe's short black hair had been slicked back in a 1920's type of fashion. Maggie had actually allowed her hair to be curled but I had the hair stylist use a burgundy hair extension and work her hair into almost a pinup look.
Viola and Sarah left the room to be escorted to their seats. I took a deep breath as a knock resounded on the door. Assuming it was Dixon, since he agreed to walk me down the aisle, I kept my eyes on my reflection in front of me.
"Lilli?" I spun around.
"Dad?" Rushing to him, I knelt down next to his wheelchair. "What are you doing here? How...you should be –"
"Calm down." He chuckled. "Did you think I wouldn't be here?" I smiled and fought my tears. "Of course I was coming. Thanks to Aidan, I got here."
"Aidan?" I furrowed my brow.
"He sent his jet to get us and he had the plane set up with anything we would need for the flight." He rubbed his head a little bashfully. I was shocked, stunned into silence for a moment. I didn't think of Aidan as a bad guy, but I didn't expect this from him. "So, you gonna let your old man walk you down...well, roll you down the aisle?" I laughed at his joke.
"Of course, roll away." My smile couldn’t be contained.
"Well, then, let's get this show on the road." He held out his hand.
Maggie, Phoebe and Celia lined up behind Aidan's distant cousin or something who was acting as the flower girl. I couldn't see into the room since I was being kept hidden until the 'right moment'. At least that’s what the wedding coordinator told me.
"You sure about this?" Dad whispered to me.
"Oh, don't tempt me to run." I giggled quietly. "I don’t think I could make it in these damn death trap shoes." I winked.
"Lilli, you don't have to do this." He looked up at me worried.
"It will be fine. I'm in too deep now. Things will be...okay." I smiled reassuringly at him, it was our turn.
Donald was wheeled into position with Dixon helping him. Standing next to him, I took one more deep breath. The Irish music started and the doors were opened.
Windows starting at the hardwood floor rose to the tall ceiling. Mahogany chairs, wrapped in white satin, held our guests. The aisle lined on each side with ivory lace draped from candle poles. Each pole holding a lit ivory candle and snowball flowers bundled together at the base of each candle. It was simple but beautiful. Viola had done amazing. The Alter was a large canopy of snowball flowers and ivory lace draped to the floor.
Donald nudged me and I snapped out of the awe and began my walk. As we approached the canopy I focused on Aidan. His eyes were intense and I started to feel self-conscious. Swallowing hard, I pulled my eyes away from him. When I looked back I couldn't avoid his gaze.
We reached Aidan and I don't remember how I made it down the aisle because I’d been lost in my own mind.
"Do you present this woman?" My eyes snapped from Aidan to the priest.
"Yes." Donald answered and placed my hand in Aidan's.
Our hands met with a pulsating tingle as he gripped mine tightly within his own. Perhaps, it was nerves? Or, maybe, he thought I would run? I smiled at him and squeezed back, hoping to reassure him.
The Iverson's Irish heritage was important to them, so the ceremony held many aspects. The priest began in common fashion,
"We have gathered today to join Lillian Pearl Snowe and Aidan Walsh Iverson in matrimony."
With familiar blessings over the marriage complete, he asked the question.
"If anyone objects to this union, please speak now or forever hold your peace." Aidan squeezed my hand tightly. I shifted my eyes and head a little to look at him. Was he nervous or warning me not to speak? He kept his eyes straight ahead so I couldn't tell. I looked back to the priest. "Very well."