Page 53 of A Winter's Wedding

“You’ll get it soon enough,” America said, but had a hard time not spilling all the beans.

Outside, someone honked a car horn. Vivian leaned over the desk and looked down at the street below. “Our ride is here.”

The women grabbed their things and piled into Jenny’s van, though Thandie was the person driving, and arranged all the various tons of fabric inside the space. Poppy’s dress was the least formal, and most practical, as it was shorter and had far less details to manage. The pink fit and flare mini dress complemented her peaches and cream skin tone and didn’t steal the show away from her fantastic Irish curls. She was stunning and was sure to steal a few looks from any number of men, but most likely from Leo’s brother, John. Although, with the way Poppy looked, America wouldn’t be surprised to see her friend’s dance card full later.

“Is everything set? Alfonso is doing good?” America asked Thandie as she ran all the details through her head like a list needing checked.

“You need to stop worrying. This is your day to enjoy. Everything is as you’ve asked,” Thandie said in a calm voice which did serve to ease America’s nerves. Even though the wedding plans had changed, she still wanted to please all the guests and give them a good show.

“Thandie, in case I forget to tell you later, thank you for everything,” America placed a hand on Thandie’s shoulder, as she was sitting directly behind the driver’s seat. “Pulling all of this together, on top of your normal duties, probably hasn’t been easy, and you’ve done it with so much joy.”

Thandie’s hand covered America’s for a moment before returning it to the steering wheel. “See, the thing about helping others, is that it feels better when it’s given freely. I’m happy to have been a part of your and Leo’s wedding journey because I love you guys so much and you both have done so much for me.”

“We all love you, America Greene,” Poppy said, and Carol popped open a bottle of prosecco.

Carol took a swig and passed the bottle to Vivian who passed it to America.

“Is this what we’re doing now, drinking straight from the bottle like vagabonds?” America said and took a long swig that burned. All the little bubbles popped and sizzled on the way down. She passed the bottle to Poppy, who waved it off.

“I think I’ve had just about enough to drink in the last twenty-four hours, don’t you? Okay, don’t answer that,” she chuckled in her throat.

Thandie pulled the van to the back of the little chapel that sat tucked away on The Foundry property. Since opening the resort, they had hosted a few weddings on site. During the summer months and into the fall, it had been no issue to have the ceremonies outdoors or in tents, but as it was most definitely winter now, an indoor option had become a necessary next addition. The men had spent the last few weeks building and finishing it out, and just in time, it seemed.

America could still smell the fresh white paint as she followed her mom through a rear door where there was a small vestibule and two sitting rooms. One presumably for each side of the wedding parties to relax in before the ceremony. A narrow hallway wrapped around one side of the chapel and connected the vestibule to the front lobby where she and Carol would enter soon.

As she paced the small room, exchanging looks, and the bottle, with Carol, she was uncertain which of them were more nervous. America and Leo had some explaining to do, but if all went to plan, the guests would be so distracted by what Carol had planned that her and Leo would be off the proverbial hook. She hoped.

Thandie and Vivian had gone inside while America and Carol danced around one another. “Do you know what you’re going to say?” Carol asked.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” America laughed nervously. “Or are you just planning to blurt out that you love him?”

“I’m going to say something like that, yes.”

A knock came at the door and Thandie poked her head inside. “You two ready?”

Carol nodded. Up until now, nothing would seem amiss to anyone who didn’t know there was a scheme at play. Carol was America’s maid of honor and that’s how they intended to carry on for a short time longer. America took her bouquet and shook the water from the stems. “You did a wonderful job with the flowers,” America said. The bouquet appeared rustic, as though picked from the wild. The reds, and pinks mixed with soft lavenders and lush greenery. It was a perfect bouquet for a wedding day and complimented her red dress perfectly.

At the door, America nodded to Thandie who revealed another bouquet from behind her back. This one was dripping with tiny white and yellow flowers surrounding several sunflowers. She handed the bouquet to Carol.

“This is for me? But how did you know about the sunflowers?”

“I called Thandie to see if she knew what sort of flowers you had liked at the warehouse.”

“It’s…” she paused and swallowed her emotions. “Thank you, America.” Carol turned and took up the front position. America, in her ginormous dress that swept both baseboards along the hallway’s sides, walked behind Carol. In the lobby, Carol waited just to the side of the open arched doors and turned to America and held her hands. A clamor of hushed voices indicated that the little chapel was full of waiting guests, but Carol’s gaze was locked on to the flowers in her grasp. “Do you think he’ll say yes?”

“After that kiss you planted on him last night, I think he’d be an idiot not to.”

“You do know you’re talking about two people that needlessly spent more than three decades pretending to loathe one another for the sole purpose of maintaining face, even though all the people who would have ever minded, are long gone?” Carol rolled her eyes at herself. “It sounds so absurd saying it out loud.”

“I think what you’re doing is beautiful. Now let us get this show moving.” America leaned forward and kissed Carol’s cheeks. “I’m right here with you.”

The music began, a solo violinist positioned at the front of the chapel began the arco to the tune of ‘Sweet Child of Mine’, Carol’s last-minute pick. America held in a giggle as the woman turned the corner and began down the aisle. A smirk plumped Carol’s rosy cheeks as she struggled to keep her emotions contained.

From just inside the door, Thandie nodded to America that it was time for her to begin her walk. She took a deep breath, though she wasn’t nervous for herself anymore, she just wanted Carol and Pa to be happy. “You look stunning.”

Taking the skirt and fluffing it, America spun around and wiggled her hips to settle the underskirt. Her red dress was sure to elicit some gasps from the guests. The song ended and the violinist began playing a score from her favorite movie, Pride and Prejudice. ‘Dawn’.

Stepping into the doorway, an audible surprise swelled like a ripple on water as everyone got a glimpse of her unconventional gown. Little did they know just what that poor white dress had gone through over the last week, nor why she was in a red gown. As red was her favorite color, many likely thought the color to be intentional, though unexpected. The thought crossed her mind why she hadn’t gone in this direction to begin with. She settled the question on her constant need to meet other’s expectations for her.

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