Page 57 of The Leaves In Autumn
Standing a foot apart, we are conjoined by the ripped veil that streams from her shoulder to my ear.
We start laughing as it becomes obvious there is no fixing this. No time to try.
“My fucking nose is running!”
“If you get boogers on my dress, I will kill you!”
We are almost doubled over laughing. At the same time, I am horrified I caused the problem.
“What are we going to do?”
Layla takes my hands.
“A wise woman once said, ‘Bitch, let that go! And she lived happily ever after.”
She unpins the gossamer beauty and tosses it to the side. Fingers move through her hair, setting free the long waves.
“Van will like it like this. Come on. It’s time.”
Our bouquets are retrieved, and I lead the way out the room, down the hall and to the front door where Dove and Scarlett stand with their back to us. Our footsteps alert them.
“What the hell? Where’s your veil?”
“I decided to go this way. Your brother likes my hair loose. Does it look okay?”
“It looks great!”
“Perfect.”
I would bet the house both are still questioning what happened. But Layla brings the conversation back to what is important.
“Are they out there?”
“Yeah. Van just walked out.”
“Cue the musicians.”
Dove texts the message to Layla’s wedding planner.
“Okay, get in position.”
We line up, Dove first, then Scarlett, and finally me. I smooth the back of Scarlett’s hair. The trio of musicians start to play the bridesmaid’s entry. Keeping our pace to “What a Wonderful World,” we walk out of the house, down the steps and onto the path leading to the guests. Eyes are on us, as we follow the tiled aisle running between white folding chairs.
The background of mountain peaks and the sound of the river allow for simple decorations. Only a wide archway, made of perfectly formed light and dark pink Dahlia’s, stretches across the slightly elevated stage. Just two steps to navigate. The men stand silently, hands clasped in front, next to the dark suited officiant. His thick silver hair shines in the sun.
Aargon. He looks handsome in that tux. Fits perfectly. My heart. It likes what it sees. His eyes are on me, all the way forward. That means something, doesn’t it? Stop. Itcan’tmean anything. It wouldn’t be good for him if it did. It might interrupt whatever progress he has made. Layla said he mentioned it to Van.
We line up opposite the men, under the archway of blossoms. Van looks the happy groom. Handsome. Wait till he sees her.
Taking my place opposite Aargon, we make eye contact. He smiles. How sexy can one man be? This isn’t an actual altar, so I’m going to imagine laying under the blossoms, fucking his brains out. I smile back.
Dreamy sounds of an alto saxophone begin. The first recognizable notes of the Beatles song, “And I Love Her,” announces the bride…I give her all my love…The saxophonist plays it a bit slower and sexier than originally written…And if you saw my love, you’d love her too…..So right for the moment.
Layla appears in her splendor. The loose hair part of the whole vibe. It goes well with the style she chose. Slightly bohemian and completely sensual.
Van is overcome. It is all on his face. In the expression. This is what we dream of for our own grooms. Men who can feel deeply and express it. Sometimes silence is loudest. Aargon had that in him. I saw it that night. An expression that said more than words ever could. I know I saw it.
When Layla reaches her groom, he touches his heart. Their fingers braid. She’s happy to have made the effect. Her smile. It is so real. Van wipes a tear off his cheek, before taking her in his arms. He steals a sweet kiss, then looks at the officiant.
