Page 68 of Blueberry Cake
“I love you too, my beautiful queen. And tonight, we’re going to dance the night away as Mr. and Mrs. Rickmann.”
She stretched to her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, before retreating into the bridal suite and shutting the door behind her. With a much lighter heart, she sat down and watched as Jessica and Allison got their final touch-ups.
When it was time to walk down the aisle, her father joined them, his eyes growing misty when he took in the sight of her dress. He took her hand, guiding her to spin before she flattened the lace over her hips. She’d spent hours locked away in her crafting nook to make it perfect. Boyd hadn’t even been allowed to fabric shop with her.
“What a beautiful woman you’ve grown up to be.”
“Don’t make me cry,” she whispered, unable to hold his gaze.
He reached into his inside jacket pocket. “Your mother has insisted I carry tissues with me at all times.”
Jessica and Allison appeared to either side of her, pressing gentle kisses to her cheeks.
“Boyd is a lucky man,” Jessica said, physically placing Queenie’s hand into her father’s. “Now let’s walk you down the aisle safe and sound.”
Holding onto her father’s arm, they moved to the top of the winding staircase. Someone had decorated it with the flowers from their outside set up. Although she couldn’t see, she knew Boyd was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. As the music began, Jessica and Allison descended down the stairs and out of her sight.
“Don’t let me trip,” she begged her father.
“I’ll keep you safe and sound,” he promised with a kiss to her temple.
Then there was her cue, and they took the stairs one slow step at a time.
“Lower your bouquet a little,” he reminded her.
Queenie kept her eyes on her feet until she’d reached the very last step. Taking a deep breath and trying not to look nervous, she slowly lifted her gaze. Her eyes travelled over her friends and family, all gathered to witness this life-changing moment. Then her eyes met Boyd’s and her heart seemed to have tumbled down those stairs. Her breath hitched at the image of his sparkling green eyes and his warm smile. He looked wonderful in his three-piece suit, his chest bulging against the light fabric.
Step by step, she walked closer to him and the future they would share together. There was not one ounce of doubt, not one bit of worry. Only pure love and happiness.
Before Boyd and her father could exchange their promise, she handed her bouquet to Jessica. Then Boyd took a step towards her, letting her father place her hand in his. “Please, look after my daughter and cherish her no matter what.”
“I will.”
Her father gave her one last kiss to her temple, then walked to her mother’s side.
“You look absolutely breathtaking.” Her cheeks grew wet, and she hoped the waterproof mascara held its promise. “Oh, sweet Queenie,” he hummed, pulling a satin handkerchief out of his pocket.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too,” he tenderly assured and led her to the officiant.
As the officiant started to speak, she lost herself in Boyd’s eyes.
“Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Queenie and Boyd. Since their paths rejoined, their love for each other has grown, turning them into the couple you see before you. Now, they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together as husband and wife.
“A true marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony. A brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting.
“Today you declare your commitment to each other before your family and friends.”
Boyd’s hand reached up, the back of his fingers stroking her wet cheek. “Breathe, my love.” There were a few awes and gentle laughter, as he dabbed the tears away with the silk hanky. “We haven’t even gotten to the good part yet.”
She sniffled, collected herself, and gestured for the officiant to continue.
With a soft smile he turned to Boyd first, “Do you Boyd, take Queenie to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do you part?”
“I do.”
“Do you Queenie, take Boyd to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?”
