Page 46 of Wisteria Winds
“Oh, you’d be surprised at how many arguments come from such trivial matters,” Dorothy said. “But you know, the real advice is to build traditions together. Little rituals that are uniquely yours. Well, Gordon and I—he was husband number two, the good one—we had breakfast in bed every Sunday, rain or shine, for 23 years. Even when we were fighting about something else, we always had those Sunday mornings.”
“Bennett and I watch the sunrise together when we can,” Danielle said. “You know, just coffee and quiet to begin our days.”
“Perfect,” Morty said. “You hold on to that. Add new traditions as you go. Maybe a sunset walk when you’re eighty, complaining about your arthritis while holding hands.”
A knock at the door interrupted them, and Clara peeked in. “It’s almost time,” she said. “Bennett is already at the gazebo and looks terribly handsome and very nervous.” Her eyes widened when she looked at Danielle. “Oh my goodness, you look absolutely beautiful.”
“And the final touch,” Dorothy declared, carefully placing a simple veil that attached at the crown of Danielle’s head, framing the flowers in her hair. “There, perfect.”
Danielle turned to the mirror, barely recognizing the woman gazing back at her. The simple elegance of the dress, the fresh flowers in her hair, and the gold locket catching the light coming through the window—they had all transformed her into a bride. But more importantly, into a woman ready to begin this new chapter of her life.
“Thank you all,” she said, turning to hug each of her friends. “For everything. Not just today, but for welcoming me to this island, becoming my family, and helping me find my way to this moment.”
“Oh, stop,” Morty said, waving his hand as his eyes watered. “You have us all in tears, and I’ve only just perfected the powder I put on my face so I wouldn’t shine in the Lowcountry sun.”
“Well, it’s time to find our seats,” Dorothy said. She hugged Danielle one last time before walking to the door.
Morty squeezed her hand. “Now you remember to breathe,” he whispered, “and when you see Bennett waiting for you, you forget everything else. Just walk toward your future.”
“You do remember you’re walking me down the aisle, don’t you?” she asked, laughing.
“Oh, honey, I’d never forget that! I get to be the center of attention for a good thirty seconds, walking next to the most beautiful bride in the world.”
Danielle stood in her cottage bedroom and stared at herself in the full-length mirror. Her silk dress flowed gracefully from its simple bodice to the floor and caught the light with every movement. Her hair was arranged in loose waves and had tiny white flowers instead of a veil. Around her wrist gleamed her something blue, the sapphire bracelet that had been her father’s gift to her mother.
“You look absolutely gorgeous,” Cecilia said softly from the doorway. “I’ve never seen a more stunning bride.”
Danielle turned to find her mother watching her with uncharacteristic emotion. Cecilia had chosen a dress in a soft shade of rose rather than her normal neutral colors. The color softened her features and made her look younger, but Danielle was never going to tell her that.
“Thanks, Mom. You look beautiful, too.”
Cecilia entered the room and adjusted the delicate gold locket around Danielle’s neck.
“I’m so glad I got to be here today.”
“How are you feeling?” Danielle asked, worry etched onto her face.
Cecilia smiled. “I’m fine. I promise. Today is your day. Don’t worry about me. So, are you ready? Morty says it’s time to leave for the gazebo.”
Danielle took a deep breath. “I am. I’m just a little bit nervous.”
“Well, that’s perfectly normal,” Cecilia said. “I nearly fainted before walking into that courthouse to marry your father.” She smiled at the memory. “But I knew the moment I saw him waiting for me that everything else was going to be okay.”
Morty popped his head into the room. “The golf carts are ready,” he said, checking his watch. “Right on schedule.”
Though the gazebo was within walking distance, they had arranged for the golf carts to be decorated to match the wedding and transport the wedding party. It was the most glamour they were going to get since they couldn’t bring a limousine over to the island. “A bride deserves a proper entrance,” Dorothy had declared, and no one had argued with her.
As they got ready to leave, Danielle felt a calm settle over her. The nervous flutter in her stomach turned into something more like peaceful anticipation. In less than an hour, she would be Bennett’s wife. The thought filled her with joy.
The drive to the gazebo took them along the island’s winding paths, past cottages decorated in ribbons and flowers in honor of their occasion. Residents who weren’t even attending the ceremony—although there were few—stood in their yards waving as the small procession passed.
When they reached the bluff overlooking the cove, Danielle caught a glimpse of the wedding site. It looked like a vision against the blue sky and even bluer water, draped with gauzy fabric that billowed in the breeze. White chairs had been arranged in a semicircle facing the ocean view, and they were already filled with guests.
And there, standing at the entrance of the gazebo, was Morty, her chosen escort in her father’s absence. He’d slipped away after delivering them to the staging area and changed into a more subdued navy suit for his official role, but she was sure he would change back into the purple one before too much longer.
“Are you ready, my dear?” he asked, offering his arm.
Danielle nodded, took a final moment to smooth her dress, and thought about what was going to happen. This was it—the beginning of her forever with Bennett.
