Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105697 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
She drops onto the edge of the bed, and her gaze falls to the floor. “Wish Mom were here.” When her eyes find mine again, she wrangles a smile, but the effort is obvious.
I sit next to her, wrapping my arm around her back. “I thought I was supposed to be the emotional one today.”
With a laugh, a tear falls from her eyes. “Your to-do list was already too long.” Her smile is genuine, and she shakes her shoulders. “I took it off your plate.”
A knock has us both looking up. Fall wipes her eyes just as Winter walks in, shutting the door behind her. A quick smile to me gives way to her sitting on the other side of Fall. Tucking Fall’s hair behind her ear, her lower lip juts out. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m happy,” she replies. “I’m just a sucker for a wedding.”
Winter rubs her back and smiles. “Me too.” Getting up, she comes around by me to sit. “How are you doing, big sis?”
“I’m good, really good.” I take inventory of my emotions. For the past few days, I’ve been expecting to be hit with a blast of nerves or cold feet—but neither has happened. I’m just so incredibly happy. It feels so . . . right. “Is it weird that I’m just excited? I can’t wait to marry Daniel and celebrate with everyone.”
Winter says, “I think that means this is the right decision.”
Fall leans forward with another swipe under her eyes. “Mom and Dad would have really liked Daniel.”
Thinking about my parents has brought me immense sadness and comfort. As much as I wish they were here, I still carry them with me. I see them in my sisters, and in the bouquet Winter picked for me from their little haven.
When everyone was busy with their own emotions, I used to think I was never given the same courtesy to grieve. Things needed to get done. Kids needed caring for. Dolly needed support when becoming the guardian of four girls.
Finding my own happiness and sitting in that joy gives me a new perspective. I was grieving all along. It just looked different. Now, I can rest from the weariness and set the sadness aside, carrying them in my heart down the aisle instead.
The door opens, and Spring peeks inside. “Are we getting dressed?”
“We’re talking,” I say, falling back on the mattress.
She comes next to me and lies back, with Winter and Fall following the lead.
“Sisters?” I whisper, feeling the love. I’m so dang proud of each of them and how far we’ve come. “I love you.”
We roll together, hugging in awkward limbs and laughter. “Love you,” each says before Fall says, “We need to get ready.”
“It won’t take long. Look,” Spring says, pointing out the window. “It’s raining.”
Sitting up, I move to look for myself. “Saves time doing our hair.”
Winter jumps up. “Wait, you’re going to walk in that?”
I nod. “I am. Nothing will keep me from marrying him.”
“Well,” Fall starts, “we can move it indoors?”
“No. It’s okay. Rain has been a part of every other major event that brought us together.” I walk to my dress, running my fingers over the soft fabric of the tulle. “For everyone else, it’s bad luck. For us, it’s a good sign.”
“Really?” Winter asks. “We’re not doing our hair?”
We probably shouldn’t be laughing as hard as we are, but it feels good to let it out, and the joy begins.
White umbrellas arch over the small crowd gathered on the deck, sprinkles of rain tapping on the tops set the stage as pretty as a painting.
The front row holds a collection of my favorite color in dresses of varying styles to suit my sisters’ tastes. They could have chosen any shade of blue they wanted, but they all showed up matching the sky on a sunny day. I’m in awe of how similar we all are in unexpected ways.
With swollen eyes from all the “happy tears” as she calls them, Dolly kisses my cheek and gives my hand a little squeeze under a large canopy where my future husband waits for me. “I’m so proud of you, sweet girl,” she says with a sniffle and tap of tissue to the inside corners of her eyes. “You’re going to have the most beautiful life together.”
We are. I know it in my gut and heart. This process, while a little stressful just because we put it together quickly, has been so easy. And when we came up with the idea to get married before the start of the season—to stop wasting time and just do it—I felt peace.
I’ve only felt loved.
I hug her, the gravity of the occasion kicking in like the storm above did. Dolly joins Fall under her umbrella as I turn to face Daniel. My love.
Bucking traditions, a.k.a. breaking the ceremonial rules, the warmth of his embrace welcomes me into the fold of his arms. A kiss is placed on my head, and the gentle pressure of his lingering lips stirs my heart to beat faster. When he lifts, I pull back to catch his eyes still closed as he inhales me into his lungs, a small smile appearing right after. Slowly, he opens his eyes to see me as if he might be dreaming. His smile spreads so wide that I can’t contain my own.