Music of the Soul (Runaway Train #2.5)(13)

Once I stepped into the dress, Mom went about zipping up the back. I loved the fact that a row of intricate buttons covered the zipper and gave the effect that I had been buttoned in. Jake would probably freak when he saw it, thinking he had to undo all the buttons to get me naked. I laughed at the thought.

After I was secured into the dress, I realized it was going to be tough breathing for the rest of the day between the bustier and the tight bodice. “Oomph,” I muttered, as I smoothed my hand over my chest.

“Little snug, huh?” Mom asked behind me.

“Yep, just a bit. I probably overdid it last night at dinner.”

Mom laughed. “I don’t think so, sweetheart. They altered it to fit that way, remember?

“I guess.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

I grinned. “I hope so, or I’m going to pass out before the day is over.”

“I don’t think I breathed the entire day of my wedding,” Lily mused, as she fluffed out the bottom of my dress.

I shook my head. “What we sacrifice for beauty.”

“Now for the veil,” Marion said, as she lifted it out of the box.

The intricate lace was interwoven with pearls and sequins. It fell to the floor where it intermingled with my long train. It was held in place by a glittering tiara—an heirloom piece that I had actually rented from Tiffany’s. I considered it my ‘something old’ and ‘something borrowed’. My something ‘old’ also came in the form of Susan’s pearls, which Jake was thrilled I was going to be wearing, and my new was everything from the dress to my underwear.

After she fixed the tiara on the top of my head, Marion stepped back and smiled. “You’re ready now.”

Turning left and right in front of the mirror, I took in my reflection. I blinked furiously as I tried processing what I was seeing. “Wow, I’m really standing here in my wedding dress about to get married, huh?”

Marion had worked quite a transformation with my makeup. It was softer than she usually did it for the shows, but it was also dramatic enough to bring out my eyes and highlight the peaches and cream complexion I’d been blessed to inherit. My hair, which was pulled back on the sides with sparkly combs, hung in curly waves down my back.

“You look…” my mother’s voice choked off. Tears once again filled her eyes, and she bit her lip.

“Just like an angel,” Mia finished with a smile.

“Which will make Jake so very happy,” Lily added.

Mom nodded. “Yes, you do look absolutely angelic, sweetheart.” She drew me into her arms to hug me tight. “I can’t believe you’re all grown up. It seems like just yesterday you were a baby in my arms.”

Instead of telling my mother to stop with the over the top emotions, I just hugged her back. I knew that after today, everything would change between us. I would always be her little girl, but I was going to be Jake’s wife. Someday in the future, I would be starting my own family. “I love you, Mom,” I said, as I squeezed her.

“I love you, too.” When she pulled away, she smiled. “No matter what, I’m so very happy for you. To love and be loved is one of the greatest miracles in life. You’re truly blessed.”

I smiled. “I believe I am.”

After smoothing her hand over her pale pink suit, she nodded. “Well then, I think it’s time we got you married.”

Allison appeared with my bouquet. I brought the fragrant mixture of pink roses and white lilies to my nose. The blush-colored flowers brought out the deep pink hues of the bridesmaids’ dresses while the stark white lilies were in memory of Susan, Jake’s mother. Her favorite flowers had been lilies.

I drew in a deep breath and then made my way out of the bedroom. Mia and Lily trailed behind me making sure my train didn’t get caught. When we got out onto the porch, I could hear the strains of the string quartet playing the pre-ceremony music. Mom hugged me one last time before she went on to be escorted to her seat by Eli and Gabe.

Glancing down below me, I saw my father. At the bottom of the stairs, he paced around on the landing. Outfitted in his best suit, he looked so handsome. But the sadness on his face was palpable, and my chest caved with pain. I knew he hadn’t taken the news of my engagement well, and I guess he had hoped we’d have an even longer engagement than we had. I was his only little girl, his baby, and I imagined he felt like Jake was stealing me away. At the same time, he had always treated Jake with love and respect, and I was so thankful for that.

The moment he saw me, he forced a smile to his lips. “There she is. The beautiful bride,” he said.

Clutching my enormous bouquet, I carefully made my way down the narrow, stone stairs. When I finally reached him, he pulled me into his arms and gave me a tight squeeze. “You look absolutely breathtaking, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” I pulled away to smile at him. “Ready to give me away?”

He shook his head. “I could never do that. I may walk you down that aisle and consent for Jake to marry you, but I’ll never fully give you away. You’ll always be my little girl.” His hand came to his chest. “You’ll forever remain right in my heart, Abigail.”

“Oh Daddy,” I murmured, as tears stung my eyes. When I glanced back at the girls, I expected them to chide me on crying and potentially wrecking my makeup. Instead, their eyes were shiny with tears as well.