“I think that is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen!” screams Liz has she jumps over scattered shoes and duffle bags in the classroom reserved with a lavender laminated sign for “Bride & Bridesmaids”. She runs up and gives Anne an air kiss on each cheek.
“You look lovely Anne” replies Lila following Liz into the cluttered room of floral bouquets, make-up cases, and thrown clothing. The room radiates with the scent of flowers and perfume.
“Thank you so much!” states a blushing Anne with delight “It’s good to see both of you again! Did you have a good trip?”
“I did. I tried to sleep in the back while Liz and Robert fought over directions and about how Liz was driving most of the trip” bluntly replies Lila. “David sat in the front seat and rattled on about the latest books he’s read.”
“We did not fight. We were “discussing” which would be the fastest way to get here. How would you know anyway? You were obnoxiously snoring the whole time in the back seat. For your information, I drive fine too” abruptly defends Liz.
“David thinks you’re moody because of your hormones” adds Lila “I think he’s right. I can hardly wait for that baby to get here.”
“You better be nice to me or I won’t let you babysit!” mockingly retorts Liz while laughing at the same time at the truth of her sister’s statement.
Emma stands up after digging through a duffle bag “I found them!” while handing Anne a velvet jewelry rectangular box holding her pearl-drop and diamond earrings to match her grandma’s pearl necklace. “They look so beautiful shimmering in the light” as Emma holds the pair up to the sunlit window.
“Where’s Jane?” asks Harriet in a lovely dark purple dress but still wearing a pair of old school hi-tops that have magic marker graffiti with hearts and smiley faces on the trim.
“Jane’s in the chapel. She’s playing two of my favorite pieces Clair de Lune and Meditation from Thais on the piano” answers Emma puzzled while looking down at Harriet’s feet “What happened to your heels?”
“Don’t worry, I have them still. They’re in the trunk of my car. These are much more comfortable to wear until the wedding starts and I thought that I would put them back on for the reception” explains Harriet “I have a hard time walking in these shoes you picked out for me, I keep twisting my ankles” honestly answers Harriet but then notices the frown on Emma’s face “even though they really look good too”.
Mrs. Dashing walks in shaking her head and looking a little overwhelmed “I’m so glad the cake finally arrived. I was wondering if we were going to have to throw some cookies in the oven instead.”
“What flavors did you pick?” asks Lila “One of my favorite things to do is going cake testing at the bakeries.”
“But you’re not getting married” perplexed states Liz “at least you haven’t mentioned it to me or David yet.”
Pursing her lips and sticking up her chin Lila rebuttals, “I will be one day. I’m just doing research so it won’t be that big of deal when the time comes” then turning and smiling over to Harriet “I like the free samples too!”
“What flavor did you pick?” asks Emma “Anything in chocolate is usually good for me.”
“I went with a marble cake because I figured that whether you like vanilla or chocolate, you can get a mixture of both” explains Anne pleased with her diplomacy “But I did choose a whipped topping instead of butter cream because I like the light taste better.”
Ellen walks in holding a large stack of white rectangular boxes with see through lids from the florist. “The boutonnières, corsages and the pew decorations just came” handing the boxes to Janie, Lizzie, and Annie as they wave good bye with a free hand and wishing Anne “good luck” before heading out the door.
“I need to be on my way too. I’m giving out the programs” explains Liz “Come on Lila the guests are waiting for you. You need to make sure that you get everyone’s “John Hancock” written down so Anne and Brandon will know who came to see them. See you at the altar!”
Mrs. Dashing trying to pick up a room that refuses to be organized, “This is such a mess.”
“Mom – Lizzie, Janie, and Annie won’t know where to find their things if you try to put things away” answers Ellen.
“Well, I guess you’re right” giving up and shrugging her shoulders “I probably should make sure that everything is ready for the reception. By the way, Captain Middleton has arrived and will be at the chapel door’s when you are ready” with a wink states Mrs. Dashing.
“Have Fannie and John arrived?” curiously asks Anne
“Oh yes. They are hobnobbing as the guests arrive. Also, Fanny Price is here as well to help with the gift table. Fanny is actually a very good greeter. Surprisingly, she seems to know everyone” shocked explains Mrs. Dashing “I’ve got to go and check on everything. The last I noticed was Maggie and Jennings sampling the hors d’oueres for the reception. Honey, I think you will make a wonderful wife. Brandon is a good man” giving Anne a hug and kiss before walking out the door.
As the door closes, “Ellen, I’m glad it is just you and me for a minute” sincerely replies Anne.
“I was wondering if we would have a moment to talk before the whole fanfare begins” Ellen empathetically agrees.
“I just wanted to let you know that in case you had any doubts, I really do love Brandon. He is my soul mate. Willoughby was a girlish mistake and a crush, but at least he helped me to grow up and discover how special and wonderful Brandon is. I know for certain that Brandon and I will be very happy together” wistfully shares Anne.
“You bring out the best in each other. You compliment each other very well. I talked to Brandon just a little while ago and I’ve never seen him so excited and happy. I think if he could literally float today, he just might” jokingly states Ellen pleased with the evident joy between her sister and future brother-in-law. “Your wedding is going to be absolutely lovely. You make such a beautiful bride.”
As the brass ensemble begins the prelude music, “Where is my bouquet? I think it is about time to go” calmly excited asks Anne.
Mrs. Dashing peeks through the door, “The girls have started down the aisle. You ready?”
Captain Middleton smiles at her as if she was his own daughter. He is her mom’s cousin and seemed to be the best choice to talk her down the aisle. Anne feels his fatherly affection towards her as he pats her hand resting on his arm and warmly smiles down at her.
Jane begins to play a lovely melody Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring with an ensemble as an accompaniment. Brandon looks nervous rocking on both feet and clasping his hands in front of him. He bites his lip waiting for a new life to begin.
The bridesmaids slowly walk down the aisle to the melodic rhythm of the classical music. Ellen enters as Ted beams standing as best man behind Brandon. They have become very good friends over the past few months and good co-workers. It has been a great match for the growth of the Crestwood corps. Ted thinks to himself that he has never seen Ellen look more amazing.
A gleeful Maggie carefully follows in Ellen’s steps with a decorated lavender ribbon basket of fresh petals of red sprinkled white carnations that she methodically spreads on the pearl lace runner.
The piano softly begins with Only Hope as Lizzie starts to sing. Brandon looks anxious but when he sees Anne coming through the glass doors, he breaks into an expressive smile of joy. Tears form in the corners of his eyes because he has waited for the fulfillment of this moment for so long.
Anne catches Brandon’s eyes and they share a moment that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
“It’s good to have everyone with us today for this special union of two beloved people. We are glad to have Anne and Brandon’s friends, enemies, strangers, and those who are not sure which group they fit in” instantly adlibs Jennings as she begins the ceremony.
Brandon throws her a side view at her unexpected statement. For a second he is not sure that picking Jennings was the best choice to perform the wedding even though she is loved by all of the family.
“Marriage is a covenant union between a man and a woman. Today we are celebrating the blessing of happiness from a loving Creator. It all began with Adam and Eve” states Jennings but more quietly to the side “But we’re hoping you don’t have their problems”.
Brandon stares at her for a moment. Jennings pauses and smiles directly at him. “Marriage is full of moments of pleasure, despair, joy, sorrow, love and loss. It is an experience like no other.”
“Anne, do you promise to love Brandon in many days of happiness as well as in the dark nights of discouragement?” and then personally reflecting Jennings muffles to herself not realizing they can still hear her in the lapel microphone “Even in the moments when you think he is an alien from another planet.”
Anne’s widens her eyes as there are stifled giggles throughout the congregation.
Ted looks over and smirks biting his lip trying not to laugh in front of everyone. Brandon is gazing at Anne and is blissfully unaware of the added comment.
“I do” faithfully states Anne feeling very loved.
“Now Brandon, do you promise to love Anne in her moods of happiness as well as in her dark nights of discouragement?” asks Jennings unintentionally not realizing her slight change of words.
Ted bites his lip and looks at Ellen across from him who has turned red and twisting her mouth from trying to hold back laughter. They quickly look away in fear that one of them may be the catalyst to start a room full of giggles.
Brandon answers wholeheartedly without any reservations “I do.”
Jennings commands “Brandon it is time for you to take Anne by the hand. I’m sure you’ve held them many times before. Today as friends and loved ones, we want to encourage and support you in this solemn commitment you are making to each other.”
Brandon squeezes Anne’s hands and gently strokes the top of her hand with his thumb as he looks affectionately into her eyes.
“Please hand me the ring” asks Jennings as Ted searches through his pockets forgetting that he placed the real ring on his thumb so he won’t forget it. He nervously looks back at Fred Wentworth (Brandon’s session mate) and Knightly hoping that they might have seen it until he realizes the golden ring circling on his finger. He dutifully hands the ring to Jennings relived to have found the precious item.
Jennings holds up the ring for everyone to see “A ring is a symbol of unity. It is also a symbol of hope and eternity. Brandon and Anne are pledging their love in front of all of us today” digressing Jennings impulsively adds “This is not a promise like other ones that you make such as forgetting to pick up something at the grocery store, or doing your laundry, or reminding someone about a card game on Friday, or that Alice Hammer was going with the Home League and needed a ride to the fair on Wednesday and then forgetting to pick her up.”
Brandon leans his head sideways and bends his chin to give Jennings a gentle signal to move on. Jennings animatedly shrugs her shoulders realizing that perhaps she has accidently said too much.
“Brandon, you may now place the ring on Anne’s hand. Do you promise to faithfully love Anne from this very day and all your days in the future together?”
“I do” beams Brandon looking admirably at Anne.
“Anne, do you promise to faithfully love Brandon from this day and all your days in the future together?”
“I do” glows Anne while looking Brandon in his eyes to solidify her vow.
“Friends, family, loved-ones and everyone else” adlibs Jennings “I present to you the marriage of Anne and Brandon. Brandon you may now kiss your lovely bride!” Jennings impulsively loudly claps her hands “We’ve all been waiting for this!”
Brandon enthusiastically kisses Anne. Anne smiles and deeply blushes. She decidedly grabs Brandon’s hand as they prepare to walk down the aisle together as a married couple.
As Ellen meets Ted to follow behind Anne and Brandon, Ted places her hand around his arm and whispers in her ear, “I love you.” Ellen surprised and delighted whispers back to Ted “I love you too.”
