“Isn’t that supposed to be my line?” Stormy questioned with a laugh. Though, she didn’t feel nervous at all. She just felt excitement.
“Yes, it is. How are you feeling?”
“I was sort of afraid that Cooper would snap out of the shock of the crash and run away when he realized he was engaged, but I know he loves me,” Stormy said with a secret smile.
Placing both hands on Stormy’s arms, Lindsey replied, “Of course he does. I’ve seen the way he looks at you . . . and it’s true love. There’s no mistaking it.”
Stormy smiled at her best friend as she thanked her for always being there. But soon they were interrupted as a knock sounded at the door.
The door creaked open and a soft voice broke the silence.
“Hello, dear. I wanted to see my beautiful daughter-in-law before the big moment.”
“Please, come in.” Stormy gave her a smile. Evelyn had been so kind to her from the moment they’d first met.
“You are absolutely stunning, darling,” Evelyn said.
“Thank you,” Stormy replied quietly.
She turned and gazed at her image in the mirror. She’d chosen simple and comfortable, but the dress was indeed stunning. It was white, but unique in style. The bodice of the dress was adorned with lacy designs of silky, white, gilded ivy and jasmine flowers. The waist flowed into a billowing gown with ornate accents surrounded by small gems that made it look as if she were walking through a field of flowers.
At the waist, pure silk encircled the front, ending in a diamond-studded pendant of her own making that was affixed to the dress. Evelyn had been so impressed with Stormy’s designs that she was backing her in a jewelry shop where she could create custom jewelry and finally pursue her dream. Her world kept getting better and bigger each and every day.
“It’s time.” Sherman stood in the doorway now, tears in his eyes.
“Oh, Sherman.” She moved to him and kissed his cheek. “Meeting you has changed my entire life. There aren’t words to express how much you mean to me. Thank you for walking me down the aisle. I miss my dad so much, but I know he sent me you. He brought you into my life when I was at my most vulnerable and you’ve lifted me back up when all I wanted to do was lie on the ground and cry.”
Sherman’s eyes shone as he gazed at her, and that made her cry all the more.
“I’ve only known a beautiful, strong, confident woman from the moment I met you,” he said. “Yes, you might have thought you were broken, but you never have been. I’m the one who is so grateful our paths crossed, and I do believe it was your father. He gave us to each other when we both needed someone so desperately.”
“Thank you.” His words meant more to her than she could ever explain.
And then it was time. Now her stomach tensed just the littlest bit. The ceremony she could do without. But knowing at the end of it that she and Cooper would belong to each other, well, that made her having to be in the spotlight worth it.
She’d finally found what she wanted from life. It was funny how everything could go from so chaotic to nearly perfect in such a short amount of time. All she’d had to do was stop fretting about the small and big stuff, and then life had managed to come around.
Now she was walking to the man she loved. And they were going to have a very happy ever after.
Their family and friends gathered together in a quaint chapel that early January afternoon. Both sides of the aisle were bathed in color from the light that shown through the stained glass windows lining both sides of the sanctuary.
The room was adorned in sheer white fabric, draped from the ceiling and woven down the pillars that lined the sanctuary. The swaths of fabric swept around large porcelain vases containing brilliant yellow and red roses.
Stormy, dressed in her wedding gown, appearing like a queen fit for coronation, stealthily peered through a cracked side door at the sanctuary altar. It was all so dreamlike, all too perfect, and yet it was also all for her. A tan and calloused hand reached for hers.
“It’s time,” Sherman said. “But if you’re having second thoughts, you know I’ll sneak you out of here right now.”
“Oh, Sherman, that’s why I want to marry Cooper. Because I know I don’t have to.” Stormy smiled as she took her place next to Sherman, who looked so suave in his black tuxedo.
Cooper stood silent at the altar. That was all she needed to know.
In unison, a quartet of violinists and cellists placed their bows on their strings to play the first prolonged note of Pachelbel’s Canon. As the tempo of the soothing rhythm picked up, the wedding procession began their stoic march down the aisle.
Sherman escorted Stormy in perfect step to the music, preceded by the groomsmen and bridesmaids. The petal-covered aisle glowed in the afternoon sun still beaming brightly through the windows. Each row of guests turned to admire the bride as she passed by.
As the bridesmaids and groomsmen took their places at the altar, the string quartet ended their piece. Cooper and Stormy exchanged their vows before family and friends. The wedding went without incident, the scene both tender and elegant.
Upon their final I dos and the ceremonial kissing of the bride, the string quartet once again struck their chords to the tune of the wedding march. Those gathered in witness amongst the pews stood and clapped in praise of the union between two souls destined for each other as the happy couple made their way down the aisle, hand in hand—man and wife. Cinderella had found her prince.