Chapter 19 - The Wedding DayThe morning was bright.
Too bright, according to Eleanor.
“The photographs need softer light.”
Sarah stared at her.
“You cannot manage the sun.”
Eleanor looked offended.
“I can try.”
The garden filled with white flowers.
Lucy wore pale pink.
Henry wore a dark blue suit.
Alexander waited beneath an old oak tree.
He looked nervous.
Vanessa stood beside Eleanor.
Mrs. Doyle cried before anything started.
Then denied it.
Sarah walked from the house alone.
She had chosen that.
Her father had died years earlier.
Her mother watched from the front row.
Sarah did not need anyone to give her away.
She was walking toward something.
Not away from something.
Alexander looked at her.
Everything else disappeared.
Sarah reached him.
“You look terrified.”
“I am.”
“Good.”
He laughed.
The ceremony was simple.
No grand speeches.
No promises of perfect days.
Alexander said.
“I promise to tell you when I’m scared instead of pretending I’m not.”
Sarah smiled.
“I promise to tell you when your dancing is terrible.”
Henry whispered.
“That’s always.”
Everyone laughed.
Sarah continued.
“And I promise that loving this family will never require me to stop being myself.”
Alexander’s eyes filled.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Then Lucy stepped forward.
She carried the brown teddy bear.
Inside its repaired seam was a copy of Emily’s first letter.
Not hidden.
Not forgotten.
Kept.
Lucy placed the bear on a chair beneath the oak tree.
“For Mom.”
Alexander closed his eyes.
Sarah squeezed his hand.
Then they married.
At the reception, the music started.
Sarah looked at Alexander.
“No.”
He knew immediately.
“Absolutely not.”
Henry grabbed the whisk microphone.
Guests cheered.
Lucy pulled Alexander toward the dance floor.
Sarah performed the first terrible ballet move.
Alexander shook his head.
Then joined.
Everyone laughed.
Eleanor danced.
Vanessa danced.
Mrs. Doyle refused until Henry dragged her out.
For one night, the Hayes estate became exactly what Emily had asked for.
Loud.
Messy.
Alive.
Later, Sarah and Alexander stood near the lake.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Happy?”
He looked toward the reception.
Henry was dancing badly.
Lucy was laughing.
“I used to think happiness was dangerous.”
Sarah looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because once you have it, you can lose it.”
“And now?”
Alexander took her hand.
“Now I think that’s why you take it when it comes.”
May you like
Sarah smiled.
They walked back toward the lights.
