Page 57 of A Future in the Bay

She couldn’t have contained her smile if she had tried. “Then let’s go watch my sister marry the love of her life.”

They got into the car and drove down to the beach, to the spot where Michael and Caitlin’s wedding had been set up. Rows and rows of white chairs lined the beach, facing the ocean and a white archway that had been adorned with colorful flowers. Her heart hammered with excitement as she got out of the car and looked around for her twin.

“I bet she’s in that tent there,” Dane said, pointing to a white tent placed a stone’s throw behind the chairs. “You know—hiding so Michael doesn’t see her yet.” He chuckled.

She grinned at him. “I bet you’re right. You go ahead and sit down, sweetheart. I’ll meet you there in a little bit—first I want to give her a hug.”

He nodded, smiling, and started to make his way down to the front of the seats. She turned in the direction of the tent, unableto keep from grinning. She felt giddy with happiness for her sister, and she couldn’t wait to see her in her wedding dress.

“Knock knock!” she called at the entrance to the tent. “Is there a bride in here?”

The front flap of the tent was instantly pulled back by Pearl, who looked adorable in a pink frilly flower girl dress.

“Yes, there is!” Pearl announced joyfully.

“Alissa!” Caitlin called from inside the tent. “Come on in.”

Alissa stepped inside the tent, and her eyes immediately locked onto her sister. Caitlin was wearing a beautiful dress with a long, silky skirt, and her hair had been done up elegantly, with pearls and small flowers tucked into the up-do.

“You look gorgeous!” Alissa cried and hurried forward to give her sister a hug.

Caitlin squeezed her back tightly, and Alissa could feel that the bride-to-be was shaking a little bit.

“Feeling nervous still?” she asked sympathetically as they pulled away from the hug.

Caitlin shook her head, smiling. “No, I’m just so happy. I feel like I’m dreaming or something.”

“You want me to pinch you?”

“No!” Caitlin laughed. “I’ll realize it all soon enough. I think once Michael’s actually standing there in front of me, I won’t feel like I’m dreaming anymore.”

For a moment, the sisters stood there grinning at each other, and then Alissa pulled her twin into another hug.

“Caitlin?” someone called from outside the tent. “Everyone’s here. It’s almost time.”

“Oh my goodness,” Caitlin said, and Alissa squeezed her hands, grinning.

“Take a deep breath. I love you! I’ll see you out there.”

“I love you too. See you out there,” Caitlin said, her eyes shining.

Alissa took one more look at her twin, feeling her heart swell with happiness. Then she hurried out of the tent to take her place next to Dane. She couldn’t wait to watch her sister walk down the aisle.

Caitlin watched Alissa slip out of the tent, feeling a surge of excitement and happiness.

“Good luck, Mommy!” Pearl said, running to give her mother a hug.

“You too! Have fun being the flower girl,” Caitlin said, hugging her daughter back tightly.

The wedding coordinator came to get Pearl, and Caitlin felt her heart pounding with excitement. She turned to look at herself in the mirror that had been placed inside the tent. She really did look beautiful, she thought, and unexpectedly, tears filled her eyes. She felt like the luckiest woman in the world, getting to marry Michael—and in such a beautiful setting, surrounded by so many people who loved both of them.

“Caitlin?” The wedding coordinator stepped inside the tent. “It’s time.”

Caitlin followed her outside the tent, blinking in the sunlight. It was a perfect day—a clear blue sky arched overhead, and the sunlight was warm and golden. A light breeze from the ocean kept the temperature the perfect degree.

Her eyes traced over the white chairs where all of their friends and family members were sitting, and she smiled, seeing so many people that she knew and loved. She saw many of them turn around and smile at her, all of them looking happy and excited.

Past all of the guests, standing in front of the white archway covered in flowers, was Michael. She couldn’t quite see his face from that distance, but she seemed to be able to sense the shining look that was in his eyes. She took a deep breath, feeling as though she couldn’t wait to get down the aisle and reach his side.

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