Page 95 of Wandering Closer

She stayed in our new cabin last night with Amber and Michele, and they are going to keep her there getting ready and pampered until the ceremony. It gave me the perfect time to set up all the extras. I ordered a large white tent with a dance floor for the side of the yard that was set up last night and hired some ladies from in town to decorate it this morning.

River and I each grab two of the buckets of lilacs, bringing them to the clearing behind the cabin where the chairs are set up around a makeshift aisle with a wooden arch at the center. Lily wanted the color scheme to be ‘the sunrises we watch together’ and the decorators delivered. There’s mild hues of pink, yellow, and orange flowers along the aisle, and these lilacs will be the perfect addition.

The florist claps her hands as we set down the buckets for her. “These will be perfect for the bouquet! I am going to pair them with white roses,” she exclaims happily, so I leave her to it.

River and I make our way to the tent to check on the progress there. Lily thinks we had picnic tables delivered, but instead I have one long table to seat everyone for dinner. It’s decorated with nice dinnerware and signs for each guest. She used cuts of wood from the surrounding woods as bases for her centerpieces, which featured stacked books and candles, to incorporate things we love.

In one corner, I set up an open bar, and the other has a small DJ table beside the dance floor. The decorators hung twinkling lights and swaths of colored fabric around the ceiling. It’s so much better than I could have imagined.

“I think you nailed it,” River slaps my back as he takes it all in. “Did you get her a gift?”

“Yeah, it’s in the cabin. I need to have it delivered soon, and then I need to shower and get ready. You got your suit andspeech ready?” Lily wanted to include my family as much as possible in the wedding, so we asked River to get ordained to be our minister. As much as I want my brother to be part of this day, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little scared of what might come out of his mouth up there.

“Oooh, give it to me. I’ll deliver it. Then I’ll be right behind you getting ready. Don’t worry, little bro, I’ve got everything handled.”

His smirk is exactly why I am worried, but I lead him inside to get the gift. Jake steps in the front door as we step in the back, his suit bag hanging over his shoulder. Lily and I decided to not do bridesmaids and groomsmen since our wedding is so small. However, we did have Michele and Amber wear pink dresses, and River and Jake will both be rocking pink bow ties.

“Happy wedding day, man.” Jake says as he gives me a hug, then heads to the guest room to put his suit on the bed. I give the gift bag to River, who calls Shadow to follow him.

“Don’t let her roll in anything,” I call over my shoulder, as I head up the stairs to shower and get ready. “She was groomed yesterday, and she needs to look nice as our flower girl.”

I strip in my room, climbing into the shower. I can’t believe the day is finally here. Today, I make Lily my wife. My happily ever after will walk down the aisle and promise to love and cherish me for the rest of her days. Today is the first day of the rest of my life.

Lily

“Knock knock,” River calls out as he pokes his head in the front door. “Can I come in?”

Shadow pushes past him, running straight for me. Her furry tail creates a wind tunnel it’s wagging so fast. “All clear. What are you doing here?”

He steps in, taking in the mess of hair and makeup products spread out on the kitchen table. When I bought this place, theyagreed to leave it furnished, which came in handy with us girls having spent last night here, as well as giving us a place to get ready today.

“I brought you a gift from your boo,” he says, handing me a small bag. “You look stunning, Lily. Can I see the dress?”

I take the bag and nod to the stairs. Michele is putting the finishing touches on my hair, which is a half updo with big Hollywood curls. My makeup is complete, as are the girls’ and Amber is upstairs getting dressed first to bring Thoren my gift. I got him socks with Shadow’s face on them in case he gets ‘cold feet.’ I also got him a new watch that is custom made with wood from a tree in our favorite clearing by our waterfall. “Thanks Riv. The photographer has it upstairs taking pictures of it. If you promise not to spoil it, you can take a peek.”

I swear he giggles like a schoolgirl as he bounds up the steps. I pull out the tissue seeing a small card that I will read when Michele isn’t looking over my shoulder. There’s a black velvet box at the bottom encasing the most stunning necklace. It has a gold chain with vines and flowers in the center. The vines have his green birthstone in them, and the flowers have a mix of diamonds and purple amethysts. My fingers trail over it, tears springing to my eyes.

“It will look great with your dress, and it matches your ring and bracelet.”

I turn to my best friend, my smile watery. “He’s incredible. Am I all done?”

“You are. Let’s go kick Riv out and get dressed. We are a little behind the photographer's schedule.”

We pass Amber on the stairs, followed by River, who insists on going with her to see what’s in the gift. They take a very reluctant-to-leave Shadow so I can get my dress on and take photos.

Before I get too far, River grabs my hand, giving it a squeeze. “He’s going to cry, but in that dress, there won’t be a dry eye in the house. Welcome to the family, Lil.”

I blink back the tears that form again, giving him a small smile. I can’t say anything back or all my makeup will be useless. I called my parents last month after not speaking to them since the day Thoren hung up on them. The call went okay, but they said they couldn’t make it out for the wedding because they already had a trip planned. There were no apologies, no congratulations, no effort at all from them. While it hurts, I have learned to embrace the family I do have. The incredible James family that welcomed me with open arms and fiercely loves me. Andrea even made it out for the wedding, flying in early this morning. My family is here; they just look a little different.

The photographer pulls my dress from its spot on the window and lays it out for me. The dress is a white silk chiffon with a sweetheart neckline and thin straps. It’s a mermaid style with a low back and long train. There’s lace along the edges that adds a touch of feminine beauty to it. Honestly, it’s probably too fancy for our setting, but I fell in love and couldn’t leave the store without it.

With the dress on, I sit on the bed and read Thoren’s letter. There’s no stopping the tears that fall now, but I blot with a tissue as I make it through. In less than an hour, I get to call him my husband, and it is beyond my wildest dreams. His kindness and warmth, his generous and giving spirit, his heart that is woven into mine. I woke up knowing this was going to be the best day ever. When I snuck to the bathroom earlier and the little blue lines popped up, I knew it was going to be even better than I imagined.

When I step out of the primary bedroom, Michele and Amber are standing there waiting.

“Holy shit.”

“You are the most beautiful bride.”

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