Page 41 of Beauty and the Baker
She could see Aunt Maybelle sitting next to her mama on the left side of the church. The rest of the pews were filled with people she didn’t know. They were friends of her aunt.
Charlie would be moving into Aunt Maybelle’s house with her after the ceremony. Maybelle decided she was going to head back East when the family departed, so she left the house, and the bakery to Georgina and Charlie as a wedding gift.
It was fitting, that their wedding cake was the chocolate cake that they had created that afternoon in the bakery. It was born by accident, just like their love.
On the right of the church, was Charlie’s family. How she had come to love them as her own. Charlie’s father sat in the first pew next to Frances Brown. Georgina thought there might be something happening between the two older folks but couldn’t be sure.
At the end of the aisle, standing in front of the reverend, was Thomas looking extremely handsome in his black suit. Hal had sewn it for him, fitting Thomas as soon as the family arrived in town. Thomas was holding a small pillow with a ring tied to it and he beamed at his sister.
She was almost afraid to look at Charlie. She knew she wouldn’t be able to hold back the tears if she looked at him. Thank goodness she was wearing a long veil that hid her face. A blotchy bride was not beautiful.
She felt her father give her hand a squeeze.
“I have never seen a man more in love than that man looking at you right now,” her father whispered. “I’m so happy for you, my darling daughter.”
Georgina tried to wipe the tears away, but the lace of her veil got in the way. Instead, she gave a loud sniff trying to hold back her emotions. She heard a chuckle from Charlie as they arrived to stand in front of him.
Georgina felt her father pat her hand and then place it in Charlie’s. “Take care of her, son,” she heard her father say.
“I will, sir,” he responded and held Georgina’s hand in both of his own.
Georgina pivoted and handed her bouquet of wild flowers to Cassandra, who was standing behind her.
“You look beautiful, Georgie,” Thomas blurted out. The congregation laughed.
“He’s right you know,” Charlie said, leaning forward. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Georgina smiled at his praise. The dresswasworn by hermother andher grandmother. Lorraine had carried it on the train, promising severe consequences if it so much as got a speck of dirt on it.
The dress was a white ensemble, that was starting to darken slightly due to age. The fitted jacket was embellished with glass beads, each one painstakingly sewn by hand. Glass buttons held the jacket closed. There were no other adornments on the jacket.
The long skirt was made of the same fabric and flowed around her legs. Cassandra spread the dress out, so the yards of fabric laid on the ground behind Georgina.
Aunt Maybelle presented Georgina with a silk purse and a pair of new silk slippers to decorate her feet.
Thelongveilwas securedtoher hair by pearl pins and acrown. The lace draped over her face blocking her sight.
She felt beautiful.
And loved.
Oh, so loved.
“You haven’t even seen me under all this lace,” Georgina laughed.
“Maybe,” he shrugged. “But I know.”
Reverend Bing cleared his throat. “Dearly Beloved…,” he began.
The ceremony went by like a whirlwind. Georgina recited her vows and tried to control the shaking of her hands when Charlie slipped the gold band on her finger.
When itcametime to kiss the bride, Georgina felt Charlie lift herveiland drape it over herhead.
His dark eyes were smoldering as he leaned down and kissed her. Georgina lifted her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.There was no such thing as too close when it came to her feelings about this man.
Charlie finally broke the kiss. He cupped her face with his hands and pressed a swift hard kiss on her lips before taking her hand and tucking it under his arm.
“Are you ready to greet the world, Mrs. Stockton?”
