Page 91 of A Grecian Getaway

“Thanks, Caroline, but I think I’m good.” Noelle rolled her eyes at Caroline.

“That reminds me, what did you learn from the A-N-A-L experience?” Caroline choked from laughing so hard as she spelled out the word.

“Oh, for the love of... Caroline, there was no ANAL!” Noelle whisper yelled.

Caroline held up her hands in defeat, laughing the whole time.

Once everyone finished eating breakfast, they all went to the church to prepare for the big day. The girls and Noelle’s mom went to a room together to get dressed and ready for the ceremony. Claire did Noelle’s make up and Caroline worked on her hair. Noelle felt like a princess from all the attention she was receiving. Sophia helped Elena into her flower girl dress and fixed her hair.

Noelle’s gown hung nearby. It was a white gown with spaghetti straps and fit snugly at the bodice. From the waist, it was full and flowed out with a long train. There were beautiful beads detailing the bodice and the lower half of the dress. Noelle’s mother and Sophia helped Noelle into her wedding gown. She handed her mother some things and asked her to pin them under her dress. They were the blue ribbons from the gifts Demetri had given her. Noelle had always been sentimental and had saved the ribbons. They worked out perfectly for her ‘something blue’.

“Sweetheart, you look absolutely stunning.” Noelle’s mom held Noelle’s hand. “I can’t believe my baby girl is getting married today.”

“Thanks, mom. Please don’t cry. If you cry, I’ll cry, and then I’ll be a mess.”

“I can’t make any promises.” Her mom pulled something out of her purse. “Here, this cross can be your ‘something old’ and ‘borrowed’. It belonged to your Sitto. Her father, your great grandfather, gave it to her when she was a little girl. She passed it on to me, and someday, it will belong to you.” Noelle’s mom clasped her maternal grandmother’s necklace around Noelle’s neck. She stood back and looked at her with tears escaping her eyes and pulled her into a hug.

“You’re doing it. No tears!” Noelle laughed and hugged her mom back as a couple of Noelle’s own tears leaked out.

“You both had better stop or we’ll all be a blubbering mess and the guests will think we’re all nuts. Quick, Caroline, say something inappropriate,” Claire suggested as she dabbed the moisture in her eyes.

“I... I’ve got nothing. Noelle is getting married! Our beautiful, sweet, clumsy, and kooky Willow Street girl!” Caroline rushed forward and hugged Noelle and her mom.

“Oh, just great!” Claire invaded the group hug.

“Come on, Sophia. Come join the insanity.” Caroline held her arm out to Sophia and Sophia happily obliged.

Claire and Caroline oohed and aahed over Noelle. Sophia mumbled some words in Greek and squeezed. Noelle’s mom held Noelle tight, and Noelle felt like the luckiest girl in the world for being supported by such amazing women.

When they pulled apart, Caroline whispered to Noelle, “You look gorgeous. It’s a good thing the groom can’t see the bride before the ceremony. Demetri would give you a good ravishing right now.”

Noelle slapped her arm while giving her a wide-eyed look and mouthed “my mom.”

“Oh sure, now you say something inappropriate.” Claire shook her head.

In a louder voice, Caroline responded, “Noelle, your mom knows what happens on the wedding night. Don’t you, Mrs. T? It’s all good.” She winked at Noelle.

Noelle nervously laughed.

Her mother smiled and nodded. “Oh Caroline, never a dull moment with you, my dear.”

***

It was time.

The church was ancient, and filled with beautiful icons, which are pictures depicting scenes from the Bible. The architecture was ornate and stunning. It had tall ceilings with decorative gold and wood accents. The floor and altar areas were marble. There were gorgeous floral arrangements with the wedding colors placed in various areas around the church. A long white runner stretched from the altar to the back of the church.

The music began. Once the flower girl, ring bearer, and bridesmaids made their way down the aisle, Noelle’s father took her arm. As they walked, she looked up to the altar and saw Demetri standing tall and handsome as ever. As she came closer to him, she could see his eyes glistening. He looked so handsome in his light beige colored linen tuxedo. The matching vest, white shirt, and blue tie were so sexy on him. But the man who stood before her was so much more.I’m about to marry the man of my dreams. Demetri is everything I ever wanted and hoped for. He loves me for who I am. Our love was natural. Magnetic. He loves with his whole heart. So much so that he was afraid to give me a part of it because he was afraid of losing me. But here we are. We made it. Love won over fear, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together.

When they reached Demetri and the groomsmen, Noelle’s father hugged and kissed her. “I love you, sweetheart. I am so proud of the woman you’ve become.”

“I love you too, dad.”

Her father shook hands with Demetri. “Take good care of her.”

“I will,” Demetri whispered.

Noelle looked into Demetri’s eyes and, for those few seconds, she felt like they were the only ones in the room.

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