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It was like watching a Disney movie, that’s how beautiful Shelly looked for her wedding. Like a princess. It wasn’t a big, splashy wedding, just a group of us in the church, then a party at Craig and Cal’s house.
Shelly’s long, ivory gown had been her mother’s, that’s what Gaby told me, and it fit her perfectly. Sasha and Gaby had stayed the night with Shelly at her dad’s house last night, then helped her get ready this morning. They did her hair, which was mostly up in a twist, with some pretty curls hanging down around her face, and her makeup, which made her large green eyes look even more magical than usual. The most beautiful thing about her was smile. It lit up the whole church.
I sat in a pew right on the end, so I could watch everyone as they entered and exited, and have a great view of the ceremony. Shelly said I could take pictures, and I didn’t want to miss a minute.
I’d watched and snapped pictures furiously, as first Sasha and TJ, then Craig by himself, and finally Scott and Gaby had walked down the aisle. The guys looked great in their black suits, and Sasha and Gaby were stunning in pretty blue gowns. They’d bought the gowns during the after-prom sales, and had gotten lucky when they’d found something that all three of them had loved. When everyone stood, and the doors opened for Shelly and her father, the room fell silent as we watched Shelly make her way down the aisle.
I turned, my camera ready, to catch Cal as he watched his bride come toward him, and my breath caught at the look on his face. When I saw a single tear slide down his cheek, I lowered my lens and let out a deep breath.
I looked over at Craig, and when he turned his gaze from Shelly, then to his brother, I knew he felt the same thing that I did. Pure love.
I don’t know how I knew what it was, since I’d never seen that emotion before, certainly not with any couple I knew up to that point, but I knew what they felt for each other was rare, so I closed my eyes and hoped that they would always be as happy, as they were in that moment.
After the ceremony, I rode with Gaby and Sasha to the reception, and hurried around the back so I could watch the wedding party make their grand entrance. When I reached the back gate, I paused and took in the beauty before me. Ms. Rose had transformed her backyard into a magical wonderland. My head turned from one side to the other, trying to take it all in. Beautiful white flowers as far as the eye could see. White tents throughout the yard, chairs with white covers and pretty bows on the back. Tables overflowing with food, drinks, and a gorgeous tiered cake. I could see that the tents were covered in twinkling lights, which would light up the yard as soon as the sun began to set. It was simple, yet perfect, and I couldn’t wait to capture it all on film. But first, I hurried to stage myself by the entrance from the house, so I could have a good view of the entrance.
Some time later, when th
e sun was low and the lights were twinkling through the yard like fireflies, I watched as Craig danced with Sasha, my foot tapping to the beat.
“What you up to, little Gwen?”
I looked up to see TJ standing by my table, and felt my cheeks flush.
TJ was the most handsome person I’d ever seen in real life, and he just kept getting more handsome as the years went by, all the guys did. It was totally unfair. Within the last few months, I was finding it harder to be myself when I was around them. I was always getting tongue-tied. Well, with every guy except for Craig. I could still talk to him without sounding like a moron.
“Just hanging out,” I replied when I finally found my voice.
“Wanna dance?” he asked, running a hand through his sandy hair before offering it to me.
I felt like throwing up as I looked from his hand to the dance floor.
What if he touched me and I fainted?
What if he took me in his arms and I did something embarrassing, like sniff him? I’d stood close enough to smell him before, and he always smelled wonderful.
What if I tripped and fell into him?
The horrifying possibilities were endless…
“C’mon, sweetheart, just one dance,” TJ cajoled, with a grin, and I was helpless to deny him.
I put my hand in his and stood, allowing him to lead me to the floor.
My stomach was full of fireworks, and my legs were like Jell-O covered sticks. I wiped my sweaty palms, hopefully discreetly, on my favorite Easter dress, before letting TJ guide them around his waist. He kept a respectable gap between us, but we may as well have been flush against each other. I could feel his warmth, smell his deliciousness, and I felt a little dizzy as my heart pounded loudly in my chest.
The song was over way before I was ready. When I looked up to thank him and scurry away, he said, “Now that wasn’t so bad was it?”
I shook my head as he grinned, then he looked over my shoulder and said, “She’s all yours.”
Before I knew it the song changed and I’d been transferred from TJ’s arms to Craig’s.
We danced in silence for a while, and I watched Craig’s face as he looked around the party his parents had thrown for the happy couple.
“It was a beautiful wedding,” I said quietly, when I could no longer stand the silence.
Craig turned to me with a nod. I noticed that he seemed taller than he had last week. It seemed like he was a little taller every time I saw him. His voice was deeper too, and his face changed a little, making him look even more like his older brother.
“It’ll be weird, not having Cal live here anymore,” Craig said softly.
