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ChapterTwenty-Five
Sabella
“Really?” I say as Colin leads me by the hand through the large wooden doors. I adjust the strap of my handbag over my shoulder. “A church?”
“It takes time to get an appointment at Home Affairs,” he says, walking us down the aisle. “Plus, the vicar is my mom’s uncle. He only agreed to marry us on such short notice because my mom always makes big donations to the church.”
The runner carpet absorbs the sound of our footsteps as we make our way to the altar at the front. Candles burn in the alcoves. The wax leaves a chalky scent in the cool air. The interior is mostly dark except for the soft light streaming from crystal chandeliers that hang from the vaulted ceiling. From a stained-glass window behind the altar, Mary regards us with a serene expression. She raises one hand in blessing and holds the smiling baby Jesus on her hip in the other.
A thin, tall man with bushy white hair wearing an alb and a stole exits from the vestry and comes over to meet us.
“This is my uncle,” Colin says. “Uncle, this is Sabella.”
The man nods. “How do you do? I need a minute to set up the wine for the Holy Communion.”
“Is that necessary?” I ask, nerves tightening my stomach.
He gives me a hard look. “This ceremony is already highly inappropriate as it is.”
“Give us a moment,” Colin says, addressing me. “Why don’t you take a minute to catch your breath? It’s been such a race.”
He shows me a cry room on the side just as my family members burst through the open doors.
“Turn around, Colin,” Celeste says, charging ahead of the group with a white gown in her arms. “You can’t see the dress.”
She got a dress? Wherever did she find one so quickly?
Colin obediently gives us his back as the group rush toward us, Ryan wheeling my suitcase.
“Where can we get ready?” Celeste asks the vicar in a no-nonsense manner.
Pinching his lips, he motions at the room Colin indicated.
Celeste grabs my arm and drags me inside. Ryan and my mom follow. Doris runs to keep up with Brad who clings to her like a monkey. My nephew’s small yellow daypack with the green turtle on the front looks ridiculous on her back.
My heart melts with a rush of tenderness when I kiss Brad’s chubby cheeks. He’s wearing his Spiderman costume again. Celeste must have a dozen of those. It’s the only outfit he wears these days.
Doris wipes sweat from her brow and deposits Brad on his feet.
“Thank you, Doris,” Celeste says, hanging the dress on a wall hook before taking the daypack. “Did you bring his snacks?”
“Everything is in there,” Doris says. “Including a coloring book and crayons.”
Celeste gives her a grateful smile. “Come on, Brad.” She wraps her hand around his small palm. “Let’s have your teatime snack while Bella gets ready.”
Ryan puts the suitcase in the middle of the floor and kisses her on the cheek. “I’ll be there in a sec.” He closes the door when she and Brad have left and turns to me. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“It’s too late to back out,” Mom says, unzipping the plastic clothes bag.
“Where on earth did Celeste find a wedding dress?” I ask, dropping my handbag on a chair.
“I have no idea.” Ryan grins. “Maybe at one of the boutiques in the mall. That woman never ceases to amaze me. She can be very resourceful when she wants to be.”
“Quickly,” Mom says as she takes out the gown. “We don’t have much time. Do you have the rings, Ryan?”
“Quickest shopping I ever did. I’ll give them to Colin. I can’t guarantee they’ll fit though.”
“While you’re at it, make sure he doesn’t come in here.” Mom shakes out the dress. “It’s bad luck for the groom to see the dress before the bride walks down the aisle.”
