“She’s fine,” Alannah chirped. “Now, let’s get you out of your work uniform and dressed.”
I knew better than to ask another question so I gestured with my hand for them to get it over with. They took my blindfold off once more and I forgot about it altogether because I was bloody mortified when I was stripped down to my birthday suit and used my hands to try and retain some modesty. Apparently wearing new under garments that was bought for me was very important.
When I got my underwear on Aideen put something around my thigh that had me asking all kind of questions, but she said I’d find out soon enough if I stopped asking questions.
I was quiet until they made me put on heels, then opened my box—I bloody heard them open it—and put on a dress that I’m pretty sure was inside of it.
“It didn’t crease,” my sister said in a relieved breath. “Thank God.”
They put the dress on me and it was a snug fit and floor length. It felt like a very elegant dress, so I ran my hands over it and asked, “Is this lace?”
“Most of it is,” Alannah replied.
I shivered when my sister clipped a necklace around my neck, but I smiled when she kissed my cheek. She removed the blindfold after I promised not to open my eyes, but it was very hard they I heard everyone’s sniffles.
“Okay, why’re you all bloody cryin’?” I asked, impatiently. “What’s goin’ on?”
“You look beautiful,” Bronagh whispered. “Just like ma.”
Like our mother?
“Bronagh, what is—”
“Come with us,” she cut me off. “It’s time.”
Time for what?
“I’m about to blow a fuse,” I said as I grabbed onto the hands that took hold of my forearms.
We only walked a maximum of twenty steps when I was brought to a halt and my sister said, “We’re going inside now, and when you hear the sound of a door shutting, I want you to open your eyes then when you’re ready, I know you’ll follow us.”
“Follow you where?” I asked my sister.
I heard the clip clop of heels then the sound of a door shutting. I sighed and shook my head before I slowly opened my eyes. I almost jumped out of my skin when in front of me was a floor length mirror, and in the reflection was… me.
“Oh, my God,” I whispered and covered my mouth with my hand.
I looked down at myself and touched the dress I wore and the necklace that dangled from my neck, too. My mother’s necklace. I would know it anywhere. It was silver with diamonds set in an intricate pattern. I remember admiring it as a young girl and always begging her to let me wear it.
“One day, sweetheart.” She told me with a breath taking smile. “One day when you’re old enough to understand the significance of diamonds and forever you can wear it.”
“I think that day has come, ma,” I said aloud, knowing she was right beside me.
I felt her. My father, too.
With a lump in my throat, I looked back into the mirror, and roamed my eyes over my dress. I was wearing was the most beautiful, delicately laced white sheath gown I had ever laid my eyes upon. The bodice had a deep v-neck with straps that went over my shoulders. It was simple but elegant and perfect.
It was the dress I showed my sister weeks ago when we were looking at bridal magazines for fun. It was even more beautiful than it looked on the model in the photos.
“Me weddin’ dress,” I whispered.
I’m wearing a bloody wedding dress.
My heart began to pound against my chest as I reached up and touched my beautiful hair that was clipped up into a stylish updo of curls with a French braid plated across the front of my head acting as a hairband.
My makeup was done beautifully too. It matched my light skin tone perfectly.
I managed to tear my gaze away from myself when I noticed next to the full length mirror that was clearly put in the hallway just for me was a side table with a few items on it. I walked up to it and picked up a card that had a message for me.
Branna,
Your dress is something new, your gartar is something blue, your necklace is something old and borrowed, but not quite as sweet as you.
Meet me at the altar.
I’m waiting for you,
Ry x
I sucked in a deep breath, and had to re-read the message on the card a couple of times before I could think clearly. Ryder wanted me to meet him at the altar, in a wedding dress with something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.
I carefully pulled up my dress until I saw the blue gartar that I felt Aideen put on me before I realised what it was.
“They’re all in on it,” I gasped as I lowered my dress back down to the floor.
My sister and my friends, they got me ready for my wedding. That was why they were crying, and my sister said I looked like my mother.
Oh, my God!
“If you cry and ruin your makeup, I’m not taking the heat for it.”
I spun around when Ash’s voice broke through my thoughts and I stared at him with my mouth agape, while he stared right back with me with the same expression.
“Branna,” he breathed. “Wow!”
I looked down at my dress then back up to him.
“I can’t believe any of this.”
My friend smiled a big toothy smile. “I can, you told me how brilliant Ryder is to you, and how much he adores you. This proves it.”
I quickly fanned my face with the card with his message on it to keep my tears at bay. And I had to fan faster when music began to play inside what I now knew was a church hall. Ash walked over to me and picked up the beautiful bouquet of peach and white roses from the table and handed them to me.
“That’s our cue, Angel,” he said as I touched the stunning arrangment.