“I know, I’m so nervous. But I know I’ll be okay because my sister will be there with me. Right? I’ll see you at the wedding?”
I stay quiet momentarily, pretending I’m thinking really hard about the decision.
“Isa!”
“Okay, I’ll go. But only if you help me do one thing…”
Chapter Twenty-Four
I exhale. “This is it.”
Standing in front of the cabin door leading out to the campground, I can feel the butterflies fluttering. I smooth out my dark orange dress, fluffing the flowy pleated skirt and exposing my right leg through the slit. I look down at my dark grey heels before looking back up at the door. I can do this. I hold my breath and open the door.
I walk along the path. My heels dig slightly into the ground as I approach the wedding area. I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation building inside of me with every step I take. Then, as I turn the corner, the sight before me takes my breath away.
The ceremony is situated in a small clearing surrounded by towering trees. The sun is beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the entire area. The chairs are arranged in neat rows, each one adorned with a simple white lace ribbon. The aisle is lined with delicate white flowers, their petals soft against the green foliage. In front of the chairs, a wooden archway is decked with flowers, vines, and delicate fairy lights.
As I approach, I can see the intricate details of the decorations, the soft pastels of the flowers and the twinkle of the lights. Above the seats, string lights hang across the trees, creating a warm canopy—Sofia’s signature look.
The ceremony is bathed in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with a subtle fragrance of sweet flowers filling the air. The setting is intimate yet grand, with every tiny detail taken care of to make the day perfect. Walking closer to the archway, I can see the stunning view beyond it. The afternoon sun casts a golden light over the distant hills and the sparkling lake resting through the valley. The birds chirp in the trees as if adding their own music to the ambiance.
It takes me a moment to realize that dozens of staff members are running around, getting into their places. The bartenders are cleaning their counters, preparing for the rush of guests who will flood the area after the ceremony, during cocktail hour. As the guests arrive, they go to the white chairs facing the altar in neat lines. I watch as family and friends of Sofia and Luciano take their seats, each person dressed in their finest attire. Some are wearing flowing dresses, others sharp suits, but all with smiles of excitement and joy. I know she won’t be in the crowd, but I can’t help but scan the area to find Valentina. I wish I could see her for a second before the ceremony starts. The imaginary pill in my throat is impossible to swallow.
I finally follow suit and sit among the other guests, feeling a wave of emotions wash over me. The hired harpist begins to play, filling the space with soft music. I tightly grip the notecards in my hands, worried that with a strong enough breeze, they’d all float away, along with me. The sound of people murmuring keeps me distracted from my nerves. I can only imagine how Sofia is feeling right now. Should I have stopped by to see her before the big moment? No, that’s not what we planned.It’s okay, Isa. You can do this.
“It’s finally here,” Maria says, sauntering in, and then sits down next to me. “Damn, pendeja, you couldn’t get a seat in the front?”
“What? This is fine.”
“We’re in the next to last row. Let’s go closer to the front.”
“Maria, no—”
But it’s too late. She is already grabbing my hand and pulling me up the aisle to the third row. It’s a much better seat, but I can’t help but feel incredibly vulnerable being so close.
The harpist begins to play a slightly different tune, her fingers plucking at the strings of her instrument, filling the air with soft, melodic music. The guests fall silent, and I can feel the anticipation building in the air. I watch as the first bridesmaids appear, one by one, walking down the aisle in their burgundy satin dresses, each one more stunning than the last. The fabric flows gracefully, creating an elegant and timeless look. The neckline is a gentle scoop, the bodice fits each of them perfectly, and the skirt flows out in layers of tulle and silk. Their hair is styled in loose waves and pinned back with simple white flowers, which adds to the natural beauty of the ceremony decorations. Each bridesmaid carries a small bouquet of white flowers, which complements the bold burgundy of their dresses. Silvana glares at me as she walks by. I just roll my eyes while Maria gives her the finger. Valentina is the last to appear, and I must keep myself from staring at her too long. But I can’t help it. She looks gorgeous. For a quick moment, our eyes meet, but I quickly look away.
The groomsmen stand at the altar with Luciano, waiting for the bride to make her grand entrance. They look sharp in their grey suits, each detail perfectly tailored to their forms. Their ties are a matching shade of burgundy, which ties the whole color scheme together beautifully. Luciano shifts back and forth on his feet, clearly anxious about seeing his glowing bride. We all are.
The harpist changes the sweet and tender melody once more, signifying that it’s time for the bride to join the rest of us. We’re all transfixed, watching in awe as Sofia slowly appears at the end of the aisle. You can hear a few gasps in the crowd.
“Damn, Sofia ate,” Maria whispers, ruining the mood.
Sofia’s wedding gown is a stunning work of art. The mermaid-style dress hugs her curves as if it were painted onto her body, before flaring out in a dramatic train. The bodice is adorned with delicate lace appliqués, which create a beautiful and intricate pattern. The lace trails down the skirt and train, adding to the dress’s overall beauty and detail. The tulle layers of the dress add a soft and ethereal quality, while the detailed beading gives a touch of sparkle and glamour.
Her veil was equally beautiful. It is long and flowing, made of the same delicate tulle as the dress’s skirt. A small and subtle blue comb secures the veil to her hair. Her hair is styled in a loose, romantic updo, with rogue strands framing her face softly and naturally. Her makeup is soft and feminine, with a focus on her eyes. Her makeup artist created a subtle smoky eye with shades of brown and rose gold, bringing out her eyes’ natural beauty. Her cheeks are kissed by a soft blush, which adds a gentle flush of color to her complexion. Her lips are a muted shade of mauve, which complements the overall look perfectly.
“Her wedding gown is a masterpiece,” I hear a guest murmur behind me.
Maritza scoffs lightly. “It’s not as pretty as her rehearsal dinner dress.”
She’s wrong. Sofia’s dress is elegant, timeless, and gorgeous. My heart swells with pride and joy as Sofia makes her way down the aisle. She looks absolutely radiant in her white gown, which flows gracefully behind her as she walks. Her veil trails behind her, softening the edges of her dress. We watch as she slowly approaches Luciano, taking his hand as he helps her up onto the stand. Suddenly, I feel sick to my stomach. I know what’s coming up.
I watch Sofia whisper something to Luciano and the justice of the peace. Oh, God. Is it too late to run away? Sofia grabs the microphone and faces us.
“Thank you all so much for attending our wedding and participating in such a special day. It means so much to me to have so much family willing to share this moment with me. Speaking of family, my sister wants to share a few words before we get started.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
