“Feeling is mutual,” she said. “I feel like it’s our first date all over again.”
“In a way, it kind of is.” I smiled.
She nodded and ran her hands down her dress.
“You like the dress?”
“Love it.”
“Good. Gabriella helped me pick it out. And she did my hair. Do you like it?”
“You look beautiful, Mom,” I said reassuringly.
Just then the door to the bride’s chambers opened and Gabriella stepped inside, holding my mother’s bouquet of white and pink roses. I put my hand to my heart to make sure it was still beating. She looked so beautiful, in a pale pink dress that draped over her bump and grazed the floor. Her hair was curly and half of it was pulled up, leaving tendrils surrounding her perfect face.
“Hi, babe,” she said cheerfully, completely unaware of how she could make the world stop.
“Wow,” I whispered.
My mother gave me a gentle shove, and somehow my feet began to move as I walked over to her. I grabbed her hands and gave them each a kiss.
“You look very handsome,” she said.
“You look…” I shook my head. “Unreal.”
She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. At twenty-six weeks pregnant, her bump was on full display and her face just radiated. She smiled up at me through her mascara-coated lashes that brought out her hazel eyes that looked more green today.
“I should get out there,” she said, tearing her eyes away from mine and looking over to my mother, who was watching from afar with a teary smile.
Gabriella walked toward her and handed her the bouquet, which completed the look.
“I’ll see you out there,” she squealed, pulling my mother in for a hug and giving me a grin before walking out the door.
A few minutes later, I could hear the organ begin to play, giving us our cue. I held my arm out for my mother, and she took it gently. We made our way to the doors of the church and she took a deep breath.
“I’m so happy for you, Mom,” I whispered.
“Thank you, honey,” she whispered back, blinking back tears.
The doors to the church opened, and we began our walk down the aisle where Greg waited excitedly, Nathan at his side, and Gabriella across from him. The few guests turned and smiled when they saw my mother. They had wanted a small ceremony with only close friends and family. This was such a big moment with everyone I loved here. My heart was full.
The ceremony was short and sweet, and hearing my mother’s vows to Greg and his to her was just a testament to their love. He had loved her fiercely for the past twenty-four years, accepting all of her, the good and the broken, wholeheartedly. He had accepted me, too. My mother and I were a package deal that was broken when he first met us, but he stuck around for the long haul. I was sorry it took me so long to see it, but better late than never.
Every so often I would lock eyes with Gabriella across the way, who clutched a smaller bouquet and looked even more stunning under the lights of the church. Getting to witness this union between my mother and Greg with her made it all the more special. I could see she was getting choked up, and I just couldn’t wait to pull her into my arms once the “I dos” were said.
After the ceremony, I had my driver take my mom and Greg to the restaurant where the reception was being held. I made sure the car was decorated with aJust Marriedsign and ribbons. Gabriella and I watched, hand in hand, as the car took them away and surrounding traffic honked their horns in congratulations.
“How do you feel?” asked Gabriella, leaning her head on my shoulder.
“Happy,” I said.
“Good,” she whispered.
“Are you two ready to get the party started or what?” asked Nathan, walking up behind us.
I laughed and shook my head, wondering when my studious brother became so “fun.”
“I’m ready to be drunk off cake and sparkling cider,” said Gabriella, doing a little shimmy.
