| Chapter 20: Wedding Bells Are Ringing The morning almost flew by. Lauralee, her mother, grandmother, Aunt Charlene, Bianca and Elizabeth all got their hair done by Angelo, the girls’ hairstylist and make-up artist, along with his assistants. After that, Lauralee, Elizabeth and Bianca headed to Laura’s house. Alex and the guys were at Nick’s house getting ready with Kevin. “See you at the church!” Lauralee waved to her family as the limousine pulled away. The girls walked in to find Laura nervously sitting in the living room as Angelo was putting the finishing touches in her make-up. “Girl, if you don’t stop fidgeting,” Angelo waved his finger at her. “Can’t help it,” Laura sat stiffly. “Hey girls!” “Hey,” Bianca smiled. “We’d hug you, but we’re afraid of Angelo.” “Ha-ha, Bi,” Angelo rolled his eyes. Laura motioned to upstairs. “Why don’t you guys go and get changed and I’ll meet you up there. Everyone’s already changed.” The girls went to one of the guest bedrooms and changed into their dresses. Lauralee and the girls looked in the large mirrors against the wall. The dresses were gorgeous as each of them had a different hairstyle. Elizabeth’s hair was half up with spiral curls that framed her face. Bianca had her hair in a French twist with pieces of hair in front. Lauralee had her hair pulled back all wild and spiky. They each wore a necklace that had a white gold ball with diamonds all around; it was Laura’s gift to all of the bridesmaids. “Wow, thank you Vera Wang,” Bianca sighed. “We should be those triplets that sing on the guitars,” Elizabeth smiled. “Oh I don’t think so,” Lauralee laughed. They heard a knock on the door and in popped Sarah. “Lau, Laura’s waiting for you to help her change.” “OK, I’ll be right there,” Lauralee picked up the edge of her dress and went to Laura’s room. She knocked at the door. “Laura?” “Come in.” Lauralee walked in as Laura was holding her dress and laughing. “Damn this thing is heavy!” Lauralee laughed. “Come on, I’ll help you. After all it is my job.” Lauralee helped her step into the dress and zipped it up. It was similar to the bridesmaids’ dresses; white satin with a tank-type fitted bodice and a skirt that flared out. She then helped her into her veil, which was simple toule with a diamond headband. Laura turned around and looked in the mirror. Lauralee stood behind her and put her hands on Laura’s shoulders. “Laura, you are breathtaking.” “Thanks,” Laura patted her hands and turned around. “One thing would make this moment perfect.” Lauralee nodded. “That Veronica was here?” Laura eyes welled up with tears. “Honestly I would have to have 2 maids of honor if she was. You think… you think she’s here, you know, watching over us?” “Everyday. I think that Veronica is our guardian angel. She’s probably looking down and smiling at you right now.” “I’ve been thinking about her for the past week, with everything that’s been going on. I keep picturing her everywhere: at the shower and the party. It’s like she still hasn’t left.” Lauralee looked at her with tears in her eyes. “We just gotta think of all the good times. That’s what I do if I’m sad about her or my dad. I picture a good time we had, some kind of memory that’ll make me laugh instead of cry.” Laura nodded with her eyes closed. “Lau, I know I’ve been saying this all this time, but I want to thank you.” “For what?” “For all of this. Kevin, Elegance, you started this all for me. You truly are my best friend.” Lauralee hugged her tightly. “Always and forever.” Laura dabbed at her face. “OK, let’s get me married!” ~*~ Lauralee and the rest of the bridesmaids were first in the limousine as Laura and her father followed them. She finally saw the church as she stepped out. It was very simple and very secluded, as Laura and Kevin didn’t want to attract attention to any press. There were no houses around and they had to turn down a couple of back roads just to get to the church. Lauralee soon saw Colin, the wedding planner, running towards them with a headset on. “Hello ladies, would you please follow me?” Colin said as he led them to a separate room towards the front. Laura joined them, her father by her side. They all giggled like little girls as they heard the music starting a few minutes later. “OK places everyone!” Colin clapped his hands together as he helped the girls line up. Lauralee appeared last in the line, Laura and her father behind her. She saw Alex a few places ahead of her, looking strange in his black tuxedo, but more handsome than she had ever seen him. Alex turned around and sucked in his breath at the sight of her. “You’re beautiful,” he mouthed to her as he stood in his place. Lauralee blew a kiss to him. The music played as the doors opened and the bridesmaids began to file out. Laura’s cousins, Angela, Celina and Rosemarie, were escorted by Kevin’s friend, Adam, Howie and Alex. Bianca was escorted by Nick, Elizabeth by Brian. They closed the doors, as Lauralee was to walk out alone. The best man, Kevin’s brother, was by his side already. The music changed as Lauralee stood in front of the doors and Colin was fluffing her dress up. With a quick hug to Laura, Lauralee smiled as Colin opened the doors. Lauralee held her bouquet of periwinkle and white lilies in front of her and began to walk. It was the first time she had seen the church and she almost gasped at the sight of it. Candles were lit all over the place, with sprigs of blue and white flowers along the isles and at the front were large arrangement of white flowers at the altar. The preacher stood next to Kevin and the best man, Kevin’s brother. Kevin had a look of fear and pride as he stood there. She also saw Alex give her a wink. Lauralee looked at the isles, noticing her family. Her mother had tears in her eyes; Charlene, Jerry and Catherine smiled as Dominic gave her a slight wave. She saw Celia next to them, mouthing “You look great.” Lauralee winked in their direction as she came up to the altar and faced the onlookers. The familiar bridal march strummed through the organ as Kevin smiled broadly. Laura and her father walked down the isle, with Laura looking straight at Kevin and smiling. She came up to the front pew, kissed her mother on the cheek and stood up to the altar with her father. “Who gives this woman in marriage?” The preacher asked. “Her mother and I do,” Laura’s father smiled as he kissed Laura on the cheek and led her to Kevin. The preacher started the ceremony as Kevin and Laura gave each other sideways glances. Lauralee looked on with the girls as all had tears in their eyes. Lauralee did her job as she held Laura’s bouquet for the vows. “At this time, Kevin and Laura have decided to give their own vows,” the preacher said. Kevin cleared his throat. “Laura, today I take you as my wife, my best friend, my companion for the rest of my life. I promise to always be true to you, to comfort you, to heal you, to be there for you and to love you. This I promise today, in front of our family, friends and God. Amen.” Laura dabbed her eyes. “Kevin, today I take you as my husband, my best friend, my companion for the rest of my life. I promise to always be true to you, to comfort you, to heal you, to be there for you and to love you. This I promise today, in front of our family, friends and God. Amen.” They exchanged rings and went to light the wedding candle. They stepped back as the preacher held his hands up in the air and everyone bowed their heads. “Lord, bless this couple as they have vowed to be joined before You and all of these witnesses in Your house. Let them take God into their hearts, their marriage and their children. Amen.” “Laura and Kevin, you have exchanged rings, made your vows, and lit the candle of marriage. What God has put together let no man put asunder. Now, by the power vested in me, by God and the state of Florida, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The preacher stepped back as Laura and Kevin shared a passionate kiss, followed by ringing applause. Lauralee let the tears flow from her eyes as Kevin and Laura sealed their marriage. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Scott Richardson.” The concluding music played as Kevin and Laura walked arm in arm down the isle, followed by Lauralee and Kevin’s brother and the rest of the bridal and groom’s party. “You did it girl!” Lauralee went up to Laura and enveloped her in a hug. She gave Kevin a hug. “I guess you’re now a Elegance member-in-law!” “Not quite,” Kevin laughed as he hugged Lauralee back. “Thank you Lau. For everything.” Lauralee responded with a kiss on the cheek as she followed them to witness the signing of their marriage license. The group stood for pictures as the rest of the churchgoers looked on and cheered as Laura and Kevin came out. They threw birdseed at them as they went into the limousine. Kevin rolled down the window and kissed Laura as the people cheered and waved as the limousine drove away. Sandy and the rest of Lauralee’s family came up to her and gave her a hug. “You were wonderful!” Sandy said. “I agree,” Jerry nodded. “I’ve never seen you look so… elegant!” Catherine said laughing. “Forgive the pun.” “You look stunning,” Charlene smiled. “Thanks everyone,” Lauralee smiled as her eyes were covered and a voice whispered into her ear. “How’s the most beautiful maid of honor in the world?” Lauralee laughed as she turned around and hugged Alex. “I could say the same.” “Yes I do feel quite dapper,” Alex said in an English accent as he tugged his lapel. “Everyone ready to party?” “The question is will they be ready for our present,” Lauralee winked and nodded to the path where the limousine once stood. Chapter 21 Contents Chapter 19 |