Chapter 4
I stared at my reflection in the mirror and sighed deeply. The past three months had been a whirlwind of planning, organization and more planning. Now it all came down to this moment and neither of my brothers were anywhere in sight to help me get my stupid tie on right. That was never something I was any good at.
I sat down on the bed and ran my fingers through my hair a couple times trying to calm my nerves. I always dreamed of the day that I would marry Maria, and how perfect it would be. Now that it was here I was excited, but scared that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations for some reason.
There was a knock on the door and Zac popped his head it. “They’re about ready to start” he said then paused, “Are you okay man?”
“Yeah fine, just a little nervous” I admitted. “And I can’t seem to get this stupid tie on right” I added.
Zac entered the room and examined the problem, then started tying it correctly. “How come my little brother is helping with this?” I wondered out loud.
“Because you’ve got too many other things on your mind. Besides, I’m not so little anymore” he answered me. I just nodded my head. “I saw her, she looks beautiful” he said a moment later finishing up the knot.
“Thanks Zac” I said softly, looking him in the eye. “For everything.”
“Don’t mention it” he told me and started out the door. “You coming?” he asked looking back.
“Yeah, give me just a minute” I said. I took another long look in the mirror fixing a few flyaway hairs, and straightening my tux jacket. With that I took a deep breath and started out the door.
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The wedding was held on Maria’s parents’ vast property over looking the ocean. Maria had always wanted a small wedding at her home, and I was happy to go along with the plan. All I wanted was something simple, away from the attention of the media. I figured no tabloid crews could find their way out here.
I stood anxiously waiting, and watching Ike and Zac escort a friend and a cousin of Maria’s down the makeshift aisle. Butterfly’s rose in my stomach as I waited for her to come around the corner escorted by her father.
Then I saw her, and it hit me like a punch to the stomach taking my breath away. Zac was right; she was beautiful, even more than beautiful. She wore a simple, white sleeveless gown, with an empire waist and some beading along the neckline. Her hair, in soft waves, flowed over her shoulders, spilling onto her back. A short white veil was fastened to her head with rhinestone clips. She was the essence of beauty, and the feeling I felt watching her ascent toward me was indescribable.
Her father gave her away, and I took her by the hands. The smile on Maria’s face was enough to make me fall in love with her all over again. We repeated our simple vows to one another. Never before had a few simple words meant so much to me.
Before I knew it the minister pronounced us Taylor and Maria Hanson. The words hit me like a bolt of electricity. The time had finally arrived. I smiled and kissed my beautiful bride before heading back down the aisle with her.
“Was it as good as your dreams?” I whispered to Maria.
“It was better than my dreams. It was a reality, and that is worth so much more” she said softly. I couldn’t have agreed more.
