Chapter 108: The Main Event

Saturday dawned dreary and gray. Not a good omen, Hath thought. But, she shrugged off the negative thoughts and was downstairs a little before six.

“Morning, honey,” her mother said as she came into the kitchen. “How are you feeling this morning?”

“Good,” Hath answered. “Happy.” Her stomach growled. “And hungry,” she laughed.

The doorbell rang and Hath opened it to find Ang and Nate on the doorstep. Ang raised the camera and snapped a picture, and Hath slapped her. “What the hell are you doing here so early?” she asked indignantly.

“I am taking your picture, silly girl,” Ang answered, breezing past. “Do I smell bacon?”

Nathan rolled his eyes and followed Ang in. He was carrying two garment bags, and a small case. “Guess you guys are getting ready here?” Hath said, leaning in to kiss Nathan’s cheek.

“Looks like,” he answered. “How’re you doing?” He yawned widely.

“I’m great. Let’s go eat, and get you some coffee.”

They all tucked into a hearty breakfast, then Hath disappeared to take a shower. When she came out, scrubbed pink and wrapped in a towel, there was a knock on the door. “You decent?” Ang asked.

“Yeah, but if you take my picture I’m gonna kill you.”

Ang laughed from the other side of the door. “Never mind then,” she said and walked away.

Shaking her head, Hath got her makeup on, slipped into a dressing gown, and combed out her hair. In her room, the room that she grew up in, Hath sat at her vanity and stared at her reflection. Her mother appeared behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. “You alright, sweetheart?” her mother asked.

“Mom, I don’t think I’ve ever been this nervous in my entire life,” she answered. “I mean, there are so many things that could go wrong.”

“Do you love him?”

Hath nodded and sighed. “With my whole heart and soul.”

“Does he love you?”

Hath nodded again. “More than life, so he says.”

“Then there is nothing you can’t overcome,” Pauline said. “Nothing the two of you can’t conquer. Now,” she said, picking up the blow dryer. “Let me do your hair.” Hath closed her eyes as the warmth of the blow dryer paired with the gentle tugging of the brush through her hair soothed her. When she opened her eyes, she saw the sun peeking though the clouds. A good omen if ever there was one.

Hath saw a flash behind her eyes, and opened them to find Ang standing there, dressed in a gorgeous blue gown, holding her camera. “You look beautiful,” Hath told her. “Just amazing.”

Ang dropped a sassy curtsy. “Well thank you, ma’am,” she said and snapped another pic.

“You up there?” Hath’s sister-in-law called up the stairs.

“Sure am, Sue, come on up!” Sue was in a woman’s tux, the floor-length skirt slit up one side to mid-thigh, and the low-necked blouse tucked neatly into the Taz cummerbund that she and David had picked out. It added just the right touch of whimsy to the day. The fitted jacket emphasized her tiny waist. “Oh, you look great!” Hath said, and she got up to embrace her sister-in-law. Ang snapped another picture.

“You ready for this?” Sue asked.

“As ready as I can be,” Hath answered.

Pauline set Hath’s hair with fat hot rollers, and went to the closet to take out her gown. “You ready for this now?” she asked. Hath nodded. She dropped the dressing gown, revealing a strapless white bra, white panties and hose, and a white garter belt. A power blue garter rested high on her thigh.

Hath shot a warning look at Ang. “Don’t you dare,” she said and stuck her tongue out. Ang laughed and put the camera down to help get the gown over Hath’s head.

The white chiffon draped her body beautifully, held up by thin straps. The chiffon crisscrossed at her breasts, and looped around to the back, where a loose tie was formed. The rest of the fabric fell from under her breasts to the floor in a gentle cascade, and a small train at the back would flow behind her when she walked. Sitting, she strapped on the gold sandals she had worn for David’s birthday, and put on her jewelry. Elegant pearls graced her throat, and dainty pearl-drop earrings fell from each of the piercings in her ears.

Pauline had Hath sit again at the vanity, and removed the rollers, causing fat, glossy curls to cascade down around her shoulders. She tugged on a few to lengthen them, but otherwise left them alone. Sue came up behind her, and put a headdress on Hath’s head. “Here is your something borrowed,” she said. This was the headpiece she had worn at her own wedding, and it was a gorgeous tiara with a gather of chiffon on the back that stretched to the floor.

Hath stood and turned around, showing the finished bride to the room. “I’m ready,” she said.

Her mother had tears in her eyes. “You look so beautiful,” she said, touching Hath’s abdomen, shoulder, then cheek. “I am so proud of you,” she said. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Mom,” Hath answered, and the two women embraced, and Ang captured the moment forever.

The women trooped downstairs, Ang going first, so she could capture the look on Hath’s dad’s face when he saw his daughter. When Hath rounded the corner, her dad sucked in a breath. “Oh, Hath, you look beautiful,” he said, tears shining in his eyes. He embraced his daughter, his little girl, and leaned back to look at her. “If he ever hurts you, I will kill him,” he said quietly.

“I know, Daddy,” Hath answered. “Thanks.”

They went outside to take pictures, and to wait for the limo. They didn’t have to wait long, and took several more posed shots with the car in the background. Sue leaned into the car and pulled out the bouquets and handed the big one to Hath. It was a cascade of white roses, a full two feet long, and was incredibly heavy. Several more pictures taken, they all climbed into the car, Mom and Dad, Ang and Nathan, Sue and Hath, and set off for Hillstone College.