Kenzie bolted upright in her sleeping bag and nudged Jillian, who was sleeping next to her. She groaned slightly before opening her eyes. Cheyenne sat up quickly as well and immediately went into a panic.
“I can’t believe we only have six hours!” she exclaimed, as though she were turning into a Bridezilla. “Will we have time to do everything?!”
“Calm down,” Jillian said as she stood up and stretched. “Six hours is plenty of time for me. Plus, think of all the money you’re saving by not hiring some ‘professional’ to do your hair and makeup. You have me!”
“Trust me,” Kenzie added as she also got to her feet, “Jill’s the best. You’ll be looking like a movie star when she’s done with you. In fact, we all will.”
Not wasting any more time, the three got dressed in casual clothes until it was time for them to put on their formal attire. Jillian whipped up some quick breakfast while Cheyenne called her parents and sisters. Kenzie called the rest of the guys to make sure they were up and ready to go as well. Tracie called the caterer and photographer while Glenn called the videographer and minister. Everything was ready to go, but it would still take time to properly set things up.
Austin hadn’t been able to choose only one best man, so he’d insisted that both Isaiah and Hayden do the honors. But before they could do that, they had to help set up. They were already at the park setting up chairs with lilac-colored bows on the backs while a few other workers positioned the flowers and arch and decorated the gazebo. Kenzie couldn’t wait to see it.
Still, as she ate, she could tell that Cheyenne was still a little nervous about her wedding night. But she knew Austin better than anyone – he wouldn’t judge Cheyenne. He’d love her after tonight as much as he did now. She was positive of that.
As soon as they finished eating, Tracie, Shannon, and Charlene arrived to help with the dressing process. Shannon insisted on waiting to dress Abbey until the last minute just in case she spilled something on her cute little flower girl dress.
When the time came, the ladies took turns having their makeup done and hair fixed by Jillian. She was so talented, she’d even be able to fix her own hair without it looking ridiculous. Kenzie couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so dressed up, but she was happy that it was for a special day like today.
After each woman had their makeup and hair done (everyone had lilac-colored flowers put in their hair to match the theme, including the bride), they took turns getting dressed in the bathroom or bedroom. Cheyenne was the final touch. When she emerged from her bedroom wearing her beautiful wedding gown (she’d insisted on wearing her mother’s; it was considered a family heirloom though it had gone through a few altercations over the years), everyone had to hold back tears so they didn’t smear their makeup. That was especially difficult for Tracie to do when she hugged her daughter warmly.
In keeping with tradition, the dress was “something old,” and Cheyenne was wearing her gifted jewelry as the “something new.” Her “something blue” was a garter hidden on her thigh, and her “something borrowed” was her oldest sister’s pair of white high heels. She was ready as she’d ever be.
At last, it was time to go to the park. Guests were already seated and the ushers were still escorting more to empty chairs. Piano music lightly played in the background from some hidden speakers and the decorations made the place look like something out of a fairy tale. Kenzie felt jealousy come back, but it had nothing to do with who the event was for – it was the event itself. When would it ever be her turn?
But today wasn’t a day to focus on herself. She just waited anxiously for the wedding march song to begin playing. The minister was at his place under the heart-shaped flowered arch and the two best men were standing on his left in their tuxes that made them look even more handsome. Kenzie was relieved that Isaiah seemed to have found plenty of vampiric sunscreen so he didn’t burn to a crisp during this special occasion.
An older gentleman who Kenzie presumed to be Cheyenne’s dad came up to her and hugged her as warmly as her mother had. “I’m so proud of you,” Glenn said kindly yet sadly. “I love you, and you’ll always be my baby girl.”
“I know, Daddy. I love you too.”
Just then, the wedding march began to play. Austin was at his place, looking handsome and excited. Shannon stooped down and urged Abbey forward with her basket of flowers. Guests turned their heads to watch as the toddler slowly made her way down the covered aisle, looking shy and unsure.
Still, she didn’t falter as she picked up handfuls of petals and tossed them on the ground. Her father, who was sitting in the front row, beckoned her closer to him and then held her when she reached her destination.
Then, it was the maid of honor’s turn. Tracie fought back sniffles as she held her head high and walked down the same aisle her granddaughter had just tossed petals on. When she reached the middle of the aisle, Shannon and Charlene began walking, Kenzie and Jillian following right behind them. Kenzie tried to ignore the countless eyes that seemed to be following her and she also hoped her butt didn’t look too big in her bridesmaid dress.
Then, when the four bridesmaids reached the front of the aisle, which was right in front of the gazebo beneath a heart-shaped arch, everyone stood up and faced the bride. Her father held her tightly with the crook of his elbow, and Cheyenne smiled as she clutched her bouquet. The two slowly made their way down the aisle as the wedding march continued to play.
Kenzie saw Austin beam when he saw his bride in her beautiful dress. In that moment, it was as though he and she were the only two people in the world. And they were just starting to embark on their lives together.
When Cheyenne and Glenn reached the altar at last, the rest of the crowd sat down and the minister began.
“Who gives this woman to this man?” he asked.
“Her mother and I do,” Glenn replied as he placed his daughter’s hand in Austin’s. He then stepped aside and sat down next to his other son-in-law.
“We’re gathered here to join two lives in holy matrimony,” the minister continued. “It’s a very special and beautiful thing when two souls meet and it’s obvious that they’re destined for each other. That’s why we call them soul mates. It’s a wonderful thing to want to share every part of your life with someone else. The good things, the bad, the joys, the burdens. When you manage to find that one person you want to spend the rest of your life with, it’s magic.”
Eyes were getting less dry as the minister gave his speech, the bride and groom’s fingers intertwined as all eyes gazed upon them.
“Some may call it luck,” the minister continued, “while some may call it destiny. But whatever you call it, true love and soul mates are two things that aren’t always easy to find in this world. Today, we witness the bonding of two people who managed to find both – Austin Crowley and Cheyenne Baker.”
The minister then turned to Austin and asked, “Austin, do you take Cheyenne, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to honor and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“And Cheyenne, do you take Austin, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to honor and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or worse, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“At this time,” the minister said, “Austin and Cheyenne would like to pledge their vows.”
Austin faced Cheyenne and placed her hand to his lips. He looked tenderly and lovingly into her eyes and he said with the utmost confidence and sincerity, “Cheyenne, when I first met you, I never thought you’d be my soul mate. I thought we’d be great friends who had a lot in common. I have no regrets about taking you on that one fateful date that led us down this path. We haven’t known each other as long as some other couples, but to me, that’s fate. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life than I am about us. You’re my soul mate, and I don’t need years to know that. I love you now and I will for the rest of our lives.”
Cheyenne’s eyes welled up with tears as she smiled at Austin. Kenzie felt her own heart skip a beat. Then Cheyenne recited her vow.
“Austin, the first time I saw you, I have to admit that I never thought you’d be the one for me. You just seemed so different from me except for your love of horses. But I guess that’s why it’s said that opposites attract. I still can’t believe that someone as special and talented as you loves someone seemingly ordinary like me. That makes me the luckiest woman in the world. I love you, Austin. Thank you for making my dreams come true.”
As the couple smiled at each other, the minister nodded at Isaiah and Hayden. Each one presented him with a different ring – one for Austin, one for Cheyenne.
“Austin,” the minister said as he handed him Cheyenne’s lovely ring that he’d used to propose to her with, “place this ring on Cheyenne’s finger, and say, ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’”
“With this ring, I thee wed.”
“Now Cheyenne,” the minister said as he placed Austin’s ring in her fingers, “you place this ring on Austin’s finger, and say, ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’”
“With this ring, I thee wed.”
“You may now kiss the bride.”
Austin and Cheyenne gazed into each other’s eyes once more before sealing their love with a kiss. A few “awww”s echoed through the crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the minister announced, “I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Crowley.”
The crowd stood up and cheered as Austin led Cheyenne back down the aisle through his elbow, both newlyweds beaming with pride. They were followed out by their family and friends, still cheering and several crying.
The reception was taking place at Cheyenne’s parents’ house. They’d insisted on hosting it there to save money on reserving a public place. Kenzie expected the newlyweds to take a limo to the house, or even a car, but Austin broke out another surprise – he led Cheyenne toward a carriage with her beloved horse Clover in the front. He announced that he’d be escorting his wife to the reception in a romantic horse-drawn carriage. The crowd cheered and Cheyenne’s eyes glistened with tears of joy.
The crowd cheered once more as Clover galloped off toward the Bakers’ home, which was only a couple of blocks away. The rest of the guests followed suit.
The reception went smoothly. First, the toasts were held. Families and friends expressed their congratulations to the happy couple and wished them well. The bridesmaids and best men also made some toasts. When the toasts were finished, Austin and Cheyenne both held the knife as they cut their wedding cake. Then they each fed each other the first bite of the cake before the rest of the guests formed a line and helped themselves.
After the cake, it was time for the wedding dance. It was beautiful seeing the newlyweds glide across the dance floor, smiling at each other happily. Kenzie was relieved that she actually had a date to dance with for the occasion. She didn’t want to feel out of place.
After the reception, Austin and Cheyenne posed for the photographer for professional pictures. There was a lovely background set up for the photo shoot, and there was no mistaking the bliss in the bride’s and groom’s eyes as the camera snapped away.
Once it was finished, Cheyenne threw the bouquet into the crowd of eager female guests and Austin followed suit with the blue garter.
Then, it was time to bid the newlyweds farewell for their honeymoon. Austin then sprung another surprise, saying that his car was at his house, and he and Cheyenne would take Clover to get there. So he helped hoist his bride onto her beloved companion.
Everyone waved goodbye to the happy couple as they embarked on the new chapter of their lives. A new adventure was just beginning and only time would tell what it held.
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