It was suddenly ideal weather, a perfect afternoon for a wedding, she realized, with a bright blue sky and a soft, cool breeze. With the help of the catering crew, and even some guests, the yard was soon set to rights. Folding chairs stood in neat rows again in front of the reconstructed, wisteria-covered arbor.
It slanted a bit to one side, but Daniel promised it was stable.
The tent had been raised and the tables underneath wiped down and set again with plates and glassware. The carefully chosen tablecloths had to be replaced, but Claire managed to find several good linen cloths with complementary colors and patterns that looked even more interesting and festive, Liza thought. There were far fewer guests so they didn’t need to worry about nearly as many tables.
Finally all was ready once again for the bride to walk down the aisle. The musicians returned to their post, and the guests began to find their seats again.
Liza went inside to find Jennifer and Kyle. On her last trip up to the bridal suite, Jennifer had been reapplying her makeup and pinning up her wet hair. Her mother and bridesmaids were drying her gown with several small hair dryers that Liza kept in the guest rooms.
The plan had worked beautifully. The gown looked hardly worse for the wear and even her veil had been rescued from the lawn.
She was such a beautiful girl, it would have been impossible for her to look anything other than ravishing. A heart full of love and joy is the best makeup in the world, Liza thought.
Kyle looked very handsome in a black tuxedo, gray vest, and silk tie. His family had brought along the entire wedding outfit in the hope that he would finally arrive. Now he had the distinction of being the only one in totally dry, clean clothes.
The bride and groom were in the sitting room with Reverend Ben and both sets of parents. Liza felt as if she was walking in on a private conversation, but the door had been left open. “Everything’s ready,” she announced. “The guests are taking their seats again.”
“Wonderful,” Reverend Ben said. “We’ll be right out. Kyle wanted to speak to everyone first, though. He has something important to say.”
“I’ll just wait outside,” Liza offered, backing toward the door.
“No, that’s all right. You can stay, Liza. I want you to,” Kyle said. “I need to apologize to everyone, and I’ve certainly made your life difficult the last few days.”
That was certainly true, though Liza didn’t want to admit it. Before she could say anything, Kyle continued. “Mom and Dad, Frank and Sylvia, I want to apologize to all of you for disappearing the way I did. I’ve already explained this to Jennifer,” he said, glancing at his bride-to-be. “I probably shouldn’t have run off so dramatically. But I really needed to think some things through. Totally alone, too. I know it seemed crazy and even immature. But if I hadn’t done that, maybe I wouldn’t be here right now, ready to get married to the most wonderful, beautiful woman in the world.”
Jennifer shook her head, blushing at his lavish praise.
“I think you all know I was offered a position in New York, and it would be a big jump for me,” he went on. “I think you also know Jennifer and I had a big argument about moving there. What you don’t know is that we’ve figured it out and decided that I will take the job and we will make the move.” He turned to Jennifer and took her hand. “We’ll miss you all, but we’re excited to start our life together someplace new to both of us, a real adventure. We know this is a sudden change in plans and a bit of a shock. But we hope you can all wish us well and share in our excitement and happiness.”
He paused and looked at his parents first. They didn’t seem surprised, Liza thought. Kyle had probably told them about the job interviews so they expected this. His mother did look a little sad at the news, but Kyle’s father looked proud.
Then Kyle looked at Frank and Sylvia Bennet. Sylvia was forcing a smile but actually crying. She dabbed at her eyes with the edge of a tissue. “I guess my mascara didn’t have a chance today. I don’t know why I even bothered,” she murmured. She laughed a bit and everyone else did, too.
Jennifer sat beside her and put her arm around her mother’s shoulders. “Oh, Mom, I’m sorry. But Kyle and I talked it all out, and we think it’s the right thing to do. I’m sure of it.”
“Yes, I know, sweetheart.” Sylvia touched Jen’s cheek. “I’m just being selfish. I hate to lose you so . . . totally.”
Liza’s heart went out to her. It had to be hard to part with your beloved daughter, an only child no less, and send her off to a whole new life, out of your care. Jennifer’s marriage signaled a new stage in Sylvia’s life, too, Liza realized. In her shoes, Liza wasn’t sure she’d do any better.
“I won’t be dishonest and say I’m happy about this,” Sylvia continued. “But you’re a married woman now, or about to be. And you need to make your own decisions. You’re not my little girl anymore,” she admitted.
“Oh, Mom . . . as if there’s any chance of that ever happening,” Jen replied in a loving tone and gave her mother a squeeze.
Sylvia smiled at her. “Letting go is not my strong point, I know. I just want you to be happy. That is my strong point, don’t you think?”
“Absolutely. I know you’ll understand—once you have time to think about it. And we’ll be back up here all the time,” Jennifer promised. “And you can come down to New York and we’ll go shopping and—”
“More shopping? Your mother promised me that after this wedding she’d never go shopping again,” Frank piped up. “Isn’t that what you said, Sylvia?”
“Oh, Frank . . . ” Sylvia managed another small smile. “He’ll miss you, too, Jen. He’s just acting tough.”
“I will miss you, darling. With all my heart,” Frank told his daughter. “But being a parent is a long process of letting go. I figured that out a long time ago, from when you were a baby in my arms and suddenly crawling and stumbling and then running away from me. This is your life, yours and Kyle’s, and no one can tell you what to do. You need to make the decisions that feel right and live with the consequences. You both know that you’ll always have us, your family, to come home to if there’s ever a need. And may God bless both of you, wherever you go.”
Liza glanced at Reverend Ben. He seemed pleased but also ready to move the families on to the main event. “Well, if everyone’s ready now, I think we can go outside and take our places. Kyle . . . Jennifer . . . are you ready to get married?”
“Without a doubt,” Kyle answered for the both of them.
A few minutes later, a beautiful piece of classical music drifted over the garden, which was bathed in late-afternoon sunshine. Liza stood at the back of the seated guests alongside Claire, watching to make sure everything went smoothly.
Kyle stood up at the head of the aisle, flanked by Reverend Ben and his best man. The two flower girls drifted down first, sprinkling rose petals.
“Aren’t they adorable?” Claire said. “And no one is noticing the color of the petals,” she reminded Liza.
How true. How she worried about that for no reason.
Escorted by the groomsmen, the three lovely bridesmaids, Jennifer’s cousin Elena, her college roommate Carrie, and then her matron of honor, Megan, followed.
Finally, Jennifer came down the aisle on the arm of her father. Her expression was radiant with joy and a certain settled, peaceful air that made her look a bit older, Liza thought, and even more lovely.
Frank lifted his daughter’s veil, kissed her on the cheek and gave her a hug.
Then Kyle took Jennifer’s hand and led her to Reverend Ben. They turned and gazed into each other’s eyes. Liza knew then for certain that her aunt had been right—they loved each other truly and were meant to be together, for all time.
“Don’t they look perfect together?” Claire whispered.
“Yes, they do. It makes you hope that the legend of the island is true, and that all marriages performed here are forever blessed by angels,” Liza whispered back.
“Yes,” Claire agreed. “Especially this one.”
The couple read their vows, and the traditional prayers were said. Then Reverend Ben asked them to state their intentions and both answered in loud clear voices. “I do.”
Finally, Reverend Ben gazed down on them and said, “Kyle and Jennifer, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride,” he added with a small smile.
Kyle did not wait to be told twice. He pulled Jennifer close in a sweet, tender kiss while the crowd of happy guests—and even the catering crew, who was watching from the back rows—applauded.
“I love doing a wedding,” Molly told Liza as the couple came down the aisle. “It always gives me such a happy, romantic feeling. I want to just run home and hug my husband.”
Liza laughed at her.
“Don’t worry,” Molly added. “I’m going to stay until the last hurrah. I can always hug him later.”
Liza was grateful for that. Molly was so experienced and capable, Liza felt she didn’t have a thing to worry about from here on in. Now that the ceremony was over, a huge burden had been lifted, and it suddenly seemed possible that she could actually enjoy herself at this party.
The long wait and suspense before the ceremony had served to make the guests even more jubilant and joyful once the couple was officially wed. Daniel had been right, Liza realized. As long as there was music, good food and drink, and such a beautiful setting, the guests were happy to do the rest. Most of all, a beautiful bride and a handsome groom so much in love set the tone of the celebration.
Despite the storm’s havoc, the party was still lovely and elegant, Liza thought. Everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves as the party progressed from cocktails and appetizers to dinner and dancing.
The sun slowly sank into a rose and lavender sky and the glow of tiny white lights, strung through the wisteria and illuminating the tent, mixed with soft candlelight on each of the tables. It was an intimate setting for a small but lively group of close friends and family. The bride and groom and both of their families seemed genuinely happy. That’s what mattered most.
During a short break in the music, Frank Bennet raised his glass and began to make a toast, his wife looking on in quiet approval and affection.
“Sylvia and I are very grateful to all of you for coming from near and far to help us celebrate the marriage of Jennifer and Kyle. Words can’t express the fullness of my heart right now. I can only ask your help wishing this wonderful young couple great happiness and health and every blessing in their life together. To the bride and groom . . .” he concluded, raising his glass of Aunt Elizabeth’s wedding punch.
Everyone cheered and clinked their glasses. Liza had found a glass and raised it in the air as well. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, someone tapped a glass to hers.
“To the bride and groom. I wish them well.” She turned to see Daniel standing right next to her, sipping now from his cup. “Hmmm. This is good. One of Claire’s creations?”
“My aunt’s famous wedding punch,” Liza explained. She took a sip of her drink. It was good, a subtle blend of flavors. “I squeezed the oranges,” she added with a smile.
“Nicely done,” Daniel teased her. He peered into his glass. “I haven’t found one orange seed so far.”
“You have to be very detail-oriented when you run a wedding,” she explained.
“Oh, you excel at that, Liza, no question. So, are you pleased with the end result? The bride and groom had you jumping through hoops for a while,” he observed with a quiet laugh.
“They did, didn’t they? Flaming hoops, you might say. But here we are. Not bad, all things considered.”
“Not bad at all,” he agreed. “I’d say, all things considered, you’ve done a remarkable job.”
“Thanks, I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” Liza said. His compliments still meant a lot to her.
“I am enjoying myself, even though I’m crashing the party.”
“Don’t be silly. We need you here, in case anything collapses again,” she teased him. “Besides, you’ve been hearing me go on about it for weeks. You must feel like you know the couple as well as I do.”
“Well . . . not exactly. But almost,” he agreed. “So, as an unofficial guest, I have a question for you.”
“Yes?” Liza tipped her head back, catching his glance and wondering what this could be about.
“Would you dance with me?”
The question was surprising. The nicest surprise she’d had all day.
“I’d be happy to,” she said, trying hard not to show how happy she really was at the invitation.
He took her hand and led her to the dance floor, which had turned out, after all, to be the somewhat bumpy brick patio under the wisteria that had bloomed just in time for the party.
“So you went with the brick dance floor anyway. No hazard signs posted, I noticed.” He glanced around theatrically. “Dance at your own risk? No lifeguard on duty?”
“I did take out some extra insurance,” Liza confided with a grin.
“She thinks of everything.” He smiled and glanced down at her, then was suddenly quiet.
By some strange coincidence, the band was playing the very same song that Daniel had been humming the day that Sylvia had caught them on that very spot, pretending to be dancing.
She wondered if Daniel realized the serendipity of the moment. She glanced up at him, but she couldn’t tell. She still couldn’t remember the name of the song but that was not surprising. She could hardly remember her own name, distracted by his nearness and the feeling of his arms around her as they gently moved together to the music.
They danced without speaking. Liza was glad he didn’t try to talk to her. She didn’t really want to talk. She just wanted to focus on all the feelings and sensations of this moment and store them away in her memory.
She still felt so much for him. So much beyond mere friendship. It was going to be hard to let go of that. If she ever could.
When the song ended, Daniel stepped back. “Thank you, Liza. It was better with real music instead of my humming, don’t you think?”