You're My Best Friend

Chapter 19

Caroline pridefully admired herself in her bedroom mirror. Her ivory dress hung delicately off of her curves and the natural light from her bedroom window caused the jeweled embellishments on her bodice to give off an ethereal glow. It was incredible how wearing one dress could make a woman look so perfect. She had tried the gown on a number of times before, for the fittings and alterations, but today, her actual wedding day, everything seemed all the more perfect.

Part of this newfound admiration had come from her own confidence, the duchess had noted. "You have always been such a happy child" she said, tying one of the last strings on the dress, "but I don't believe I have ever seen you this happy before."

"Truthfully, mother," Caroline slid her hand along the side of her gown, feeling the soft silk, "I am more nervous than I am happy."

"I would be more surprised if you weren't" the duchess said, "Getting married is simultaneously the scariest and most rewarding thing an adult can do. There you are." Caroline felt her mother tie one last bow right above the small of her back.

"This is beautiful, but very hard to breath in." Caroline said, trying to adjust her back without creasing the dress.

"That makes taking it off later all the more rewarding" the duchess teased.

Caroline felt heat rush to her cheeks, "Mother!" she scolded.

They had had the talk just a few nights before, not that Caroline had really needed it. She and her sisters had paid off one of the servants to tell them about the pleasures of romances just a few years ago. Despite having this knowledge, Caroline couldn't help but feel awkward when she and her mother were forced to talk about the subject.

Caroline watched her mother rub a tear off of her eye, "I cannot believe my little girl is getting married"

"You've still got three more children to wed, you don't have to be so sentimental" Caroline spoke bluntly, if only to keep herself from crying too.

"Yes, but you are my youngest daughter, and in a selfish way, I never thought you'd leave."

Caroline didn't answer. In her heart she knew that whatever her mother was saying now was more important to listen to than respond.

"It's not that I never thought you'd get married" her mother shook her head, "Not at all. It's simply that when I look at you I see the same little girl who always puts others before herself. And now looking at you, I see what a beautiful young woman you have become. How soon enough you'll have your own responsibilities to take care of Servants to care for, and potentially your own children."

Caroline must have unknowingly made a terrified face, because her mother seemed to change her statement. "It seems scary in theory, but I assure you womanhood is quite interesting. You get to see love in action. And above all womanly duties..." the duchess smiled, "you will always be our little girl"

Caroline reached for her mother's hand and squeezed it tightly, "I love you so much"

"You make me proud with everything you do" Her mother whispered back.

"Are you ready?" Caroline rested her arm within the crook of her father's. They had made it to the church early, since she could guarantee that Geoffrey's family would be perfectly punctual. It was only quarter til 11 when they arrived, and although she was shooed away for tradition's sake, she could hear Geoffrey and his family filing in just a few moments later. After a few moments of sitting alone, Caroline was fetched by her father.

"You're asking me that?" the duke replied, rather surprised.

"I just remember you being so tense when Amelia married Robert" Caroline asked

The duke laughed, "Your sister's husband and I have a very... different relationship than the one I have with Geoffrey. Now are you ready?' the duke patted Caroline's hand

She couldn't respond verbally, something had overtaken her. It wasn't dread. No. Caroline believed it must have been excitement. Caroline simply nodded.

She kept her eyes only on Geoffrey as she walked down the aisle. He hadn't turned his head, she noticed, until she was halfway down the aisle. Once they locked eyes, Caroline felt as if she was alone with him. She had nearly tripped up the step as her father gave her over to Geoffrey. Caroline let out a nearly silent, "Whoops"

Geoffrey extended his hand to her. "I can't let you fall," he whispered.

The moment their hands touched Caroline felt every part of her body tingle. Heaven had blessed their union. She realized in that second-despite it being so brief- that she had fulfilled her love plan. She hadn't hid her love. She let the whole world know that she and Geoffrey were in love. And even better than that, she would marry-no was- marrying her best friend.

Caroline and Geoffrey glided through their vows, promising faithfulness and other virtuous intentions. It took only two more phrases and then they would be together forever.

"Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest asked

Caroline looked deeply into her soon to be husband's face, watching him say, "I do"

She listened to the priest repeat the same words to her. Sacrilegiously, she wished he would hurry up with his words, so that she may vow herself to Geoffrey's union. She let out a satisfied yet quiet breath when the priest finished.

"I do" She answered confidently.