Sands Of Time

Welcome Home

  I sat before the mirror and took a steadying breath. "Nervous?" Julieta said over my shoulder as she and Pepa worked to put my hair into an intricate braided bun laced with white ribbon.

  "Of course she is." Pepa laughed. "She is finally getting the day she waited ten years for." I watched their fingers tug and twist my long hair into shape as Isabela sat on Abuela's bed waiting for her Madre and Tía to finish. It felt a little strange, getting ready for my wedding in Alma's room. After everything we had been through, Bruno and I had decided that having the wedding at Casita would be better. When I had arrived, I had peaked out under the blanket that the sisters had thrown over me. They were laughing and play-scolding Bruno for trying to see his bride before the wedding when they shuffled me by. The chuckles of two men met my ears outside of the joyful giggles of the sisters. I didn't see much outside of two pairs of black dress shoes and the hems of black dress pants. Though, one had multi-colored socks peeking out and the other had green.

  I felt Isabela's magic tickle against my scalp as she wove little white baby's breath buds into the braids and around the bun. Above my right ear she grew a green flor de mayo. Julieta slid the comb that held the vail into my hair and stepped back with a smile. "Te ves preciosa." I stood up to give my soon to be cuñadas and sobrina, the biggest hugs I could manage.

  "Thank you, so much." They smiled and then walked to the staircase.

  "De nada, cariño. We will see you downstairs." Julieta said as she and her daughter walked down to the sitting area and out the door. Before Pepa could leave, I spoke up with a wink.

  "You know what to do." She smiled big and winked back before following her family out of Alma's room.

  I turned back to the mirror for one more check. The dress still fit perfectly, even after all this time. I traced my fingertips over the hourglass embroidery and smiled to myself. I picked up the flowers that Isabela had made for me to hold and fiddled with my ring a little. The tiles on the floor nearby clacked happily and I giggled. I looked my reflection in the eye and took a deep breath. "I can do this, I can do this."

  My feet carried me down the steps to the inside of Alma's door. The glow from the wood washed over me and I got a feeling that everything was just as it should be. I waited for Casita to open the door for me, knowing that it would once everyone was in place downstairs. I heard the click of the doorknob and watched as the door slowly opened before me. The gentle music drifted up from the courtyard as I stepped down from the doorway.

  -..Can't change what the future may hold, but I want you in it..-

  Agustín stood next to me with his arm held out. As my father couldn't be here to walk me down the aisle, he offered to do so in his stead. I placed my hand on his arm and we descended the center staircase.

  -..But it's clear now, when you're standing here now..-

  Everyone stood on ether side of the courtyard as we slowly made our way down. The tiles had flipped to reveal the red side with the golden butterflies once we hit the last step.

  -..And all my life I promise to, keep running home to you..-

  I looked forward down the aisle as my foot reached the floor and saw him standing next to Father Nicholas. He had a black vest on that sat perfectly over his thin frame and the sleaves of the white dress shirt, for a change, were not rolled up to his elbows. Isabela had put the same green flor de mayo in the brest pocket of his vest to match mine. His hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and he had shaved to give himself that mustache and goatee look he knew I liked on him. When he saw me walking up with Agustín, his eyes grew wide and the smile he already wore trippled in size. It was as if he were seeing me for the first time again.