Spotlight

37

Sarah stands in her childhood bedroom, looking at herself in the mirror sitting atop her old desk. With her hair and makeup already taken care of, she awaits her Mom to help her put on the wedding dress that Tanner created for her.

The bedroom door opens and her Mom walks inside, smiling widely as she does. "I still can't believe that my little girl is getting married today."

Sarah smiles. "I'm still kind of in shock myself. Can you help me put on my dress? I can do the buttons but Tanner also sewed in a zipper as back up and I'm not certain I'm flexible enough to do that up."

"Of course."

Sarah removes the white dress from its hanger and hook before dropping it down low enough so that she can step into it. She feels her Mom's hands go to work on doing up the zipper and then the decorative buttons at the back of it all the while shaking as she fights back emotions.

"You look so beautiful, Sarah." She turns around and hugs her Mom, "I love you, Mom."

"I love you, too. I almost forgot I have something for you. I'll be right back." Pam leaves the room and returns a few minutes later with a box in her hand. "I know that Abby has your Grandmother's ring so that takes care of the old, and that your band it takes care of the new, that garter takes care of the blue, and this will take care of the something borrowed." Pam opens the box and reveals a necklace. "Your father gave this to me on our wedding day and I'm sure that he'd love nothing more than to see his daughter wear it on hers."

Sarah looks at it, "Why have I never seen this before?"

"It's been in my drawer for safe keeping; I usually only wear it on special occasions and today is definitely one of those."

"Will you put it on me?"

Pam nods and Sarah turns around so that her Mom can replace the slim gold chain she is currently wearing with the borrowed one. Sarah reaches up and runs her hand over the pendant, a little golden heart. "It's beautiful, Mom."

"Your Father and I have had many loving, happy years together and today marks the day that you and Abby will start your life together. I wish you the same happiness and love and ..." Sarah wraps her arms around her crying Mother, "It's okay, everything will be okay."

Pam retreats from her daughter's hold and takes in the sight off her, "I'm so proud of you and I can't wait to be able to announce to everyone that you're married to an equally, beautiful and talented woman whom I'll soon get to call my daughter as well."

Sarah smiles and nods, "I know. I can't wait for the day to come when I'm no longer contractually bound to follow someone else's narrative for me and announce to the world, that I'm married to the love of my life."

"It's ridiculous that in the interest of money they control your movements both personally and professionally."

"I agree and hopefully very soon, things will get better; right now, I'm choosing to focus on the fact that there's a gorgeous, golden-haired woman in a hotel room not so far away who owns my heart and today is our day and no one is going to take it away from us. I promised Abby that when we exchanged rings, it would be with no hesitations, no distractions, nothing but love, honour and respect and I plan on keeping that promise not only to her, but to myself as well."

Pam smiles and nods. "Are you okay if I head to the facility now to ensure that your father is dressed and ready to accompany you down the aisle?"

Sarah nods, "Tanner should be here anytime to help with the final touches and deliver my earrings."

Pam kisses her cheek, "We'll see you shortly then." She steps back and takes in the sight of her daughter in a wedding dress once more before taking her leave.