Shattering the Fairy Tale

Chapter 1

It was a picture of beauty and elegance. The little church stood adorned with glorious arrangements of white calla lilies and powder pink roses. Groups of calla lilies wrapped in white satin bows lined the aisle on both sides. Pink rose petals lay scattered atop the white silk aisle runner. An aisle runner embroidered with the initials L and A in the same pale pink thread. Several large vases packed with pink and white flowers decorated the altar. There was not a detail left to chance, not a corner left undecorated, and not a person out of place.

Each guest received a satchel of pink and white petals when they arrived. Andrew's mother and father graciously greeted everyone in their coordinating outfits. Tom in his black Georgio Armani suit and Candace in her black Roberto Cavalli evening gown were the picture of money and high style. As always, Candace found a way to find herself in the center of the action. She marveled to the attendees how beautiful everything was focusing on her contributions to the day.

"I spent so much time with Laura helping her pick out the flowers and the decorations."

"It is a good thing I helped Laura with the decorations, don't they look beautiful."

"It is magnificent, isn't it? I picked that out you know."

Looking elegant and timeless in their black suits with thin white pinstripes and black bowties, the groomsmen seated the guests as they arrived. A list of guests that had caused many a tense meeting as both of their parents had hoped to make this wedding a grand affair. If allowed Laura and Andrew's parents would have a guest list topping 500 people. But it was important to both Laura and Andrew that they have an intimate wedding with only their closest friends and family. They wanted the day to be fun and full of love and laughter. It had been a struggle, but after several months of arguing the guest list was at an acceptable size.

At the rehearsal dinner last night, Andrew joked that they should return to Syracuse for their wedding as that was where their story had begun. This led them to reminisce about that snowy winter night 8 years ago when they first met in that tiny dive bar on Marshall Street.

It was a rare weekday that one would find Laura in a bar. Her grades were important, and she needed high honors to have any chance at getting into medical school. But that particular Thursday night in late January, Laura had reluctantly agreed to go out with her friends Lana and Mandy. Mandy had just found out that her basketball star boyfriend was sleeping with one of the cheerleaders. Since nothing cured heartbreak faster than vodka and bad decisions, she convinced her best friends that they had to go out. So, all dolled up in their best skinny jeans and fuck-me boots, the girls strutted into JT's on a mission to drown Mandy's heartbreak in alcohol.

Laura was sitting at the bar nursing her vodka soda, laughing as her friends grinded with some guys on the dance floor when Andrew had entered JT's Pub. He was immediately drawn to the brunette sitting alone at the bar, looking self-assured and content while taking in the activity on the dance floor. Laura had been dressed casually in jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. She hadn't been looking for anyone's company; there only to commiserate with Mandy, so she paid little attention when Andrew approached the bar. She smiled at him but quickly turned back to her friends' dance floor escapades. She had designated herself the sound of reason if the girls started to get out of control. So, Laura was surprised when Andrew leaned into her space, introducing himself and handing her another drink to replace her nearly empty one.

She had initially tried to blow him off, focusing on her friends. But when the girls returned to Laura at the bar to refill their beverages, they not so subtly encouraged her to talk to the cute boy next to her. For the remainder of the night, Mandy and Lana distracted themselves on the dance floor while Andrew occupied Laura. She remembered thinking how odd it was that despite the atmosphere and raucous college students, Andrew was absorbed in their connection.

The conversation had seemed effortless. Laura had learned that Andrew was a junior studying political science and aspired to be a lawyer like his father and grandfather. As the eldest son, it would be his responsibility to carry the family legacy. Laura shared that her path was not yet so clear. She was just a freshman and had not yet declared a major. She knew her parents wanted her to be a doctor, but she wasn't sure if that was her real passion. Andrew pointed out that medicine was a respectable and noble profession. After what felt like only a few minutes, the bar was closing and they were walking briskly against the cold to Andrew's Apartment. It was around 5 am when Laura finally returned to her room. She crawled into bed smiling, thinking about the date Andrew was taking her on later that day.

After only a few months, Laura was convinced that she had met her prince charming that night at JT's. Andrew was what every girl longed for... charming and romantic. He was like the prince from all her childhood fairy tales: the tall, dark, and handsome stranger who rides into the night and saves the young woman from certain peril and despair. Laura fell for him instantly.

She loved how his green eyes were able to look deep into her soul, seeming to know her thoughts before she knew them herself. He could instantly take away all her fears and insecurities with a simple embrace. A quick kiss would send tingles down her spine and make her stomach flutter. She would often get giddy and nervous just being near him. Andrew had her mesmerized.

Indeed, it was not long before Andrew graduated from Syracuse University and headed to Boston University for Law School. During one of their last weekends there together, Laura tearfully asked him about their future. She wanted a commitment. She wanted to know that Andrew would still want her when he went off to law school.

Andrew sat across from her on the couch as he tried to appease her. He grabbed her hand as he spoke: "Laura, it's only two years. Before you know it, you will be at Harvard for medical school, and we will be together again. Don't worry so much!"

"But Andrew, it won't be the same. You will be hours away, and you will be so busy that we will never see each other," Laura pleaded. She pulled her hand away and stood. Laura started to pace, hoping to quiet her nervous energy. They had had this discussion many times in the past, always ending Andrew's annoyance despite Laura's continued unease.

Andrew sighed as he once again tried to placate his girlfriend. He stood and approached Laura with something resembling pity in his eyes. "I will always make time for you; you don't have to worry about that. Laura, you are the only girl for me, now stop getting so upset about this. It is only Boston."

As with all the prior disagreements, he gently disregarded Laura's feelings. Andrew put his arms around her, pulled her close, and kissed her on the top of the head. In Andrew's mind, the discussion was over. Andrew had said enough; Laura needed to stop worrying. Unfortunately, this was not the only tense discussion regarding their future throughout their 8-year courtship.

It was particularly stressful when Laura's younger sister, Charlotte, was planning her wedding. Laura was in her first year of medical school at Harvard, and Andrew was in his final year at BU. She remembered shamefully admitting to Andrew one night that she was jealous of Charlotte but was trying hard to be supportive.

"Andrew, she is my younger sister. She just isn't supposed to get married before I do. I know we are waiting and all; it's just frustrating for me. I have to pretend to be happy while she talks about colors and dresses. I thought it would be me talking about these things first."

"Laura, it just isn't the right time for us yet. I want to wait until I find a job. It is going to be hard enough to try and get a partnership in a law firm. Can you imagine if I tell them that I need time to plan my wedding and take a honeymoon?" Andrew exclaimed that evening as he poured over his bar review books.

If it were up to Laura, they would have been married years ago. But it never seemed like the right time for Andrew. First, it was "I need to wait until I graduate from law school." Then, it was "I think we should wait until I make junior partner." Laura was very proud of him and she had supported him every step of the way. The more time that passed and the longer they waited to move to the next phase of their lives together, the more wary Laura had become.