State of Grace (Complete)

Another Wedding

CH. 22

FIFTEEN, GRADE TEN

The embossed paper is heavy and creamy, and I love the way it feels in my hands, the richness of it. Opening the envelope seems like a shame because I don't want to mar the beauty, but I already know what's inside and I have to open it. It's the invitation to Maggie's wedding. My parents are invited, too, but Maggie has chosen me as a member of the wedding party. Ian and Chris are going to be groomsmen and I am, like a little sister, one of the bridesmaids. The invitation is only a formality, but I relish the fact she cared enough to send me one of my very own. Maggie's wedding falls on my birthday, and she asked me before booking if it was okay that she borrowed my special day.

"What do you think of the dress, Gracie?" Maggie asks me at the fitting. I am standing on the step-stool in front of a full length mirror, while the seamstress pins my hem.

"It's beautiful, Maggie." And it really is. The gossamer sky blue fabric falls to my feet in a pool of loveliness, the bodice just tight enough to be fitted. The fine satin straps caress my shoulders and it is the most wonderful dress I have ever owned. "It's like you chose it just for me."

Andrea looks up from her magazine, grinning, "Well, you know Maggie, she's sure if you have the right dress maybe she can set you up with a date."

"Oh, I don't need a date, I have the boys."

"Grace, Honey, Ian's bringing a date," she informs me with a grimace. It stings a bit, but isn't unexpected given the fact he's always with girls.

"That's okay, I'll be Chris' date," I say brightly, but there is a tightness in my chest. I hope no one notices, because I am definitely not supposed to care that Ian behaves like a total man-whore.

The day of the wedding can't be better. I wake to early morning rays of warm streaming in my window momentary blinding me. My dress is hanging over on the hook on my closet door and the breeze from the open window sways the gossamer fabric ever so slightly making it dance slowly.

I get out of bed and stretch, today I am turning fifteen, but there's a far better reason for today being so lovely. I can't wait to see the beauty and romance of a traditional wedding, unlike Andrea and Steve's wedding which was apparently subdued, and Maggie's pulled out all the stops. I'm not quite sure how they are paying for it all, but it's going to be fantastic. I have to go to their house to get ready with the ladies in Andrea's room, because there is going to be someone to help us prepare. Because I am a bridesmaid, and at their house, I actually get to ride in the limo from the house to the church. After my morning routine of breakfast and showering, I put my dress on. I am just going to wear running shoes to their house so that I don't get my fancy shoes dirty by accident, and also because they hurt my feet. I am willing to suffer the shoes for the wedding and reception, but I don't need to subject my feet to pain unnecessarily.

My dress is zipped with some careful maneuvering, and I look amazing. When I leave my room, I make sure I have my shoes in a bag and the little matching clutch that I will carry around today. There's just enough room for my phone and some money. I carefully walk down the stairs because I'm sure Mommy's still sleeping, and I know she and Daddy are planning on making the wedding, but if she has a bad morning she might not get up at all. Daddy is sitting on the couch and turns to look at me.

"Oh my word, Cupcake, you look like a princess, you know, the one who wears blue?"

"Cinderella?"

"Exactly. I guess you're heading next door now?"

"Yes Daddy, I see you at the church, right?"

"I suppose." His non-committal answer rankles me. It's bad enough I feel like Cinderella with my actual parents, but if he has an "English Department Emergency" today, I'll lose it. Not only is it my birthday (not that it's really bothered him before) but the wedding is really important to me. But Daddy is, if nothing else, incredibly selfish.