"Feel better?" I asked as Ally finished reading the letter Dylan wrote for her, pursing her lips tightly so as to keep from crying.
"He knows the right things to say," she said, sniffling.
"I'm so happy for you two," I said, hugging her, as did Portia and Claire.
"I'm such a sap. Okay, I need to clean up. When are we supposed to get dressed and do makeup and all that?"
"The stylists for the makeup will be here in about two minutes, and we're supposed to be dressed in a half hour so we can take pictures before we walk in just over an hour," Portia said, looking at the clock on the wall. It was about 4:00.
"Agh! Wipe my face!" Ally shrieked. I laughed at her panic.
"One tear isn't going to kill you. That zit just above your right eyebrow might, though," I said.
Ally screamed again, causing us all to wince, and ran over to the mirror, only to huff and look over at me. "Jerk."
Claire, Portia, and I all laughed while Ally pouted back across the room. Then, another knock at the door.
"Ladies? Make up time!" Ally's mother called. We all filed out and followed her to another room, down a hallway. We all sat in front of mirrors, next to each other, as stylists' hands flew up and down our faces. About half an hour later, we were done, and headed back to the dressing room as Ally left with her mother and another woman, leaving us to get dressed.
Once we'd slipped into our dresses, Portia walked over to the mirror and was standing stock-still in front of it, eyeing herself up and down repeatedly.
I thought she looked gorgeous, but it was clear she didn't think so.
"Portia," I whispered, walking up behind her.
"I just look fat. I've put on nine pounds in the last few weeks," she whimpered.
"You don't look fat at all. You're rocking this thing, and if anything, your curves are perfect. You look great," I said, smiling.
She tried to smile back, but the nerves still overtook the look in her eyes.
"Portia, would Ally try to make you look bad? Would we let you?"
She shook her head.
"Trust us. You look beautiful."
She smiled and nodded, hugging me again, careful not to get any makeup on my dress.
Claire came over holding our shoes, which we put on together. Within ten minutes we were out the door and headed to the waiting area sectioned off for the wedding party.
There waited two of the groomsmen -- two of Dylan's good friends since he was an only child -- the flower girls (younger cousins of Ally and Claire), the ring bearers, and Ally's father. He hugged me tightly.
"Christy! It's so good to see you again!" he said.
"You as well, Mr. Robinson! How've you been?"
"I feel as good as I've ever felt," he chuckled. "Now I've just got to keep it together as I give my daughter away," he said softly, his eyes sparkling.
"You'll be great," I whispered, patting him on the shoulder.
Ally's mom coughed from the doorway.
"The bride, ladies and gentlemen."
Ally walked into the foyer, looking absolutely stunning, with her hair braided loosely around the right side of her head and curling down to her shoulders on the left.
Her dress stopped around the knees, and she had yet to put on her veil, which her mother was holding. She wore sparkling white short heels, and was holding a beautiful bouquet of pale blue flowers.
After a few moments of hugging and trying to not get emotional, squealing over each others' outfits, we were handed our bouquets and instructed to get into position.
I leaned back and hi-fived Ally once, winking at her as Claire and one of the groomsmen, John, made their way down the aisle. After Portia and William, the other groomsman, made his way down the aisle, it was my turn.
I turned the corner and looked ahead, seeing Dylan smiling next to the best man, Chip (the police officer). I grinned back at him and winked as I made my way down to my position at the top of the steps behind the country club, looking back over the small crowd that sat between us and the lake.
The violinist began the bridal chorus, and everyone rose to their feet.
Ally stepped around the corner, arm in arm with her father, and gulped. I smiled reassuringly at her, and she hesitantly took a few more steps before freezing. Her father leaned over and whispered something into her ear, and the color miraculously returned to her face as she made her way down the aisle.
Murmurs about her dress and beauty were heard throughout as they made their way up the steps, and the veil was pulled back. The handoff was complete. Mr. Robinson gave her a kiss on the cheek and made his way back down to his seat next to his wife.
I held Ally's flowers as the ceremony commenced. The preacher joked a few times, and successfully drew laughter from the crowd.
When the vows were said, I couldn't help but notice both Dylan and Ally's eyes glistening with tears of excitement.
I felt myself getting emotional as they were presented as Mr. and Mrs. Dylan Henderson; my best friend had found the man of her dreams.
They turned and looked at the grinning and applauding crowd, and I looked it over as well, smiling.
I looked up and down the right aisle seeing people I recognized.
I didn't see Hunter.
But I did see the one person I had a suspicion I would, and I couldn't avert my eyes fast enough for his not to meet mine.
