Sweet Awakening (Complete Story) by Andrea O'Hanlon

Sweet Awakening Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Today is the day. The cherry blossoms are in bloom. The sun is shining. I stretch out and kick Lisa. She groans at me. "Get up! Carla will be here soon to tote us around to get ready." Lisa covers her head. I pull the covers. "Too much wine, too little sleep. Please let me sleep." I get up and make coffee. When I come back Lisa is up and dragging to the bathroom. I hand her the cup of coffee. Carla arrives an hour later. She is a godsend. She arranged everything. "Here is a picture of the park. What do you think?" I am looking at the gazebo. They have transformed it. There is a white runner leading up to it. 40 white chairs. 20 on each side of the path. There is beautiful cherry blossom with a white bow on the end of each row. The gazebo has light strung up. With white and pink ribbon along the rail. "Looks perfect. When were these taken?" Carla is pleased. "This morning. I stopped by to make sure everything is set up." The rest of the day Carla take us to get a massage first. Then she takes us to get our hair and makeup done. I heard her make a call to make sure the caterer arrived on time. By 4pm Lisa and I are ready. Carla takes us to the park. She set up a tent for us to change in. I peeked out to see Paul and Adam waiting by the gazebo. 4:30pm I peek again. I can see our guest filling the seats. Kelsey and Molly are in the front. Lisa pulls me back. "Time to put the dress on." My nerves are in knots. She gives me an encouraging smiles.

The music starts. Lisa goes out first. Jacob takes my arm. "Breath mom." I pat his hand and let out the breath I had been holding. I take one last look in the mirror. My hair is curly and swept off my neck in a loose knot. My makeup is light and natural looking. I am wearing flats. My dress fits perfectly. Carla's seamstress did a fantastic job with the blossom up my right side. "You look beautiful mom. It is time." Jacob and I start down the aisle. My heart is pounding. I can see Paul waiting for me. He is splendid in his black tux with a white shirts and light pink tie. I keep my eyes on Paul's loving face as I walk towards him. Jacob passes me to Paul. "I know you will take good care of my mom. Welcome to the family." Paul thanks him. "Welcome, loved ones. We are gathered here today to join and in holy matrimony. Now, let us Pray" we all bow our heads. "Heavenly Father we are here on this day to give thanks for the love you have shared with these two individuals. We ask that you help and to always remember when they first met and to remember the strong love that grew between them. To work that love into practical things so that nothing divides them. Please help them find words both kind and loving and hearts, always ready to ask for forgiveness and able to forgive. Father, we put this marriage in your hands. Amen." As we raised our heads, I notice a man standing behind Paul off to his left watching. "Do you Christine take Paul to be your husband and other half, to take care of him and cherish your relationship? To love him today, tomorrow, and forever? To always be open, honest, and faithful to him. Do you take him to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?" "I DO" Paul smiles widens. All I can see is love on his face. The pastor turns to Paul next. "Do you Paul take Christine to be your wife and better half, to take care of her and cherish your relationship?" Movement behind Paul catches my attention. The man is moving towards us. I frown. Paul notice my frown and turns to see what I am looking at. The pastor pauses to look. I get the pastor attention to let him know to continue. "To love her today, tomorrow, and forever? To always be open, honest, and faithful to her. Do you take her to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward in sickness and in health," The man reaches the edge of our ceremony. "In good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?" Paul goes to answer. The man cuts him off. "Don't they ask if anyone objects anymore?" The man's voice is familiar. Paul turns to face the man. "Who are you and why are you here?" The man walks up to the gazebo. I now can make out his features he looks older since I last seen him. "It can't you." I whisper. Paul take my hand in his. "Who is he?" I am a loss for words I can't answer Paul. Jacob is staring at the man. "DAD?" The man only has eyes for me. "Hello cupcake. I see you didn't wait for me."

A word from the Author

I hope you enjoyed Sweet Awakening as much as I enjoyed writing it.  please leave comment on what you thought.