DAWN PAIGE GREY Young Adult Romance

Chapter 31 - Wedding Ceremony

 The hours flew by and Eve came into Dawn’s room to help her with her dress. 

“Everything is ready Dawn. Just need to get you dressed now.” 

“I didn’t think I’d feel so nervous. Does every bride feel like this?” Dawn asked her Aunt. 

“Yes dear, I think every bride has wedding nerves.” 

Eve continued fussing with Dawn’s dress until it hung perfectly, well perfect to her eyes. 

“Oh my God Dawn, you look stunning.” Her father said as he walked into the room. “My little girl is all grown up now.” 

“Dad, thank you so much for everything.” Dawn said feeling emotional. 

Her father gave her a hug and held her at arm’s length. “You look just like your mother did when we got married. In fact you look so much like her you could be twins.” 

Dawn’s eyes welled up with tears. She’d never know her mother but her father had shown her photos all the time and told her stories about her mother every night before bed time. She wished now with all her heart that her mother was here with her today. 

As the last curl was put in place and the last zip pulled up the girls gathered up their horse shoe bouquets and made their way downstairs to the formal dining room where the ceremony would be held. 

Eve had the dining room decorated in garlands of orchids and baby’s breath all around the room, with ornate displays of white roses in every corner. Tall silver candles stretched out from the centre of the white rose displays and the flame flickered giving a fairy like glow against the white petals. The fragrance of the roses scented the air. Family and friends were seated waiting for the bride to arrive. 

*** 

After throwing up Luke had staggered back to the car and was leaning over the bonnet with his head resting on his arms trying to stop the world from turning. 

“Luke is that you?” Stephen asked as he pulled up next to him in his car.  

Luke looked up, unable to believe his eyes. Here was someone to rescue him. 

“Good Lord Luke you look like death. You do know you are supposed to be getting married in few hours. What the hell happened to you?” 

“I honestly don’t know. I just know I feel like shit and there are thousands of sledgehammers in my head.” He staggered and fell against the car. 

Stephen jumped out of his car to help him. “Well at least you’re here at the ranch so I can get you home and sorted out and you won’t be late for the wedding.” 

“I’m on the ranch?” 

“Yes, you fool. Didn’t you realise you were heading back to the ranch?” 

“No, I didn’t. I don’t remember much of anything past waking up at sunrise and my phone battery was flat and I can’t find my car keys.” 

“Sure sounds like you had more fun last night than you did at your stag night.” 

“I honestly can’t remember what happened last night or even how I got here.” 

“Well you are here now, thank heavens. Come on let me get you back to the ranch and sobered up.” Stephen said as he helped Luke into the car. “You’re very lucky I came passed this way. I took the vet home earlier. He came out to see to one of the horses.” 

Luke nodded. “Thanks Stephen. I might not have made it to the wedding if you hadn’t come along.” 

Stephen helped Luke buckle his seat belt, pushing his fumbling fingers out of the way.