Beyond the Flashing Lights

Chapter 23

Kami POV

I stand behind Mrs. Michaels... uhhhh Amy. She looks absolutely beautiful. Her gown is silky and stops right at her ankles. The long sleeves are laced. The top of the dress sits high on her chest. She was so worried about looking old but she doesn't at all. Her hair is pinned back elegantly with small pearl ear rings poking through.

"I'm so happy my dad and you found each other." I say looking at her through the mirror.

I see tears swell in her eyes. Shit. "Oh no please don't cry."

She smiles and blinks them away. "I feel so fortunate to be loved by an incredible man. Thank you Kami for standing up beside me today." She swallows hard to stands up to face me. Her arms wrap around me lightly and I feel what she is feeling.

In the most happiest of days there is always an absence that lingers. Beth would have love this day. My dress is a light shade of pink and it makes me think of her while I wear it. She is everywhere today. In the pinks and yellows of flowers and decorations. In the music. Her spirit fills the air.

Tears blind my eyes as I let the reality sink in. "Bethany should be up there instead of me."

"No dear. It should be the two of you. But you are here to represent the both of you. Beth finally gets a sister today." She rubs the tear that had escape my eyes off my cheek.

"Can you imagine how freaking excited she would have been?" I say to Amy trying to laugh thinking of the girl we both loved and lost.

"Oh she loved any reason to get dolled up and celebrate. I remember having to attend many weddings for her dolls. She even made me dress up as an attendee!" I laugh so hard at that because it sounds just like her. Sweet but stubborn. Beth had a nac for these sort of things. I always envisioned her becoming an event planner one day.

We hear a knock on the door. "Can I come in to see you ladies?" It's Becca and I know she wants to see the dresses she has made. She met Amy once a couple years ago briefly but when I have my weekly calls with dad, we all end up on speaker phone. We've just become this unique family over the years. And I know Amy and Becca grew closer while making plans for the dress designs.

"Come in Becca." Amy quickly adjusts her dress wanting to give Becca the perfect view of her creation.

Becca peaks her head in. Her bright blue eyes stands out first. They pop when she is wearing a shade of blue, like she is today. Her long blonde hair is curled and pinned in a sophisticated low pony. Her lips stand out a shade of pink and full. The dress compliments her curvier figure so well.

I look over to Amy and her mouth falls open at the sight of Becca. And I know why.

"Oh dear. I always forget how much you look like my Bethany." She says to her holding her arms out to Becca. I see Becca wipe a tear away I know she feels guilty but it really is a gift to have someone like Becca remind us of Beth.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Michaels" Becca says as she wraps her arms around Amy but pulls back to look at her. "Oh my gosh. I mean Mrs Cooper?" Becca is being overly dramatic to distract her and it's working. Amy bats her eye lashes.

"Why yes. Today I do become Mrs. Cooper!"

Becca steps back to look at the dresses. As she circles us looking over the dresses. She does that fidgety thing with her fingers. I see that same flash of pain in Amy's eyes again.

"You ladies look beautiful! It's almost time. Are you ready? I'm so excited. I love weddings!" She giggles and bounces up and down clasping her hands.

As soon as the piano plays I walk down the aisle slowly. I catch eyes with a handsome golden hair boy sitting next to Becca. I haven't seen him in two weeks and I want to jump in his lap but I refrain... for now.