Wedding Grace

Word Count: 506

Wedding Grace

“Try to cheer up, dear,” Martha said. “Put on a happy face.”

Grace sighed. “I’m trying, Mother.”

“This is supposed to be a joyous occasion.” Martha gave her daughter a one-armed hug. “Just look at you. That dress is stunning.”

Grace fingered the material of her wedding gown. She couldn’t argue with her mother there. It was beautiful and she felt like a princess in it, though it wasn’t exactly what she would have chosen. That thought brought with it a fresh torrent of pain.

“You are so lucky, Gracie,” Martha continued. “William is a fine man. He will make a good husband.”

“I know,” Grace replied with a lack of enthusiasm.

Martha frowned. “I know you miss Anthony, darling, but you have to accept the fact that he’s never coming back.”

Grace bowed her head, trying to hide her tears. “He was lost at sea. I don’t know for sure whether he’s dead or not. This marriage just feels wrong.” Grace raised her head to stare at her mother. “How can I marry a man I do not love?”

“Grace, you are getting too old to be choosy,” Martha said, not for the first time. “You’re lucky William wants to marry you at all. He’ll be able to provide for both of us. You were fortunate to have the little time you had with Anthony.”

Grace wiped her tears away, being careful not to smudge her makeup, and then turned to regard herself in the vanity table mirror. A side table held a book that caught her attention. She picked it up.

“I thought you might like to take a look at that,” Martha said, running her fingers through Grace’s hair.

Grace flipped it open. Unsmiling newlyweds stared back at her.

“Not every marriage is a happy one,” Martha pointed out. She picked up her daughter’s veil. It was adorned with daisies. She caught her daughter’s eye in the mirror and held the veil over Grace’s head. “What do you think?”

“It’s as beautiful as the dress.”

“You needn’t sound so depressed about it.” Martha set the circlet on Grace’s head and began affixing it to her hair. “Look at all the nice things William can give you.”

Grace’s gaze returned to the photo album in her lap. It was a thin book, with only a couple of old photos. “Things can’t make people happy,” she said.

“You will be happy with William, Grace,” Martha promised. “It will take time, but eventually you might even fall in love with him. It happened to your father and me.” Martha leaned her head against Grace’s. “I wish he could have been here on this day.”

Her mother’s last words made Grace feel selfish. They had both lost men they loved. William was a godsend. Martha was right; he would be a good provider for both of them.

Grace looked back into the mirror, meeting her mother’s eyes. “I’m ready.” She even managed a small smile for her mother’s benefit. And the future marched inexorably to meet her.

This story won 3rd place in:

ID: 1101926   (Rated: ASR) A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words Contest  Write a story in 1000 words or less to a given picture prompt. [Hiatus!] by iKïyå§ama