Perfect Day Gone Wrong

"Today's the big day," I yawned, glancing at the clock.  "Becky will be here at 7am to do Heather's hair, so I guess I should start getting everyone up."

Tim rolled over.  "It's only 5am, babe.  Stay for a few more minutes."

"If I do that, we'll never be up in time," I squirmed out of his grasp, slipped into jeans and a sweatshirt and promised, "I'll bring you coffee at 6:30.  You rest a little longer."

Everything was quiet and the sun was rising on what promised to be a glorious October day.  I hugged the dress form wearing her reception dress.  "Oh, Heather, you will be the most gorgeous bride ever," I whispered.  I fluffed the skirts and did one last final check of all details.  Perfect.

The wood floor of the kitchen was cold on my feet as I went to the desk drawer for scissors.  Grabbing a basket from the baker's rack, I went out the front door to gather fresh mums for the corsages.  Inspecting the knee-high rust, yellow, and auburn mounds, I chose the most beautiful blossoms and snipped the stems leaving plenty of length to trim later.  I made quick work of the corsages, poking each of the silver lapel vases into the bottom of an egg crate to keep them upright.

I inhaled a deep satisfied breath and turned my attention to the cake.  Each carefully frosted and detailed layer sat covered in its box, completed the night before and packed for the reception, but I couldn't help peeking one last time. 

I opened each box of reception decorations and imagined the girls in their square dance dresses and the boys in their western shirts and jeans pairing off and racing each other to decorate their assigned tables.  Each box contained every item needed, from tablecloths and seat mats to candles and pine garland. 

Everything was ready, perfect and waiting.  I started coffee and began waking the rest of the family.  The house suddenly came alive with laughter, morning greetings, and conversation.  Chad arrived and nervously paced the living room.  I smiled from a distance, remembering my own husband doing the same thing.

"The kids are all up," I whispered in my husband's ear, setting the mug of coffee on the nightstand.  "I'm going to try and get everyone to eat a little something before we all get dressed."

"I'll get in the shower," he replied, folding back the covers.

I sighed as I closed the bedroom door behind me.  Everything's ready I reassured myself.  With a smile I returned to the kitchen and set out fresh fruit, muffins, and snacks.  "Eat something light," I encouraged.  "You don't want to pass out during the photos."

By 7am the phone began ringing.  "Dad and I aren't supposed to arrive early for photos before the wedding, are we?" my mother asked.

"No, Chad and Heather only want a few pictures at the church.  All the others will be taken at the park before the reception."

"Good," she sighed.  "Dad's not cooperating this morning."  I heard her chuckle as she hung up.

Once Becky arrived, everything started moving more quickly.  By 9am our hair was done and we were ready to go.  The boys looked so handsome in their Western suits and colonel ties.  I couldn't wait to get to the church and help my daughter with her dress.

Arriving at the church, Heather was hustled inside to the changing room.  Chad was expecting her to wear my wedding dress.  He'd asked her repeatedly if she was sure it was the dress she wanted, he'd hoped for something fancier, I think.  I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he saw her in her dress. 

We'd stumbled across it purely by accident while looking for a dress for me.  She hadn't wanted to try it on because she didn't want to like it.  "I want to wear your dress, Mommy," she insisted.

Once she tried it on, however, we both knew it was the dress.  A flood of tears ran down our cheeks.  "I wore my dress on my special day.  I was touched that you wanted to wear it, too, but this is your day, and this is your dress.  Look at how beautiful it fits you!"

As Heather dressed and the girls primped, I pinned corsages, straightened ties, and did some last minute alterations to one of the bride's maid's dresses.

Heather was finally ready for her pictures and I ushered Chad and Tim out of the lobby and into the main auditorium so she could make a grand entrance and surprise them both with her beauty.  One bride's maid opened each of the double doors and the maid of honor entered and stepped aside.  Tim grinned proudly, tears brimming in his eyes.  Chad's jaw dropped and he was speechless. 

Pictures were taken of Heather and the bride's maids while Chad pulled himself together.  An hour later, as guests began to arrive, the flowers were beautiful, the rings were polished, and Chad was still pacing, now with disappointment and anger knitting his brows. 

"Where are our parents?" he asked his siblings.  "I told them when I left this morning to be here at 10am for pictures."

"I'll try again," his brother offered.  "Still no answer," he said.

Every few minutes Chad and his brother and sister tried to call their parents.  They had missed all of the pre-wedding photos and there was only twenty minutes until the ceremony began.

Poor Heather was frantic.  Her carefully orchestrated reception timetable couldn't be altered without wiping out many of the activities they were looking forward to...a moment alone as man and wife as they changed at their apartment for the reception; the table setting races; Chad's Mom and I cooperating to finish setting up the wedding cake; family photos with the beautiful fall leaves as the background. 

What were we going to do?


Rewrite in proress and conclusion to come...