Gwen showered after her tricks and ran back to their room. Jacob told her she could have it to herself to get ready. She had picked one of the bridal gowns from wardrobe to wear. It was the most flattering to her figure, but there were tears and stains from the use it had seen. Still, it was the best of poor choices. She decided to make the best of it. It wasn't the dress that mattered, it was the promises they would make to each other. That morning she had laid it out carefully along with the white stilettos, stockings and a set of faux pearls.
As she entered her room she was startled to see Stacey waiting. And it was no Stacey she had ever seen before. This Stacey was dressed in a pale orange sherbet form-fitting formal with her hair in an elegant bun and her makeup tastefully done. She wore a short strand of pearls and pearl earrings. She smiled shyly.
"Stacey! You look beautiful!" Gwen hugged her and was gratified to feel a squeeze in return.
"I'm here to help you."
Gwen tried to keep the surprise off her face. "Thank you! I'm in such a rush! I'll put my makeup on and then you can help with my hair." She stopped as Stacey moved aside and she saw the dress. She looked at Stacey in shock as she handed her a card.
The card was from Tobias. "Dearest -- A beautiful bride should have something beautiful to wear."
The old dress was gone. In its place was a beautiful, sleek, white gown, gathered horizontally across her breasts, the center was gathered by an x-shaped strap that went around her neck. The rest of the dress was clingy and form fitting, with a small train that would follow. There was another train in two pieces, narrow and sheer that hung from the back of the gathers looking almost like a veil. There were new stockings as well and a box with pale yellow long-stem roses.
Gwen whispered, "water-proof makeup, I think."
Stacey grinned.
Gwen was trembling as they walked to the conference room cradling the roses in her arm. Stacey had put her hair up with tendrils hanging down. She had woven tiny bridal pearls through it. Gwen only grinned momentarily as Belle, in blue chiffon, waved before dashing into the room to give the heads up. She could hear music from the sound system. Lisa and Karen were waiting outside in pastel, off the shoulder formals, Lisa's yellow, Karen's green. Karen looked nervous. Lisa tried to smile, but Gwen could see through the façade. She hugged them both and Lisa whispered, "You look perfect."
"I'm trying not to cry."
Lisa kissed her cheek. "I'm so happy for you." The music changed. "That's our cue."
Tobias slipped out the same door as the three girls entered. They looked at each other a long moment in silence before Gwen hugged him. "You are even more beautiful than I imagined. Radiant. Love has that effect." He handed her a small jewelry box, "and I have one other gift."
Gwen looked at him, still in his arms. She opened the box to find a man's wedding ring, a plain, gold band. There was so much she wanted to say, but her gratitude was spilling over. Tobias produced a handkerchief and blotted her cheeks. "I'll give it to John to hold until you need it." Gwen nodded. "Will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you down the aisle?"
Gwen nodded and managed to choke out a thank you.
The music ended and there was a pause, "Jacob said to gather yourself."
Gwen nodded and took a deep breath.
Lohengren's bridal march began as Glen and Cory opened the doors and they entered. Gwen had a death grip on Tobias' proffered elbow. Her legs had turned to rubber. She tried to memorize the entire tableau, but the edges began to blur and it felt like she was walking through a tunnel of clouds. Jacob was at the end smiling, but she could tell he was trying not to cry as well. John was at his side and both were in black tuxedos. Everyone else was dressed in their best and there was more than one tissue clutched in hand as they stood to watch her walk down the aisle. Chris, in a dark suit, stood on a dais draped with a pale green cloth. Dinah was taking stills and someone else was behind a video camera.
It was so normal it was surreal. Tobias smiled and pressed his handkerchief in her hand as he left her with Jacob and took the empty seat next to Julia. Jacob took her hand and someone took the flowers.
She tried to listen. She did. But all she could hear was her heart racing and all she could see were Jacob's eyes. In them were reflected his heart and soul. They were standing close and their faces were inches apart. Her chin was slightly upturned. She could feel his breath stroking her cheek and see the pores in his skin. And he smelled so clean and fresh. Her vision blurred as the tears spilled over and she felt his nose brush her cheek. An arm slipped around her waist and the other shifted to cradle her forearm. His voice was choked as he said, "I do," his lips nuzzling her cheek.
Only then did she notice that Chris's voice was thick with emotion. She didn't want to miss her cue. "Do you, Gwen, take Jacob to be your husband, to cherish above all others, to celebrate the good together and comfort one another in times of sorrow, to love, honor and obey, to share all things, mind, body and soul?"
She was glad that they had waited. That she had something to offer him this day. The tears spilled down her cheeks as she looked into his eyes. "I do."
"Then without further ado, Jacob."
Jacob held out his hand never breaking eye contact with her. He groped for her finger and slid a ring on and then pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it. He took a cleansing breath -- one of the first things she had noticed about him and come to love. "I am yours alone. You are my joy and the air I breathe. You cradle my heart in the palm of your hand. I will treasure you forever."
He leaned to kiss her, but Chris stopped him with a gentle smile. "Not quite yet." There were a few chuckles. "Gwen."
Gwen had slipped her arm around Jacob's waist. She felt John's fingers press his ring into her hand. She hated that they had to break their embrace, but stepped back and took his left hand with her own and put the ring on his finger and then came back in his arms. "I am yours alone. You are my joy and the air I breathe. You cradle my heart in the palm of your hand. I will treasure you forever."
"I now pronounce you man and wife. Now you may kiss the bride!" Gwen melted into him as he cradled her in his arms kissing her tenderly.
The wedding was on a slow night. Julia had conceded the extra half hour for the celebration. There was rice after the kiss and then Gwen managed to hug Tobias and thank him properly for all he had done. They kissed and he was gone.
"You do make a lovely bride."
Gwen smiled at Julia. "Thank you."
"You have the rest of the night off, as you know, and for your graduation present, you will have tomorrow all day to make a movie with Joseph and several others."
Gwen grinned this time and squeezed Jacob's hand. "Thank you, again." She turned from Julia and smiled at Jacob before others came to congratulate them and Julia excused herself.
There were hugs for a few minutes before others had to excuse themselves to tend to their duties. At last when they were alone Gwen turned to Jacob and he smiled down at her. "Have you come today?"
"No. I have managed to hold off all morning!"
