Faye surveyed herself in the full-length mirror in the dressing room. Her ebony hair was arranged into a ballerina's knot with wispy curls framing her face. Her dress was pale lavender, full length with a fitted bodice, and flaring skirt. The bodice, with its sewn in bra, showed the full mounds of her breasts to advantage, accenting their round fullness. "Well, at least this color works for me" Faye spoke her thoughts out loud. This was her fourth wedding this year as a brides-maid, and some of the dresses she had been required to wear in her role had done absolutely nothing to flatter her very full figure.
Faye was not really fat, but she was short, only 5' tall, had 36DD breasts, and probably fifty pounds heavier than she should be for her height. She had, at one time, thought of having a breast reduction, but finally decided that this was the way she was meant to be, and besides, she wasn't the one who had a problem with her size and shape. She took one final look in the mirror, checking that her makeup was not too heavy, that the darker lavender eye shadow complimented her hazel eyes and her dress, the lipstick, a dark mauve accented her full lips. Her half inch nails were polished to match the lipstick. She had spike heels on, dyed to match her dress and very sheer stockings held in place by a lavender garter that matched the lavender lace panties she wore.
The two other brides maids in their dresses, matching Faye's, were also checking their reflections. Mandy, the maid of honor, was dressed in a gown similar to the brides maids, but hers was a darker lavender. All four of the bride's attendants had known Colleen, the bride, since their grade school days. All of them were 26 years old. Cindy, Joan, and Leanne had all three gotten married this year, and Faye had been a brides maid at each of their weddings.
Mandy and Faye would be, after today, the only single women left in their tight-knit group. Mandy was dating Stuart, the Best Man at today's wedding, and had been for almost five months now. Faye hadn't been dating anyone seriously since Vince, her sometimes boyfriend for the last 12 years, transferred with his company to the west coast. He had asked her to go with him, but hadn't really proposed marriage, so Faye had told him she needed time to think about it. She was still thinking, really. They had been lovers since their senior year of college. Faye knew that over the last few years there had been other women for him, but Vince was the only man she had ever been intimate with. She no longer knew if it was love she felt for him, or simply the comfort of the familiar. "Ah well," she sighed to herself, "lets just get through today."
Colleen's mother poked her head through the door and told the four ladies that it was time to line up for the processional. Faye picked up her bouquet, making sure the ribbons hung down straight and took her position in line, being the last one as they lined up tallest to shortest. As the organist began the opening notes of their cue, the two five year old flower girls, twin nieces of the bride, stepped out and began their walk down the aisle, tossing rose petals as they walked. The bides maid then started their own walk down the aisle. Faye kept her eye's focused ahead, to the alter where Hal, the groom, and his four groomsmen waited, watching. She recognized three of the groomsmen, all old friends, but the fourth was a stranger to her. He was Hal's best friend from college, Mark Hazelton. He lived out of state and had been unable to attend any of the rehearsals or last night's rehearsal dinner, having only arrived in town late last night. Faye felt the intensity of his gaze as she reached the front and took her position on the bride's side, standing just across and opposite of him.
The music changed as she settled into her place, the Bridal March beginning. Every head turned to watch the bride's walk down the aisle on her father's arm. Faye's eyes glistened with tears as she watched her friend's walk down the aisle, her step slow, but sure. Colleen's limp was barely noticeable, and she had abandoned her cane, using her father's arm for her support, trusting that Hal would be her support at the alter. He placed his daughter's hand into the waiting hand of her groom, kissed her cheek and took his place in the front pew with Colleen's mother.
Finally, the Bride and Groom shared a kiss and began their walk down the aisle. Behind them, each grooms man offered his arm to his corresponding brides maid. Faye laid her hand lightly on the extended arm of Mark Hazelton and allowed him to escort her down the aisle. The congregation began filing out behind them. All the while Faye was aware of the firm arm under her fingertips. She kept her eyes fixed ahead, resisting the urge to check him out closer. One shy glance in his direction showed that he too was keeping his eyes steadily on the couples ahead.
The reception was in the annex next to the church and was already filling up with guest who had elected to attend the reception. The wedding party made their way to the head table. Faye was seated next to Kevin, one of the grooms men, and Joan's husband. Mark Hazelton sat sat down on her right. He smiled warmly at her and extended his hand. "Mark Hazelton. You must be Faye. You were out of town when we all got together last month when I was in town." His voice was deep, warm, and oh so sexy, sending warm shivers up and down Faye's spine, making a warm fuzzy glow in the pit of her stomach.
Faye gathered her wits enough to respond, making small talk through out the wedding dinner. Afterwards, when the four piece combo hired for the reception began playing dance music she found herself being escorted to the cleared dance area. Mark Hazelton's arms held her close to his body, fitting her against him, her head coming to just under his chin. She started out trying to hold herself away from his body, but after the first turns she had her head resting on his chest, one arm wrapped around his neck, the other clasped in his nestled close to his body.
They didn't speak. When the music stopped, they stood together waiting for the next song to begin, then danced once more, both of Faye's arms around Mark's neck, his hands around her body, holding her closer yet, her head again nestled to his chest, his head bent, resting on the top of her head. After the third dance he took her hand and led her off the dance floor, through the people gathered in small groups, to the front of the reception hall and out the front doors. The church was still open. Mark led her into one of the dressing rooms and closed and turn the lock on the door. Then he gathered her into his arms and claimed her lips with his. His lips claimed hers with passion and Faye answered them back with passion of her own, her mouth opening, inviting him in. Their tongues met, danced, caressed, teased and invited.