big grand wedding, but I was wrong. This is more beautiful than I can express,” Avery told her mother. “I can’t believe you managed to do all of this in such a short time.”
“You’re my one and only baby girl,” her mother said. “I’ve always dreamed of the day you’d marry, and I hoped you’d change your mind and be happy with a classic dress and all of the trimmings. After all, if you do it right, you only get married once.”
“Thank you, Mom, thank you so much.”
Avery turned around and looked at the front of the hangar that had been completely transformed. There was a monstrous open-sided tent in front of the large building with chairs lined up on either side of a wide walkway covered with a silky blue carpet.
Flowers and lights lined the chairs and the ceiling of the tent, which butted up to the open doorway of the hangar where more flowers and lights created a brilliant opening.
Avery couldn’t see much inside of the hangar, but what she did see were tables covered in cloth with bold, beautiful flowers in the center and candles burning. Soft music drifted over to them from hidden speakers, and guests all facing away from them, sitting in chairs, waiting for the wedding to begin.
“I don’t have bridesmaids and groomsmen as you didn’t tell me you had anyone in mind, so I thought I’d walk you down the aisle to say your vows, and then we can all celebrate together inside with a good meal, laughter, toasts, and dancing.”
“This sounds like the best wedding ever,” Avery told her mother.
“It was on short notice, but it’s already been a beautiful day, and it’s only going to get better.”
Avery hugged her mother again, and then Bobbie turned and nodded at someone. The music changed, and the traditional wedding march started to play. Bobbie pulled away from Avery and stood at her side as they made their way down the aisle with all eyes on them.
Avery felt as if she couldn’t breathe as she looked ahead and found Carl standing up front with Sherman in front of him. Both of the men’s eyes gleamed as smiles curved their lips. Avery only glanced at Sherman for a brief moment before she looked at the man who’d be her husband in just a few short minutes.
“Slow down,” Bobbie said with a laugh. “You’re supposed to walk elegantly.”
Avery let out a little laugh. She turned her head, then kissed her mother’s cheek. “Heck with slow,” she said before she let go of her mother, lifted the front of her flowy Vera Wang dress, and rushed forward, needing to be at Carl’s side.
The audience chuckled as she reached Carl, and he grabbed her hands, a suspicious gleam in his eyes.
“You’re stunning,” he told her. “The most beautiful bride who’s ever been.”
“I missed you last night,” she whispered. “These wedding traditions really suck.”
He laughed as Sherman cleared his throat. “Love has no patience,” Sherman said to the crowd. “We’d better start this now before these two run off together.”
The crowd laughed as Sherman, who’d been ordained years before just because he loved doing wedding ceremonies, began the show.
Avery barely heard what Sherman had to say as she gazed lovingly at Carl. Finally, though, the vows were spoken, the rings were on their fingers, and Sherman was pronouncing them husband and wife, telling Carl he could kiss his bride, which he gladly did as he bent her backward, a sigh ringing out from the crowd along with a few cheers.
“How are you feeling, Mrs. Schwartz?” he asked.
A tingle fluttered down her spine at his words. She smiled as she reached up and kissed him again, never able to get enough of this sweet man. “I feel as if I’m walking on clouds, my dear husband,” she answered, loving that she could now use that word. She was married — and she was the happiest she’d ever been.
“Shall we go celebrate or should we try to sneak out of here?” Carl asked.
Sherman cleared his throat again, making them look at him. He gave them a stern look. “Your mother has put a lot of time and effort into this wedding and reception. If you dare leave before you’re excused I’ll have something to say about it.”
Carl laughed at the scolding they were getting. “I guess a few hours of our time with family and friends isn’t so bad. Then we get to leave for the honeymoon,” Avery said.
“I’m sorry we can’t