Chapter Twelve.

"How is the bride?" Bonnie asked in a sing-song voice.

"Anxious, nervous, in haste to get married, wanting to take a deep breath and slow down."

Bonnie sat on the pillow couch beside her. "That's a lot."

"I know right!" Rose took a deep breath in. "It is like everything within gets excited and nervous at the realization that I am about to get married crashes on me."

Bonnie took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Just keep reminding yourself that today is the day you have always dreamed of since you were ten..."

"Seven." She corrected.

"Seven. And out there in the church is a precious man, the love of your life, the very one you have waited to be with for so long..."

"Have I?" She asked, chuckling.

"Well, you have been waiting to meet the right guy, so yes you have. Now, stop interrupting."

"Yes ma'am."

"Out there in the church, by the altar, is a man that loves you so much, the man of your dreams, who is probably also having nervous fits."

"Probably running the rug into wear with his pacing."

Bonnie smiled. "Exactly. So breathe in, honey and let's live today."

"I love you Bonnie."

Bonnie turned to Shelby who was making her up. "Are you done, Shelby?"

"Almost." Shelby applied an extra layer of the peach eye shadow to both of her eyelids then smeared her lips with strawberry red lipstick. "There." Shelby looked at Bonnie. "Now we are done."

Bonnie took the veil from the small stool and gave it to Louise who styled her hair.

"Do you want to wear the veil over your face?" Bonnie asked as Louise affixed the veil to her hair.

"No. I fear I would run out of breath and end up fainting if I do." She replied.

Bonnie cocked a brow. "Your nervousness is beginning to cause you to exaggerate, isn't it?"

"I won't blame it on my nervousness." She quipped back. "I would blame it on my queasiness."

"Take deep breaths." Louise rubbed her shoulders. "It will calm you down."

She inhaled deeply. Exhaled. Inhaled deeply. Exhaled.

"Are you better now?" Louise asked her after a minute.

"Yeah, thank you."

"Are you worn your shoes?" Bonnie asked

"Not yet."

"Where are they?"

Shelby pointed to the table behind Bonnie. "On the table behind you."

Bonnie got it and helped her put it on. "Time to look at yourself, Bride."

She stood up and walked to the mirror. She looked at herself from her hair piled up in a stunning style, to her face, lightly but beautifully made up, to the full and round wedding gown adorned with stones, to her feet in the graceful Cinderella heels, and she could breath was "wow."

"Uh huh." Bonnie cupped her shoulder. "That is just the word. You are one beautiful bride, Rose. The most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

The door opened and her mom walked in. "Wow." Her mom placed her palms together and placed them on her lips, her eyes tearing up. "You are so beautiful, Rose Ann Melinda Hokins."

"I didn't know name was Melinda." Bonnie muttered for only her to hear.

"I always forgot." She muttered back then smiled at her mom, doing a little spin.

"Your father is going to tear up iimmediately he sets his eyes on you."

She smiled. "Where is he, by the way?"

"Right outside, ready to walk you down the aisle. They are ready for you."

She looked at Bonnie. "It is time."

Bonnie nodded. "It is time."

Shelby handed her the bouquet of roses Rick had sent that morning.

You are my Rose, the note had read.

"Are you ready?" Bonnie asked.

She inhaled deeply, then nodded. "Yeah, I am."

Bonnie smiled. "Let's go get you married."

Shelby handed Bonnie her flowers.

Bonnie marched out first, and when it was her turn, her mom waved her forward, out to were her dad waited for her.

"Hello, dad." She smiled wide at him.

He beamed at her, his eyes sparkling with so much joy. "You are so beautiful, my little pumpkin."

Little pumpkin was the pet name Dad gave her when she was five.

She gave a soft laugh, tears filling her eyes.

Dad extended his elbow to her and she tucked her arm in the crook. "Let's go get you married."

She chuckled. "Let's go get me married."

The song the pianist was playing changed AMD the door opened.

"Are you ready?" Her dad asked.

She looked forward atbthe man that was waiting for her at the altar. Bonnie was right, he was the man of her dreams, the one she had been waiting for her whole life. Yes, she was ready to get married to him and spend the red of her life waking up next to him. She was ready, so so ready. "Yes, I am ready."

Her dad leading, she walked down the aisle, a wide smile on her face, her heart full with explosive colors of joy and affection, her eyes fixed on that man by the altar, that one man she would soon pledge her life to with no iota of regret. She walked down the aisle, cherishing the look of wonder and joy and love that filled his eyes and overflew to the rest of his face. She walked, savoring every of this moment, living it all out, knowing that Rick and Rose story was beginning.

******

By God, she was beautiful. Everything beautiful.

Rick watched his bride, the love of his life, walk down the aisle to him, his heart so full he feared it was going to explode.

Her dad kissed her cheek and handed her to him.

"Hey." She mouthed.

"You are stunning." He mouthed back.

"Got to look good for you."

He smiled.

"Who gives the woman to be wedded." Reverend Mark asked.

Rose's mom stood up and together with her husband answered. "We do."

"We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman before God and a number of witnesses." The Reverend went on to give a brief teaching on love and marriage.

Then it was time to exchange vows.

"You know that saying that what you are looking for is always right in front of you." He smiled wide, his eyes looking deep into hers, his heart meaning every word he uttered. "You, Rosie Ann Hokins, are the one that I have been searching for, my whole life. Your smile light up my world and makes everything look better. I love you. I love that you are my best friend for nineteen years. I love the fact that you understand me even more than I do. I love you and I know I will never get tired of saying that to you for as long as I live."

"Rick, You are amazing. Everyday, I stand in awe that I have you in my life, that you have chosen to pledge your heart to me. And here today, I pledge to always cherish your heart, to love with no reserve, wildly and fiercely, making every moment we have together a wild crazy adventure. Because you, Rick Walton are worth every moment of my waking hour. I love you, Rick."

Bonnie stepped forward and handed Reverend Mark the rings.

Reverend Mark handed Rick a ring. "Repeat after me, 'With this ring, I wed thee.'"

"With this ring, I wed thee." Rick slipped the ring down her finger.

Reverend Mark handed her the second ring. "Repeat after me, 'With this ring I wed thee.'"

"With this ring I wed thee." She slipped the ring down his finger, beaming wide at him.

"With the power vested in me." Reverend Mark raised his hands over them. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. Rick, you may kiss your bride."

The church went out in wild applause as he leaned in and kissed her.

He grinned down at her. "Hello, Mrs Rick Walton."

She grinned back at him. "Hello, Mr Rick Walton."

He cupped her face and kissed her again, drawing her close and deepening the kiss.

Kelvin slapped Rick's back. "Enough of that, man. You will have plenty time to continue later."

Rick turned to him, a mock frown on his face. "Now I know why you and Bonnie are a perfect match."

Kelvin chuckled, shook his hand and bumped his shoulder. "Congratulations, bro. You are married."

Rick grinned. "I am married."

Bonnie hugged her from behind. "Congratulations, love."

She turned and squeezed her tight. "Thank you!"

More hugs were exchanged. Then they ran out of the church, laughing and giggling like teenagers.

When they got out, the single ladies clustered together. Rose tossed the bouquet. He watched the roses fly straight into Bonnie's hands.

Chuckling, he looked at Kelvin. "You know what that means? You are next, dude!"