Roses at Home-2
Sir and Lady George Sheffield cordially invite you to the wedding of their daughter
Marie Sheffield
To
Nelson Voigt
Son of Dr. and Mrs. Phillip Voigt
On the morning of Saturday July the 28th …
Kate had looked at the invitation countless times over the past few weeks. She had stuck it on her fridge as soon as it arrived. Marie was engaged to Nelson only two months ago when he proposed at their prep school class reunion. It had really only been 5 years since they left prep school but who understood prep schools anyway?
Owing to the grandeur of the Sheffield estate, planning a summer wedding was simple. All they needed was a marquee, a band, tons of flowing wine and of course, happy guests.
And Kate was only too happy to oblige.
She wasn’t so happy to oblige to the role of maid-of-honor. This required several trips into the city with Marie for dress fittings, bridal showers and boring wedding consultations. Kate only half listened, half of the time and the rest of the time, she studied her school notes.
Silly Kate. Not only had it been over a year since her encounter in the park, and not only had she never once called the number on that business card, which was worn out from so many thoughtful glances, but now she had missed several opportunities to learn the most important wedding detail of all.
July 28, early morning, Sheffield Manor, Marie’s dressing room.
“Kate darling,” Marie called to a still sleeping Kate. Marie had outfitted her room with two beds so Kate could be there for all the ‘fun times.’ Kate simply mumbled in reply. Then jumped out of her bed.
“Oh my God!” Kate jumped up and down. “You’re getting married today!!” Kate grabbed Marie and two jumped around the suite in a very un-BookKate way. Marie squealed in return. “I’m glad you’re finally talking to me.”
“Well, I could only stay mad for so long.” Marie was ever so slightly tiffed about Kate missing her rehearsal dinner two night prior. Kate was called in to work at the last minute and was late coming up to the country.
“Marie, I can promise you I can walk in a straight line.” Kate rolled her eyes and began to dress.
Before long, the parade of stylists, artists and photographers began their march around the suite. Marie’s other bridesmaids also came in and the entire room smelled of hairspray and perfume. By 10 am, the party was ready for the next big step.
Group Photographs.
The Groom, his family and the rest of his party were all staying and getting ready at the manor’s guest cottage, and would be arriving at the wedding marquee first. Therefore only the bride’s side of the wedding would involved in the photos for now.
So it took a team of 2 photographers and their 4 assistants only 23 minutes to get the bride, her maid of honor, and her 5 bridesmaids, along with her extremely large family assembled on the massive foyer staircase for a group photo. And then only an additional 37 minutes for family photos, wedding party photos, and lovely bridal portraits. By the time this arduous task was completed, and everybody touched up their make up, Marie and the party were 15 minutes late to walk down the aisle.
And of course, car problems and a flat tire only 3 blocks from the church later (“Oh leave I will just walk to my dammed wedding!” Marie exclaimed as her party took off after her). Nelson was treated to the site of his beautiful bride walking down the aisle.
But not before his best man, William, was treated to a glimpse of the girl he waited for all weekend.
Compared to the rest of the morning, the ceremony went smoothly. William didn’t lose the ring, nobody’s shoes broke and the weather was pleasant and perfect for Nelson’s big surprise to Marie.
Without anyone but William knowing, he had arranged for a horse drawn carriage to take them back to the Manor for the reception. When the couple walked out of the church, Marie was speechless. She gave Nelson a very teary eyed kiss and climbed into the carriage. Before the carriage could pull away, she made an announcement.
“I’m going to throw my bouquet now!” She yelled and motioned for all her friends to gather. The bridesmaids gathered noisily, chattering and pulling Kate in along the way.
“Mother,” the flower girl, Anna, Marie’s young niece said softly. “Oh Mother, I want to go as well. Please Mum, let me go.” She tugged on her mother’s hand in a way that touched Kate’s heart. She tried to move out of the crowd to bring Anna into the group, but was thwarted by the bridesmaids.
“Kate! You can’t leave!” They shouted and pulled her back.
William saw where she was trying to go, and made up his mind. “Sweet Anna,” he called softly. “I’ll take you.” And with that, he lifted he her up onto his shoulders and walked calmly into the crowd of blushing girls. Anna giggled with delight and wrapped her little arms around his forehead. “No Anna,” he removed her hands. “You have to be ready to catch the flowers.”
And suddenly, without warning Marie stood up and threw her bouquet of white roses into the air. The bouquet arced gracefully in the air and fell into Anna’s waiting hands. The crowd cheered and clapped as Anna smiled for everyone to see.
The carriage took off for the Manor while the guests lingered outside the church waiting for the cars.
William put Anna down softly. “Congratulations Anna!” He kissed her forehead. She giggled and threw her arms around him.
“Thank you William,” and kissed his cheek in return. “But what do I do now?”
“Well Anna,” William said thoughtfully and seriously. “You are next to be married!”
Anna’s eyes got wide. “Does that mean I have to like a boy?” William nodded in reply. “Ewww! I hate boys!” And with that, little Anna thrust the bouquet at William and ran back to her mother, eww-ing all the way.
“So I guess that means you’re next to be married now,” Kate said, coming up behind William.
“Kate,” he said, slightly colder than he had wanted to.
“William, I know I never called. I looked at that card so many times and I wanted to-.”
“But what?” He asked quietly. “You didn’t have time for an old friend.”
“I was worried,” she looked down and began picking at her thumb with her finger. “I thought maybe my old friend had too many new friends. Maybe he was busy. I didn’t want to bother you. Or waste your time. I’m sorry.” She was quiet for a moment. The crowd had drifted away and the damp, stale summer air was getting thicker and more humid by the minute. She looked up at him, “I truly am sorry. I didn’t think it mattered that much.”
William looked at her hazel eyes, watery and truly, truly sorry. He felt awful. She really meant no malice or harm. And she really was sorry. He looked away, unable to accept the hurt in her eyes.
Quietly, she walked away to a grove of willow trees on the church grounds. It had been her and Marie’s favorite spot to play when they were children. They would sneak out of the service and hide behind the long, sweeping branches of the trees. It was their secret fort, where Kate had wonderful memories. But now, Marie was married. And she never felt more alone in a more wonderful place.
William looked up, wanting to take back all that he said. He only wanted to see her smile again. And perhaps offer her another flake. But she was gone. The crowd had left too. The last of the guests were getting into the cars. William saw the groomsmen waiting on a curb for their car. He went to join them, still carrying the roses.
A vibration in hid pocket jolted him to his surroundings. “Hello?” He answered. It was Nelson’s number on the ID but a female voice came across.
“William? Are you still at the church? Have you seen Kate? She didn’t return with the rest of the bridal party.” Marie quizzed him breathlessly. “Its not like her to miss this.”
“Well she skipped out on the rehearsal dinner,” he replied. ‘Maybe BookKate isn’t into parties’ he thought to himself.
“William,” Marie said with nothing but worry in her voice. “Find her.”
William hung up the phone. The quiet breeze that had played with his hair all afternoon was now turning into a stronger wind. He looked up at the sky, which was steadily growing darker. A summer storm was coming.
“Hey Will!” One of the groomsmen called. “Cars here, lets go!”
“You go on mate,” he replied, waving. “And take this,” he tossed the bouquet to the man. “I’ve lost something, I’ll meet you guys back at the marquee.” The groomsman shrugged, got in the car and left.
William looked at the church and sighed. “Kate,” he whispered. “Where are you hiding this time?”