Adeline was getting antsy. She and her cousin Abby were up in her and Roger's bedroom, with Adeline sitting in front of her vanity, and Abby right behind her.
"So, I was thinking that I could curl your hair in a way that it almost exactly frames your face. Or I could straighten it and your hair could look like the brunette version of his," Abby said as she twirled a strand of Adeline's hair around her fingers.
"Curl it," Adeline said quickly, glancing back at her cousin. Abby laughed and grabbed her curling iron and the hairbrush, gently tapping Adeline on the head.
"You got it. Why don't you pick out your makeup awhile, you blushing bride, you."
Adeline rolled her eyes as her cousin began to curl her hair. She already had her makeup splayed out on the vanity itself, along with her small pieces of jewellery.
"Did you remember the proverb? 'Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue'," Abby hummed as she worked the iron.
"Mhm. My something old is Grandma Prudence's amber earrings, the new is the necklace you bought my for my birthday, the borrowed is Brian's pinky ring, and the blue is a single delphinium flower in the middle of my bouquet," Adeline said, smiling softly.
"I forgot she gave you those earrings. And the good news is, they match your dress. You're going to look absolutely beautiful, Addy-bear," Abby whispered, setting the iron down so she could hug her briefly. Adeline held onto her arm as she was hugged, then she let go so Abby could finish curling her hair. When she finally did finish, Adeline could hardly recognize herself. Her hair looked shiny and sleek, and it brought out her eyes.
"It looks perfect, Abby. Thank you so much," she said, and the two hugged after the curling iron was unplugged, then set aside.
"You're very welcome. Now let's get your dress on so we can do your makeup and put on your jewels."
Abby helped Adeline up before going to her closet and pulling out a beautiful yellow bohemian dress. The skirt on it fanned out a bit, which was what sold them both on it. Once it was on, Adeline admired herself in the mirror, running her hand over her new curls. Abby had her sit back down before she helped with her jewellery and started doing her bridal makeup, keeping it light and simple so her coral lipstick stood out.
"We're almost done. Just one more thing." Abby pat her cousin on the head before leaving the room. Adeline smiled and looked at herself in the mirror, gently tapping her curls until Abby returned.
"We just needed this." With a smile, Abby set a flower crown just on top of Adeline's head, brushing her hair back with a small smile.
"There. All done. Addy, you look absolutely gorgeous. Your parents are gonna regret missing this," Abby said softly, setting her hands on Adeline's shoulders. They both started to tear up, so they squeezed each other's hands and shared a smile. There was a knock on the door frame that made them both look up, and Adeline couldn't help but smile. Brian stood in the doorway, holding her white rose bouquet with the single delphinium flower in the center.
"I barely even recognized you, Addy," he said, chuckling softly. She laughed and stood with Abby's help, and she walked over to her best friend, smiling warmly.
"I clean up nice," she said, taking the flowers from him. "Ready to give me away?"
"Never," he said, wrapping an arm around her in a gentle hug, making sure not to crush the flowers.
"You sap," she whispered, blinking back tears as she hugged him back. When they pulled away, Brian reached to adjust her flower crown, and he held out his arm for her to take.
"Well, shall we go? I think you'll like the way the backyard is set up," he said as Adeline set her arm around his.
"I know I will. You guys worked hard on this, and I don't want to keep everyone waiting."
With matching smiles, the pair let Abby go down first, and once she was outside, Brian led his best friend down the stairs, holding onto her hand with his larger one.
"I just realized you're not wearing shoes," he teased once they reached the bottom.
"It's my own backyard. I trust it," she said, looking to the back door. She took a deep breath as her heart started to slam against her ribs. She looked up at Brian, and he smiled down at her as they walked to the back door. Abby had left it open, and the warm summer air wrapped around Adeline like a welcoming embrace. It was a beautiful day, with not a cloud in the sky. And the backyard looked more spacious than ever; Abby and Cecelia had planted flowers all down the grassy walkway, with white chairs on either side. At the end of the walkway was Roger, standing just below a white garden arch with flowers woven through it, courtesy of Cecelia, again. Much like Adeline, Roger was dressed in what could only be described as his Sunday best, like the rest of their small wedding party. Yet for Adeline, it was the most perfect scene in the world. The chirping birds above her and Brian was the only music she needed as he walked her down the makeshift aisle. Her dress swayed in the gentle summer breeze, and when she looked up, she could have sworn there were tears in Roger's eyes. As they got closer, Roger extended his hand for her to take, and she did, after giving Brian's hand a squeeze.
"You look absolutely gorgeous, Adeline," Roger whispered as his eyes scanned over her figure. "The flower headband was a nice touch."
"You look amazing, Rog. And it was Abby's idea, one hundred percent," she whispered back, and behind them, the justice of the peace cleared his throat.
"Family and friends of the groom and bride, today we are gathered to celebrate the bonding of two hearts and souls in joyous matrimony. It's here that we conduct a simple ceremony for one of life's greatest treasures, and it's our honor that the groom and bride have invited us here today."
Roger smiled down at Adeline, and she returned it before peeking out to the people on either side of the aisle. Cecelia, her younger sister Winnie, Veronica, Abby, and Roger's mother were all on one side, while Brian, John, Freddie, Miami, and to both her and Roger's dislike, Paul, were on the other. She could feel her heart sink a bit as she took in the empty space near her cousin, and for a moment, she wished her parents were sitting among the rest.
"As these two prepare to spend the rest of their lives together, it is important to reflect on the many reasons why their hearts found one another. They support one another, cheer for one another, and would give up anything for one another. They both look to a future filled with happiness, laughter, excitement, and the happiest memories two people could ever make with one another."
Adeline tore her gaze away from the empty spots in the small crowd, and she looked back up at her fiance. She could see tears in his eyes, and in turn, she felt her own eyes water as a smile graced her lips. She wanted to laugh, to sing, to dance and celebrate with the people she loved most, and she only hoped Roger felt the same way.
"We come now to the words our bride and groom wish to hear most, their vows and full commitment to their union. But before they each share, I want to hear you confirm your intentions to be married. Adeline, do you come here freely and without reservation to be wed to your groom? If so, say 'I do.'."
"I do," Adeline said, looking into Roger's eyes.
"And Roger, do you come here freely and without reservation to be wed to your bride? If so, say, 'I do.'."
"I do," Roger said, smiling down at Adeline.
With a nod, the justice of the peace clapped his hands together, and he smiled at the couple.
"Adeline, please present your bouquet to Abigail," he said, and Abby stood slowly. Adeline leaned over and handed the flowers to her, holding back a laugh as Abby pat her cheek.
"Now that I have heard your affirmations of marriage, I would like to now ask you to face each other and hold hands."
Roger grinned as he extended his hands for her to take. Adeline did so with a smile, and when she felt him squeeze, she couldn't help but giggle softly.
"Adeline Marie Garrison, do you take this man to be your husband, and do you promise to share your life with his, support him through the rough and celebrate with him through the joyous, to love and respect him as his own person, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," she said, squeezing Roger's hands. The justice nodded, and he turned to Roger.
"And do you, Roger Meddows Taylor, take this woman to be your wife, and do you promise to share your life with hers, support her through the rough and celebrate with her through the joyous, to love and respect her as her own person, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Roger said, his grip on her hands tightening ever so slightly.
"Excellent. I would like to ask the best man to step forward with the rings."
Brian rose from his seat with a box in his hand. He walked up to the couple, then lifted the lid to show the wedding rings.
"Roger, if you would please take Adeline's ring and place it on her finger," the justice said. Roger nodded and took the smaller ring out, and with another squeeze, he slid it onto Adeline's ring finger.
"Adeline, I give you this ring. I ask that you wear it with love and with joy, as it has no end, and like my love, will go on forever," he said, reaching up to wipe a tear from her cheek.
"And Adeline, if you would please take Roger's ring and place it on his finger," the justice said again. Adeline smiled and lifted the second ring out, and after blinking back tears, she slid it onto his finger.
"Roger, with this ring, I marry you and tether my life and love to you. Wear this ring forever as a sign of my love," she said, her voice wavering.
"Let these rings serve as a reminder of the love that surrounds you both, from family and friends, and above all, from each other. And now, by the power vested in me, by the city of London, it is my honor and true delight to declare you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Roger laughed and pulled Adeline to him, wrapping his arms around her waist before pressing a kiss to her lips. She set her arms around his neck as she kissed him back, and they pulled apart to the sound of applause. They looked into each other's eyes and wore near identical grins, and behind them, the justice cleared his throat.
"If the newlyweds, maid of honor, and best man could please come forward."
Abby and Brian joined Roger and Adeline by the justice, and he presented them with the marriage certificate.
"As a final step, I ask the four of you to please sign this, as newlyweds and as witnesses to the marriage, so that we may make this union official."
They each took turns signing the document, and once they were finished, Roger swept Adeline up into his arms and kissed her again.
"You know, Adeline Marie Taylor has a much nicer ring to it," he mumbled against her lips.
"I have to agree. I'm now Mrs. Adeline Marie Taylor, the happiest woman in the world," she laughed, cupping his face with one hand.
"And you've made me, Mr. Roger Meddows Taylor, the happiest man in the world," he whispered back, and he looked out to his mother, who was wiping her eyes with her handkerchief.
"Ready to take on the world, Mrs. Taylor?"
"As ready as I'll ever be, Mr. Taylor."