Page 45 of Ripple Effect

She laughs. “Save that for the altar.” Which sets us all groaning.

“Next,” I call out.

“Something borrowed.” Iris grins.

I hold out my wrist to show off Aunt Nancy’s gold bracelet that has flowers on it. “It’s on.”

“Something blue,” Mom says.

When she does, Iris and I exchange glances. “Yeah, Momma Nat. We got that one covered.”

“Absolutely,” I assure my mother.

“I don’t want to know,” Mom tells my aunt.

“Neither do I.” Aunt Lukie covers her face.

“Remember your makeup!” I cry out.

“Right. What about the sixpence?” Aunt Lukie asks about the last of the tradition.

Wiggling my foot in my wedges, I feel the small coin that was used at Mom’s wedding to Dad lodge against my heel. “Got it.”

“I swear, the last one is the grossest one,” Iris declares. “I mean, who wants a sweaty penny in their shoe for luck?”

“I don’t know,” I say with a touch of exasperation. “But if you think I’m bucking tradition when I’m marrying Cal, you’re a crazy bitch.”

“Libby, language,” Mom scolds me. Then she turns to Iris. “But she’s right, Iris.”

We’re all cracking up when Dad walks in the room. Then the air seems to disappear. “Libby, you’re breathtaking.”

“Daddy, do not get me started crying,” I warn him as I fan my face.

“Here.” Iris shoves a wad of tissues in my hand. I reach beneath the veil to dab gently at the corners of my eyes.

My father approaches me with his arm held out. “I think Cal’s going to lose his mind if he has to wait much longer. Even though I’m not ready to let you go, are you ready to meet your husband at the end of the aisle?”

Pausing only long enough for Iris to get behind me to help lift my dress, I step off the pedestal and take my father’s arm. “This is the beginning of the rest of my life,” I say simply.

His face contorts with a flash of pain before it smooths out. “Then let’s get it started.” He holds me while Mom hands me my bouquet and squeezes the top of my hand tightly. She then follows Aunt Lukie out of the room. Sam and Josh are waiting for them at the base of the stairs to escort them to their seats, but it will be Sam who stands up for Cal.

Iris carefully holds up my dress behind me while I hold her bouquet as we three descend down the steps of Nonna’s old home. All I wanted was to get married here so Nonna could see my joy where she once held me during my sorrow. And in just a few moments, it will all come true.

I’ll become Elizabeth Akin Sullivan, Cal’s wife. A shiver courses through my body at the thought as Iris arranges my dress around me before she steps in front of me.

“I love how happy he makes you,” she whispers.

“Me too,” I whisper back. We’re both pretending my father can’t hear us.

“If he ever makes you unhappy, I’m probably going to kill him.”

“Since I can’t imagine that ever happening, I think you’re off the hook for that one,” I joke.

My heart flops in my chest when Iris just squeezes my hands. “It’s love, Libs. I imagine it’s bound to hurt at some point,” she says philosophically.

“But not today,” I state emphatically.

“No, not today.” Letting me go, she peeks around the corner and murmurs to Josh. Soon, the music changes and I know he’s escorting my mother to her seat.