The sun woke her up a good fifteen minutes before her alarm went off. That was her story and she was sticking to it. It was more true that she'd needed the sleeping pill that Danielle had slipped her once she'd snuck back in from her midnight blindfold visit to Webb, but it wasn't true that it had worked as well as it could have. She didn't wake up tired or even stressed, but calm.
Married. Today was the day that she'd dreamed of off and on over the last six years, while at the same time wondering where it had all gone wrong. Today, she was marrying the man of her dreams -- and really, how many women got to say
that?
Once the moment of introspection was done, she turned on her side, excited. Wrapping an arm around Danielle's waist, she squeezed lightly until she felt her sister hug her arm.
"I'm getting married today," she said quietly and felt her sister nod.
"I know. I've been helping you plan for a few months. I've been cooking for a day and a half," came the sleepy reply. Annie grinned even bigger.
"Come on, get up. I want to grab an apple and a granola bar before everyone in the house gets up. Twenty-seven bedrooms of people looking for breakfast is going to be unholy."
Danielle rolled onto her back and Annie got out of the way, propping herself up on her elbow to look at her sister. "This is why we gave everyone baskets of fruit and stuff like that in their rooms last night. No one has any reason to be out wandering around that kitchen. In fact, they need to be
out of it. With the caterers coming in to help in--" Danielle leaned back to look at the clock, "-- a half hour, you need to get in the shower so you can dry your hair and get started. The guys are all cooped up so we can at least wander freely."
Annie nodded. Everything was set in terms of the people they'd hired to set up and serve at both receptions, not to mention the set up on the large lawn for all the guests. There were so many people in the house that she had tasked her nieces with cameras that she could filter later. While a lot of the guests had covers that couldn't be compromised and many others were people that lived for publicity, they'd had to find a delicate balance with a photographer: all proofs, negatives and cards surrendered after the wedding itself. Photographs would be developed by the happy couple and the photographer could charge the same price as usual.
After Danielle was dressed and had left the room to go check on final arrangements and to make sure the lawn was perfect before coming back with Chloe and Katia.
"Everything is going to be set. The rest of the lunch is going to be ready as the ceremony is done, the tables are all set up on the opposite side of the house and the aisle and arch look amazing. Annie, it's all perfect." Danielle looked so pleased with herself that Annie felt tears well up and her sister panicked. "No. Stop that, don't you dare. Actually, no. Do it now before your makeup is on. Do you need a Xanax?"
Annie laughed. "No, I'm fine. Come on, get dressed. Girls? Start with your hair, so you can step into your dresses. Katia, once you're done, please go and get the box of flowers downstairs? It's the one hidden especially for us."
It was makeup first for Annie so she didn't muss her dress, and then her
hair. It didn't take long, thankfully, and then she stepped into her
dress. It wasn't until she pulled out her wedding gift from Webb that Danielle's eyes widened and Annie actually blushed. "I know. It matches a necklace he gave me years ago. It's in the box there--" After Danielle fastened it, Annie looked at herself and nodded. "I think he'll like it, don't you?"
Danielle just nodded. There was a knock on the door and Danielle went to open it -- Auggie.
"I assume I'm allowed in since I can't actually
see the bride?" Annie laughed.
"Come in. Are you ready?" She looked him over. "Because I don't know who dressed
you this morning, but you look amazing." Stepping forward, she gave him a hug.
"Are you insinuating that I can't dress myself on a normal day?" Auggie kissed her cheek and ran his hand over her waist. "This is beautiful, isn't it?"
"It's okay," she answered with a smile. "So far, we've decided he'll like it."
"He's never just liked you in anything," Auggie countered, the look on his face saying it all and Annie blushed again. "Now, are you ready to get this show on the road? From what I've heard, the guests are almost all seated and the groom and his men were headed up the aisle in the next couple of minutes."
Sure enough, Annie could hear music playing. "That's our cue, isn't it?"
Opening the box Katia had brought up, Danielle handed both girls small versions of Annie's
bouquet, while keeping a medium sized one for herself. It was at that point that Annie thought she might need to take a breath and it was then that Auggie's voice in her ear did the job it always did: calm her down.
"You can do this. Think of it as the op of a lifetime."
Annie smiled at him and turned her head to kiss his cheek. "What would I do without you?"
He shrugged bashfully and smiled in her direction. "Run away from the happiest you've ever been?"
Annie laughed. "Never again."
The entire bridal party headed toward the double doors at the back and waited for the signal that it was time to exit the house. The
backyard had been decorated stunningly, with white rose petals lining the grassy aisle. The President had arrived an hour earlier, and important people were scattered throughout the seats. Annie didn't care about any of it. Once the music started, she only had eyes for Clay.
Holding onto Auggie's arm, she walked slowly down the aisle in the blue shoes he'd bought her for this particular occasion, her eyes focused on his. No, she wasn't going to cry, she was entirely too happy. Her life was perfect.