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side.
Aunt Cheryl snickered.  So this is why you
asked me about the wedding superstitions. Come
on. My son s been looking for you.
 What was he doing in here? Felicia Padden
asked as she took the brush from Victoria and
began brushing her hair.
 Your nails, Mom.
 They re dry. Now answer my question.
 Yes, Tori, what was he doing in here? Sally
joined in with a wink.
 He came to see me. It s all right. It s only bad if
he sees me in my dress before I walked down the
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aisle.
 Gosh, Victoria, you have your whole life
ahead of you to see him all you want. You two
couldn t wait a couple of hours?
Victoria looked at her mother via the woman s
reflection in the mirror and shrugged a shoulder.
 And look at you, Felicia continued.  You re
not even part way ready. We d thought you d at
least have your makeup and hair done by now. I
really wish you would have had a longer
engagement, planned to have your wedding back
home. We could have had hair and makeup artists
come in for you. There s that beautiful cathedral.
Then the banquet hall at 
 Stop, Mother. Tori put down her makeup
brush.  This area is my home now and we didn t
want a big, flashy wedding. Plain and simple is
how we re going and I would hope you d be
happy for me.
 I am happy for you. I just had my own visions
of this day I guess.
 I know you did, Mom, but this is my day, isn t
it?
Felicia nodded as she finished putting Victoria s
hair up in a French twist and added sprigs of
Baby s Breath to the hairstyle. Tori finished the
last touches of her makeup.
 Here s your dress, Tori. Sally held up the
beautiful gown.
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The beaded lace mermaid gown with bolero
jacket and chapel train was the one item for her
wedding she didn t cheap out on. The dress, fitted
at the top and flaring below the knee, conformed
to her body perfectly and the cropped jacket
added a nice touch. The train extended only about
four feet from the waist, but she loved it since
she d have no fear of tripping on it.
Tori took the outfit from Sally, went behind the
screen, and moments later, stepped out with it on.
Both Felicia and Sally had tears in their eyes. Both
exclaimed how beautiful she was. Her mother
hugged her and then fastened the back of the
gown.
Another knock sounded at the door and Tori
hurried behind the screen to be on the safe side.
Her father s voice rumbled from the doorway.
Tori stepped out. In the distance Canon in D
played on the organ.
 It s time, Victoria, Robert Padden offered his
daughter his arm. The group of them left the
room.
Her mother led the way and was seated by an
usher. Sally strolled down the aisle resplendent in
a dark red sleeveless gown and went to stand
across from Geoff and Philip on the other side of
the minister.
Victoria smiled brightly as her gaze stayed
fixed on the man of her dreams. She hoped he
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wouldn t be too disappointed that Sally didn t get
them a gift. After all, she did tell her friend that
she had already given them a gift, the chance to
meet at a bachelor auction and fall in love.
* * * *
My cousin is one lucky man. Philip stood beside
Geoff and the minister waiting for the ceremony to
begin. Too bad I broke up with Stephanie. I could have
used her as a date for the reception.
When the sanctuary doors opened, he and
Geoff turned while the congregation stood. As
Tori walked down the aisle, Phil leaned toward
his cousin and clapped a hand on his shoulder.
 She is one beautiful chick, cuz.
Geoff nodded and smiled at him, then took a
step forward. Phil took a step back, watching as
Geoff and Tori stood side by side, their hands in
each other s.
 Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in
the presence of these witnesses, to join Victoria
Roberta Padden and Geoff Liam McKenzie in
blessed matrimony. This is an honor amongst us
all and their union should not be entered into
lightly. For them to be joined, I need to ask if any
person can show just cause why they may not be
brought together. Let them speak now or forever
hold their peace. The minister paused and looked
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out over the gathering.
Phil, along with a few others, held their breath.
When no one replied, a unified sigh of relief broke
out in the church. Geoff and Victoria chuckled.
Phil listened to the opening prayer, his fingers
playing with the rings in his pocket.
 The couple has asked to share their own vows
in lieu of traditional vows, the ministered stated,
then motioned for the couple to face each other.
 Geoff, you may proceed.
 I love you because you re a blessing in my life.
I value you as you are my consort, you are my
friend and companion. You are my confidant and
my mutual partner. I love you because I desire
you and that brings me joy. I love you because
God and Sally, he tittered after he said her name
and others behind him chortled at the joke as well,
 brought us together. Our relationship is a place
where I am comfortable and our love will grow
through our knowledge and understanding of one
another. The more we love each other, the deeper
our bonds will grow. We are better people because
we are together. I love you because you need to be
loved, as I need to be loved. I want to focus on
your needs for the rest of my life. I, Geoff
McKenzie, take you, Victoria, as my wife. I will
respect you in your successes and in your failures.
I will care for you in sickness and in health. I will
nurture you and grow with you throughout the
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seasons of life.
Phil released the rings in his pocket and
brushed the back of his neck where the fine hairs
were standing on end. He fingered his collar as a
sudden rush of heat flowed through his body and
sweat beaded at his hairline.
 Victoria, what would you like to say to
Geoff?
 Geoff, I love you because you tend to my
needs and you do things that touch my heart.
You ve looked out and after me. You were there
for me and I know you will continue to be there
for me in my times of need. You give me love in so
many ways and I am grateful for you. Every day I
thank God that you came into my life, though
when we first met, I know I wasn t all that
appreciative of the situation. She glanced at Sally [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]