The Height Of Happiness

It had been a long-fought debate with Teddy, but finally he gave in to letting her have a “first look” before she walked down the aisle. She said it was for the pictures, but what she never could admit was that it was for her nerves. Anxious and jittery like she’d had too much espresso, Serena’s hands were shaking in anticipation of the next moment.

Coming down the grand central staircase, Serena could see her Teddy waiting patiently as he pretended to look out the window. Even from her poor angle, she knew he looked fabulous in his tuxedo. He bounced back and forth on the balls of his feet, and from that Serena knew he was nervous too.

“Are you getting cold feet?” she asked him as her passel of women got her veil and skirt right. “You look like you’re about to break into a run.”

“Me?” he laughed. “Never.”

“Are you ready?”

“Me?” he laughed again. “No, can we do this tomorrow?”

“Hell, no. I’m not planning this all again!”

“Patrick has our rings and the paperwork to sign for the state of North Carolina. The officiant is downstairs and ready to go with the ceremony. We’ve got all the makings for a good old-fashioned wedding!”

Serena finished the thought with, “The rest is just extra.”

They both laughed as she reached out and took his hand to give it a squeeze. Pulling away, she handed off her bouquet before her bridal party waited for them both at the end of the hall waiting to go down the back elevator to be unseen by guests. Only the photographer waited with them.

“Go ahead and turn around now, Edward,” the photographer instructed.

Slowly, he turned as Serena held her breath. She’d been waiting for this moment all morning. And now as the day turned to evening, their big moment was finally arriving.

Their eyes met first, and surprisingly Edward let out a small gasp.

“Serena,” he breathed. “You look stunning.”

Trying not to grin too hard, she replied, “You don’t look too shabby yourself, buddy.”

Looking her up and down, he began to laugh, “You lied to me!”

Every time Edward had asked about her dress, she had offered him one detail. What she did not disclose was that none of them accurately describe her dress. She had told him it was not diamond white. It was actually pink. When asked how it was shaped, Serena said it was fitted to her waist. It had taken Cassie and Rebecca all they had to get those pearlescent buttons together because the dress fit like a corset. That meant her description was not a total lie there either. She said there was a bow, but those were amongst the layers of tulle and crinoline to bustle her dress for the reception. Still, all her descriptors had given a very different picture, and Serena liked it that way.

“Are you disappointed?” Serena said with a cheeky grin playing at the corners of her mouth.

After a few clicks and a flash of the camera, Teddy replied, “You have exceeded every expectation, Serena. You blew it out of the water and into outer space. You look divine. You look so divine that I want to kiss you right now.”

She put her hand against his chest, keeping him at arm’s length before saying, “No.”

“Can I at least give you a kiss on the cheek?” he countered with an impish little smile of his own.

Serena looked at the photographer and asked, “What do you think?”

She nodded, “I don’t think it will hurt. Let him have that.”

Turning her face away from Teddy, she felt something soft and tender that Serena herself didn’t quite expect. He kissed her like she was a dream too fragile and beautiful to be broken. In that fraction of a moment, Serena felt more beautiful than she had in her entire life thanks to that single gesture. His lips brushed against the softness of her cheek, and she felt his hand against her waist. Wrapped up in a bubble of her fiancé’s making, it burst when Serena heard the click of the camera again and remembered they were not entirely alone.

Pulling away, she took his hand as the photographer did a couple of strategic poses to take advantage of the alcove, the velvet bench, and the bay window. Serena swelled with pride. She had designed the nook for moments just like this.

Heading down, they took turns going down the small service elevator. First, the bridal party went. Then, the photographer descended to go take some early shots before the ceremony began. Lastly, Serena and her Teddy stood there alone waiting for the elevator to rise back up to their level. Holding his hand tightly, Serena felt afraid to let it go. The feeling mimicked one she had felt as a child at a dance recital.

“Edward?” Serena said in a nervous tone.

“What is it Serena?” He paused the doors, holding the elevator with his foot as he looked at her with a concerned expression.

“I know we didn’t write our vows or anything, which I am very happy about by the way. Still, I just want you to know that no matter what happens after today… I’m glad I married you.”

Sighing, he pulled her into the elevator and in the small quiet space he held her face close to his. In a rare moment, her very tall heels put them eye-to-eye, and as equals they stood there not speaking. They just breathed together. His hands clasped over hers, Edward finally whispered in her ear.

“Serena, I think you should know that I really really want to kiss you right now,” he said and they both laughed, but Teddy’s face went jokingly grave. “It’s a serious problem. Don’t laugh about it.”

It only made Serena laugh harder, and she composed herself as the doors to the elevator opened to let them out in the staff hallway leading outside. Catching her breath, she looked at Teddy again.

“Thank you.”

He grinned, looking brilliant and boyish as he offered, “As always, it is my pleasure.”

“Next time we talk,” Serena noted, “I’ll be your wife. Any last words?”

He thought for a moment before finally saying, “I will be very glad to not be a single man anymore.”

“I think your mother will feel the exact same way.”

Teddy chuckled, “Now you’re making me laugh!”

The event coordinator came in the door and looked at Teddy saying, “We’re ready for you Edward.”

Serena let him go as she whispered, “See you soon.”