Chelsea stepped closer to Catherine. She watched the woman shrink under her gaze. Sangi appeared at her side, a hand softly touching her arm.
“Look, lady. This is my wedding, not yours. This is me and Matthew’s life, not yours. So, stop with the bullshit, go to the venue and get ready for the wedding, because I’m going to be a part of this family whether you like it or not.”
Catherine sneered. It turned her almost pretty face, very hideous. It was almost as if that sneer showed who she really was. She took another step back from Chelsea.
“I knew it. You’re just like the rest of them. I stand by my statement I made a few weeks. You don’t belong in our world.”
It took every ounce of self control Chelsea possessed not to walk over and punch her in the face. Sangi and her mom both seemed to sense this. They held her gently, their touch almost comforting. She knew however that they were less trying to soothe her and more trying to keep her from killing Catherine. Chelsea pushed the woman out of her mind. It was her and Matthew’s day. She wasn’t going to let Catherine ruin that.
The ride to the State Room flew by. Chelsea found herself trying to calm down, breathe. Her mom held her hand. When they’d arrived, they took the elevator up. Chelsea could already hear the swelling of strings before the doors opened. Their wedding was being held in a harbor side room, the view of the water mixed with the setting sun a perfect combination of beauty and elegance. Chelsea’s dad switched places with her mom. Sangi handed her the bouquet of gardenias, their aroma strong and sweet.
Chelsea laced her arm through her father’s. For once, she could see the emotion written all over his face. She was scared for a minute that he would cry and she knew she couldn’t see that and keep her makeup on straight. The wedding march began. She glanced over at her dad, his composure slowly coming back. He nodded, kissed her on the cheek and they waited to begin their walk down the aisle.
They walked behind her cousin, Nina, the tiny girl throwing lilac petals as Matthew’s cousin carried the rings. Once the bridesmaids and grooms were well on their way, Chelsea sighed. Slowly, she and her father entered the room. Everyone turned to look at her as she walked in, their faces glowing with pride and happiness. Chelsea could only see Matthew. He was dressed all in gray, he looked stunning standing up there, waiting for her, a smile on his face. It was a smile so genuine she thought his cheeks would crack. She felt her heart beating faster. She was going to marry the man she loved, there was nothing better than that.
At the altar, her father left her with another kiss. He did cry then. She fanned at her eyes vigorously. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. She had never known her daddy to cry. She stood before Matthew, eyes bright, a wide smile to match his own on her lips. The entire thing was like a dream. As he spoke, she couldn’t stop looking into Matthew’s eyes, seeing the life that she would have with him from now on. All at once he was saying I do, slipping the ring on her finger gently.
“I do,” Chelsea replied, slipping his ring on his finger.
“By the power invested in me, you may kiss your bride!”
Matthew kissed her softly. Without warning he dipped her low, giving her one of those old black and white movie style kisses she loved so much. When they came up for air, the sound of applause was deafening. They turned to their family and friends, hands locked, knowing they’d made the right decision.
The reception was a blur of too much champagne, dancing and eating exquisite food. Matthew had insisted he pick the cake out for the wedding. When they wheeled it out, Chelsea covered her mouth in shock. It was huge, taller than her head on the cart they carried it in on. The cake looked like a mansion, little purple flowers all over it. Somehow they’d even worked little lights into the scheme. It was so beautiful she didn’t want to even cut it at first.
After they’d cut the cake, danced a little more and had one too many glasses to drink they sat down together. Chelsea kicked off her shoes, opting to go barefoot rather than spend one more minute in the heels. Matthew was massaging her feet as they looked out at everyone having fun, when his parents walked over. With them was a stunning woman. Chelsea could tell she was older, her hair white, but she was tall and held herself as if she were thirty. She smiled at both of them. She had those same stunning blue eyes at Matthew.
“Grandma!” Matthew hugged her tightly. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” she said kissing his cheek. “And you’re Chelsea. You’re so beautiful, dear. Give me a hug.”
When they pulled away from one another they smiled. Chelsea liked her right away. Catherine seemed to want to do everything in her power to get away.
“Oh stop fidgeting Catherine. Did you know she used to be a dog walker? Now, she acts like she’s too good for anyone. Chelsea, don’t pay her even a little bit of mind. I’ve heard the awful things she’s said, it’s ridiculous. You’re a wonderful woman and you make my grandson happy, that’s all that matters.”
Chelsea tried to stifle a laugh. “Thank you.”
“Mom,” Lyle said, “be nice.”
Catherine was a deep shade of red. Matthew’s grandma scoffed, shaking her head. She wished them a good honeymoon while Catherine stormed away, little miss drama as always. As the night wound down, Matthew checked his watch.
“Ready to head for the airport? Our flight’s coming up pretty soon.”