Chapter
1
Alexa was very excited. In a week, on September 1, she would no longer
be Alexa Morgan, but Alexa Littrell, Brian's wife. She could hardly wait. All
the wedding arrangements had been made. The gowns, tuxes, flowers, the wedding
cake, and all the decorations had been ordered. The invitations were sent. The
church in Lexington had been reserved. Also, the hotel where the reception was
to be held was reserved. The caterer and DJ had been hired.
Brian's brother, Harold, was going to be the best man. Kevin, Howie,
AJ, and Nick were the groomsman. Alexa's best friend from high school, Julie,
was the maid of honor. Her other bridesmaids were Kylie, and her other friends
Lauren, Lindsey, and Elizabeth. Her little cousin Ashleigh was the flower girl,
and Harold's son was the ring bearer.
Brian and Alexa had decided to go to Europe for their honeymoon. They
would travel around to different countries, such as Spain, France, and England,
for a month. Then they would come back to the States. They would be living in
Brian's house in Orlando.
As the week passed, the wedding was the only thing on Brian and Alexa's
minds. It all grew more exciting as the days passed by. Alexa could not wait.
***
When the big day arrived, Alexa was full of nervous excitement. Once
she was at the church, Alexa stood in the ladies restroom, gazing at herself in
the mirror. She was all ready, dressed in her beautiful white bride's gown,
with its long train, eyelet lace, and seed pearls, and her elegant white shoes.
Her veil was perfectly mounted to her hair, which was piled up on top of her
head. She wore pearl earrings and a pearl necklace that had been passed down to
her from her mother. She was to carry a bouquet of African daisies, white
lilies, bluebells, white bleeding hearts, and cornflowers. The bouquet was all
blue and white, to match the blue bridesmaid's dresses.
The bridesmaids would be carrying similar bouquets, only smaller, and
the flower girl had a basket full of blue and white petals to scatter along the
aisle. As Alexa stared into the mirror and tried to calm the butterflies that
fluttered in her stomach, her mother came into the restroom.
"Are you all ready, honey," she asked. "It's almost
time." Alexa nodded. Her mother came up to Alexa and hugged her gently.
When she let go, Alexa saw tears shining in her mother's eyes.
"Why are you crying?" Alexa asked.
"I'm just so proud of you," her mother said, wiping the tears
away. "I love you so much, Lexie."
"I love you too, Mom," Alexa said, smiling at her mother.
"Well, we'd better head out there. They're getting everyone lined
up." Alexa nodded and followed her out of the bathroom. She met up with
her bridesmaids in the hallway. They all gathered around her and hugged her
tightly. Before she knew it, the wedding had started. The organist began playing
the music and the bridesmaids walked out one by one. As Alexa watched Julie,
her maid of honor, walk out, she felt a lump rise in her throat. If Elisa had
still been alive, she would have been the maid of honor.
"But then again, if Elisa was still alive, Brian probably wouldn't
be," Elisa reminded herself. Besides, she knew that Elisa was watching her
from Heaven.
Alexa turned her attention back to the wedding. Ashleigh, the flower
girl, had just walked down the aisle, scattering flower petals along behind
her. Then, the music changed. Alexa took a deep breath as "The Bridal
March" began to play. Her father smiled encouragingly at her and offered
her his arm. She took it and flashed him a nervous smile. Then they started
slowly down the aisle. Alexa was nervous at first, but when she saw Brian at
the end of the aisle, beaming at her, her anxiety evaporated and tears of
happiness filled her eyes.
As she neared the steps leading up to the altar, Brian walked down them
and held out his arm to her. Alexa turned, nearly blinded by her tears , and
kissed her father's cheek. Then she let go of his arm and took Brian's.
Together, they walked up the steps and stood before the minister. Brian
clutched Alexa's hand tightly. His hand was cold and clammy. She realized he
was just as nervous as he was. She glanced up at him and gave his hand a
reassuring squeeze. He smiled slightly at her.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here, in the sight of God, to
unite these two people in holy matrimony," the minister began. Alexa and
Brian looked at each other and smiled again. "Now," the minister
continued, "any person who can find good cause as to why these two people
should not wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace." The church was
silent.
"Brian," he continued, "Do you take this woman in the
holy state of matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, for
richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall
live?"
"I do," came Brian's solemn reply.
"And Alexa," the minister went on, "Do you take Brian in
the holy state of matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him, for
richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall
live?"
Alexa was trembling so hard, she wasn't sure if she could get the words
out or not. But they came, sweet and simple. "I do." Brian squeezed
her hand, and she looked at him and smiled. She knew it was almost over.
"May I have the rings, please?" the minister asked. Harold's
son came forward with the two rings on the pillow. The minister took Alexa's
ring and handed it to Brian. Brian repeated the minister's words, and slipped
the ring onto Alexa's finger, with the engagement ring. Then she did the same,
slipping the other ring onto his finger.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," he said. "You
may now kiss the bride." Brian turned to Alexa and lifted her veil slowly.
Then, he bent and kissed her. Alexa felt her knees go weak. The organist
started to play "The Wedding March", as Brian and Alexa walked down
the aisle hand in hand. When they got outside the church, they were showered
with rice. They ducked and hurried to the white limo that was parked right in
front. It was all decorated, with a sing that read 'Just Married' on the back.
The chauffeur opened the door and helped Alexa in first, then Brian. Then, the
luxurious car started on its way to the hotel, where the reception would be
held.
***
