Ronnie Miller had never really considered Georgia to be a beautiful state, until she spent the summer with her dad. When she had returned to New York, after her father had passed away, Ronnie found herself missing the beaches and cool water. And the days a Julliard were nothing compared to the lazy days Ronnie had spent on the beach. Some people may have chosen upscale New York to small world Georgia, but Ronnie was never one to follow the crowd. She'd take small world Georgia over New York any day. Especially today.
Ronnie stared at herself in the full length mirror that was set up before her. She hardly recognized herself, despite the years that passed. Her curly brown hair, accented with her purple highlights, had grown several inches in the past few years. It was pulled up into a bun but allow a strand to hand by her face. Her slender figure was captured in her form fitted wedding dress. It wrapped around her chest, fitting to her curved like a glove. Her skirt fanned out by her legs, and drifted behind her into the train. Her veil was pulled behind her head for the moment. This woman looking back at Ronnie was someone else.
"You look beautiful Ronnie."
Ronnie turned to see her mother standing in the doorway behind her. She smiled. "Thanks mom."
Kim walked into the dressing room and closed the door behind her. She wore a simple light green dress. Since Ronnie decided not to go with black for her wedding, Ronnie chose the green instead. She walked to the vanity, set up against one of the walls, and placed a small white bag on the table.
"Where did you sneak off to?" Ronnie asked.
Kim smiled. "Will asked me to bring over your present."
"He didn't." Ronnie groaned. She turned from the mirror and walked to the vanity.
"Well what did you expect him to do after he saw your present?" Kim asked.
"I'd hoped he'd at least listen to me." Ronnie murmured.
Kim rolled her eyes. "Just see what he got you."
Ronnie hesitantly reached into the bag. She pulled up a medium sized velvet box. Ronnie's brow furrowed in confusion. She opened the box and gasped. Inside was a leather anklet complete with several charms. Ronnie removed the anklet from the box and looked at it closer. The charms were small and silver. The first one was a volley ball. The second charm was a sea turtle. The next charm was a piano, then a music note, followed by a ring.
Ronnie smiled at the beautiful anklet.
"Do you need some help putting it on?" Kim asked.
Ronnie laughed lightly. "Probably. I'm not sure can move in this dress."
Kim laughed and took the anklet from Ronnie. Ronnie took a seat on the chair and lifted the skirt of her dress. Her mother slipped the anklet around her ankle.
"Something new." Kim said. "And my mother's veil as something old."
Ronnie lowered her dress and nodded. "Just missing borrowed and blue."
Kim held up her figure. She reached into her purse and retrieved a smaller box. "Maybe these can help."
Ronnie took the box from her mom and opened it up. Inside was a pair of small, blue sapphire earrings. Ronnie remembered seeing her mother wear them countless times growing up. They were her favorite pair.
"Mom-"
Kim held up her hand. "I wore these on my wedding day; when I married your father. They were my gift from him."
Ronnie felt her eyes tear up. "Thanks mom."
Kim placed a hand on Ronnie's shoulder. "Sweetie, I know this must be hard without your father here with you. But I know that he would think you are so beautiful and that he would have loved to walk you down the aisle."
Ronnie nodded. "I know mom. I just wish he could be here."
Kim hugged her tightly. "I know. So do I."
A sharp knock broke their talk. The door opened and Jonah peeked his head in.
"Hey, Pastor Harris sent me around to tell you, ten minutes of freedom left."
Kim chuckled. "Thank you Jonah."
Jonah ducked out of the doorway and scurried down the hall.
Kim released Ronnie and wiped her eyes. Suddenly she burst into laughter.
"What?" Ronnie asked.
"It's a good thing you decided not to wear makeup." Kim laughed.
Ronnie started laughing with her mother as she dried her eyes.
Kim finished drying her eyes. "Now, let's make you a married woman."
