Chapter 1 – Never the Bride
Everything was perfect, just the way she liked it. Caroline stood on the large balcony, the lake stretched out in front of her shimmering under the sun's golden rays.
She cast her blue eyes downward, the large grassy area next to the house had been transformed into a white wonderland from the polished Americana chairs set out in rows, the creamy rose petals scattered across the lawn and the stunning gazebo draped in a brilliant silver flecked tulle overlooking the water.
Caroline walked back inside the large house weaving through the gaggle of excited bridesmaids in peach chiffon and past the long wooden table loaded up with fresh bouquets of peonies. She reached up and pulled the long flowing white dress from the curtain rod above careful not to upset the intricate beading on the bodice and took it into the bedroom laying it out on the bed in readiness.
She sat waiting in anticipation the nerves beginning to swirl in her stomach. When the dress had been zipped up Caroline smoothed the veil down smiling at the dark haired girl in front of her. Her initial look of stress and anxiety was immediately replaced by a large "I can't believe I'm getting married' grin.
Caroline had been soothing pre-marital nerves for a few years now and felt like she had the technique down to a fine art.
"Jasmine you look beautiful just relax and enjoy your day okay?" She said to the wide-eyed girl in front of her, "I'm going to round up the Bridesmaids and then we'll head downstairs, the boys have just arrived."
"Thanks Caroline, I would have been lost if it weren't for you." Jasmine smiled squeezing the blonde's hand tightly.
"It's my pleasure." Caroline said earnestly then hurried off towards the peach dresses in the other room before the bride could see the tears that had welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall.
Caroline shook her head trying to get rid of the tears. She couldn't believe that after all these weddings she still got so emotional. She had always loved weddings, even as a little girl she remembered dressing up in her mother's lace tablecloth, reciting her vowels to a less than impressed Matt, while her bridesmaids Bonnie, Katherine and Elena watched on.
As she got older and her parents divorced her perceptions of marriage changed and as each of her own relationships ended in bitterness and tears the lustre of marriage had all but worn off.
It was only when she arrived in Boston six years earlier broken-hearted and unemployed, moaning about her sad life at the Beacon Hill Starbucks that she met Claudia Rose, an up and coming event planner who immediately hired Caroline as her intern.
Fast forward three years and Caroline had established Save the Date, a wedding planning business catering to Boston's wealthy clientele. She may have been jaded about weddings but according to her clients she could plan a hell of a one!
Her business gave her the opportunity to live out all her wedding dreams without having to commit to one herself. However she couldn't deny that niggling feeling she got every time she saw a bride walk down the aisle that she wished it was her.
The wedding was beautiful and went off without a hitch, just the way she liked it. Caroline made her way out of the marquee and toward the car park. She pulled the elastic band out of her hair feeling it fall in waves around her face and removed her tan Jimmy Choo wedges from her tired feet. It had been a long day and she was more than ready to go home to bed.
Caroline tip-toed up the stairs and opened the front door careful not to make a noise. Mrs James, her next door neighbour was stretched out on the couch and stirred as Caroline approached.
"How did it go today?"She asked still half asleep.
"Really well, think it was one of my best yet." She smiled. "Sorry I made back a bit later than usual, how was she?"
"Cheeky as usual, but nothing I can't handle." Mrs James replied winking in Caroline's direction.
"Thanks again, see you tomorrow." She said quietly ushering her neighbour to the door.
She leaned against the door, closing her eyes for a brief moment enjoying the silence after such a long and busy day. Caroline put down her bag and shoes and quietly padded toward the first door down the hall and walked towards the bed.
Amelie Grace, her greatest accomplishment, was curled up in a ball, her long blonde hair splayed out across her My Little Pony pillow. The five year old never ceased to amaze and surprise her and was a constant source of entertainment. She had her inherited her mother's bubbly nature but that intelligent and cheeky personality was all her father.
Caroline felt her stomach flip and couldn't believe after all these years he still had that effect on her. She sighed bending over to kiss her daughter on the cheek before retiring to her bedroom for some well-earned sleep.