Penny Pingleton jumped slightly when the organ music started, and butterflies raced in her stomach. She quickly checked her hair with one hand, (her other hand was holding her lily bouquet) and smoothed down her dress. Her uncle Anthony offered his arm, and she took it.
"Look, sorry again about your mom, I did try and persuade her to come, but-" He started worriedly.
"She said she'd rather burn in hell, I know. I never expected her to approve, anyway." Penny sighed. Her uncle was never one for making conversation, and when he did, it was uncomfortable.
"You ready?" He asked her.
"As I'll ever be." She replied, although she had been anticipating this moment for months, even years. The procession began moving. They rounded the corner, so Penny was within view, and the entire congregation gasped at the sight of her. She wore a crisp ivory dress, gathered at the waist with chiffon roses. Her hair, for once, wasn't in its trademark bunches, but piled into an intricate arrangement, with loose curls here and there. Blood rushed to her cheeks at the thought of everyone's eyes on her, but her thin veil concealed her blush. Whenever she went out in public, people always looked at Tracy, and even Inez, but never spared her a second glance.
They reached the front of the church, and Penny grinned sheepishly at Seaweed, who quickly switched places with Uncle Anthony. Penny handed her bouquet to Tracy, her maid of honour, and the soon-to-be-wed couple held hands as they faced the Priest.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we are here today to witness the marriage of Penny Pingleton, to Seaweed Stubbs, and to celebrate the love that they share…"
The wedding ceremony continued without incident, until Tracy, with a large arrangement of flowers in her hair, began making eyes at Link, causing him to drop the rings when asked to bring them forward.
"…Do you, Seaweed Jerome Stubbs, take Penelope Louise Pingleton to be your wedded wife?"
"I sure do." Seaweed grinned. He was always one to break the rules, Penny thought. The priest shook his head and continued.
"And do you, Penelope Louise Pingleton, take this man, Seaweed Jerome Stubbs, to be your husband?" The Priest droned on, but Seaweed interrupted.
"Penny? Penny? Hello, earth to Penelope!" He waved a hand in front of her face, and suddenly, Penny wasn't in a church at all. She was in the Stubbs' back yard, on a sunny Saturday afternoon. She wore no wedding gown, just a pale yellow sun dress. No veil, just a hair ribbon. Maybelle and Edna were tending the barbecue, and Tracy had only a daisy in her hair, that Link had given her. She sighed, dismissing her daydream, and looked at Seaweed.
"Yes?"
"I said, you want some cake?" Seaweed offered her a plate.
"Yeah." She said wistfully. "I do."