Warning: This is not your typical story but a tale told in pieces, written with an odd flare. The story is finished, and I hope to be updating every week with two to three chapters.
A big thanks to my betas. I couldn't have done it without you.
1. She woke up
She woke up to smiles and gales of laughter. To helping hands, dancing feet, and a celebration of all it was to be a woman on her wedding day. The ache of her mother's absence was eased by aunts and grandmothers, neighbors and friends, turning her small abode into a dizzying festival. There was teasing and advice. Blushes and smirks. Quick sips of alcohol for courage. Bright sprigs of lavender scented the washing water and the whoops and hollers of the bridal party's horseplay echoed throughout the house.
An aunt, glittering eyes belying the stern set of her mouth, scolded the party into order. Amongst muffled giggles, dresses were shaken out, slipped and shimmied into. Hair was brushed, twisted, braided, and left down. Makeup was applied with many scoldings of "hold still!" and "I wouldn't get it in your eye if you would stop squirming." At the end, there was silence as they all stepped back to view their handiwork.
"I do believe you're beautiful." Her cousin smirked, her expressive eyes dancing.
She beamed "Of course I am. I am the bride!"