Shane awoke an hour before her alarm went off. She smiled as she looked at her dress hanging on the back of her closet. The day she had been waiting for was finally here. Today was the day she would marry the love of her life, her best friend and her soul mate Oliver O'Toole. She jumped out of bed and rushed to her window to check the weather.
"NoNoNoNoNoNo! It can't be raining" She cried as she moved backward from the window when Alex came running into the room."
"Sweetheart what is wrong?" she asked as she tried to comfort her daughter.
In between sniffles Shane answered "It's!" sniff "Raining!" sniff.
"It's going to be ok dear there are several hours till the wedding and the hair dresser is fixing everyone's hair at the church so you won't have to worry about everyone's hair getting messed up." Alex was doing her best to comfort her but it wasn't working.
"We won't be able to take any pictures outside." Shane said, at that moment Becky came in the room with a worried look on her face and shut the door behind her.
"What's going on Becky?" Shane asked with a worried look.
"Shaney, don't freak out…but… "Becky said her voice trailing off. Shane stood up and turned to Becky putting her hands on her hips
"But. What. Becky?" Shane answered, "What's going on?"
"Well…. Oliver's here and he would like to talk to you." Becky answered hastily
"NoNoNoNoNoNo!" Shane said again getting more upset "He can't see me before the wedding!" she started to walk towards the door but Becky was faster and got to the door before Shane did.
"And that is what I told him but he has insisted on talking to you through the door." Becky answered
Shane moved to the door so she was far enough over that Oliver wouldn't be able to see her but close enough that she could hold his hand. She opened the door and asked her mom and Becky to give them a few moments. "I promise that we won't try to look at each other." She said
"Ok dear" her mom answered and followed Becky out the door. Alex placed her hand on Oliver's arm to reassure him. Then she paused and went back into the bedroom and picked up an item and walked back to the door. She stopped next to Oliver and asked him. "Oliver please lean forward." Oliver did as she asked. Alex took Shane's sleep mask that was pink and slipped it on his head and over his eyes. She smiled as she looked at him and said. "There that's better."
Alex turned and walked down the hall just far enough that she couldn't hear but close enough to keep an eye on them. She knew if anyone could calm her little girl down it would be him. She smiled at them and shed a tear; her little girl is all grown up and getting married. "I wish her father was still alive to see this day" She said to the ceiling. A small voice whispered back "We are always here for both of you." Alex smiled and leaned against the wall.
Back at Shane's door Oliver moved close to the door and started to speak to Shane.
"Shane my love it is going to be ok." He said through the door he reached his hand through the opening in the door so she would know that he needed to hold her hand since he was unable to hold her. Shane reached for his hand and held on tight. Oliver rubbed his thumb across her hand, hoping the motion would calm her.
"Oliver, how do you know that it is going to be ok?" Shane asked though sniffles
"Because I am marring you and that is all that matters." Oliver whispered through the door. He heard her sigh and when she spoke again the sound of tears in her voice was gone.
"Oliver, I love you and thank you for knowing just what to say." She said with a smile. She let go of his hand and moved away from the door. Oliver grabbed a hold of the door and took a step forward in doing so he pushed the door farther open than he meant too. He forced his eyes shut even though he had on her mask and took a deep breath and spoke.
"Shane sweetheart, are you ok? Why did you let go?" He asked as he moved forward he felt a hand on his chest and one on his arm. Shane had placed her hand on his chest to stop him. Shane just started giggling and then she was laughing.
"Shane." Oliver said "Sweetheart, I know I must look ridicules but really it can't be that funny."
"Oh, Oliver you have no idea." She said between laughs. She motioned to her mom to get the camera so they had proof of this event. She took his hand and turned it palm up and placed a small box in his hand closing his fingers over it. She lifted her other hand to his cheek and just looked at him. She stood on her tip toes and placed a kiss on his cheek. She stepped back and walked behind the door. Alex took Oliver by the hand and lead him out of the room. Once he was behind the door again he called to Shane.
"I'll be waiting for you at the end of the aisle my love"
Alex continued to guide him to the living room where Rita stood waiting with Vicky and Becky. All three of them covered their mouths as they tried to hold back the laughter for he still had on the mask.
"All right ladies, when you are finished." He said as he pulled off the mask and handed it to Alex. "Please make sure Shane get this back. Thank you" He gave her a hug "I will see you all at the church." He stop just in front of the door and turned around. "Alex, I have something for you." Oliver reached for a bag he had sat on the coffee table and handed it to her. Alex opened the box and lifted a heart shaped necklace with a Dimond in the center out of the box, below the necklace lay a card that said, "To my future Mother-In-Law (Mom) Thank you for raising the women of my dreams."
"Oh, Oliver it is beautiful. Thank you." She gave him a hug. Oliver smiled and bid them good bye and left for the church.
Several hours later the bridal party arrived at the church. The rain had stopped and the sun had come out and was shining on everything and everyone. The groom and his groomsmen had their pictures taken outside in the garden and then inside the church while the ladies finished getting ready. Once the guys where finished they went into the office off the main sanctuary to wait till time for the service to start. The photographer check with Rita to see if they were ready to get the photos of the bride and the bridesmaids. Rita said they were ready and they head into the garden to take a few photos and the into the sanctuary to take the last of the photos that could be do before the wedding. Shane and the girls went back to the Brides room to wait for the quests to arrive. Shane was walking the room running through the day, she paused for a moment and looked at Rita. When her friend looked up at her, Shane smiled and motioned for her to come over. She asked her if she would take something to Oliver. Rita nodded and waited as Shane went to get something from her purse. She handed Rita a letter with Oliver's name on it. Rita went to the door and turned the knob and as she pulled the door open she found Norman standing on the other side with his hand up ready to knock. Rita smiled at her husband grinning she stepped forward and closed the door behind her. Norman lowered his hand and stepped back as Rita was stepping forward so when she stopped moving they were very close to each other. She looked just as beautiful today as she had on their wedding day. Norman slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer and kissed her. When their lips parted. Norman smiled and said. "Hello, my beautiful wife, how are you?" Rita smiled and answered. "I am much better now. Oh, Norman I have missed you today. How are you?"
"I am much better now. Rita, you are beautiful." He answered with a smile and kissed her again.
"Oh Norman." Rita answered as her cheeks turned a light blush. "Your look very handsome."
Norman held her a little longer, he suddenly remembered why he was there. "Rita, I have a letter and a gift Oliver asked me to deliver to Shane." He held up the letter and the box as she held up the letter for Oliver from Shane. "I have one too." They smiled at each other and giggled at their friends who were already thinking the same even before they were married. They exchanged letters and Norman hugged his wife, kissed her on the cheek and whispered, "I love you Rita." She smiled and said, "I love you too." They parted and Rita watch Norman walk away. She smiled after her husband and turned around and went back into the bridal room to give Shane her letter.
Rita walked over to Shane and handed her the letter and the box. Shane smiled and opened the letter.
My Dearest Shane,
I am so happy, happier today than I ever thought possible. For today I am marrying the women I love the one I call my best friend and soon my partner and my wife. I am looking forward to seeing you today. I have missed you so very much this morning. As I was reflecting on my life I came across a quote that made me think of you. "Sometimes the love of your life comes after the mistake of your life." Shane, you came into my life at the best time. Thank you for being there to pick me up and support me through everything life had brought at me. I look forward to going through life by your side supporting you along the way. Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world.
Love your husband to be
Oliver
As Shane finished reading the letter she asked Rita for a tissue. She dabbed at the corner of her eyes doing her best not to mess up her makeup. Next, she opened the box and found a small white gold heart shaped necklace on the back, their wedding date was engraved. "Rita will you help me with this?" Shane asked Rita walked over and took the necklace and fastened it for her. Rita stepped back and look at Shane she had never see her friend look more beautiful. Shane's dress was a white lace chiffon with a natural waist and a V shaped neckline. Her dress had handmade flowers appliques on it with a sweeping train. Her hair was pulled back in a low bun with a floral diamonded studded comb. Rita was about to help her with her vail when there was a knock at the door Becky opened the door and told Shane that Joe was there to see her. She nodded her head that it was ok for him to come in. Rita walked over to the door and after Joe came in she went out to check on the rest of the bridal party. Joe smiled as he walked over to Shane.
"You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. Oliver won't be able to take his eyes off you" He paused for a moment and then continued. "I just wanted to tell you how happy I am for you and Oliver and to thank you for making my son so very happy." Shane smiled at him and held out her hand.
"Thank you, Joe he makes me very happy too. Joe, I have something for you." She walked over to the table and picked up a small box and handed it to him. Joe took the box and opened it inside was a pair of cufflinks with Dad engraved on them. Joe smiled and carefully pull Shane into a hug. "Thank you Shane I will treasure them always. I love you daughter to be."
"I love you too Dad." She said with a smile then kissed him on the cheek.
Joe had left the room and Rita, Becky, Alex and Vicky had come back in to help Shane finish getting ready. Rita and Becky helped her with her vail, which was white lace with roses embroidered on the edge. Shane turned around and to look at the girls. They all smiled and said how beautiful she looked.
At the front of the church Oliver and his groomsmen were waiting for the time the wedding would start Norman had brought Oliver the letter from Shane. Norman, Joe and the others sat quietly while Oliver read Shane's letter.
My Dearest Oliver,
"I love thee with a love that shall not die, till the sun grows cold and the stars grow old." As you said once when an O'Toole doesn't know what to say he says it with Shakespeare. While I may not be an O'Toole officially, I have been one in my heart from the moment I fell in love with you. I have been dreaming of this day all my life. I have looked forward to and prepared my heart for the moment that I would become your wife.
Oliver "sometimes, someone comes into your life so unexpectedly, takes your heart by surprise, and changes your life forever." You were in my heart before I knew it. I will see you soon my love.
For now, with all my love
Shane McInerney
Oliver folded the letter back up and placed it inside the pocket of his tux close to his heart. He pulled the small box that she had given him at the house and opened it inside was a pair of cufflinks that on one said, "I have found the one and the other one said Whom my soul loves." Oliver smile and took out the ones that came with his tux and put the new ones in, he would treasure them always. Norman came back in the room to get Oliver it was time to start the wedding.
