Chapter 38: Finally, We Say I do.
"Alright, hold still. Almost done," Rhonda said, as she began twisting Helga's hair.
Today was Arnold and Helga's wedding day.
After years of dreaming, Helga's dream had become a reality. She was finally marrying the man she worshipped, the man she loved.
As she sat staring at her reflection in the vanity mirror, wearing her wedding gown, tears began to fall from her eyes.
"No! Don't you dare cry! Do you know how long that make up took me to do?" Rhonda exclaimed, but the raven haired woman was smiling all the while.
Helga ignored Rhonda's comment. Usually, she would have had some witty come back, some snide yet sassy remark, but today, in this moment, nothing else but her marriage to Arnold mattered.
Helga had informed her entire bridal party of Arnold's condition, and happily added that he was "good to go." They had all heard of his accident just a month ago. Phone calls from Helga's closest friends flooded in, each one wishing Arnold a speedy recovery. Rhonda sprayed Helga's head with some hair spray, after adding one more pink jewel adorned bobby pin to the blondes's now curled hair.
"There. All done."
And Helga could scarcely believe it. As she looked on at her reflection, the image staring back at her seemed almost like a stranger. The messy tomboy, the tormenter of so many, was now a beautiful woman dressed in white.
She even pinched herself a few times, to remind herself that she was the reflection. That this was real. She even asked Rhonda to pinch her, and the young woman was more than happy to do so, but not before telling Helga that she had been, " a real pain," during the events that led up to the wedding. Rhonda had said this with a smile, so her words weren't entirely harmful. Although, Helga would privately admit that she was right. She may not have had the typical bridezilla, "it's all about ME!" attitude, but she certainly made sure everyone in the wedding and everyone invited knew who the bride was.
Nervously, Helga began to ask her bridesmaids if everyone knew exactly what to do when the whole thing started. Rhonda had waved her hand dismissively.
"Helga, we've only gone though this a hundred times. Out the door, to the left, whole thing is taking place outside near that white pagoda. Now, would you relax?"
Before the bride could respond, there was a loud knock on the door, and Helga called out, asking who it was.
Miriam stepped in nervously, wondering if she would be welcome in the dressing room. When she saw her daughter, she felt tears invade her eyes.
"Oh….oh, Helga…you…."
Helga went over to hug her mother. She knew what Miriam was trying to say.
"Where's dad?"
"Oh, he's out there, somewhere…ready to walk you down the aisle. Helga, I hope I'm not disturbing you, but there's something I…I want to give you."
Miriam reached into her purse, and pulled out a rectangular shaped black velvet box.
"I have something for you. I think right now it is the perfect time to uphold that tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. This is something old."
She opened the box, to reveal the most beautiful necklace Helga had ever seen. Small pear shaped diamonds surrounded opals that came to together to meet with a large pearl, with tear drop pearls hanging from the much larger one.
Helga's jaw dropped when she saw it.
"M….mom…this…this is…!?"
She had recognized the necklace from old photographs. It had been in the family for generations. She had seen pictures of her great grandmother, her grandmother and her mother wearing it, all at their own weddings.
Miriam smiled and nodded.
"That's right. It first belonged to my great grandmother, Louise Murphy Shelton. Then, she passed it on to her daughter, who then passed it on to me. Now, Helga, I am passing it on to you, and you will pass it on to your daughter, when she gets married."
Miriam removed the necklace from the box, and fastened it around Helga's neck.
Rhonda had pitched in with something borrowed: a pair of diamond and pearl drop earrings that she had gotten for a birthday present. They were her favorite piece of jewelry, and although she was nice enough to let Helga wear them for her wedding, she certainly wanted them back by the end of the night.
Olga presented something new: an empty wedding photo album, bound I white leather with gold trim, so that Helga and Arnold could start, "making and saving memories right away."
Phoebe came in with something blue: a sky colored satin ribbon, which she explained that in her mother's family, it was believed blue ribbons were supposed to bring good luck, good fortune, happiness and success. She tied the ribbon around one of Helga's white roses.
Helga gave everyone in the room a large hug, and the entire group shared a loving moment.
Then, another knock on the door sounded. Helga's father, Big Bob, opened the door.
"It's almost time, kid. You ready?"
Helga nodded. Miriam hugged her daughter one more time, before leaving. Bob gave a small nod, acknowledging Miriam.
Helga's wedding party lined up, ready to walk when the music started.
The music kicked up. Helga and Arnold had chosen the instrumental version of their favorite song together, La Vie En Rose, by Edith Piaf (1). It was the very first song they danced to on their very first date as an official couple.
Helga watched as Rhonda, Olga, Phoebe, Big Patty, Sheena and Nadine all made their way out to where the wedding vows would take place. Her fingers began to tightly grip at the pink ribbon that encircled her bouquet
Bob linked arms with his daughter. He looked down at her and noticed her worrisome expression.
"Nervous?"
Helga gave a small grin.
"Uh…yeah…a little bit." She was about to end her days as Helga Pataki, and become a wife.
But, she was more happy than nervous. She had dreamt about this moment ever since she had first laid eyes on Arnold.
Big Bob smiled at his daughter.
"Don't be kid. This is supposed to be a joyous occasion."
Helga smirked.
"Really, I never would have guessed."
Bob smirked back.
"Helga, look…I…I know you and I haven't gotten along as much as we should have, you know, being father and daughter and all that, but I…well, I just wanted know that I'm very, very proud of you, kid."
Helga gave her father a huge hug, and whispered the words, "I know."
"Well, better get going. Don't want to keep the guy waiting."
They both took one step, and made their way to the courtyard.
Every guest turned around behind them to see Helga and her father. The room got so silent, you could have heard a pin drop.
And Arnold? Arnold gave a small gasp as he watched his bride glide towards him. A wave of emotions flooded through him, and he could barely hold back that sheepish grin Helga had come to love so much. The only thing he could think about was how beautiful she was.
Bob gave Helga a kiss on the cheek, before taking his seat besides the bride's mother, and Helga handed her bouquet to Phoebe. Then, she linked hands with Arnold.
The priest, a friend of Arnold's family, Joseph Lee cleared his throat.
"Dearly beloved. We are gathered here today to join this man, and this woman, in holy matrimony. If anyone believes, that for any reason, these two should not marry, speak now, or forever hold your peace."
There was nothing. Joseph continued his speech.
"We are here to witness and celebrate the happiness of Helga Pataki and Arnold Shortman, and bless them in their new lives together. Who gives this woman in matrimony to this man?"
Bob and Miriam spoke up, a loud, "we do," resonated throughout the area.
Joseph nodded his head.
"Do you, Arnold Phillip Shortman, take Helga Geraldine Pataki, to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to honor and cherish her, and keep her in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, for as long as you both shall live?"
Arnold nodded.
"I do."
"Do you, Helga Geraldine Pataki, take Arnold Phillip Shortman, to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to honor and cherish her, and keep her in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I most certainly do."
"May we have the ring please?"
Gerald reached into his pocket, and handed Arnold the wedding rings.
"Arnold, place the ring on Helga's finger, and recite these words: 'Helga, please take this ring, as a symbol of my love and devotion to you. With this ring, I thee wed.'"
Helga let out a quiet sob as Arnold placed the delicate white gold band on her finger, biting her lip in a smile as he repeated the priest's words.
"Helga, place the other ring on Arnold's finger, and repeat after me: 'Arnold, please take this ring, as a symbol of my love and devotion to you. With this ring, I thee wed.'"
Helga could barely contain herself, and the words almost came out in stuttering jobs of joy.
Joseph allowed himself a small smile, as he prepared to take the next step.
"What love, honor and devotion has brought together, let no other break apart. By the power vested in me, and the state of Washington, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Please…kiss your bride."
Arnold nearly crashed into Helga, the force almost knocking her backward as his lips came down on hers, engulfing them in a searing, yet romantic kiss. A chorus of cheers and laughter rang through the newly married couples ears.
Arnold linked arms with his new bride, and together, they made their way down the aisle.
Notes:
La Vie En Rose is a song performed by Edith Piaf. I listened to the instrumental version of it, and it is absolutely beautiful.
Also, the wedding vows. I had to some research, and took some quotes (changed some of the wording, cut some stuff out, etc.) from various sites. They are:
Officianteric
Open-ministry
The Knot
I've never written something that included a marriage or a wedding, so my knowledge of it is a little…blah. How about this (and jokingly) :if and when I get married, I'll go back and rewrite this chapter. I'll have gone through it, and therefore will have plenty of experience to know what the hell I'm writing about.