Together
Chapter 6
Christine was a ball of nerves. It wasn't the wedding she was nervous about. Not even the dress and flower change. It was rebelling against her parents and being with Mike physically. Christine's hair was done in a tight up-do and once in the dress her mom had selected, she wasn't allowed to eat, and could barely breathe. Finally, her mother and Sandy; her mother's best friend announced they were going to the reception hall to check things out and then to the chapel. They wouldn't be coming back. Christine's mother didn't offer any advice or even tell her goodbye, but Kathleen winked at her. She brought the dress, underthings and shoes that Mike had bought out from a broom closet and unlaced the very tight bodice from the first dress.
"I ordered you a sandwich to eat before we put you in the new dress. It'll also give you a chance to go to the bathroom." Kathleen said.
"What'd you tell the other girls? What if they tell my parents?" Christine asked. She and Kathleen had never been friends in school, but they got along reasonably well.
"They won't. Don't worry about it. They were selected as bridesmaids due to their connections with our family, not yours. Kelly and Stacy are cousins. Sherrie and Cami are friends of mine and daughters of business associates of my father. And we both know what that means. Basically, your mother isn't in their orbit and if you weren't marrying Mike; you wouldn't be either." Kathleen explained.
"Thanks for making me feel so good." Christine remarked.
"It's the truth. Sherrie and Cami both feel a wee bit cheated that they never got a chance with Mike, but we all know that was never our reality. Events like this is not even about the couple. Its connections and networking, I guess. You are luckier than most brides in our situations, because Mike seems to genuinely care about you." Kathleen said. She had the same gift for being as subtle as Mike.
"He does?" Christine asked.
"Yeah. Trust me, most girls; he would not go to the expense of buying her a wedding dress, lingerie, shoes and flowers. In fact, I'm not sure he would do it for anyone but you." Kathleen answered. The sandwich arrived and Christine ate quickly. She was sitting in the corset and crinoline when there was a knock on the door. Kathleen being Kathleen, just swung the door open and let Mike in.
"Kathleen; I should be wearing a robe!" Christine exclaimed as she jumped up and tried to find one. She didn't look up until she realized all the girls were gone and she was alone with Mike, who looked unbelievable handsome in his tuxedo.
"Don't worry about a robe. I just wanted to make sure you were ready?" Mike asked.
"I suppose so. I was just finishing my sandwich before putting my other dress on…the one you bought." Christine answered.
"Good. I doubt we'll have much of a chance to eat at the reception, but then again; this is more about our parents then us. We might be left alone." Mike said. He drew something out of his suit pocket and handed it to Christine.
"What's this?" Christine asked.
"My grandmother's pearls. She was insistent and from what Kathleen told me; your mom didn't plan on any jewelry." Mike said. Christine opened the box and smiled at them.
"They are beautiful." Christine said.
"Grammy wants you to pass them along to…assuming we have daughters, them. They were her mother's and so on." Mike explained.
"Shouldn't Kathleen have them?" Christine asked, overwhelmed by the gesture.
"Grammy spoke with her last night. Kathleen isn't sentimental and actually suggested that you get them. Said she might borrow them for her wedding, if she bothered getting married, but she wanted you to have them." Mike answered.
"Would you help me?" Christine asked. Mike immediately took the box back, and got the very precious gift out of the box. He gently put it around her neck and then kissed her forehead. "Thank you." Christine said simply. She had to be careful of her make-up, or she would have kissed Mike back.
"Hey; I know today, and especially tonight is going to be particularly hard for you. I can't promise you that I will be a perfect husband, and there will be times you wish you had ran off to that convent, but I will give you a good life. We may not always have a lot of money, but we won't always be under our parent's thumbs, like we are now. I don't want that for our future children. Just hang on." Mike said. It was unbelievable sweet considering.
"I'm really worried about tonight. I have no idea what to do." Christine admitted.
"Fortunately, or unfortunately; I do. I will do my absolute best to make it good for you too." Mike promised. He put his hands on her shoulders and gave her another kiss on the forehead. Even in heels, Christine was a foot shorter than him. Just then, Kathleen stuck her head in.
"Mike; you need to go. I have to get her in the dress. Her dad will be here in ten minutes." Kathleen said.
"Alright. Don't worry about your parent's reaction to the dress either. I've seen you in it, and you lit up the room. I am sure if it far better than your mother's pick." Mike said.
"And I saw her in the other one. It is so frumpy!" Kathleen said with a laugh. Mike gave Christine a gentle kiss on the lips before slipping out of the room. Kathleen quickly jumped into action and Christine was dressed five minutes later in the much prettier, more comfortable gown. Her veil was put on and her dad, none the wiser thought it was the dress that her mother had bought, complimenting how pretty she looked. Kathleen handed her the bouquet that had been made the day before and they headed for the chapel. Christine was halfway down the aisle when she heard her mother gasp in horror, but she concentrated on Mike.
"That dress! Where did it come from?" Marie asked no one in particular.
"Hush." Grandma Hannah said. Christine's dad handed her over to Mike, who gave Marie a withering look and guided Christine to the altar.
Christine's family had felt rushed enough that they weren't doing a full Catholic wedding ceremony, which made Christine feel funny. She wasn't sure where Mike's wedding ring even came from, but she was shaking when she put it on his finger. He was unbelievable calm, and gave her an encouraging smile. Once the vows were said, and they were served communion, Christine and Mike turned around and she immediately noticed her mother's glare, but she didn't care now, because Mike had given her his arm. Christine would have hell to pay later, but for now; everything was fine.
She didn't fear her parents so much anymore, and that was liberating, but she had to wonder if she had jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire, because she had just vowed to love, honor and obey Mike; and that scared her. Of course; he had done the same, and the problem being was that they didn't love one another. At least, she liked Mike. Time would tell if she would grow to love one him.