"Where is he?" Bridget asked impatiently, as she turned her head to look at the door.
"Hold still or I'll never get this veil on!" Her friend Jessica commanded; with a mouthful of hairpins. Three of her closet friends stood around her, helping her dress.
"Perfect!" said Jessica at last, stepping back and viewing the picture her friend made in the full-length mirror at the end of the dressing room.
"Exquisite!" squealed her friend Lucy from her seat in the corner.
"I have never seen anyone so lovely! You look just like an angel!" Exclaimed another of her friends, Carrie. Only Bridget said nothing, for the image of herself in the mirror did not seem quite real to her. It was if she was floating in a dream of satin and lace. She hardly heard the comments of the other women in the room—they came as distant echoes to her ears.
"Do I look alright?" she asked finally, her question bringing a wave of giggles from her attendants.
"Didn't you hear us?" Carrie inquired. "You look perfect, from your beautiful curls to the tips of your shoes. I cannot wait for your father to see his beautiful daughter. Bridget looked into the mirror and smoothed her dress. She sighed,
"My mother would have loved to see this dress." She said quietly. Jessica finished pinning the veil onto her head of curls and hugged her lightly. A light knock on the door made them jump.
"Bridget, is it safe to come in?" Jessica opened the door and let Hawkeye walk into the room, shutting the door tightly behind her as the three women left.
"Hi Daddy," she said, smiling brightly.
"Hiya Freckles," he said gruffly. He was trying his hardest to keep his emotions under control. Bridget saw this and walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I love you Daddy." She sniffled and he pulled her back.
"Stop those tears." He commanded. "I won't have you walking down that aisle in a soggy dress." Bridget laughed nervously. Hawkeye held her at arms length and gazed over her.
"You look so much like your mother." He said smiling. Bridget turned around to look into the mirror.
"Do you think so?"
Hawkeye only nodded as he walked over to her, enveloping her in a hug.
"What's wrong Daddy?"
"Nothing, I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl." She stood up on the tips of her toes to kiss him gently on the cheek.
"I'll always be your baby girl." She whispered softly into his ear. She leaned back. "Are you ready?"
He nodded and held out his arm. Bridget slipped her arm through his and they walked down the hallway towards the main doors of the chapel. Hawkeye looked down at his lovely daughter. She looked so radiant, he thought. Happiness glowed from her face. He remembered the first day he had laid eyes on her; the shy little girl, hiding behind her mother. The little girl was gone now, replaced by a beautiful woman. He was going to miss his little girl.
