Chapter 11 [Mercedes' Room—About 25 Minutes to Go….]

Activity swept over the bridal space within Morning's passage. Whereas Mercedes had the room to herself initially, Preparations swarmed over every inch. After their baths and hair washing, the Vegas' servants had dried the brides' hair. Brushes combed out every strand. Strategic make up accentuated both ladies' faces. Corset ties stretched thin threatening to stifle Breath itself.

Over this frantic buzz, Lupe watched every detail. Determination pressed against Sensibility. Obsession moved her toward Purpose. She stepped in only when something seemed amiss. Perhaps a missed stroke of the hair…an oversight there….

Even if her daughter and soon-to-be great niece would not have a proper cathedral wedding, she'd make sure Preparation would be nothing short of Perfection's standard. And then, Friendship demanded a perfect event in Arbor's shadow. She would make sure Doña Esperanza would have one splendid affair for her children.

Aphrodite herself would be jealous if Lupe had anything to say about it.

"Mama? We are running out of time!" Panic seized Mercedes.

"No. We have time. Sit still! ¡No te muevas!" Lupe coached. She poured a glass of water. "Here."

"Gracias, Mama." Mercedes felt Thirst's arid grip disappear with the drink. She did her best to relax under the styling's twists.

"Penelope? Do you need anything?" Lupe looked to the other girl.

Penny glanced at the older woman. After years of hearing her nickname, her full name sounded almost stilted to her ears. "I'm great. Thank you." Ill At Ease unsettled her. Given Lupe's attitude over the previous two weeks, she never expected Good Will of this nature. Blue, I'll knock your boots off! I'm going to be pretty! I'm really going to be! Pa, I wish you could see this!

"No doubts. I will not see you frown. Smile," Lupe urged.

"Sorry. Everyone's thinking of their folks. I am too." Penny sighed. "My Pa died just two months ago. He'd like to see today too. I miss him."

"This day is for him, Penelope." Lupe placed her hand on Penny's shoulder. "Gracias. We remember him."

Victoria slipped into the chamber. She looked around at the goings-on. Disbelief billowed up inside of herself. "¿Que es? Tenemos solamente treinta minutos."

"The hair is finished," Lupe replied. "The dresses and veils are ready." She bit down Defensiveness' urge to snap back at Victoria. "Why are you not with John, Blue and Manolito?"

"I watch. For Blue, John and Manolito, I make sure," Victoria returned Lupe's look with one of her own. She breathed deeply calming herself. "Let's help them." She helped Penny out of her chair. "You will look splendid!"

"How's Blue? Is he doing all right, Victoria?" Penny bit her lip. Her feet wobbled in the shoes' soles and heels.

"Blue is fine. His father, Buck and Manolito are with him. We will focus on you." Victoria checked on Penny's corset. She helped the bride pull on the second layer of undergarments. Adjustments worked in. The white poplin dress seemed to slide on top. Victoria straightened Penny's cuffs. "There is one more thing. You need something borrowed and old. No? There is this." She held up a golden necklace. "It was Mama's. Please wear it to honor her today."

"S…sure. I know how important that is to Manolito, your Pa and you, Victoria. Can you fasten it?" Penny agreed.

"Si." Victoria secured her mother's necklace around Penny's neck. "Now Mama has a place." She fastened Penny's dress up the back. "That is done."

Lupe nodded. Admiration cracked a smile across her face. "Your mother would be proud, Doña Victoria." She straightened the last of Mercedes' undergarments. Then she fingered the fine silken gown. "¡Ay, Mercedes! ¡Este vestido es hermoso! Your father described it." She shook her head. Awe dropped her jaw. "He did not do it justice."

"¿Es fantastico, no?" Victoria smiled. She winked at Mercedes.

"¡Es exquisito!" Lupe produced a dark case. Inside, another golden necklace sparkled in the light. Diamonds' glitter flanked Ruby's light in its center. "For you, Mercedes."

Victoria's breath caught in her throat. "¡Dios Mio! That is your family heirloom, Doña Lupe!"

"Mama, that is Grandmother's necklace! I cannot take that!" Mercedes' eyes went wide. She gulped. Anxiety jarred her.

"This necklace has been passed down, Mercedes, for centuries. My mother gave it to me for my marriage. Now I give it to you." Lupe took the necklace from its case. She placed it around her daughter's neck.

"That's so rich!" Penny stared at the necklace. "No offense to your mother's necklace, Victoria. It's beautiful. I…oh gosh! Mercedes!"

"That is quite all right, Penny. I remember that necklace from my childhood. It is a treasure," Victoria assured her.

"Yeah but so's your Ma's. Maybe I can help Mercedes with her dress?" Penny volunteered.

"Gracias, Penelope. I help her," Lupe declined. She helped Mercedes to slip into the silken gown. Her fingers almost glided across the back with each secured clasp. "And one last touch!" She set the veil on her daughter's brown locks. She made the last adjustments and stepped back. "Eres hermosa." She smiled. "I hope that Manolito appreciates you, Mercedes."

"Manolo does, Mama. Gracias." Mercedes embraced her mother. "Penny?"

"I will do that for you, Penny." Victoria set the veil on Penny's head. She smoothed the back.

"Oh, Penny!" Mercedes clapped her hands. "It is beautiful."

Penny blushed. She gasped at Mirror's view of herself. "I…I'm pretty. I…" Her eyes watered.

"You are beautiful. Escucha a tu tia. Eres hermosa." Mercedes considered herself and Penny. She smiled.

"Blue's going to like this!" Penny cheered. "Thanks, Victoria, for everything."

"De nada." Victoria set a bouquet of desert flowers into Penny's hands. Then, she placed the other bouquet in Mercedes' hands. "Manolito will not know what to say." She grinned. "I will enjoy that."

"Si, Hermana." Mercedes smirked.

A knock came from the door.

Ricardo called. "We have ten minutes."

"You can come in, Ricardo. The girls are ready," Lupe replied.

Victoria opened the door. "I think you will be pleased." She motioned toward the brides. A grin spread across her face.

Disbelief froze him in his tracks. He could only admire Mercedes in the exquisite silk wedding gown. The heirloom necklace caught his eye. "I knew when I saw the gown. Mercedes, words cannot describe you." He shook his head.

"Sir, thank you for helping Blue and me with this dress. We'll pay you back," Penny expressed.

"That is not necessary. It is a gift. We are familia now. Bienvenidos, Penelope." He embraced her.

"Thanks, Sir." Crimson streaked Penny's cheeks. "This is so exciting!" She returned the embrace. "Victoria." She hugged Victoria as well.

"We will be happy," Victoria vowed.

"I want that for you, Mercedes. Be happy. Build that legacy," he told Mercedes.

"Si, Papa. I shall do my best. Of course, I will have help." Mercedes looked to Penny.

"I'll do my best." Penny bit her lip. "It's time?"

"Yes, Penny. We shall do this as a family." Victoria agreed. She nodded to Ricardo.

He pulled the veils down over Mercedes' and then Penny's faces. "There! Now you are ready." He led them out of the chamber and toward the grand stairs.

Anticipation pushed the sands through Time's hourglass ever faster….