Chapter 33.

The morning was flying by. It began early, with Jill urging Callie to eat her breakfast. She wasn't hungry; she was much too nervous. But the idea of passing out at the alter wasn't appealing, so she forced herself to eat, chasing down her scrambled eggs and toast with a glass of orange juice.

After that, she'd gone to her room to take a shower, but not before looking out her window, which overlooked the backyard, and seeing the flurry of activity as people milled about, setting up chairs, tables, and a dance floor. Never in her life had anyone made such a fuss over her; it felt surreal. And her heart had skipped a beat when she caught a glimpse of Brandon arriving; just knowing he was somewhere in the house was enough to make her antsy with anticipation.

Now she was sitting in front of her dressing table, getting her hair done. Her wedding dress fell gracefully over her knees, covered by a white bathrobe. Nearby, Stef and Lena sat on the bed, watching her, and Jill hovered around, going back and forth between Callie and the bridesmaids, who were getting ready in Sophia's room.

"I think we're done," said the hairstylist, giving her hair one last spritz of hairspray. "What do you think?"

Callie gaped at herself in the mirror. Her hair was swept in a not-too-fussy updo, a few pieces falling loose in curly tendrils. She looked like a princess, she thought to herself. Or a fairy. Definitely not plain old Callie. "I love it," she gushed, turning to the woman. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," the young woman replied. "You've been a pleasure to work with." She patted Callie's shoulders. "Now, let's do your makeup."

Callie drew her robe closer around her, tying the belt tighter to protect her gown. She sat perfectly still, trying to relax as she was probed with brushes and sponges, when Mariana knocked on the door.

"Okay if I come in?" she called.

"Sure," Stef called back. "Come on in."

Mariana entered the room, shutting the door behind her.

Stef smiled when she saw her. "Don't you look gorgeous, Ms. Thing?"

Mariana curtsied dramatically, then went to stand by Callie. "Wow," she breathed. "You look amazing! Brandon's not gonna know what hit him."

"Have you seen him?" Callie asked, turning her head. Her hairstylist gently gently guided it back, so she was facing forward.

"Yeah," her foster sister replied. "He looks great. His suit is going to look awesome with your gown."

Callie smiled at the thought. "I can't wait to see him." Then, a troubling thought occurred to her. "Is my dad here yet?" she asked Mariana. "Have you seen him?" She still hadn't heard from him.

"You mean Donald?" Mariana asked. She thought back to everyone she'd seen so far. "No. I haven't. I can go check the guestbook if you want."

"If it's not too much trouble..." Callie fretted.

"It's not," her foster sister quickly told her. "I'll be right back." She left the room, hurrying downstairs.

Now, Callie was truly beginning to worry. There was less than an hour until the wedding began. She grabbed her phone from the dressing table, and quickly typed a text: Where the hell are you?

"You're all set," said the hairstylist. "You look lovely. Now, I need to do some finishing touches on the bridesmaids. Give me a shout if you need anything." She packed up her makeup, then went to tend to the other girls.

Before Mariana returned to Callie's room, Jill stopped by one more time, this time with Jude. "Is it okay if he visits for a minute?" she asked.

"Of course," Callie nodded. She smiled at her brother. "Hey, buddy."

"Hey," said Jude, waving shyly.

Callie reached out to delicately hug him. "You look so handsome," she told him, admiring his suit. Brandon had asked him to be his best man in the wedding, something that she was incredibly proud of.

"You too," he nodded. "Pretty, I mean." He smiled. "You look beautiful. I can't believe you're getting married."

"Me either," Callie admitted, caressing her brother's cheek. "Do you realize you're gonna be my brother, and my brother-in-law? Crazy, huh?"

"I never thought about it that way," Jude replied. "But you're right." He took her hand, gently squeezing it. "I love you, Callie."

She nodded, her eyes stinging with tears. "I love you too, Jude."

Suddenly, Mariana burst into the room. "He's not here," she announced.

"Oh," said Callie, disappointment gathering inside her. She looked to Jude, who gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Callie, sweets," said Stef, gently placing her hand on her foster daughter's shoulder. "The wedding is about to start. I think it's time to consider the possibility that he's not coming."

"He is coming," Callie protested. "I know he is."

"But if he doesn't," Lena began, joining her wife, "you need to prepare yourself now."

"He will," she insisted. "He'll be here."

Fifteen more minutes passed, Callie calling Donald's number over and over, only to be connected to his voice mail. Finally, she tossed her phone on the bed with a sigh of frustration.

"We really need to start lining up," Jill told her. "The guests are already seated."

"I don't want to go without my dad," said Callie, in a tight voice. "He promised he'd be here. Why isn't he here?" In spite of her beautiful makeup job, she felt a few hot tears leak from her eyes and roll down her cheeks. She looked down, burning with embarrassment and anger.

"Don't cry, baby," Stef sighed, going to sit by her. "Please don't cry." She petted her back, trying to calm her.

"I can't help it," Callie hiccuped, trembling. "He promised me."

Stef leaned closer and kissed her cheek. "This day isn't about him, honey. It's about you and Brandon, and the love you have for each other." She lovingly patted Callie's knee. "It doesn't matter who walks you down the aisle, sweets. It's who's waiting for you at the end."

As Stef comforted Callie, Jill approached them carefully, holding a box of tissues. "I'm so sorry," she said quietly. She placed her hand on Callie's shoulder. It was the first caring gesture the woman had ever made toward her, and Callie knew in her heart that it was sincere.

She took a tissue, dabbing her eyes. "Thank you."

"I'll take care of everything," Jill told her, before walking away. "Don't worry."

Minutes later, there was a knock at the door. "Callie?" It was Robert. "I'm coming in, sweetheart." He entered the room, his face drawn. "May I please have a minute with her?" he quietly asked Stef and Lena.

"Of course," Lena nodded. She and Stef hurried out the door.

Robert was silent as he went to sit by his daughter. "I heard what happened."

"Don't say 'I told you so,'" Callie pleaded, swiping her hand across her face. "I can't take it right now."

"I wasn't going to," he told her, taking her hand in his. "I just came to tell you I'm sorry. I know how much this meant to you. I wish I could make it better."

Callie turned to him, studying his grief-stricken face, and her chin quivered as fresh tears spilled over.

Robert grabbed her in his arms, clutching her to his chest. "Don't cry, sweet baby," he consoled, rubbing her back. "I know it hurts. But it's going to be okay."

"I feel so stupid," she hiccuped, her nose running.

"You are not stupid," said Robert. "Don't ever say that again." He held her tighter. "It's okay to be sad."

Listening to his words, Callie clung to him, her arms wrapped around his neck. "Don't let go, dad."

He nodded, slowly rocking her back and forth. "I won't, baby," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. "Not ever."

Finally, Callie looked up from his shoulder. Her tears were dried on her face, and her makeup felt stiff. "Dad?"

"What, honey?"

"I understand if you don't want to," she mumbled. "But I would love it if you walked me down the aisle." She sighed. "I should've asked you in the first place. You're the one who's been there for me all along. And you gave me this beautiful wedding... I'm so sorry."

"You don't have to apologize," he told her, holding her gaze. He brushed his own tears away with his thumb. "I don't know why Donald's not here, sweetheart. But I'd be proud to walk you."

Smiling through fresh tears, Callie gave him another hug.

"Let's just fix your makeup first," he said, grabbing a tissue. He dabbed at her face, drying her eyes and wiping her nose. Never in her life had Callie been so grateful for waterproof mascara. Slowly, she felt herself begin to calm down.

"There," her father said, helping her to her feet and setting her veil on her head. "Perfect."

Then, he took her hand and led her downstairs, where the wedding party was already gathered, waiting.

Callie looked out the back door. Lena's dad, who would be performing the ceremony, was positioned at the alter. Brandon stood nearby. He looked just as nervous as she did. She waved to him, even though she knew he couldn't see her.

Then, the Wedding March began, slowly and steadily. "Are you ready?" Robert whispered, grasping her hand, which was sweaty through her long glove.

She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "Ready."

The wedding party made their slow descent down the aisle: Caitlin and Leo, Mariana and Jesus, and lastly, Sophia and Jude. Callie's eyes filled with tears once again as she watched her siblings walk together in short, even steps, then separate and stand in their respective places.

Then, finally, it was her turn. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Then, she linked arms with Robert, and they began their walk. The world seemed to move in slow motion to Callie. Though her eyes were trained on Brandon, she was aware of everyone around her. In the front row, Stef and Lena smiled tearfully at her, a box of tissues between them. Rita sat nearby; she was also crying. Callie had never seen her cry before. It touched her in a way she couldn't explain.

At last, they reached the end of the aisle. Callie stood before her father. He clasped her hands in his, looking into her eyes, silently communicating with her. "Your mother would be so proud," he whispered in a shaky voice. "I'm proud enough for both of us. I love you so much, baby girl."

Callie smiled, simultaneously sobbing and hiccuping. "I love you too, daddy."

Robert took her in his arms, hugging her tight, placing a tender kiss on her cheek. She kissed him back, and he took his seat.

Slowly, she turned. Brandon was just a few feet away, smiling, his eyes shiny with tears. She took a step toward him. It was finally happening.

To Be Continued... stay tuned for part two of the wedding, and the honeymoon!