Snowflake

"Whaddya say we get married tonight?"

Eighteen-year-old Sarah MacKenzie stared at her boyfriend, Christopher Ragle, in shock. "Married?" she slurred. "Like, we get hitched tonight?"

"Hey, baby, there's nothing to stop us," he whispered, laying a trail of sloppy kisses along her neck. "Just you and me, a keg of beer, and the whole night ahead of us."

Sarah laughed giddily, even as she swayed a little unsteadily from the pleasant buzz of too much alcohol. "But Chris, I don't have a pretty white dress."

"Aww, that's all right, baby," he crooned softly. "You don't need no wedding dress. You got a shirt and jeans, and you ain't gonna need clothes tonight after we get married."

~*~o~*~

"Well, I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful bride."

Darla had been a bridal shop owner for many years, and even she was stunned by the beauty of this particular bride. The dress was fairly traditional, with intricate lace designs on the bodice that looked almost like snowflakes, and the dress hugged the woman's curves in just the right way, while the satin train cascaded in soft waves behind her.

"I'm sure you say that to all the brides," Mac commented wryly.

Darla grinned. "Well, maybe I do, but I still think there's something extra special about you and that dress." She winked at Mac as she helped place the sheer white veil over her head to complete the outfit. "You look absolutely beautiful. Your groom won't be able to tear his eyes off you."

Mac sighed happily as she studied her reflection in the mirror. "Well, it's definitely better than what I wore for my first wedding."

"Oh, so you've done this before?" Darla asked curiously.

"Once," Mac admitted. "But I was too young and drunk to know any better. Then the second time, I never even made it to the altar."

"Oh, I see." Darla was surprised to hear that this woman had so many unsuccessful attempts at marriage. "So what makes the third time the charm?" she asked.

The soft sigh that escaped from Mac's lips gave her the answer.

"This guy is the one," Darla stated with a knowing smile.

"Is it that obvious?" Mac asked.

"Oh, honey, it's always obvious when he's the one. He's the one who respects you and makes you smile and who makes you feel like you're the most beautiful woman in the world every day. And he's the one who's always there for you, no matter what happens."

You know, men just seem to pass through my life...except for you. Will you always be there?

Yes.

Darla laid a friendly hand on Mac's shoulder. "So you're all set with the dress, right? Can I wrap it up for you?"