Chapter 9
The rest of the day was chaotic. Alison buried herself in her obligations. She ran from one end of the resort to the other grabbing anything left in their rooms: Delphine forgetting her blush, Cosima her dress. The two of them had different dressing rooms, Alison bounced between the two to make sure that everything was going smoothly. If Alison wanted to take a break to breathe, to think, or to cry, she wouldn't have the time. She was thankful for that. The best way to ignore our pain is to wrap ourselves up in activities so we don't have time to think about it.
Kira arrived around one in the afternoon. She wore a beautiful dress that blended Cosima's and Delphine's. Alison smiled. Kira would be the only one to stand up there with the couple. Since the crowd would need to be small based on secrecy, Cosima and Delphine decided to forgo traditional bridesmaids. Cosima demanded an exception for Kira of course.
"Do I look nice?" Kira asked as Alison worked on Kira's make-up.
"You look beautiful," Alison said, "You are growing up too fast."
"Sometimes not fast enough," Kira smiled.
"You'll be a young woman soon enough," Alison said, "don't rush into it too quickly."
Kira smiled up at her. Alison really was proud of Kira. Her curls never left as she grew, and despite the blonde darkening from her hair, Alison could see that she was going to break hearts in a few years. She was going to have to keep Kira away from Oscar at all costs. At fourteen he was already starting to notice girls, and this one would definitely be off limits.
The guests arrived soon after. Scott was one of the first to arrive. He wore nice black slacks with a wildly inappropriate plaid button-up tucked in and a mismatched blue tie. Alison wondered how someone could be so unaware of what they wore. Art came a little after. He was able to bring Helena. Alison gave them both a hug in greeting and the three of them carried on small talk.
Alison was surprised when both Cosima and Delphine's parents showed up. Apparently Cosima and Delphine were able to explain to them that the "quadruplets" were some kind of sperm-donor mishap. They used big scientific words to confuse and explain away the issue. In the end it seemed like both sets of parents bought the lie. People will believe what is easiest to believe, in order to not have to face the harshness of reality.
Finally, when all was set and ready to go, Alison stepped away from the dressing rooms and walked out into the venue. It was a gorgeous room off to one side of the resort. The room was big enough for a small wedding, which fit perfectly for the miniscule crowd that attended the ceremony. As Alison walked into the room, she saw out the windows, off to the side, the gazebo in full view. She smiled, quickly brushing the memory from her mind.
"May I?" a voice cut in beside her.
Alison turned to see Donnie, arm out, apologetic look on his face. He had dressed in his best suit, and Alison couldn't deny that he was pulling it off well.
"Donnie, I d-" Alison began.
"Not here," Donnie said, "we'll talk about it later, for now, let's just enjoy this wedding. Besides, you're still on vacation from me, remember?"
She smiled and took his arm. He led her to a pair of seats and sat next to her. She placed a hand on his leg. Turning she shot him a sympathetic smile. He sent back a look of understanding.
The small crowd died down and found their seats, the audience no more than fifteen to twenty people. Felix slipped in on the other side of Alison, slipping his hand in into her hand and squeezing once to let her know he was there for her. Alison was thankful. She squeezed in closer to him, fighting back the emotions held at bay deep within her. Alison looked around the room, shocked to see Marian Bowles slipping into a seat in the back row.
Alison looked up at the flower wedding-arch. She noticed that it had not been turned around, Kira's work shining bright at the front. Alison smiled. She found herself surprisingly ok with it. There were more important things in life than perfection.
The room was framed in sashes of fabric along the crown-moldings. Each of the chairs was covered in a white satin fabric, tied with a perfect black bow. The entire room was elegant, with blacks and whites. Alison smiled at the colors knowing Delphine planned most of the wedding. Alison couldn't deny the fantastic taste she had.
The music began.
The doors opened and Kira came forward. She wore a cute red and white gown. The red and white in equal parts, accenting one another. The entire dress was rounded off with a black belt. Alison looked at her as she walked, seeing her straight posture, and the beginnings of womanhood showing in her face and body. Alison felt emotional knowing that Kira was growing up, and nothing said it quite as strongly as the sight of her in a beautiful dress. The girl was becoming a lady. Alison thought once more about the hearts Kira would break, and the one she would complete someday.
Kira stepped up to the arch, off to the left to leave room for the brides and waved at her mom. As she did, the music switched songs.
Alison's heart beat with anticipation as the French melody played through the speakers. The song was obviously old, and full of nostalgia. The music danced through piano arrangements, and added a small touch of an accordion in the background. The piece was almost minimalist, repeating patterns following the piano melody. It felt so very alien to a wedding and yet was so very perfect. Alison felt herself already tearing up. As the accordion picked up, the white doors at the back of the room swung open and Delphine stood. She was absolutely, impossibly stunning.
She wore a tight-lacy white dress. The fabric following her every curve, it felt simultaneously sexy, and completely modest. The dress covered most of her, long white lacey sleeves wrapping down her arms, a lacey Queen Anne neckline accenting her immaculate collarbones. Alison had to find her breath. She had always known Delphine was a beautiful woman, but in this moment, she understood that Delphine Cormier stood a step above the rest of humanity. Alison stopped blocking her tears as Delphine walked down the aisle, past where Alison was seated. She walked to the arch and stood, awaiting her bride.
The entire crowd turned to the back of the room. The door closed, leaving a sense of anxiety in the pits of everyone's stomach. The French melody faded, leaving in its wake silence, nervousness, and hope. A piano piece began, notes hitting softly in an intro, faster than Alison would have expected, but still fitting. The intro faded down to the softest moment of silence and the doors opened. The piece took off with fervor, still soft and beautiful but fast and light, almost whimsical. It wasn't traditional by any means but it seemed in some strange way to absolutely and perfectly fit Cosima.
"Perpetuum Mobile," Felix whispered to Alison, "bold choice." Alison felt it was the perfect choice.
Cosima walked forward to a gasp of awe. She wore a crimson dress, accented with a black petticoat, visible from the bottom of her knee-length dress. Atop her shoulders sat a black jacket, the bottom cut high on her torso. She looked untraditional, but she looked beautiful. She had dreads up on a tight bun atop her head, but in her hands sat only a single rose. The entire look was almost vintage, yet the colors screamed rockstar. Alison smiled, knowing that's exactly the kind of person Cosima was. As she walked down the aisle, she passed Helena. Helena gave her a smile, and stood from her seat. Cosima paused. Helena handed her a rose. Cosima shot her a wink and continued walking, two roses now. As she came to Alison, she paused once more and Alison stood, smiling, and handed Cosima another rose. Finally, as she came to the end, Sarah stood and handed her a rose. Cosima's eyes were no longer dry.
She made it to the dais, and Delphine handed her a rose of her own. Not red, but white, and perfect. Cosima held the now complete bouquet in her hands and smelled the fragrance. Then, handing her bouquet to Kira, took Delphine's hands in her own. They smiled at one another, and the room sat still, revolving around their over bounding love.
"I have never seen such pretty women." the officiator began, "Here we have two women, of two very distinct tastes and styles that separately, do not seem to mix. Yet, when you place them here, together, they seem to have been intended for only one another."
The officiator continued, beautifully laying out the story of their love. He told the story of Cosima corrupting Delphine, before bribing her with Eskimo Pies. He told stories of Delphine fighting for Cosima. He told stories of immaculate, uncorrupt love. He mentioned that there are people in our lives that impact us, and leave a mark that can never be washed away. That when you find the right one, you won't want to wash it away, no matter the good or bad times. Donnie and Felix both gave Alison's hands a squeeze, for very different, very conflicting reasons. Alison let a single tear slide down her cheek.
"The brides have prepared their own vows," The officiator announced finally. The crowd inched towards the edge of their chairs.
"I am to begin," Delphine said, looking only in Cosima's eyes.
"Cosima," Delphine said, emphasizing each syllable equally, "you came into my life and took my heart. I had felt I was broken, I had felt I was empty. Never before had I been able to feel love. Never before had I known what it felt like to burn in your heart for another person. But you walked in, with your smile, and your cheeky sass, and I found love."
Cosima wiped a tear from her own eye as Delphine continued. "You trusted me even when I gave you no reason to. You forgave me even when I hurt you the most. You held me in your arms and loved me, even when my inexperience showed." Delphine shot Cosima a wink, and Cosima returned with a laugh.
"You are everything," Delphine said, "we are protons and electrons, you and I, we desperately need one another to keep us grounded, even when we push against each other most. We are a symbiotic relationship, each feeding off one another, each providing something of value. You are my anemone, and I, your clown fish. You are my flower, and I the bee. We rely on one another, and though two very different species at times, you and I are one. We are meant to be." The crowd filled with tears. Alison even saw Felix wiping one away.
"I will always love you," Delphine began the closing, "I will always be by your side. My decisions may not always be sound, but they will always be from love for you. Never ending, uncontrollable, complete, abounding love."
Cosima stood on her toes and gave Delphine a kiss. "I don't think we do that yet," Delphine said.
"I don't care," Cosima added, "you're too adorable not to kiss."
Cosima then turned to the crowd. "I need to make an apology for what I'm about to say," Cosima said to everyone, "most of you won't understand, frankly, I don't understand. I also need to make an apology to mister and misses Cormier for the shame I'm about to bring to the entire country of France. I hope they can forgive me in time."
Cosima turned to Delphine, who shot her a look of confusion, and then Cosima began, "Delphine. Notre relation a commencé comme un mensonge. Il n'existe pas de mensonge d'un petit ami que je suis absolument ravi. Vous avez essayé de lutter contre notre amour, mais franchement je vous séduit parce que je me suis, et je ne renonce pas."
Delphine and her parents laughed. Alison turned to Felix for help. Felix simply shrugged, completely lost.
"Vous êtes si belle aujourd'hui," Cosima continued, "Je n'ai jamais pu commencer à espérer pour une personne de plus parfait dans ma vie. Une personne qui a lutté pour mes intérêts, même quand je lui ai dit de ne pas, une personne qui mettrait notre propre relation à la ligne, si cela signifiait que je pouvais vivre un autre jour. Delphine, je suis hella en amour avec vous. Je veux vieillir ensemble. Je veux m'asseoir sur une véranda et crier enfants. Je veux boire du vin tard dans la nuit, et aucun de nous sortir du lit le matin. Je veux essayer de fromages et de pains en France. Je veux marcher le long de la Golden Gate Bridge avec votre main dans la mienne. Je veux vous embrasser en public. Je veux faire l'amour passionné de vous!" Delphine snorted and Cosima shot an apologetic look at Delphine's parents.
"Delphine Cormier," Cosima continued, "Je serai la meilleure épouse que je peux, et je vous aimerai toujours."
Delphine smiled. "You are very bad at French," she said, "but you are perfect at speaking to my heart."
The officiator had them slip rings on one another's fingers and they did, promising to be there for one another in sickness and health. Then, as quickly as it began, it ended.
"Delphine Cormier," The officiator said, "Cosima Neihaus. You may kiss the bride."
Cosima leapt from where she stood and almost knocked Delphine over with a kiss. Delphine laughed as she caught Cosima in her arms and held her close kissing her passionately.
"I am proud to present, the beautiful couple." The officiator announced to cheers from the audience. Cosima raised Delphine's hand and they walked back down the aisle.
Alison's vision followed them, and stopped at the back of the room. In the corner stood Beth. Alison now knew, no one but her would be able to see Beth. Alison avoided eye contact and smiled at the now-married couple. For one brief second, Beth locked eyes with Alison. She looked apologetic, hurt. She smiled at Alison and turning away, walked out the door.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have included an English translation of Cosima's vow.
Cosima turned to Delphine, who shot her a look of confusion, and then Cosima began, "Delphine. Our relationship began as a lie. A lie about boyfriend that I am absolutely delighted didn't exist. You tried to fight against our love, but frankly I appealed to you because I am me, and I do not give up."
Delphine and her parents laughed. Alison turned to Felix for help. Felix simply shrugged, completely lost.
"You are so beautiful today," Cosima continued, "I could never begin to hope for a more perfect person in my life. A person who fought for my interests, even when I told her not to, someone who would put our own relationship on the line, if it meant I could live another day. Delphine, I'm hella in love with you. I want to grow old together. I want to sit on a porch with screaming children. I want to drink wine late at night, and us not get out of bed in the morning. I want to try cheese and bread in France. I want to walk along the Golden Gate Bridge with your hand in mine. I want to kiss you in public. I want to make passionate love to you!" Delphine snorted and Cosima shot an apologetic look at Delphine's parents.
"Delphine Cormier," Cosima continued, "I'll be the best wife I can, and I will always love you."