Chapter 43

"Come on, let's get you in your dress," Mary Alice said as she took the garment bag from over the door and walked it over to Parker.

Parker stripped off her jeans and tee shirt. She looked at Mary Alice. "Do you think Philip is all right?" she worried.

"I'm sure he's fine."

Parker slid the slip over her head. She wasn't bothering with a girdle. Her dress was loose and flowy enough to hide the swelling of the baby. As she was adjusting the straps, there was a knock on the door.

Mary Alice opened the door a crack to see who was knocking. "Matthew," she acknowledged.

"Hi, Mrs. Parker. Kelly sent me over to deliver this to Parker," he explained as he thrust a padded envelope at her.

Mary Alice opened the door a bit further so she could take the envelope. "Tell Kelly thank you."

"I will, Ma'am. Thank you."

She closed the door and walked over to Parker. "Your intended has something for you."

Parker stared at the envelope in her Grandmother's hand. She started to shake. "I don't want it."

"Parker Stephanie, what in the hell is wrong with you?"

"We've been down this road before, Grandma. It's fifteen minutes before the wedding's supposed to start. Two years ago on what was supposed to be his wedding day, he told Melissa the wedding was off. That's what's in that envelope. A note saying the wedding is off. I just know it."

Mary Alice signed. "He wouldn't do that. He loves you, Philip, and the baby. Besides, this envelope is too heavy for just one piece of paper."

She handed the envelope to Parker. Parker took it and bounced it around in her hand. Mary Alice was right. Unless he had weighed the envelope down with rocks, it was too heavy for a single piece of paper. She found the tab and ripped open the envelope. She reached inside for the note she was expecting to find.

Parker,

In keeping with tradition, I am sending you Mary Alice's pearls.

I am sure you know these are the same pearls that your Grandfather

gave her on their wedding day—the day we chose to get married also.

Please consider them your Something Old.

You will also find earrings. These are my wedding gift to you;

Something New.

I hope someday you can pass them down to our daughter

On her wedding day if we are fortunate enough to have one.

You already have your Grandfather's wedding band on your

right middle finger and the lace from Philip's christening pillow

in your hair. These take care of the Something Borrowed.

I'm assuming I will find out at the reception that you are wearing a blue garter.

Thank you for today. I'll see you soon.

Kelly

As she read his note, she wondered how she could ever doubt him. She shook her head and wiped her eyes. She had ten minutes to finish dressing before Matt came knocking on the door again. She handed Mary Alice the envelope.

"Why didn't you tell me he was giving me your pearls? You said you didn't have them anymore."

"I didn't. I gave them to him to give to you. Now, put them on so we can get this show on the road."

"You're getting bossy again."

"For good reason. You're goofing off instead of getting dressed."

With Parker's dress finally on and buttoned, the necklace and earrings on, Mary Alice stepped back and looked at her. "You look beautiful. And with one minute to spare."

Parker opened her mouth to say something, but there was another knock on the door.

Mary Alice opened it. "Hello, Joe. She's finally dressed."

"Good thing. We wouldn't want her walking down the aisle naked," Joe said.

"I heard that, Cruz!" Parker yelled.

"Let's go, Parker. You can't be late for your own wedding."

He held out his arm to Mary Alice. "Ready to go?"

"I most certainly am."

Parker made her way to the back of the church. She opened the door and found Kelly standing there waiting for her.

"Hi," he greeted, smiling.

"Kelly," she said in surprise. "You're supposed to be at the altar."

"Change in plans. You didn't have anyone to give you away, so I thought we could walk down the aisle together. We can start married life together right from the first step down the aisle."

Parker bit her lip. Never in a million years would she have thought of walking down the aisle with her husband to be at her side. She nodded. She had been planning to walk by herself. Kelly had obviously thought about that as well.

"I know it's not how we did it in rehearsal, but it seemed like the thing to do."

He held out his hand. Parker took it. "Kelly Michael Severide, you never cease to amaze me."