Ashley's story chapter 28

Part 29 New Jersey
Ashley stood in the bride's room at the back of the church while Christy fussed over her dress. Instead of white, she chose Ivory. The dress was a full length, satin strapless A - line with a draped front and sweep train. The Cathedral veil was held in place by a beautiful pearl extender that sat like a crown on top of her head. She wore Ivory matte gloves that came up above her elbows. She looked like a princess.
Leigh Anna, who was five years old today, was sitting on a bench gazing up at her in awe.
“Mommy what time is it?” She asked Ashley.
Ashley looked over at her and smiled. “It's almost time.”
Leigh Anna was excited that on her birthday, she was going to be a flower girl and her mommy and daddy were getting married. She had to have a dressed that matched Ashley's and she had to have a basket of pedals so she could toss them on the ground when she walked down the aisle.
"We need to get that train laying just right for you. It's your wedding day and you have to look your best," Christy said to Ashley.
She took one look at the somber expression on Ashley's face and was overcome with sadness for her friend. She smiled and tried to cheer her up.
"I know you'd like it if your father was here to support you but it won't be so bad having Richie's dad walk you down the aisle. Smile Ashley, you're not supposed to look like you dread this day."
“Mommy you look beautiful,” Leigh Anna said grinning.
A smile graced Ashley's face and they turned to go out the door. Leigh Anna stood beside her mother as Christy opened the door. Ashley's face went blank.
"I hope I'm not too late."
Doc stood there dressed in a black tuxedo smiling up at his daughter. "Can I walk you down the aisle?"
Seeing her father standing there made the words stick in her throat. All Ashley was able to do was smile and nod as she slipped her arm into his. Doc watched Leigh Anna walk in front of Ashley. It was the first time he had ever seen his grand-daughter. Tears welled up in his eyes and he tried hard not to let them fall. He placed his other hand on top of Ashley's hand that was resting on his arm. They both smiled at each other.
Dave was sitting at a piano to the left of the alter, dressed in a black tuxedo playing music as the guests took their seats. On cue he began to play a song that he had wrote. Ashley had chosen it for her Maid of Honor to walk down the aisle.
Christy smiled, as she slowly walked down the aisle towards the alter. She took her place facing Jon and Richie and then turned to see Leigh Anna walking down the aisle, delicately placing the flower pedals along the aisle way. Family and friends smiled. Leigh Anna looked like Ashley, but had a hint of her father's smile.
When Leigh Anna stood in front of Christy, Ashley and Doc started towards them. Ashley walked with her head held high, her manner was so regal one would have thought she was a princess. She smiled brightly at Jon standing at the front of the church looking her way. If someone told her this would have happened when she stepped off the plane in Denver she would have thought them nuts.
As they got closer her nervousness grew, after today she'd be married to the man she fell in love with and she was still shocked that it happened as it did. Just before the alter, Doc kissed her cheek then Jon took her hand and winked as he slid his arm around her waist.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asked, his blue eyes twinkling.
"Yes," she answered.
He leaned over and kissed her cheek then whispered something in her ear.
"Jerk," she said so softly with a small laugh.
She walked to the alter laughing inside. When she got there, Christy took her bouquet and her husband to be took both her hands and looked deep into her eyes. He leaned over and kissed her, not waiting for the traditional; 'you may kiss the bride.'
Before he turned back to the priest he whispered, "Don't tell me Jon tried to convince you he was the best man."
"He tried but we both know who the only man for me is," she said as she gently squeezed Richie's hand and turned to hear the words that would begin the rest of their life.
THE END