“It reminded me of you,” she said. “It’s got bluebells, persimmon, lily of the valley and eglantine. It’s very elegant. Do you like it?”
“I love it,” I said, almost drunk on its unbelievably yummy bouquet.
All five of us piled into Tom’s most awesome Imperial and rode in laughter and fun to The Bowery. We were half an hour early but I preferred it that way.
“I can’t believe you’re not wearing Tie-Dye, Tom,” I said.
“Oh, but I am,” he said, yanking down the collar of his dress shirt to reveal a yellow tie-dye t-shirt, making us all lose it in the laughter department.
It was going to be quite a happy day.
It was weird to walk into my place of work in a wedding dress but I just laughed at how I couldn't believe any of the stuff that had been happening to me lately had been happening. We walked up the steps to the rooftop. Cherry shielded my eyes as she wanted it all to be a surprise and led me to the ancient greenhouse. The glass was so old you couldn’t see out and I was told to stay put while they readied everything outside. There was a little broken corner of glass on the door and it allowed me to see who was coming. I didn’t expect anyone but was pleasantly surprised when I saw a few of our co-workers from The Bowery as well as the restaurant, including Martin and Rodrigo. I saw Van scrambling around a little bit and wondered what in the world he could be so flustered about. I saw our entire group of friends pass by. I saw a few people I had no idea who they were but figured they knew Cherry or Charlie or any of the others. I saw a few of the bands who would open for The Ivories often. There were a lot of people. I just had no idea they would have showed so last minute. Finally, I saw Judge Ryder in his robe and a lovely older woman I could only assume was his wife, Karol.
My heart jumped in my throat a little when I could hear Tom playing a soft melody on his acoustic as people arrived.
“Oh no!” I said out loud to no one, bringing my hand to my face. “Who’s going to walk me down the aisle?”
“I am,” Charlie stage whispered through my peep hole before laughing, startling me. He opened the door and shut it behind him quickly. He shook his head as he took me in. “My God, Harper. You are a vision.”
“Thank you,” I smiled.
“You don’t mind?” I asked.
“It would be an absolute honor,” he crooned in his charming English accent.
“Thanks, Charlie,” I said hugging him.
“Your Callum is a nervous wreck,” he said, his eyes crinkling in laughter.
“What?” I said, holding him at a distance to see his face.
“He is. He’s beside himself. Pacing back and forth downstairs. I’ve just left him. I made him take a shot of whiskey to calm his nerves. I don’t think it worked. He’s too geared up.”
Oh no! He’s having second thoughts! Charlie noticed my beginning panic and put a stop to it.
“Not you too!” He laughed. “Stop worrying, miss. This is meant to be.” He said it with such conviction I almost fainted. Were we? I was starting to believe we were.
Tom started to play Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring softly on his guitar and I could hear the crowd settle down. I began to hyperventilate a little but Charlie just grabbed my hand firmly and squeezed, wrapping it around his left arm.
“Enjoy this, Harper,” he told me and I felt my heart rate calm to a normal level at his words.
Someone knocked lightly on the door and that was our cue. The door opened and I grabbed my bouquet as we began to walk out. Cherry was there and kissed my cheek before fixing my slight train then walking up the sides to sit up front next to the other girls. Charlie and I walked to the middle of the rooftop and turned right to head down the makeshift aisle.
And it hit me all at once.
Fifty white garden chairs flanked the middle of the aisle. Along the row of chairs at the center were incredible swooping garlands of peonies, ranunculus, miniature roses, and antique roses. The garland was fastened to the top corners of the chairs with exquisite bands of feathered butterflies. Scattered on the dark stonework, were thousands of antique rose petals. Balls of white pomanders seemed to float at different heights around the outside of the chairs, held up by iron stakes.
Charlie gently lead me down the aisle, the fragrance of the flowers assaulting me with euphoria. I couldn’t help but smile as my eyes followed to the judge, standing beneath a simple chuppah. Hundreds of thin branches were tied to four large wooden posts. Woven within the thin branches were bunched, beautiful light pink flower bouquets. The canopy was a thin draping satin tied at the four corners, a foot beneath the tops of the posts. It dipped slightly in the middle almost reaching the judge’s head and swayed lightly in the wind. It looked sweet and intimate, like a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Tom had outdone himself. One of the girls must have gone to Chinatown and bought every white paper umbrella they had because each woman there held one to shield themselves from the sun. It was a feast for the eyes. A picture of elegance. A delicate piece of art.
Every chair was filled and many had to stand to the side. I was surprised to know that I knew most of these people. They were people who touched my life every day. I had no idea Callum and I were so loved.
I quickly moved my gaze to drink in Callum, standing strong and sure by the judge. He wore black, a suit similar to Tom’s, vintage nineteen-sixties, a thin black tie. He looked astonishingly handsome. I tried to tell myself that he wasn’t really mine but, for the moment, I just wanted to pretend.