Last Flight from Flagstaff (Choices: Story Two)

by Beth Carpenter

  Chapter 14

  Donna carefully zipped Jen into her dress. The periwinkle blue fabric draped gracefully over Jen’s pregnant belly, almost in the style of a Roman toga. With her serene face and beautiful features, she could have been Pax, the goddess of peace and harmony.

  Pauline cruised into the room. “I’ve brought the flowers. Is everything okay here? The flower arrangements and candles are in place and the musicians are here. People should begin arriving soon. Here are your bouquets, and the mother’s corsage.” She examined Jen critically from head to foot. “You look very nice,” she admitted, before sailing out once again.

  “Wow. That was unexpected,” Jen said.

  “You do look lovely,” Donna said. “She’d be hard pressed to find fault. Kristen, are you ready for your dress?”

  Kristen was turned away from them. When she turned around, Donna could see the tears in her eyes. “What is it, Kristen?” she asked.

  “I just wish my mom and dad could be here today,” she said.

  Donna gave her a hug. Then she looked into Kristen’s eyes. “I wish they could be too, honey, but I know they are here in spirit. The way they love you, they wouldn’t let a little thing like death keep them away.”

  Kristen took a deep breath and tilted her head back, trying to blink away her tears. “Do you really believe that?’ she asked.

  “I really do.”

  “I do too, Kristen,” Jen said. “Your mom and dad wouldn’t miss this day for the world.”

  Kristen smiled. “I know just what my dad would say before he walked me down the aisle.”

  “What would he say?” Donna asked.

  “He’s say something like ‘Kris, sweetheart, your skirt is tucked inside your pantyhose. Don’t you think you should fix that before we walk down the aisle?” And I’d be so busy checking to see if he was telling the truth I’d forget to be nervous.”

  Donna and Jen laughed. “That does sound like something he would do,” Jen said.

  “Let’s get you into that dress,” Donna said.

  The flowing silk dress was even more beautiful on Kristen in combination with the makeup and hair. Kristen’s veil was simply a scrap of exquisite lace. Donna was about to push the small comb of the veil into the back of Kristen’s hair when someone knocked at the door.

  Jen opened the door and the photographer peeked in. “Perfect. Could I get a shot of you and the maid of honor placing the veil and arranging the lace? Here in front of the mirror would be good.”

  After the photographer left, Jen asked, “Do you have your something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?”

  “My grandmother’s diamond earrings are old and the veil is new. My garter is blue. I still need something borrowed.”

  Donna reached inside her purse and took out the plain gold wedding band. “Maybe you can use this.

  Kristen looked at the band and then looked back at Donna. “Is this the ring my dad…?”

  Donna nodded. “I’ve kept it to remind myself that the kind of love your parents had really exists.”

  Kristen took the ring and slipped it inside her gown against her heart.

  Jen looked as though she were about to ask a question, but thought better of it.

  A tap sounded on the door, and Rebecca came in. “Kristen, sweetie, you look good enough to eat, and Jen that dress is divine. That Pauline woman sent me here to get my corsage. Oh, here it is.”

  Donna helped Rebecca pin the pink orchid on her charming dress of deep rose lace, and then stepped back. The color complemented Rebecca’s skin and emphasized her brilliant blue eyes, so like her brother’s. “You look wonderful, Rebecca.”

  “Thank you Donna. You look lovely too. The pinks and blues in that print bring out the roses in your cheeks.” She turned. “Kristen, I think it’s almost time. Are you ready to marry my son?”

  Kristen smiled. “I think I was born ready.”

  “That’s what I like to hear. I’ll meet you up front.” Rebecca winked and was gone.

  “I’d better go find a seat, too,” Donna told Kristen. “You’re okay now?”

  Kristen nodded and smiled. “I’m good.”

  As Donna reached to open the door, it burst open and Pauline came in, almost running her down. “Showtime, ladies. Are we ready? Jennifer, do you have the ring?”

  Donna slipped around Pauline and walked down a short hallway to the sanctuary. Luke smiled at her and offered her his arm. To her surprise, he walked her up the aisle almost to the front of the church on the left side of the sanctuary. She had a few minutes to look around at the exquisitely decorated church as she listened to the soft piano music. Kristen had chosen floral arrangements of purple and pink tulips mixed with white roses. A candlelit arch flickered behind the alter of the church. Clusters of flowers hugged the end of each pew on the aisle. The faint odor of roses wafted through the church. Donna decided that, for once, it was better that modern roses had little scent; this many old-fashioned roses would be overwhelming.

  After a few minutes, Paul escorted Rebecca to the front pew of the church on the right. She looked regal as she walked up the aisle. Blake would probably say it was because she had so much practice.

  Blake. Helping Jen and Kristen get ready had taken Donna’s mind off her guilt, but now it returned in full force. She had to apologize to him, but could he forgive her? She wasn’t sure that she would be able to forgive anyone who judged her so harshly and unfairly.

  Now the minister came in the side door at the front, followed by Matt and Blake, both incredibly handsome in tuxedos. Matt had a look of anticipation on his face, gazing into the distance at the back of the church as though he could see through the wooden doors to his bride. Blake’s eyes swept over the church. When he saw Donna sitting at the front he seemed to pause, but at that moment the back door of the church opened and Blake’s attention shifted.

  Jen began her slow glide up the aisle, smiling at each person as she passed. Jared grinned at her as she passed his pew.

  Then the wedding march began. Everyone stood as Kristen stepped into the church, her mother’s dress glowing in the candlelight. Ross should be there with her. Donna felt tears come to her eyes, but she remembered what she had told Kristen. He is here, I’m sure of it. Kristen began her journey up the aisle to join her future husband.

  Matt looked awestruck, as well he might. Even Blake seemed amazed at Kristen’s transformation. She glided up to the front and reached out her hand. Matt took it in his, and they shared a smile between them. Then the two of them walked over to a white candle Donna hadn’t noticed before. They bowed in prayer for a short time and then lit the candle together before returning to the minister. Rev. Donaldson was explaining that the candle was in memory of Kristen’s parents, Ross and Cynthia Meredith. Donna couldn’t stop the tears then, but they were happy tears.

  A talented vocalist sang a love song, leaving a good portion of the church digging for handkerchiefs and tissues. Rev. Donaldson stepped forward and introduced himself. “For those of you who don’t know me, I’d like to give you a little background. About thirty years ago, I was appointed Pastor for this church. During my years there, I was privileged to baptize a beautiful baby girl with golden curls. Her parents were especially thrilled, because they had believed they were unable to have children. Like Sarah, they believed this baby was a special gift from God. Since that time, I have served at several other churches and five years ago, I retired. A few months ago, because of an emergency vacancy, I was asked to fill in here temporarily. As a result, I have the pleasure of presiding at the wedding of that special baby girl. I’ve come to know Kristen and Matt in the last couple of months, and I can tell you that indeed, their love is a gift from God.”

  The ceremony was traditional. Matt and Kristen had eyes only for each other as they promised to love, honor, and cherish all the days of their lives.

  Cherish. That was what Donna wanted most of all – someone to cherish, someone who would che
rish her. Last night she thought she might have found that person, until she blew it with her ridiculous tirade. Was it too late? She watched Blake as he reached into his pocket for the ring. He seemed perfectly composed; there was no clue about his feelings for her.

  Blake looked so proud as he handed the ring to Matt. How could she have questioned the authenticity of his feelings for Matt? It was her own baggage from her first marriage coming back to haunt her.

  “Now I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  Matt gave Kristen a slow, lazy half-smile before he pulled her close and kissed her, taking his time. A cheer went up through the church.

  “Dearly beloved, let me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Arlyn.”

  Kristen, flushed from the kiss, took Matt’s arm. The music started and they began their first passage together as husband and wife, beaming at everyone as they retreated down the aisle. Blake offered Jen his arm and followed behind. Paul came forward to escort Rebecca from the church.

  Rev. Donaldson checked his notes. “Matthew and Kristen wanted me to thank you all for coming and to announce that you are all invited to a dinner reception at the Museum of Northern Arizona immediately following the service.”

  Wedding guests began to stir. Donna gathered up her bag and stood to leave. A slim middle-aged woman with dark hair approached her. “Hi, I’m Jackie Fulmar, a friend of Cindy’s.” She offered her hand.

  “Donna Zimmer,” Donna replied as she shook Jackie’s hand.

  “I thought so. You’re Ross’s angel.”

  Donna’s eyes widened. “I – I beg your pardon?”

  “Ross’s angel, in Las Vegas. My sister is a nurse at Sunrise Hospital there. She knew how close I was with Cindy, and she told me all about the mysterious wife who was with Ross when he had the stroke and how she stayed right by his side at the hospital until Kristen could get back from Africa.”

  Donna blushed, laughing a little to cover her embarrassment. “Considering how I came to be there, I don’t think angel is the right word."

  Jackie didn’t laugh; she just smiled at Donna. “I do. I don’t claim to know all the mysteries of God’s plans, but I’m convinced that he put you right where you needed to be when Ross needed you, probably with a little urging from Cindy.” She touched Donna’s arm. “I’m convinced that sometimes God puts us in the right place at the right time and we can either step up or not. You stepped up. You were a big comfort to Ross in those last few days.”

  “My time with Ross meant a lot to me.”

  Jackie looked around the church. “I suppose they want us out of here for pictures. Donna, just so you know, this thing with Ross isn’t common knowledge. I haven’t told anyone else and neither has my sister.”

  “Thank you for sharing this with me, Jackie.”

  Jackie smiled and patted Donna on the arm before she left. Donna stared into the tall arched stain-glass window, not really seeing it. The right place at the right time. It was an interesting concept.