Everything is You

The driver lowered his window. The security officer poked his head in and looked inside. “Do you have an invitation, ma’am?”

“Yes.” She opened her purse and took out the gold-embossed invitation and handed it to the officer.

“You’re good to go.” He handed the invitation back to her. “Pull up to the next intersection,” he directed the driver before pulling the barricade aside.

“This is a really big deal,” the driver said, slowly driving the car forward.

“Seems so.” Jacqueline peered out of the window at the montage of guests that were alighting from their cars and entering the church. Police presence was everywhere. And there was no shortage of Secret Service, clearly distinguished by their earbuds and dark glasses; for her brother and brother-in-law’s benefit, she concluded.

The cab driver went as far as he could go. “I’ll have to let you out here, miss.”

“Of course. Thank you.” She checked the price on the meter and paid the fare, adding a nice tip. Willing herself to remain calm, she slid on her wide dark glasses and stepped out of the cab. For several moments she stood on the sidewalk, debating her decision to come when there was a sudden flurry of activity. All heads turned to the long, white stretch limo that was gliding to a stop in front of the church.

Jacqueline’s heart thumped.

The driver hurried around and opened the door. Within a moment Lee Ann stepped out, followed by her sister Dominique and Zoe Beaumont, a longtime friend of the family. The ladies were dressed in exquisite dresses in varying lengths of a brilliant teal-blue. Their hair was pulled back from their faces, and behind the left ear of each was a single white lily à la Billie Holiday. And then the bride. Desiree stepped from the car, assisted by the driver. Those who were privileged to see her get out from the car took a collective gasp. She was a vision of perfection in pearl-white organza. A fitted gown that fishtailed at her ankles with jeweled insets at the bodice and down the entire back of the gown. Her face was obscured by her veil that sparkled with tiny jewels and shone like diamonds in the afternoon sun and the train rivaled that of the Princess of Wales.

Her bridesmaids lifted her train and followed her into the church.

Jacqueline folded herself in with the invited guests, found a seat on the bride’s side of the church and waited for the ceremony to begin.

At the head of the church was the proud groom, Spence Hampton. Jacqueline could see how her niece had fallen for the handsome groom. He looked like he was ready for the cover of GQ in his black tux. And then the music began.

First came Lee Ann and Rafe, followed by Dominique and Justin then Zoe and a man she didn’t recognize. Jacqueline’s heart filled with pride as she looked at her nieces and nephews.

There was a pause as the bridal party took their places at the front of the church and then the wedding march began. The gathering rose to their feet in honor of the bride and the poignant organ music filled the cavernous walls of the church. The back door was opened by two ushers and the gorgeous bride, accompanied by Branford, stood in the threshold. Branford gazed down at Desiree and murmured something to her, a warm smile on his face. She slightly nodded her head and they took the long, slow walk down the aisle.

Jacqueline’s heart thundered as they drew closer and Branford’s dark eyes momentarily landed on her. An instant of recognition followed by disbelief darkened his features. He lifted his chin and continued down the aisle never missing a beat.

The forty-minute service, to Jacqueline, was surreal. She barely heard a word. Her thoughts scurried in disarray. All she could see was the look that her brother had thrown her way. It blocked out everything else.

And then the bridal party was walking back down the aisle. The new husband and wife glowed with the love that gleamed from their eyes for each other. The immediate family followed, beaming with smiles and waving and nodding at the guests who flanked them. Branford was mere footsteps away from her. He hesitated a moment, reached toward her and gently tugged her into the aisle.

He pulled her close, holding her by the elbow, never losing the proud father expression as he spoke to her from between clenched teeth. “What are you doing here?”

Jacqueline kept her face averted from prying eyes behind her dark glasses and wide-brimmed hat that swept as far as her shoulders and dipped low over her eyes.

“I came to see my niece get married.”

“No one invited you, I’m sure of that.”

They stepped out of the church into the blazing afternoon and the throng of enthusiastic guests.

“Lee Ann invited me.”

His head snapped toward her. His jaw clenched. “I won’t have you causing any problems.”

They descended the stairs.

“Give your congratulations and then I want you gone. You drew the line between us years ago, Jacqueline.” He turned toward her. His eyes burned with something she couldn’t quite place; anger, disappointment, hurt, she couldn’t be sure.

Her chest tightened in pain. What made her think anything could be different between them, even after all this time? She didn’t, not really. Yet, there was a part of her that held out a thin thread of hope. He’d just snapped it in half.

“Don’t worry, brother dear, I have no intentions of being anything other than cordial. This is Desiree’s day.” She gently pulled away from his grip and continued down the steps.