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Wedding Dress Credits
and Forward
Chapters: 1 -
2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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9
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11
Endings:
Alternate 1
Alternate 2
Alternate 3
To
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choice of ending 1, 2, or 3.
The Wedding Dress -
Alternate
Ending #1
“Another wedding!” Martha exclaimed excitedly.
“And in the same spot our Betty was married to Matt.
That clearing in the woods out back is such a lovely
place.”
“Yes it is,” Estelle Granger agreed.
Estelle designed Betty’s wedding dress and had
also been instrumental in bringing about the large
outdoor wedding that the family enjoyed so much.
She and Martha became fast friends and Estelle was
now helping plan the wedding of Betty’s best friend
who was getting married in a few hours.
“I just love weddings!”
Martha thought back to that day. The day of
Matt and Betty’s wedding. The sun woke up early
that morning, as if to start the festivities right.
The caterer, florist and wedding party arrived
early, meeting in the large tent which had been
donated for the reception. Everything in Betty’s
dream book had been realized, from the four tiered
wedding cake bathed in wildflowers, to the fairytale
stagecoach that would arrive to take Matt and Betty
to a waiting limo. The limousine drove them to the
airport where they would enjoy two weeks of
honeymoon paradise at a resort in Mexico City.
“Mamaw!” Betty called as she wheeled herself
into the living room. “Have you seen the programs
we printed out yesterday?”
“They’re in the top drawer of the desk. How is
the bride?”
“I just talked to her on my cell. She will be
here soon. She’s more nervous than I was,” Betty
said smiling as she dug through the desk. “And I was
really nervous.”
“What were you nervous about?” Estelle asked.
“Everything was taken care of and set up so nice.”
“It was! But I was afraid something crazy
would happen like my dress would get hung up in the
wheelchair after all your hard work.”
“But it didn’t and those two little girls who
held the gown walked behind you perfectly.”
“They were cousin Lydia’s girls, Carrie and
Sherron, so cute! It was absolutely a dream
wedding! I am so glad they filmed it so I can watch
it whenever I want.”
Martha and Estelle walked into the living room
where Betty was counting the programs.
“Channel Seven News being there made me
nervous,” Martha exclaimed. “To think your wedding
made the news!”
“I find it hard to believe it has been two
years,” Estelle said. “My business has grown so
much I can hardly keep up!”
“Betty!” Matt’s voice floated in from outside.
“The bride’s here!”
“Everything is almost set up outside,” Betty
said. “We’ll be in to get dressed in a few
minutes.”
“I can’t believe you’re getting married,”
Betty said, probably for the fourth time. “Who
would have thought when you came to church that
first time and Matt introduced you to his cousin
Peter, you two would fall in love?”
She sat in her wheelchair in her old bedroom
while the bride busily got ready.
“I know,” she agreed. “And to think, our
friendship started off in such an odd way. When I
met you at this house for the first time, I couldn’t
have imagined I would be getting married here.”
“Nor did I,” Betty said. “But after I invited
you to the wedding and you came, you fell in love
with the patch of woods just like me.”
“It’s true. It is the perfect place to have a
wedding. When your grandfather escorted you down the
aisle, I cried like a baby. It was so precious!”
Betty turned with a serious look.
“I’m so glad you asked Papaw to walk you down
the aisle. He probably didn’t say much but I know
he was pleased that you asked him.”
“Well, with my own father…uh…you know, not
being here…” her voice trailed off with a hint of
nostalgia.
“Your father would have loved to have given you
away,” Betty added sympathizing. “I still don’t
know where my father is. It’s sad but what else can
I do? I sent a wedding invite to his last known
address. Papaw is like my real father anyway.”
“I hated you, you know. You and Matt were
getting married and I couldn’t understand what was
wrong with me. I didn’t realize I had so much anger
when daddy died and I was taking it out on all those
around me.”
Angeline stared at her reflection in the
mirror. Same dark hair and few extra pounds she
would like to get rid of. However, the china doll
appearance that she hid behind was no longer there.
Looking back at her from the mirror was a real
woman, one with flaws and imperfections. Now she
was a woman who finally let down her guard and
allowed people back into her life. It all started
with the visit to her mother that day, the day she
began working with Estelle Granger.
A few days later she drove out to see the
Smiths and apologize. They had loved her and a
friendship between she and Betty had been born that
day. Later, she attended church with the Smiths and
met Peter. And found God. The void in her heart
was filled and she could live again.
“I love you, Betty,” she said, bending down to
hug the frail girl in the wheelchair.
“I love you too, Angeline,” Betty said,
tearfully. “You are my best friend.”
“Angeline!” a voice called from the living
room. “You almost ready?”
“Mother is so excited,” Angeline said. “And
can you believe she hasn’t mentioned grandchildren
yet?”
“Angeline!” she called again. “Let’s not keep
Peter waiting. I need you married, on that
honeymoon and producing me some grandchildren!”
There was laughter in her voice and Angeline
and Betty laughed aloud. At that moment the world
was all good…
