They sent out the invitations, hired all the services and the church. Everything was ready, waiting for them. The only thing missing was Laura's dress, two weeks was not enough time to find the ideal one, much less to have it made. But it was enough time for Deanna to find hers, which turned out to be very similar to the style that her favorite soprano used to wear in her time.
A white dress, with bare shoulders and tight to the body, but with a draped skirt. Nothing spectacular, the simpler the better. The protagonist of the day was not supposed to be her, but Laura, and to achieve this she was going to need more than a dress. She would need the help of a few more people.
The guests would be family members of both of them, their closest friends and of course several college classmates, something she was counting on. Deanna loved Harry and Laura very much, they were like her siblings and she wanted to give them something that no one else could give them. So she had to tread carefully the last few days before the wedding so that neither of them would get suspicious.
That Saturday Daniel spent the day with his brother at his parents' house, while Deanna and Laura were getting ready at the hotel where the reception would be. Susan was with them, she was part of Laura's bridesmaids entourage.
- Why didn't you bring your bridesmaids, Deanna? -
- It's not really my wedding... I don't need them. This is all for Laura -
- She's very happy, but she's very nervous, she won't eat anything all day -
- I can do something about this... -
Within the hour several pizzas, beers and soft drinks had arrived from room service -
- I can't eat anything, Dean.
-The dress will still fit, even if you eat a little bit... This one has double cheese -
Laura was finally convinced and took a bite.
But Dean was eating like there was no tomorrow and drinking beer too.
She was used to this kind of food, more than the ones in the room, and she enjoyed it with envy.
On the other hand, Daniel had a normal Saturday at his parents' house.
The nervous one was Harry and he was coming and going all over the place.
- You're making me dizzy, Harry," said his father.
- I'm sorry, Dad, I didn't think I was going to get this way.
- It's natural to be anxious, but calm down - Daniel told him.
- You're very calm, brother.
Actually, Daniel's procession was on the inside. Of course he was nervous, everything about her made him nervous, but he wasn't going to show it. He was an accomplished man, he had a steady and successful career, 3 wonderful children, an unblemished reputation, and within a few weeks a woman was putting knots in his stomach. A woman he barely knew. But he had to maintain a normal facade. All this was nothing but a lie.
In the church there was a small room where the bride could receive previous visits from the guests, in case someone wanted to take a picture with her. Laura occupied it and people paraded to see her beforehand. Her dress was a typical princess style wedding dress, with a very wide skirt and a long train. She was the picture of the perfect bride, she looked spectacular. The grooms had also arrived, but they were waiting elsewhere.
Daniel decided to say hello to his new sister-in-law and went to see her. But Deanna was supposed to be there too and she was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he had preferred to let Laura star in every aspect of this wedding and she would stay out of the way. It was getting close to time for them to enter the church and she was still a no-show. She wouldn't have regretted it at the last minute, would she?
- I can't find Deanna - Susan announced.
- Why not? The guests are waiting - Camila hoped she wouldn't show up.
- I'll go look for her myself, she must be in the church somewhere -
Daniel went out to see where he had gone, for a moment he was overcome with anxiety, would she really turn back? As he passed through the corridor, a door opened and several young men, probably Harry's classmates from the University, began to come out of it. And suddenly, out of the same room she came out. What was she doing in there with all those men?
- What were you doing in there? They're all waiting for you, we should start -
- Already? Well come on! -
He hadn't seen her with her dress on, he didn't know how to feel about her bare shoulders. This was getting harder and harder.
Deanna walked in with Daniel's father on her arm. Since she had no father and had not announced her wedding to anyone, Charles took that place. People were still surprised to see her... so young for him. Her bouquet was a few simple gardenias and some jasmine, she wore no veil and barely a very moderate necklace around her neck. Camila had excused herself for the simplicity of the bride, saying that it was Daniel's second marriage and it was better to keep it discreet.
He was waiting for her at the altar along with Harry and some of his cousins, in the typical black tuxedo. But in truth he looked even more elegant and imposing. In the front pews were her three children, watching her walk. When she saw them, Deanna smiled at them and Jonathan broke into a huge grin and started waving at her. After that time at the house, they had not seen her again until today, so for the little boy the excitement was too much to contain.
The priest married them without further ado and it was time to "kiss the bride". But Daniel didn't move, Harry was looking at him expectantly and the guests didn't understand what was going on.
Deanna had to act fast, so she got close enough to give him a little kiss on the cheek, but it was worse, Daniel was surprised and looked her straight in the eyes.
She was gesturing for him to walk at once, she took him by the hand and they started to leave.
- Are you feeling all right? - she asked him when they were finally outside.
- What? -
- If you're feeling okay, you weren't moving -
- Yeah, yeah, I'm fine.
- We must hurry, now it's Harry and Laura's turn -
Deanna didn't seem to have heard that she had just married him, why did her attitude bother him?
It was a momentary wedding, a sham, it wasn't true, so why did it bother him?
Daniel resigned himself and waited a few minutes before going back inside: he was Harry's best man.
And Deanna again disappeared.
She was supposed to be with the rest of the bridesmaids.
Laura walked in with her father, a huge smile on her face. Her appearance was nothing like Deanna's, she was the princess marrying her love. Dressed in white from head to toe, with a huge bouquet of white roses and the veil covering her face.
Suddenly in the upper balcony the organ of the place began to sound, accompanied by a guitar and a very powerful and sweet voice emitted the first stanzas of the "Ave Maria". That was Deanna's gift to her friends, her voice. Daniel could not believe his ears, seeing her up there with that expression on her face looking straight ahead, completely alienated from reality, singing that way.
Laura's smile got bigger when she heard it, matching Harry's. It was the perfect wedding, the one she had always dreamed of. She was on the verge of tears and had to make a huge effort to contain herself. Except for her and Harry, none of the people present had ever heard her sing before; many didn't even know she could do it.
Daniel wasn't the only one who was completely stunned, Jonathan had stood on the bench as if to get a better look at her. He watched her with big, huge, unblinking eyes. He loved music too and Deanna could communicate in his language.
When the last note sounded, the bride and groom waited at the altar holding hands. Deanna just stepped back from the balcony and the priest began his speech again. She quietly returned to take her place as maid of honor and watched her friends' wedding. Daniel couldn't take his eyes off her.