Chapter 50: Snowflakes
POV: Gabby / Zac
December 31, 2008
Christmas had been a great day all around. Everyone had a great time and it was much more pleasant than last year’s nervous wreck. Grace was able to attend with us and even though there were babies present, I did very well. Samantha was already crawling and she sought me out when she was put down, clearly she liked me and that made me feel good. Michael even played with me in the floor with their new toys.
Because we wanted to follow some form of traditional weddings, I stayed with his parents for the night. I’d been nervous about that but it had been good because she and I got to talk without the guys. I’d actually slept pretty late and Diana made sure I had a very filling lunch because it would be a while before we had dinner.
“Where is your wedding dress?” She asked.
“Shawn took it to the venue already, Victoria wanted to get pictures of the dress in the chapel area before Zac got there and was roaming around. It should be back in the bag waiting for me when we arrive. She’s already there getting pictures of like the Chapel, settings and stuff.”
“You’ll love her. She’s amazing. She took a lot of our family photos.”
“I met Richard when we paid them but she was in the studio area. He’ll be following Zac but he’s probably there already.”
“It’s safer, he can keep Zac away from that dress. Boy is obsessed with seeing what you chose.”
“He’s asked everyone.”
Not that it would have mattered if anyone told him anything, because the dress I paid for only Shawn had seen and he flatly refused to tell anyone anything and I knew he has pictures.
I smiled and we got everything we needed from the house, which was mostly my stuff. Walker had left earlier in the day to meet with family members that had flown in and to ensure that they had a ride to and from. We got to the venue at two, as planned and the dress was indeed hanging in the dressing room, sealed in the bag. Victoria met me and even showed me some of the pictures she had taken.
“Perfect, thank you.”
“No problem. I haven’t shown anyone else because you asked me not too.”
“Thank you. Are you following us around?”
“Yes, ma’am. Richard is with Zac now and they are not really getting ready yet, but there making sure the smaller details are handled.”
“Zac told me not to bother with any detail beyond me.”
Abigail was doing my nails so I sat down for her so they had plenty of time to dry. She was currently the only one here.
“A little birdie told me you talked with Julian.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t going too but the more I thought about it the more I kind of did want too. She felt really bad about what he did and she was genuine when she told me she didn’t know and wished she had. Her new husband is awesome. He had children when they met and they have a grandson. I haven’t met anyone else and right now I don’t want too.”
“Understandable. Zac mentioned you invited her today.”
“I considered not inviting her but assuming that we have some kind of relationship then I’d feel bad about not doing it. She said they would try to make it today but she wasn’t sure if they could. His son is in the army and he maybe home.”
She was just cleaning the nails well and making sure they were all the same length and perfect. Victoria had grabbed a few pictures of her as she was meticulous. She was putting snowflakes on my fingers and the big toe, so it was going to take her some time. Victoria said she was going to get some food while she was cleaning my toes.
“So, how did you do this month? I know you’ve been keeping super busy.”
I didn’t need to ask what her reference was, I knew. “The due date itself was...horrible. I cried all day basically. I’ve had moments and so has Zac. We didn’t do any shopping for the little ones, we asked Taylor or Isaac to get them something. Stella was awesome and basically got all the babies something for us. Christmas was good, Michael and Samantha kind of attached themselves to me.”
She smiled. “It’s good that you’re doing okay.”
“It is but I think it’s kind of settled in that there is the future and it’s not a big problem unless it does keep happening.”
She smiled. “You’ll be fine. So, I graduate in a few months. You better be there.”
“Where else would I be?”
She smiled and waited until Victoria was back before she started the design. She had my left hand done when Sierra came in.
“It’s cold as hell outside.”
“Aren’t you glad you’re inside?” I asked.
“Totally. Oh let me see those nails.”
I showed her the left hand and she just seemed happy. “I couldn’t have done that, girl you got patience.”
“It takes patience, hold still.”
It didn’t take as long for the toes, because only one had a design. I then had to sit until the polish was completely dry, but that gave Sierra time to get what little makeup I agreed to wear, which was just a foundation and some lip-gloss which wouldn’t go on until I was near walking out.
The time was set for six, so at four they brought me a snack tray and then it was getting ready. Elaine was here now to make sure I got the dress on right and Sierra and I stepped into the bathroom so I could put my under garments on. She was phenomenal with the snaps and I sucked. They always came loose or irritated me.
“You’re slightly trembling, are you okay?”
“Just a little nervous, I haven’t been the center of attention in a long time.”
“You’ll be fine I’m sure.”
She was almost done when I heard Diana, Abigail, Stella, and apparently Nicole screech in the main room.
“Did they see a mouse or some shit?” Sierra asked.
“I don’t know…”
But my guess was…they’d opened the bag. She finished the last clasp and we stepped outside where the three ladies were looking irritated, upset, and just like something catastrophic had happened. When Sierra gasp I turned and found the bag open, my wedding dress still hanging there, clean and pristine as it was when I tried it on before.
“I’m so sorry Gabriella. I thought Elaine would do good.” Diana said.
“She did.”
“It’s not the right dress! It’s all wrong. It’s nothing like what you chose.” Abigail said.
“It’s not the picture we saw either.” Nicole said.
Elaine came in, unaware of what was going on. “Are you ready to get put in your dress?”
“If it was the right one!” Diana said.
That confused Elaine and I just giggled, I found it funny and that was weird. Maybe it was my little moment to not panic or freak out over something, it was their moment.
“Everyone calm down. It’s the right dress.”
“It is? You said you didn’t want this style.” Abigail said.
“Well, after trying on so many I was just tired. I settled with the last one and when we got back she said she could tell and that I shouldn’t settle. She asked me to give her a chance and I did. She brought me this one and it was the one I bought. I didn’t spend all the time getting measurements done. I’m sorry I just…I didn’t like the one you all agreed on. It was too busy and I wanted simple.”
“But…” Abigail said.
“Trust me. You ladies get yourselves ready, Elaine is going to get me ready.”
“You’re going to freeze.” Stella said.
“It has a bodysuit that will help.”
Before they started getting ready I went to the bathroom, I would have a devil of a time once I was in the dress, so now it was and then they reluctantly began to take turns changing into their dresses but I had to get ready right in the middle of the room. The dress couldn’t be in the bathroom. We got the bodysuit on and situated, and then she put the main dress on and got it laced and then zipped up. She made minimal adjustment to the top area so I had some cleavage but not a ton.
Diana was the only one that didn’t need to change and she assisted Elaine a bit, the dress fit perfectly and once my shoes were on it was at the perfect length.
“I must admit, this is far better than the last one. I think you chose well.” Diana said.
“I think so too.”
Stella and Nicole liked the dress once it was on me, Sierra and Abigail were just quiet.
“You two can’t be mad or upset.”
“I’m not, just it’s not the style you wanted but I can’t deny that it does look good on you. It’s perfect.” Abby said.
“I liked the details on the other one, but…I have to agree. It does look perfect and I like the top area better.”
I smiled at them and managed to find a seat that wouldn’t wrinkle anything. When my phone went off, I grabbed it because it was Zac’s tone.
Have they gotten you all dolled up yet?
All but the hair..which..oh..Sierra is attacking now…
I still can’t see you can I?!
You have an hour left, I am sure you’ll live.
You remember complaining about the forest and it being all brown when we were here a few weeks ago?
Yes. I wanted pretty. Brown and dead isn’t pretty. But, it was too late to change anything…
The next message I got was a picture, surely he wasn’t sharing nudes today! But I was surprised by what he sent, it was a view out the big windows.
You got your wish Gabriella, it’s not brown and dead. It’s pretty and white. Most everyone is here. I’m going to go insane the next 59 minutes though…
The view out the windows was spectacular, it was so pretty and white and it was perfect, it was what I’d wanted something pretty. I heard Sierra sigh and pick up the makeup case. Clearly, the tears messed it up.
You just messed up my makeup and Sierra is pissed, you made me cry already and that’s not cool! I’ll be there in 57 minutes. Be ready!
I’m already ready. I’ll see you soon.
“What did my son do that made you cry?” Diana asked.
“It snowed, pretty heavily apparently. He sent me a picture of it.”
“He could have waited.” Sierra said.
“Okay, I’m going to head on out. You ladies have things covered.” Diana said.
“I’m going to see where we’re going. Sierra you got this?” Abby asked.
“Yeah, she asked for just simple, I just need something here for the veil.”
“We’re going to meet up with the guys then, get the plan and stuff. Give you some time alone too.” Stella said.
I nodded, but I wouldn’t be alone. Sierra wasn’t going to leave the room and Victoria wasn’t either. They filed out and I glanced up at Sierra.
“Thank you for wearing your dress without altering it.”
“After the verbal abuse at the place I figured it was safer to leave it as is. I also heard about a broken nose and well, I like my nose just fine.”
She finished pulling back some of my hair and attaching the veil, she was about to sit down when there was a soft knock, knowing Zac she got it in case he was trying to be sneaky. But she let someone in and I turned, the woman standing there in the very nice dress had shorter brown hair, which was layered around her face and currently down. Her eyes were the same dark grey color I always remembered.
“Mom?”
Sierra looked completely stunned and the other woman began to cry. I was quick to get her tissue because tears for her would make me cry again!
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing is, I just…I never expected you to call me Mom again and you’re so beautiful in that dress. I didn’t think I’d be having this moment with anyone.”
“I didn’t think you’d be here.”
“Travis’s son came in but he told me I couldn’t miss this. Neither of us could, so he came too. His son is spending the afternoon with his mother. I just couldn’t miss you getting married. I couldn’t.”
“Gabby?” Sierra asked.
I wiped away the few tears. “This is Julian Sierra, she and her ex adopted me when I was six. This is Sierra.”
She nodded at her. “Oh! I wasn’t sure if anyone remembered. I brought you something.”
She got a box from her purse and presented it to me. “They belonged to my mother, you didn’t get to spend much time with her but she passed them to me before she died with the promise that when you got married I was to pass them to you. I think they fit very well with your theme.”
I opened the box to a set of earrings, snowflake design that would have a little bit of a dangle to them. They were mostly silver with diamonds, but they looked white. They were perfect.
“They are perfect.”
“Much better than the studs you have on.” Sierra said.
Julian quickly helped me changed them out.
“I wasn’t sure but I also got something new.”
The new item was a snowflake pendant, it was close to the earrings but not an exact match.
“I don’t have a chain with me.”
“I figured you would.”
“Don’t flip yet, let me go ask the other girls.” Sierra said.
She stepped out and it left us here alone. It could have been her reason for suggesting it.
“You really are beautiful Gabriella, I’m glad that I can be here today.”
“Why this old and new?”
“Something old, something borrowed, something new and something blue. Did you not know about that?”
“No, I mean I heard it but didn’t think anything else about it.”
“Well, you’ve had a lot on your mind. Why today though?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why get married the 31 st?”
“Oh. No, our wedding date is actually November 13. We’ve been married over a year, but we got married in Vegas and his mom was very disappointed, we wanted to make sure we would last. When we determined that we set the date. Our actual wedding was thirteen days after we began to date, so we didn’t say I love you until December 31 st, I chose today because of that. This is formality, we’ve been married.”
“Shawn said you’d gotten married, he didn’t say when. I did see some news places around Christmas last year, my husband’s daughter is an avid Hanson fan. When you told me who you married I uh, didn’t tell her. Especially when you invited us, because she would want to come and it’s not appropriate of a reason. I just assumed you married today last year.”
“Do you need me to step out?” Victoria asked.
I’d completely forgotten she was even here. “No, it’s fine.”
“Would you like a picture before you have to head out?”
“Please.”
She got a few of us before Sierra returned with a chain. “Stella took hers off.”
“Something borrowed, do you have something blue?” Julian asked.
“No.” I said.
“Actually…you do...” Sierra said.
She went and got something from her bag and came back. “Because you never mentioned it, I bought you a garter belt set. It’s blue, no one would see it until Zac removes it later.”
“Oh..well, I guess I do.”
“Okay, I’m going to get my seat. I’ll be waiting on you.”
“Everyone is.”
She smiled and a light kiss before she left the room. I hadn’t realized how much I really wanted her here until she was. I couldn’t deny that she is the closest thing to a mom I had, she essentially care more than anyone else.
“Mom huh?” Sierra asked.
“She may as well be, she raised me for ten years and cared more about me than anyone else had before. I hardly called her Julian and I did the other day when we talked on the phone. God, I hadn’t seen her in almost ten years.”
“You need to stop fucking with your make up!”
She fixed it again and then sat down. “Give me your right leg.”
“What?”
She just looked at me so I did, even Victoria was a little confused until she opened the garter packages. Victoria got pictures of her putting the garters on my leg.
“Be sure to let Zac know which side, poor guy doesn’t need issues groping around. The one higher up though he removes tonight when you’re all alone. The one lower he removes during the reception. It’s meant to be given away, it’s the thinner one.”
“Okay.”
“You are ready. I’m going to get your escort.”
Victoria got a picture of both garters while we were alone and by the time Shawn came in she had them and I was standing.
“Don’t cry! Sierra will kick my butt if I mess this up again.”
“That’s going to be hard to do, you are gorgeous and I love that dress. Did Julian see you?”
“Yeah, she came in and provided the old and new items.”
“She was going to send them with me but I told her she needed to give them to you herself. I’m glad she did. So, are you ready?”
“As ready as I can be.”
He smiled and held his hand out to me. “You’re groom awaits.”
I was glad that he’d come back, glad that Julian had showed up. I couldn’t imagine my wedding without them. As we lined up Taylor and Isaac looked at me.
“Stop worrying, he’s going to love that dress.” Taylor said.
“Let’s hope he doesn’t faint or something over you.” Isaac said.
Andrew smiled. “Seriously, I can’t change your mind? I’ll take his place.”
Sierra looked at him. “You’ll be third in line buddy, if I can’t pry her away then you won’t either.”
I simply smiled. “No, there’s only one person I want to be meeting at that alter.”
In five minutes I would be…
-Zac-
Night alone. Everyone said that wouldn’t be bad. They all lied to me. Eight hours had felt like months. I had gotten our packing done though, so we could leave for our official honeymoon tomorrow night. She wanted Paris and London and I had scheduled some days there, but not many. I wanted her to see castles and rolling hills, so while we would spend a little time in those areas we would spend more in Scotland and Ireland. We would be gone most of January, coming back to Florida for the Rock Boat.
The venue had done a remarkable job, the eating area was set up with round tables, silver table clothes with a pale blue cover and then a white one, making it really pretty, the center pieces were various flowers and they were small so people could talk. The chairs in the chapel area had white and silver covers, alternating by row and at the ends were blue ties, we had no flower girl or ring boy, so flower petals were laid down once everyone was seated. The view of the outside was amazing, the snow had started about 3 and it fell very heavily for two hours, blanketing the entire view outside with snow. Pristine, untouched, pure white snow. It would mean for super cold pictures outside but I even covered that with a silver faux fur coat for her, I knew her arms would be cold and exposed.
I’d nagged everyone for dress details and no one would budge, so I had no idea what to expect. I was nervous and excited and terrified all at the same time. I could see a lot of my family members, cousins, aunts and uncles along with my parents. Mom was wearing a pink bow to represent our baby sister. I could see my friends that were always around even if they weren’t close like Andrew and Jack. I saw Julian and Travis and made sure they were seated with my parents, a place saved for Shawn too. She also friends here, Heather was one and the others I really didn’t know well.
The closer to time the more antsy I got.
We chose traditional wedding music and when it started I think I forgot how to breathe. Yet it was just the bridesmaids and groomsmen’s, which I was glad that my brothers came down first, reminding me to breathe. Once they were each standing on the respective sides the music changed to the traditional wedding march. I took a deep breath, this was very different than our Vegas wedding. Everyone was here and I was going to fully remember this without the need of a video.
Yet, then the doors opened and Gabriella and Shawn began to come toward me no one else in the room existed. She had told me mermaid style, but what she had on was not that style. The corset style top had intricate details swirling around her upper body and they continued over her chest, shoulders, and arms. The bottom was white, simple, and flowed with her. It wasn’t super huge, it was perfect. There was just a little trailing behind her and I couldn’t even see her shoes.
Before long Shawn was handing her off to me and I could see the little snowflake earrings, matching necklace, ones I’d never seen before. She was gorgeous and I really couldn’t have asked for anyone else to be the bride. It was surreal to actually hear and remember the wording, to know that everyone was witnessing this and it was really official. The ceremony itself was pretty quick, we were vows to kiss in what felt like a blink of an eye. I didn’t even care that everyone saw that kiss either.
We walked out together and went to her side of the room, our side was a disaster but I just wanted a few moments alone, so I locked everyone else out.
“That is so mean.”
“I haven’t seen you in over 24 hours, it’s not mean. But this dress is absolutely perfect, I think you were right to choose it.”
“It scared everyone when they opened the bag and this was there instead of the one they seen.”
She retrieved her phone and showed me a picture of the last dress, the details were too much in my opinion, they were all over and shiny and it wasn’t her.
“I like this one, I’m not sure I could have handled that one.”
She kissed me. “I didn’t like that style, this was perfect.”
We got thirty good minutes to just be here alone, with no family or friends. Before Taylor said we had to get pictures. There was a short little mixer time before dinner, so we could be with them. We met Victoria and Richard and got pictures inside with our full wedding party. Then they were kicked out so they could change or whatever, I knew Sierra was, and we got just us. She kept looking at the snow outside, kept longing for those winter pictures.
“I have a silver faux fur coat for you if you really want too.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Please, they have the arbor decorated for pictures, as long as we don’t waste a lot of time and that our photographers don’t mind.”
“We don’t, but I am worried about her feet, her shoes aren’t closed like yours and that snow is pretty deep.”
I just smiled. “Leave that to me.”
They headed out and once she had the coat on, I just picked her up. Richard was still with us so he quickly grabbed the dress and moved it, then guided me out. She did get some pictures of us walking down, even let the dress back down. But it was cold as hell, so we made very quick pictures, especially when she removed the coat.
We got couples under the arbor and she risked some in the pristine show, quick ones of her alone and of us before we got up.
“You carrying me back too?”
“Yes, I can’t have your feet cold.”
“Can you carry me if I was on your back?”
“Probably, will the dress accommodate that?”
“Sure.”
She let me get a few steps down and with some assistance she was able to get on my back without ripping anything. Victoria got more photos back and by then it was time to sit down for dinner. But all of us took a moment to stand over a heat vent.
“Your cheeks are red.” I said.
“They’re cold.”
We finally got introduced and then had dinner, while we were here eating they were changing the chapel to our reception party area, we’d have both rooms but the chapel would have the DJ and dancing. She and I both utilized napkins so our clothes stayed clean. Dinner was awesome, the cake looked phenomenal and we went ahead with cake after dinner as well. We even did the traditional cake to the face, which I liked the feeling of smashing that piece into her face.
There was another brief break as people went to the party area where the DJ was, we got cleaned up again and then we were introduced again and had that first official dance and then we partied for a while. It was Sierra who brought her the flowers she’d had before and said it was time. So, the single ladies all gathered and she did the flower toss, which Abigail caught and she was in the back!
“Good toss.”
“You’re turn Zac!” Sierra said.
“I did not have flowers.”
“No, you have to toss a garter which is under her dress.”
My father brought the chair for her to sit down in, if they thought this was going to bother me they were stupid. I didn’t even ask which side because it was her right foot she put on my thigh. The silky fabric was just above her knee and easy to get off, I could even feel the snaps, but my toss wasn’t as nice as hers and Andrew caught it.
“You didn’t seem fazed by that at all.” Sierra said.
“Are you kidding? I got to touch her, I don’t ever mind that.”
She rolled her eyes and the party continued, but about 11:55 we went back outside, she actually borrowed a pair of shoes from Stella so she could walk. The park was near the back so everyone that didn’t want to come out could see them from inside. They started at 12:00 ringing in the new year.
“I love you Gabriella.”
“I love you Zachary.”
She turned and kissed me and I didn’t even realize that Victoria was there to get pictures until we were back inside and she showed them to us. They had turned out remarkable, with the fireworks behind us. Kind of like our first set but better. We kept partying though, well into the morning. Even as guest left, but at 3 am Gabby and I called it quits, we’d have to come back so we could clean up. The remaining guest did snow as our rice substitute, which was nice and would be pretty pictures, but it sure was cold!
It took a few to get her and that dress in the car and then back out at home. But, as tired as I was by that point..getting her out of the dress was really easy. That second garter belt was a nice touch too. Falling asleep next to her sometime that morning was a pleasant feeling and I couldn’t imagine anything better.
To see photos from the wedding (venue, dress, etc) please click here. There were so many that I dedicated a single page for them all. :)