“We all did. And Abigail and Sarah, too. We love you both,” Alexa replied, and as soon as she said it, she knew it was true. She loved them both. Penny, of course. But also Chase. Instead of seeing him as this stranger poised to come between her and her daughter, she saw him as a good brother, steady friend, and loyal son. Maybe, if she was honest with herself, she was a little jealous that Penny had found a good life partner when she never had.

But it was the time she had spent with Abigail and Sarah, with Timmo, even with Lloyd that had convinced her that Chase was worthy of Penny. Her Penelope. He was funny, smart, a hard worker. He genuinely cared about other people. He was caught up in his career, but it was a worthwhile endeavor. He was a good man. She thought back to Homer, to the ancient poem. There was no need to unwind the scarf tonight. Yes, Chase was the one Penny was waiting for. She hoped her daughter would see the same thing. “Go to him.”

“I should, shouldn’t I?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you, Mama,” Penny whispered. “And you were right: The lipstick was a good idea.”

She watched as Penny called out to Chase and he turned to see her, not in an ethereal Kalliope Moon white dress, but in a well-worn jean jacket and sneakers. This was it. The first-look moment. But not the pre-produced one for the wedding photographer’s camera. No, this was genuine. Alexa’s skin tingled. Chase was seeing Penny, truly seeing her, as his bride, the woman he would marry and share his life with. There were tears and wonder. So much wonder.

Alexa couldn’t see Penny’s face from her vantage point, but she recognized the confidence in her walk. She strode to the man she loved and wrapped her arms around him.

They looked like a sculpture, Alexa thought as she wiped her eyes. Two bodies fitted together as one. She turned away, leaving the reunited couple alone. Well, alone with the cellist, the dancers, Sarah and Lloyd, and the museum staff.

Operation Butterfly appeared to be a success.

Part Three
Winter

Dearly Beloveds and Betrotheds . . .

Dearly Beloveds and Betrotheds . . .

With all those holiday weddings in the offing, the volume of mail queries about wedding questions has ratcheted up to an all-time high. I’m hearing from all members of the wedding party on various topics that bubble up the closer the wedding date is.