Read Online Capture by June Gray - Free Book Online

before the wedding was insanely crazy. Everyone was out running errands, tying up loose ends. Julie, Mom and I were in a mad dash to finish the decorations, filling seashells with wax and a wick to use as candles on the table. Dad and Henry finished building the archway and draping gauzy white cloth over it. Henry’s parents were busy with work, as usual, but they both got off work early enough to help out with whatever they could.
    The rehearsal dinner consisted of just the two families sharing some salad and lasagna at the Logans’ house. It was cozy and warm, full of laughter and nervous energy. Every now and then my eyes flitted across the room to find Henry watching me and we’d share a secret little smile.
    Finally the big day arrived and the entire household was thrown into chaos. Mom rushed around trying to get everyone ready, very nearly freaking out until Julie calmed her and told her she’d help get the decorations.
    “What about Will?” Mom asked, her hair only half styled.
    “I’m all ready!” Will cried, standing there in his little tan suit complete with a blue tie.
    The sight of him brought tears to my eyes, and since I’d already done my makeup, I took deep breaths to avoid them from falling. For the millionth time, I wished that my brother was here to join in the celebrations.
    The cake was delivered to our house, three-tiered and entirely white with swirly detailing at the bottom of each tier. The topper was the iconic LOVE logo in blue, with the O taken out and the wonky rock glued in its place. It was perfect.
    I had only one glimpse of it before it was taken, along with the rest of the decorations, to where both fathers were setting up on the beach.
    My dress was a sleeveless mermaid-style gown with a beaded belt and three layers of organza ruffles past the knee, and my curly hair was swept off to the side with a crystal hairpin. When I was finished dressing, I stood in front of the mirror, completely taken aback by the person staring back. She was glowing.
    Mom had tears in her eyes as she stood behind me. I always knew she would cry at my wedding but I was not at all prepared to see her breaking down so soon. “You’re beautiful, sweetheart,” she said, pushing a lock of my hair off my shoulder. She hugged me from behind and we looked at each other in the mirror, basking in the bittersweet moment.
    Dad was back from the beach when I emerged from my room. He looked at me with shock on his face and maybe a little bit of sadness. “My little girl,” he said, gathering me into his arms for a crushing embrace. “So grown up.”
    We drove to Carmel Beach and I waited in the car until it was time. Julie texted me a picture of the beach, knowing how much I wanted to see everything put together. Seeing that tiny picture made it all the more real. This was really happening.
    Before I could freak out, Henry texted me and brought me back on point. Where are you?
    Waiting in the car. Where are you?
    I’m here, Elsie. Where I will always be.
     
    Then it was time to walk down those sandy steps to the beach where wooden folding chairs had been set up in two sections and the aisle delineated with gauze and light-colored flowers. At the end was the archway and underneath it stood the priest with the Bible in his hands.
    “Ready, sweetie?” Dad whispered, holding his elbow.
    I lifted the bouquet of paper roses higher and linked my arm around my father’s. “Are you?” I teased.
    Even though he was smiling, his eyes were bright with unshed tears. “Never.”
    The violinist began to play a slow, hopeful tune and we began the march. Julie and Beth walked ahead in their navy blue dresses but all too soon it was my turn. The tune changed and as I walked down the short aisle, I looked around at the people around me, trying to smile at each and every one of our family and friends. It felt like I was moving in fast forward because all too soon, we were at the end of the isle and I was face to face with