Leighanne rushed to get the door. A minute or two later she came into Laura's room, who was now almost ready to head to the hair salon to get her hair done. She didn't even hear Leighanne come into the room.
"Hello? Knock-knock!" Leighanne said, getting Laura's attention. She was carrying a long box, smiling from ear to ear. "This just came for you, Laur. I wonder whom it's from," she said, still smiling. Laura was smiling too as she took the box. Laura first read the card attached to it.
Laura just held the card for a minute, looking at Leighanne. "I can't believe him," she said, handing the card to Leighanne as she handed her the box. Leighanne read the card as Laura opened the box. Leighanne looked up as she pulled open the tissue paper to reveal two dozen long-stemmed red roses. "Oh my God, Laura, they're so beautiful," Leighanne said, as Laura smelled them. "They smell so good, so sweet--I can't believe he did this. He didn't have to do this, I woulda married him anyway," Laura joked. Leighanne laughed. "Well, I'm sure he knows that, but that's just how he is, and if you don't know that by now--" She paused, smiling. "Brian's the same way. Always surprising me with stuff like this," she said, turning to walk to the door to let Laura finish getting ready. "Looks like we've got ourselves the cream of the crop, girl!" she said, as she closed the door.
Laura was just about ready to go when the phone rang. "I got it!" she yelled, running for the phone. "Yes, could I speak to Mrs. Richardson?" the voice said. Of course Laura recognized it was Kevin right away. "Well, she's not here right now, but I think you'll be able to reach her in, oh about 5 hours," she replied, and Kevin laughed sexily. "So, anything exciting happening today? Got any plans?" he asked, trying his hardest to be non-chalant as he spoke. It wasn't working. "Don't gimme that, Kevin. You're just as excited as I am, and you know it!" He laughed, "Well, you've got that right. So, I know you gotta head to the salon to get your hair done, but I just want to say that I love you, and I can't wait to see you at the church."
Laura sighed, as she smelled her roses again. "I love you too, and thank you for the flowers, they are absolutely beautiful," she said. Kevin replied, "Not in comparison to you, Laura Anne. See you later, darlin'," he said. "No, I'll see you later, Kevin Scott," she said, as she hung up the phone. She looked at the clock. "Leigh! C'mon we gotta go!" she yelled, running to the door.
Leighanne kissed Brian goodbye. "Bye ladies! See you later!" he said as Leighanne and Laura made their way out of the door.
"Thanks so much, Janet, Jen. It looks just beautiful!" Laura said, admiring her hair. Truly it was a work of art. She knew she could count on Janet and Jennifer to come up with nothing less then spectacular. The other girls' hairstyles were just incredible as well, and everyone seemed pleased. Janet had closed the salon special that day to fit in Laura's wedding party. There was, after all, seven bridesmaids, and then Laura's mother, and of course Laura. Janet wanted everyone's focus to be on Laura and her family and friends on the big day. Plus she did all the styles, plus everyone's makeup, free of charge, with the understanding that she and the rest of the stylists that worked there would get to attend the wedding, which of course, Laura would have no other way.
"Well, it's just a bit past 11, so we gotta go! They want to take some pictures before the wedding of me and the bridesmaids and me and mom and Lisa, and then Kevin and the guys. So anyway we gotta get to the church to get our dresses on. See y'all later!" Laura said. "We'll be there!" Janet said, watching them leave.
Laura, Lisa, Julie and Heather all rode together. Leighanne drove the rest of the girls in her truck. "So, Laura, how do you feel?" Julie asked, reaching over to grab her daughter's hand. Laura could tell that Julie was fighting to hold back her tears. "Mom, it's not working. You better not cry, cuz then your makeup will be ruined and I'm NOT gonna fix it for you!" she said, laughing not only to lighten up the mood, but also to keep herself from crying too. She was so happy that she if they weren't in such a hurry she probably would have cried. But she had too much on her mind to think about crying.
Soon they pulled up to the church, with Leighanne's car following close behind. Kevin was inside the church already, but the rest of the guys were standing outside, ready to decorate all the cars. "Hello, dear," Brian said, as he hugged Leighanne. "Hey baby! You look so handsome!" she said, kissing him. Laura rolled her eyes. "Hey, if I can't kiss my man yet, you can't kiss yours yet either!" she said, laughing, pulling Leighanne away from Brian, which was no small task. They could be as bad as her and Kevin sometimes when it came to stuff like that. "C'mon Leigh... remember... dresses... we have to put them on?!??" Leighanne laughed. "OK, OK, hint taken... see ya later," she said, blowing a kiss to Brian. He just smiled as he watched them walk into the church.
"Gosh, when are these pictures going to end?!" Lisa asked Laura as they and the rest of the bridesmaids got into another pose for yet another picture. "Soon, they're almost done. I've been counting!" she said, and they both laughed. "SMILE!" the photographer yelled. Everyone smiled, and he said, "OK! That's the last! There will be a few more of the bride and groom and the wedding party after the wedding, so don't leave too fast after the ceremony!"
"Great! Laura, you know I hate pictures," Lisa said, slipping off her shoes as Laura did the same. "I know, I hate pictures too. But he's gotta take a lot so he has a lot to choose from, in case of glare and stuff like that. There won't be that many after, so don't worry about it," she said, as they parted ways and Laura walked to the bride's room. Laura's dad was there waiting already. He hadn't seen Laura yet today and was stunned when she walked into the room wearing her dress.
"Oh sweetie, you look beautiful, just stunning. So much like your mother looked when I married her," Bob said, starting to cry. It was bad enough that Laura got weepy herself when she saw other people cry, but when a man cried, especially her father, it was all she could do to keep herself from all-out bawling. "Daddy, please don't do this," Laura said, her voice a bit shaky. "I don't want to smear my makeup, I promise you that you can cry later, OK?" she said, chuckling. Bob put his arm around Laura. "Deal!" he said, kissing her forehead.
Just then they heard the organ start. "Oh my god, this is it!" Laura said, squeezing her dad's arm. "I know, and I just want to say that I'm so proud of you, Laura. I really am. And I know Kevin loves you so much, more than you know, and probably even more then he knows. I'm just glad you've found someone that makes you so happy, honey. That's all a father ever wants for his children." Bob kissed Laura's cheek as Jill popped her head in the door. "OK, ready to get married?!" she asked. Laura breathed a sigh, and eagerly replied, "Ready as I'll ever be!" and she and Bob followed Jill to the back entrance of the church.
"Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends. I am pleased to introduce for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Richardson!" the minister said, as Laura and Kevin smiled, looking at the faces of their loved ones. The bridal party started their exit as the organ began playing, and Kevin looked at Laura. "I love you, Laura. This is the happiest day of my life," he said, kissing her again. Laura smiled. "I love you too, Kevin. This is only the beginning, love." They then walked to the back, following their wedding attendants. And, as promised by the photographer, they posed for pictures, then everyone left to head to the dinner and reception.
The DJ had just finished introducing the entire wedding party. "And now, the bride and groom... Laura and Kevin Richardson!!!" The DJ's voice was loud, and everyone clapped and cheered as Laura and Kevin entered the reception hall. Then the music began playing, and everyone started dancing, and chatting and just enjoying the celebration.
It wasn't much later that the DJ announced the Bride-Groom dance.
"May I have this dance?" Laura heard Kevin's voice. She saw his hand outstretched. She felt her arm wrap around his as he led her to the dance floor. "You look so beautiful tonight," he whispered into her ear, ever so gently. Never had she felt such happiness. "I love you," he said, as they whirled around the dance floor. From This Moment, their song, was playing, and finally, for once in her life, she truly felt blessed.
"I love you so much, do you realize that?" Kevin said as they danced to the music. "I love you too. I love you more than I ever thought I could," Laura replied. His breath in her ear sent shivers through her body. His touch set fire to her skin, and a glance into his beautiful eyes set fire to her soul. She never wanted this night to end, she thought, as they danced and danced and danced.
"I love you so much," Kevin said, holding Laura close in his arms. "This is the happiest day of my life." She smiled as she looked deep into his eyes. "This is the beginning, my love. This is only the beginning . . ."
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