My nerves were causing me to fidget as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, in the bridal suite. Only fifteen more minutes before, I would be walking down the aisle with my dad to meet the man I was going to marry. My dad still didn't tell me what he had planned, but then again, I didn't get much of a chance to talk to him privately.

While my mom helped me put on my veil, she whispered to me that Ryan had arrived with one of his brothers and was talking to my dad. Hearing that excited me and nervous, because I still didn't know how Mrs. Walton or Eric would react.

As the wedding coordinator herded the ladies and my mom out of the suite, to get them lined up for the procession, Mrs. Walton came in. "Ladies! You all look beautiful! And Vicky! You look absolutely radiant!"

If I wasn't already frozen by my nerves, I would have frozen at her presence. She had only stopped by the room a couple of times while I was changing, to be in a few pictures for the photographer, but she stayed away for the most part.

"Thank you, Donna." I smiled politely, turning away from the mirror to look at her. "You look beautiful too."

Though I didn't like her, I always admired her fashion sense. She was wearing an elegant, wisteria-shaded chiffon, tea-length "mother-of-the-bride" styled dress. It was a scoop-neck gown featuring beaded lace that cascaded from the neckline to the hips.

"Thank you so much. I was hoping I could have a private word with you for a moment." She smiled, her signature 'politician's  wife' smile.

My mother and Sasha were still standing just outside the doorway, peering at us. While Tracey and Ginny had already continued on their way with the coordinator. Sasha looked like she was trying to shoot flaming arrows out of her gaze. I smiled, loving that she and my mother wanted to stay and protect me.

"Sure," I agreed. I picked up my dress to avoid treading on it and walked past her to the door. I smiled at my mom and Sasha. "I'll be fine. Dad will be here soon."

They nodded, understanding I was strong and capable of handling whatever Mrs. Walton had to say. They left to meet up with the wedding coordinator, and I swung the door to close. Though, I made sure not to shut it entirely and left it open just a hair. I picked up my dress again and glided to the center of the suite.

Mrs. Walton was checking her appearance in the full-length mirror. "I really like this color that you picked for your wedding. I wouldn't have considered it myself, but seeing it on me and your bridal party, I can see its appeal."

I couldn't tell if she was complimenting my choice in color or not. "Thank you. I guess."

She turned her back to the mirror and faced me, still plastered with her politically perfect smile. "I won't keep you, I know you want the last few minutes to yourself. But I just wanted to remind you not to pull any shenanigans. I have confirmed it with my friends, who are currently on standby, waiting by your father's marina as we speak. If everything goes as it should, I will call them during the reception to let them know to leave your father's business alone.

"But, if the wedding doesn't go as expected, they will be all too happy to physically destroy the marina. Not only destroy it, but it will look like your father planned it, so his insurance won't pay him a dime in repairs."

I gulped at her threat. Hearing it like that made me terrified. What could my father possibly do to stop her and prevent this from happening?

Just then, there was a tap on the door, and my father pushed it open wide. "Donna!" He grinned. "There you are! The coordinator said you're needed for the procession to begin."

She smiled over my shoulder at him. "Thanks, Larry. I was just on my way." She looked back at me and gave me a 'don't-test-me' motherly look, but said nothing more.

She walked out, smiling once again at my dad, and turned the corner out of sight.

My father closed the door and walked over to me. Seeing my not-so-subtle look of concern, he rested his hands gently on my shoulders. "Vicky. Everything will be fine. I heard what she said, and I promise you, nothing will happen to the marina."

"But how can you be so sure?"

"Please. Have a little faith in your father." He pulled me into a protective hug.

The coordinator knocked on the open door. "Okay you two, it's time to make your way to the aisle."

My father and I separated.

He helped me readjust my veil, then held out his elbow for me to take. I smiled, rested my hand in it, and let him lead me down the church's corridors. He leaned slightly over to me as we walked, whispering just loud enough for me to hear. "You are a beautiful bride, Vicky. I am very proud of the woman you've become. I am so thankful I get to walk you down the aisle today. And that I can help you marry the man you truly want."

"Thank you, dad. I am so thankful too. For all you do and have done." I paused slightly. "So, what is the plan anyway? Is there anything I need to know?"

"No. The less you know, the better. Just follow my lead, and everything will work out." He sniffed a little and wiped at his eyes quickly. "I just hope Ryan knows how lucky he is to have you in his life. If he doesn't love you unconditionally or treat you like the independent princess that you are, then you don't hesitate to call me to set him straight. Do you hear me?"

I hugged my father's arm and giggled lightly at him. "I hear you. Thank you for being the best dad a girl could have."

He kissed the top of my head as we reached the spot where the wedding coordinator had us stop and wait. We watched as the last of the procession made their way to the alter.

It was finally time to get married!

******

The organ procession music ended, then paused momentarily, before it started playing the traditional bridal march.

The wedding coordinator gave my father and me the nod to start walking. I held his arm with one hand, while gripping my floral bouquet tightly with the other. As he guided me from the waiting spot to the space at the entrance of the church, I could see all our guests standing and turning to see me. All the emotions and butterflies filled me from head to toe.

My eyes rested at the front of the church to the altar, to Eric. Even from a distance, I could tell that my look captivated him. If we were still anywhere close to where we were when he first proposed, I would have loved seeing him look at me that way. But now, I only wanted one person to look at me like that. I scanned the crowd to see if I could spot Ryan without making it look like I was hunting for him.

As we began our march down the aisle, I saw the guests on both sides, smiling and taking pictures. I even spotted Ryan's parents but didn't see him or either of his brothers there. I gave them a polite nod and smile. Mrs. Herman responded with a huge grin, and I could see a tear glistening out of her eye. I wondered if she knew what was about to happen at all. I felt terrible that I didn't have the chance to warn her.

Then one of the last faces I rested on was Mrs. Walton. She was smiling a well-rehearsed smile, but her eyes were anything but happy. They were frightening. My father noticed too and whispered to me out of the side of his mouth, "Ignore her. She has no more power over this."

I wished his words comforted me, but they didn't. But I did my best to not let it show, as we reached the end of the aisle. At last, I was face to face with Eric, with my dad remaining by my side, as we rehearsed. Eric was still beaming at me as we turned our attention to Reverend Daniels. The four of us stood there for a moment longer as we listened to the end of the organ music.

Once the organ's vibration subsided, Reverend Daniels smiled to Eric, my father, and me and then to the congregation. "Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage were established by God in creation. Our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.

"The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy. For the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity. When it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.

"Into this holy union, Eric and Victoria now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now, or else forever hold your peace."

Without hesitation, a chorus of voices, including my father's, echoed, "We object!"

The congregation gasped. Blood rushed through my veins, almost making me want to collapse in shock that this was really happening. Thank goodness I was still holding onto my father's arm. I looked at Eric, who looked back at my dad and me mortified. His blood looked like it was boiling over. Seeing that, I didn't dare look back at his mother.

Reverend Daniels looked surprised at first, but then very concerned at my father and out to the congregation. "Would the parties who objected, please follow me?" Then he directed his attention to Eric and me. "Normally, I would take the person, if it was just one, to the side alone, to discuss their objection. But seeing as there are multiple people, perhaps you two should join us."

Without saying anything more, Eric, my father and I, stepped up the stairs of the raised platform and followed Reverend Daniels. He led us through the choir area, to the other end of the cathedral, into one of the smaller chapels. The room was empty except for some artwork that was being displayed by the entrance. He gestured for us to move inwards as we waited for the remaining objectors to make their way in.

Eric remained quiet, which I was not expecting. He was almost too withdrawn, and it made me feel nervous about what was going through his mind. I actually tried making eye contact with him, but he wasn't meeting my gaze. Instead, he kept his stare fixed on the entrance.

As I looked back to the doorway, Ryan came charging in, owning the room, just like he did the first day I saw him when he walked into the office. Although, this time, he met my gaze and came straight to me and stood by my side. Adam, Sasha, my mother, Mr. and Mrs. Herman, followed quickly behind him.

I was taken back by seeing Ryan's parents there. Especially Mr. Herman, seeing as he wasn't Ryan's biggest fan since he quit the firm.

"Is this everyone who objected?" Reverend Daniel questioned the group.

"And me!" I heard one more person claim, but couldn't see who it was, as my dad was blocking my view.