In the tiny bridal room of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Lolly studied herself in the full length mirror. She was wearing a gorgeous maxi dress in pale pink with puffed sleeves and a tie back empire waist line. Munch had dyed white chucks to match her dress. He had also done her make up for her. Currently he was helping his mom curl her hair. This thing was happening. It still felt unreal. Pa was in the preacher’s office with Uncle Luke getting ready. They would be wearing matching blue suits with ties that Munch had made out of the scraps from the wedding dress and maid of honor dress. Lolly swung her dress from side to side. As beautiful as the dress was that Munch had made for her for his fashion show, she liked this one even better. Perhaps, it was because this dress was attached to a happy occasion in her life. In all truth, the fashion show had been largely terrifying. This wedding was not terrifying. At least not for her. Estelle seemed quite calm, but Pa had been an absolute wreck all morning.

Lolly glanced at the clock. It was almost 11:00. It was almost time. Munch was quiet, but not hostile. She was thankful he had the grace to allow his mother to be happy. And Estelle was happy. How she had the courage to risk love for the third time in her life was beyond Lolly. She was such a strong woman and in another half hour she would be Lolly’s stepmother. By God’s grace if Lolly ever had kids, Estelle would be their grandma. She, like Grandma Toady, would be a phenomenal grandmother.

In the reflection of the mirror, Lolly saw Estelle stand. She was still wearing her robe. Munch said, “I will see you at the door. Lolly, Mama’s gonna need some help with the buttons on her dress.”

She turned from the mirror. “Okay.” Lolly gave him a big hug. He responded in kind and left the room.

From the black zippered garment bag, Estelle pulled her dress. It had simple clean lines. It was cream colored satin. It had covered buttons all the way down the back. When Estelle was buttoned in and had on her cream colored pumps, she and Lolly stood side by side and admired themselves in the mirror. She gave Lolly a side hug and said, “We are beautiful.”

“We are.” For the first time in Lolly's life she meant it, felt it, and believed it.

With an exaggerated twang, Estelle said, “Now lets get on out there so I can get hitched.” She had really poured on the Texan. Lolly giggled. They grabbed their bouquets of Winter Honeysuckle and headed down the hall. Munch was waiting for them in the church foyer. He looked like a scared little boy, determined not to cry. Since she had last seen him, Munch had changed into powder blue tux with a neon purple bow tie. On his feet were solid black chucks.

Estelle slipped her arm through her son’s. Their eyes met. Lolly was so proud of Munch and his composure. She knew this was hard for him, but for the love of his mother he was holding it together.

The church's front doors banged open. Aunt Jessie rushed inside with Mitzi. Max had come with Uncle Luke and was already in the church. A little late and a bit out of breath, Aunt Jessie said, “Sorry. Someone had to look perfect this morning.” She tilted her head toward, Mitzi.

Mitzi looked up and smiled. She was the flower girl and she wore a rose colored flower petal dress. She looked like a little faerie. Puccini the ring bear had on a matching suit. Loosely stitched to his paw were the silver wedding bands. She said, “You can go sit down Mama. I will be fine.”

With a worried frown, Aunt Jessie said, “Okay. But, remember to scatter the petals don’t toss them.”

Eye roll. “I know what I am supposed to do.” Aunt Jessie gave her a kiss, opened one of the sanctuary doors and slipped through. As soon as the door closed, Mitzi took her place in the front. Worry crept into Lolly’s brain. She was concerned about Mitzi’s walk down the aisle. The little girl was a show stealer and she had a tendency to do what ever would steal the show.

The prelude began. An usher opened the doors. From her vantage point, Lolly could see the sparse crowd. It was just family and close friends. Kevin turned and saw her. He smiled so big. He was such a sweet guy. Lolly scanned the crowd for Estelle's brothers. Two out of four had managed to show up with their wives. They had to be the two men in Leisure suits. She couldn't see their faces or the faces of their wives. After the wedding, Lolly would get to meet part of her new stepfamily. It was too bad Estelle’s parents hadn’t been able to come. Her dad had heart trouble and her mom didn’t want to leave him to come to the wedding. Florida was a long way from Texas.

With Puccini situated in the basket among the rose petals, Mitzi stepped into the aisle. Of course she entered the church like she was walking onto a stage. She did that one step, pause step thing as she made her way down the aisle. It was something Lolly would never be able to replicate. Soberly, Mitzi scattered petals while Puccini bobbed up and down in the basket. Everyone was entranced by the little girl and her bear.

From the side door of the sanctuary Uncle Luke entered. Mitzi waved at him and he waved back. He looked really handsome in his suit. And then, Pa came in. Lolly sensed Munch was steeling himself for this walk down the aisle. Mitzi was supposed to go to the bride's side of the aisle, and she knew that, but she went and stood by her daddy. He placed his hand on her shoulder. Lolly was secretly glad she wouldn't have to corral Mitzi during the ceremony.

The music began. Trevor stood by the piano. The pianist did not play the traditional bridal march. Instead she played the melody of Etta James’ song, At Last. Pa looked really nervous. Was he sweating? His forehead glistened. Yup, he was sweating. Poor dear.

The preacher motioned for Lolly to enter. Pa’s eyes met hers. She gave him an encouraging smile. The smile he gave her wavered, but it was brave.

Trevor began to sing:

At last

My love has come along

My lonely days are over

And life is like a song...

As he sang, he watched Lolly walk down the aisle. It felt like he was singing just to her.

When Estelle entered, the congregation stood. Tears filled Pa’s eyes and splashed down his cheeks.

Lolly took her place across from Pa. Munch and Estelle arrived. Reluctantly, Munch moved away from his mother and took his seat on the first row. He looked like he was about to cry, but he didn't.

The vows began. Trinia had not kept her vows to Pa. Estelle had kept her vows all the way through until death do us part. Her voice wavered a bit when she got to that part about death. She knew how much love could cost.

The ceremony was simple and straight forward. It was turning out to be a perfect wedding until it was time to exchange the rings. Grandma Toady had put a stitch in Puccini’s paw to keep the rings in place. It was supposed to be an easy pull off, only it wasn’t. Mitzi struggled with the rings then wailed, “They are stuck! And I can’t get them off! This is a disaster!”

Uncle Luke took the bear, He tugged on the paw. Mitzi said, “You are hurting him. Look he is crying.” Only Mitzi could see his tears. When Uncle Luke put Puccini’s paw up to his mouth to bite through the string, Mitzi asked loudly, “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” She snatched the bear away, and cried, “Grandma Toady help!”

Grandma Toady rushed to the front of the church with the tiny pair of scissors she kept in her purse. With two snips the rings were free and rolling across the floor. Mitzi gave Puccini a fierce hug and declared, “No more weddings for you young bear.”

Estelle caught one of the rolling rings and so did Pa. They traded rings and and the ceremony continued.

When the preacher said, “Now you may kiss the bride.” Lolly saw Munch close his eyes. If he could just hold on a few more seconds this wedding would be over.

The preacher held up Pa and Estelle’s joined hands and said,“I now present Trace Phelps and Estelle Dutchendorph-Phelps.” Estelle had hyphenated her last name? It was gonna take her forever to sign her signature. Still, Lolly knew she had done it for Munch. Lolly stole a glance at him. He had a tiny smile on his lips.

They watched the bride and groom go down the aisle. Uncle Luke picked up Mitzi and Puccini. He hitched his arm through Lolly’s and they too left the sanctuary. In the foyer, Pa hugged Lolly so hard. In her ear he whispered, “I love you Shortcake.”

“I love you too Pa.” He released her and went to stand by Estelle. When he took her hand in his, he gave her a smile like Lolly had never seen him smile before. He was happy and he deserved to be.

When Munch came into the foyer, he gave his mom and hug and then, to Lolly’s surprise, he stuck out his hand and shook Pa’s hand. Pa was so pleased. Next Munch hugged Lolly and said, “We’re family now.”

“Yup we are.”

He let go of her and smirked. "You know I’m the oldest.”

“By two months.”

“Still, that makes me your BIG BROTHER. So, I get to boss you around.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

“Oh, you will Sissy Baby, you will.”

Mitzi ran across the room and flung herself at Munch. “You are my cousin now!” Munch picked her up and spun her around. She loved it.

A hand slipped into Lolly’s. She turned and looked at Trevor. He said, “That was the coolest wedding I’ve ever been to. How did you like the song I sang?”

“It’s one of my favorites.”

"Mine too." He leaned in and softly kissed her. He said, "I meant every word I sang.”

Did he? Lolly wondered. He wasn’t even sixteen yet, neither was she. Still, she knew he meant it now, and now was all they had. No matter what came next, this now was pretty stinkin' wonderful.