Not as long a wait for this installment and I hope followers of this story will be pleased. Things are unfolding, but this story is far from finished - several installments yet to come.
As always, this is a work of fiction and the characters exist only within the confines of my imagination. Please keep the feedback rolling in, both pro and con. You, the reader, are my inspiration! Enjoy!
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It was a perfect Florida summer day -- the powerful heat blunted by the fresh breeze coming off the Gulf of Mexico. I glanced at my mother standing across from me, looking even lovelier than ever -- her almost flawless skin just a bit red over her tan and her dark hair being gently blown around by the wind from the sea. Mom was wearing a strapless off the shoulder, red dress, her bountiful breasts almost spilling out from the low cut front, the material clinging on by virtue of prayer and Mom's erect nipples. The hem was at mid thigh, showing off Mom's shapely legs and the dress clung tightly to her, accentuating every luscious curve of her beautiful body. If I hadn't already been head over heels in love with Mom, I would have fallen for her right then.
The sound of the surf mixed wonderfully with the music of two guitars playing softly near us with the murmurs of those gathered together for the ceremony underlying everything. I could hear the laughter and shouts of children playing with a dog further on down the beach. I smiled at Mom and she smiled back, filling my heart with something so wonderful and powerful that it needs a better name than love.
In front of us, I heard the minister clear his throat and say in a happy voice, "Would everyone please stand." Mom winked at me and blew me a kiss. It was a beautiful day for a wedding. The guitars shifted from the classical piece they were playing into the Wedding March and Mom and I turned along with the twenty-five or so people gathered and watched as my Aunt Debbie and my best friend Molly came walking hand in hand down between the rows of folding chairs set up in the sand.
Molly looked incredibly beautiful as only a bride can -- wearing a white dress -- complete with veil, but ignoring the tradition of long dress and train. I can honestly say, I've never seen a shorter hemline on a wedding dress, ending just south of her crotch and showing off her well toned and curvaceous legs. She went barefoot in deference to the sand and the whole ensemble worked for her.
Debbie, throwing all conventions to the wind, had chosen a scandalous dark blue halter dress that was little more than straps across her enhanced breasts attached to a short skirt. I had to smile at the glow on my aunt's face -- she was truly smitten by my sometimes lover and college classmate, Molly. The two women were on first look a seeming mismatch -- Deb blonde, tall and athletic and Molly dark haired, short and voluptuous, but once you saw them look at each other, you realized that they were soul mates.
They came to a halt between Mom and me, each passing us loving glances before they took each other's hands. The minister -- a burly, bearded, fellow who introduced himself only as Steinbeck and was some kind of non-denominational cleric, gave everyone a big smile and began. "Dearly beloved -- we are gathered here today in the sight of God as witnesses to the marriage of Molly and Debbie as they pledge their love to each other and join in the holy bonds of matrimony."
Steinbeck smiled out at all those present -- mostly Deb's friends and Molly's aged grandmother, a wizened old woman who had loudly declared earlier, "That girl should be with whoever she wants. I got pushed into marrying her granddaddy and I had to put up with that miserable son-of-a-bitch for fifty-three years!" Molly had known that her family would be outraged when she announced she was "marrying" another woman and her father was quick to disown her, but you could tell when you saw her looking at Debbie, that all that crap didn't matter. The fact that her grandmother had accepted her invitation to attend their wedding meant the world to her.
"Whatever the laws and conventions of society may say, today we rejoice as these two wonderful ladies take the love that is within them and by joining as a couple, combine their love to make something that cannot be anything but holy in the sight of God," intoned Steinbeck. "If there be any who would deny them this sacred act, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
I don't know who had the more forbidding look as folks scanned the crowd -- the minister, myself or Molly's grandmother. There was nothing but a sea of smiles among those gathered. Steinbeck's scowl fell away and his beatific smile reemerged and he continued. "Debbie, here in front of these witnesses and God Almighty, do you vow to love, honor and cherish Molly for all time?"
Aunt Debbie's eyes were brimming with happy tears as she nodded and then almost giggled as she remembered she had to speak, "With all my heart, I do!"
The minister turned to Molly and said, "Molly, here in front of these witnesses and God Almighty, do you vow to love, honor and cherish Debbie for all time?"
Molly face was streaked with tears of joy as she said in voice quavering with excitement, "With all my heart, I do!"
Steinbeck nodded in satisfaction and said, "Molly and Debbie would like to share their own vows with you all."
He nodded and Molly spoke up first, turning to Debbie and slipping her own hands into the grasp of the older woman. "Debbie, my darling. I knew what love was before I met you, but you have shown me just how truly wonderful love can be. I am yours heart and soul, now and forever. I love you, sugar."
Debbie sighed and replied, "My wonderful Molly. You've made an old gal's heart young again and reminded me how wonderful it is not only to love, but to be in love. I am yours, heart and soul, now and forever. I love you, Molly."
I think we all did sort of a communal, "Awww." I looked at Mom and saw tears in her eyes and she looked at me with the same burning emotions that her sister and Molly were showing.
