Whose Hearts Align

The sisters were quiet for a long moment, then both began speaking at once.

“You look gorgeous,” Miranda commented.

“You look gorgeous,” Meredith proclaimed.

Then they both laughed. From outside, they heard music begin to play, and a light murmuring of voices carried on the breezes. They stood, straightening their dresses. “You two ready in there?” came their father’s voice.

“Ready!” Meredith answered.

Miranda took a deep breath. “Guess it’s time.”

“See you out there,” Meredith said, heading outside.

Miranda watched as her sister began the stately walk in cadence with the music. Her teal dress fluttered in the breeze, and through the edges of the arbor she could see her bridesmaids flanking the portico, a different shade for each dress. Like a watercolor palette, just as I imagined.

Then it was her turn. She looked over at her father and took his arm, noticing he suddenly looked proud, an awareness of the moment settling over his features. She gave him her broadest smile but then turned to look again toward the portico, where the handsomest, most incredible man in the universe stood waiting for her.

Taking a jagged breath, she stepped forward and gasped. Just beyond Cornelius and the wedding party, a storm cloud had scudded across the sky, leaving in its wake a perfect rainbow whose two ends floated on the surface of the sea.

“Look!” she said, but not loudly enough to be heard. For a hush came over her, a sense of the miraculous touching down to bless her wedding to the one she loved.