My little girl

The next morning, the sun was shining brightly, waking our bride and groom up early. Though they hadn't gotten much sleep, both of them felt energized and were looking forward to what was to come. Each of them standing in front of their French balcony doors, basking in the early sun without being aware that the other was just inches apart from them. Even having the same thought, without knowing. The words, 'It is promising to be a warm and pleasant day.' crossing both their minds as they looked across the green grass where in a few hours they would be saying their vows to one another in front of their families and friends. And their thoughts would be proven true. It was indeed a good day for a wedding. It was one of those rare late spring days that fooled you into thinking summer had arrived. Though the hotel had prepared for both types of weather, it was a good beginning of the day to see that the tents would probably not be needed.

Where Jason got a bit of a lazy start of the day, Jenny was just in time to let the first people in who would be helping her get ready. The team Paolo had arranged was separated in three smaller times, each with their own time frame. First up was the person doing her hair, after that would be make-up and last up was the team of three that would help her in and out of the dresses. While a chatty young woman was working on her hair, Jenny was trying to get some breakfast in before the make-up lady would get there and she wouldn't be able to eat anymore until after the ceremony. Though she didn't have much of an appetite, she needed to eat something if she didn't want to risk a growling stomach during their vows. As she was taking small bites of the croissant and omelette that were in front of her and picking at the fruit salad on the side, another knock on the door could be heard. Both the hairstylist as she looked around surprised, because the make-up artist wasn't supposed to arrive for another hour and she wasn't expecting any other guests. With a small level of curiosity the hairstylist's assistant opened the door and in the door opening was none other than Jenny's mother. "Mom, what are you doing here so early?"

Mary was already dressed and dolled up. Jenny looked at the time and back at her mother and wondered what time she had gotten up and gotten ready. "It's my only daughter's and my youngest child's wedding day, what mother would be able to sleep? Since, I couldn't sleep, I decided to get ready early and come here to see how you were doing. As a mother, I want to be there for you in case you were feeling nervous or worried." Jenny held out her hand, which Mary grabbed and they looked at each other. Being affected by her mother's emotional voice and dampened eyes, Jenny felt a bit choked up. As she turned back to the mirror so that the hairstylist could continue fixing her hair, she spoke to her mother. "Mom, don't cry. It is a happy day. If you cry, I will get emotional too." Mary wiped away the tears that were about to fall and said, "I'm sorry. I can't help it. Though I knew this day would come and you have moved to England for so long now, seeing you like this, it is all starting to feel so real. I finally have to hand over my daughter, that I painstakingly brought up and have doted on for so many years, to another family. I have to accept that you are no longer my little girl but will be someone's wife after today. That is a lot for any mother to take in and I am no exception.

As Jenny fought back the tears that were welling up behind her own eyes, she stroked the back of Mary's hand to comfort her. She was feeling very treasured these days and very blessed. She cleared her throat as she said, "Don't look at today as the day you lost a daughter, but as the day you gained another son. No matter what age, no matter if I am Jason's wife or am a mother myself, I will always consider myself your little girl first and foremost. Don't think that just because I am gaining the title of Mrs. Westwood, that I won't still throw myself around your neck any chance I get or ask you to pat my head as I try to use your lap as a pillow. In a few years, you will hopefully have a few grandchildren who will be running around you and asking for your love and attention as well. So, in no way will this be a day where you lose something. This will be a day where you add to your happiness and get the chance to expand our family." Jenny saw that Mary smiled at her through the mirror and she kissed the back of Jenny's hand. A gesture she copied immediately after with Mary's hand.

"When did my little immature girl become so grown up. She is even able to comfort her mother nowadays. I came here to help you, who would expect that it would turn the way around." This caused the both of them to laugh, reassuring the hairstylist and her assistant that everything was okay now. Since Mary and Jenny spoke their mother tongue when they were talking with each other, the two of them couldn't follow the conversation. Based on their expressions, they could understand some of their emotions but to them the room was feeling quite heavy. Jenny noticing their expressions in the mirror as well, explained to them what she had been discussing with her mother. Something she didn't have to do, as they were there as professionals and were in no way involved in the matter, but was much appreciated by the two of them.