White dresses and Marigolds

Stacy looked down at her dress, today was one of the most important days of her life. She smiled to herself as her fingertips glided down the beaded seams of her dress. Inhaling for a moment she whispered to herself. “I wish you could be here today, mom. I hope you’re proud of me.” A tiny tear formed in the corner of her eye and she whipped it away before it could fall.

Just then Jessica, her maid of honor burst into her dressing room. “I can not believe it’s almost time! Can I get you anything before you walk down the isle and say I do forever?”

Stacy laughed. “Some whiskey might be nice, but honestly I think I am fine. I just want to get down the isle, marry the man of my dreams and head off to Ireland for our honeymoon.”

“Oh look at the time, we need to line up. Okay ladies, let’s head to the hallway.” Jessica announced.

Stacy gathered the bottom of her dress and walked to the back of the church. Just a few more minutes and she was going to be Mrs. Aiden O’Connor. Excitement built in her chest as she heard the music start playing. One by one each brides maid walked through the door.

Stacy’s dad met her at the entrance and locked arms with her. “You look absolutely stunning.” He said as tears form in his eyes. “You’re mother would have wanted you to have this.” He pulled a small handkerchief from his pocket. Inside was a small hair pendant. It was sterling silver. Small flowered adorned it. “Here is something old for you. It was your mother’s. She wore it on our wedding day. It was given to her by her mother.” Stacy’s eyes filled with joy. “Do you mind helping me put it on?”

As they entered the church, Stacy looked around to find that none of her flowered she had picked for her wedding was in sight. Instead filling the entire church was marigolds. Completely stunned she continued down the isle to her soon to be husband. Tears rolling down her face. She joined Aiden at the alter.

The wedding nuptials continued as both Stacy and Aiden said their vows. The pastor announced for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Aiden O’Connor.

As their guest made their way to the reception hall, Stacy and Aiden stayed back for pictures. Laughing, crying and posing.

“Thank you so much for the surprise Aiden. I know if my mom could be here she would have loved them.”

The look on Aiden’s face changed. Surprise? He questioned.

“The marigolds.” Stacy looked at Aiden confused. “They were my mom’s favorite flower. The entire church was filled with them.”

“Umm I thought you made a last minute change and decided you wanted those instead of the white roses we picked out.” Aiden looked at her wide eyed.

“No, I finalized all flower arrangements a month ago. Strange. I’ll call them after we get back and find out what happen. It was still a nice surprise whoever changed them. I felt like my mom was there with us today.”

Three Weeks later.

“Yes thank you, I’ll come pick them up in about an hour once Aiden gets home. Thank you again.” Stacy hangs up the phone.

“Who was that?” Jessica asked as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

“Oh just the photographer, he wanted us to come pick up the pictures in person. Said something about them no turning out properly, something about spacing. I don’t know, he just asked us to be there.”

Stacy gabbed her cup of coffee and sipped it, then remembering she needed to call the florist.

“Give me just a second, I need to call the florist to find out who changed me flowers so I can thank them. It was really sweet of them.”

Stacy dialed the number and waited. “Hello, my name is Stacy O’Connor. I got married a few weeks ago and you guys did my flower arrangements. I’m called because the flowers I picked out were not the ones delivered. Oh no ma’am, I’m not upset, I just wanted to see if you could tell me who called and changed the order. They were beautiful and I wanted to thank them. Oh. You don’t know who called? You don’t have any records of it? Well okay. Thank you again. They were beautiful.”

Stacy sat down for a moment, clutching her coffee. Trying to put the pieces together in her head. “Maybe my dad did it.” She shook off any other thoughts. Right then Aiden came through the door.

“Hey love, we need to go pick up the pictures from the photographer today, if that’s okay with you.” She called to Aiden.

Jessica looked at Stacy. “Are you okay? You look a little shaken.”

“Oh yes I’m fine. Do you want to come with us to pick up the pictures?” Stacy asked still deep in thought.

“No, I think I’ll leave that intimate moment for just the two of you.” Jessica replied finishing her coffee.

Aiden and Stacy got into the car.

“You okay?” Aiden asked.

“Oh yes, I just had a strange conversation with the florist. They don’t have any records of anyone changing the flower arrangements. I thought it was strange as it was a wedding. You would think they would keep those types of records. Oh well. It was a nice surprise I just wanted to thank whoever did it.”

Aiden grabbed Stacy’s hand and smiled at her. Squeezing it gently as they continued to drive to the photographer’s studio.

Once they arrived they were greeted at the door.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs O’Connor come in. It’s so nice to see you. If you could have a seat at this table we will go ahead and get you started on figuring out what’s going on in these photos and then you can select your favorites.”

The photographer went to the back and grabbed the photos decks. As he returned he also grabbed some tissues.

With a slight sigh he sat the pictures down.

“So here is why I wanted you to come in. Some pictures just did not turn out and I am not sure why. We don’t shoot on film any more and I didn’t see it in the view finder but there are a few spots that I can’t explain.”

He grabbed the ones and sat them in front of Stacy and Aiden. Stacy took one look at them and anxiety washed over her. In all the family photos right where her mom would have been standing was a bright reflective light. In every single shot. Stacy started to tear up.

“That’s where my mom would have stood if she was at the wedding. Right there beside my dad. I can’t believe it. What if that’s her Aiden? What if she did make it?”

Aiden grabbed Stacy’s hands and pulled her close to him.

“It might be hun. Are you okay?” Aiden asked smiling at her.

“I am going to give you guys a moment. If you need anything I’ll be over here.” Said the photographer.

“Wait, have you ever seen something like this before?” Stacey asked.

The photographer smiled at her. “Sometimes. Sometimes during special events where a loved one has passed away there will be spots in the shot that can’t be explained. Spacing, lights. Sometime silhouettes. Just unexplained things. I let the family decide what they are.”

“They are perfect!” She exclaimed as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

“Okay then, I’ll have them ready for pickup sometime this week if you are satisfied with them.”

“Yes, that’s if Aiden also agrees” she looked at her husband.

“Yes, just let me know when they are done and I’ll pick them up on my way from work.” Aiden stated.

Aiden and Stacy made their way back to the car. When they finally reached the car Aiden grabbed Stacy in close and kissed her.

“ Do you really think it’s your mom in those pictures?” He said.

“I don’t know, but I would like to believe so.” She smiled back at him.

“Do you think that’s why the flowers got changed?” Aiden replied.

“Aiden are you asking if I believe in ghost?” She answered.

“Well yea. I do, don’t you?”

“I mean I’ve never thought about it but that would explain the flowers and the photos.” Stacy walked to the passenger door. Aiden rushed over and opened it for her.

“It looks like we still have lots to learn about each other Mrs. O’Connor.” Aiden smiled as the closed the door.

“We sure do.” Stacy replied.