Alternate Universe

As I held Maya tonight, my eyes closed.  I was so tired and she was snuggly and warm.  I was awake but my mind began to wander...

A bridal suite in an old, stone church.  Two girls, in their mid-late twenties.

One, the bride, strawberry blonde hair hidden by her tea length veil, her simple ivory wedding dress cascading to the floor, bell sleeves draped over slender arms. The other, slightly taller, darker ringlets cascade down her shoulders, covering her open back, the deep gemstone dress capturing the light.  They laugh, knowingly, softly.  "It's time, Mei..." the dark haired one says.  MeiMei...Little Sister...  "I love you, Soph," the other whispers.

They pick up bouquets and walk beyond a wooden door, and into the light, shining through the simple glass windows of the old hallowed space.

First, the garnet dress glides down the aisle, and then the ivory, wrapped around the arm of her father, whose hair is a bit more speckled with gray.  There are men at the end and I instantly recognize three of the ushers.  One, looks like his father, only slightly shorter; the second, with the build of a soccer player and icy blue eyes that are melted by the sight of his sister; the third, tall and solid, with arms that look like they may burst through the tuxedo he's been painted into like the incredible hulk.  "No one would know they were twins," the woman next to me leans.

Her father- their father- walks this baby girl who has grown into a woman, down a rose strewn path and, as she gives herself in marriage to a nameless, faceless man, she hands her flowers to the sister who has been beside her from the start and stands to witness this joining.   Her father kisses her cheek and takes his place in the pew, next to her mother... Next to me.

I look down at the invitation in my hand.  The honour of your presence is requested at the marriage of our daughter, Maya Eirene... Saturday, March 29, 20... 

And I wake up, the smell of flowers all that linger and a tired baby girl in my arms