Jordie’s World, Part 4

Chapter 10

On the tenth floor of a luxury hotel in downtown Seattle, Jordie stood before the full-length mirror in the presidential suite, her wedding gown shimmering in the late morning light. At 28, she barely recognized the woman reflected back at her – so far removed from the little girl in hand-me-downs from Sedro-Woolley.

"Oh my God, Jordie, you look absolutely stunning!" Kelly gushed, adjusting the veil.

Mei, bustling around with a makeup brush in hand, chimed in, "Seriously, you're going to take his breath away."

Jordie smiled, her fingers unconsciously reaching for the star pendant nestled at her throat. "Thanks, you guys. I can hardly believe this is happening."

"Believe it, counselor," Mei teased, using the nickname she'd given Jordie back in law school. "You've earned this moment."

As her bridesmaids fussed over last-minute details, Jordie's mind wandered. She thought of the long journey that had brought her here – the late nights studying, the challenges at the firm, the cases won and lost. And through it all, the constant presence of her family, supporting her every step of the way.

"Earth to Jordie," Kelly said, waving a hand in front of her face. "Where'd you go just now?"

Jordie blinked, coming back to the present. "Sorry, just... remembering."

"Remembering what?" asked Sarah, her college roommate and fellow bridesmaid.

Jordie's hand unconsciously reached for the ever-present star pendant around her neck. "Everything. How far I've come. How much has changed."

Mei noticed the gesture. "You never take it off, do you? You’ve never told me the story, but I’m sure there is one.”

A bittersweet smile played on Jordie's lips. "It was a gift from my brother, Mark. He gave it to me the night he told me he was joining the Marines."

The room fell quiet, the other girls knowing the weight of Mark's absence today.

"He said that whenever I missed him, I should look at the stars," Jordie continued, her voice soft. "That no matter where we were, we'd be seeing the same stars.” Her eyes began welling up.

Kelly moved closer, wrapping an arm around Jordie's waist. "He'd be so proud of you, sis."

Jordie nodded, blinking back more tears. "I know. It’s like sometimes I can almost hear him, you know? Telling me I've got this, just like he used to."

"Well, he'd be right," Mei said, her face breaking into a smile. "You've got this, and then some. I mean, look at you – successful lawyer, about to marry the man of your dreams. It's like a damn movie or something."

Jordie laughed, the moment of melancholy passing. "Hardly. Unless the movie includes all those nights I fell asleep drooling on my textbooks."

"Or that time you spilled coffee all over yourself right before your first big court appearance," Kelly added, giggling.

"Hey! We swore never to speak of that again!" Jordie protested, but she was laughing too.

A knock at the door interrupted their laughter. "Come in," Jordie called.

The door opened to reveal Jordie's mother, looking elegant in a pale blue dress. Her eyes welled up as she took in the sight of her daughter.

"Oh, Jordie," she breathed. "You look beautiful, honey."

Jordie moved to embrace her mother, careful not to wrinkle her dress. "Thanks, Mom. I'm so glad you're here."

As they hugged, Jordie could feel her mother's slight trembling. She knew they were both thinking the same thing – wishing Mark could be there to see this.

"He's here," her mother whispered, as if reading Jordie's thoughts. "He'd be so happy for you, sweetheart."

Jordie nodded, not trusting herself to speak. After a moment, they pulled apart, both dabbing at their eyes.

"Now, now, none of that," Jordie's mother said, composing herself. "I have something for you."

She produced a small, wrapped box from her purse. "This is from all of us – your dad, your siblings, and me. Open it now; you'll know what to do."

Curious, Jordie carefully unwrapped the box. Inside, she found a delicate charm bracelet. Underneath the charms, loose, were two tiny blue buttons, each with a 'J' on it – the very buttons from her childhood dress.

"Oh, Mom," Jordie gasped, tears threatening to spill over again.

"We thought you might want a piece of home with you today," her mother explained, her voice thick with emotion. "A reminder of where you came from, and how far you've come."

Jordie's bridesmaids gathered around, admiring the bracelet.

“Are those...?" Kelly asked, recognizing the loose buttons.

Jordie nodded. "From the dress Mark bought me for picture day. Remember?"

"I do," Kelly said softly. "You were so happy that day when Mark’s friend found the missing button."

As her mother fastened the bracelet around her wrist, Jordie stared at the two buttons in the box and was transported back to that day – the excitement of having a new dress, the panic when the button fell off, the warmth of Mark's support.

"It's perfect," Jordie said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you. All of you."

Her mother squeezed her hand. "We're all so proud of you, Jordie. You've become such an amazing woman."

For a moment, the room was quiet, the weight of the moment settling over everyone.

Then Mei clapped her hands. "Okay, enough with the tears! We've got a wedding to get to, people!"

The spell broken, everyone burst into laughter and activity. As the final touches were put in place, Jordie found herself alone for a moment in front of the mirror.

She took in her reflection – the elegant gown, so different from the hand-me-downs of her youth; the subtle makeup enhancing her features; the star pendant at her throat; the charm bracelet on her wrist. Each piece a testament to her journey, to the people who had shaped her life.

"We did it, Mark," she whispered. "It really did turn out OK.”

"Jordie?" Mei's voice called. "You ready? It's almost time.”

“Give me a few minutes.”

Mei said, “We’ll be in the next room when you’re ready.”

Taking a deep breath, Jordie smoothed her dress. She looked over at the box her mother had given her.

Chapter 11

Jordie's fingers traced the edges of the small box her mother had given her. She opened it again, this time she could see something outlined under the cotton padding at the bottom. Lifting the cotton, a small smile formed as she discovered a sewing needle and a length of pale blue thread hidden beneath.

"Oh, Mom," she said to herself,”You always know."

She reached for her handbag, fishing out the single blue button she'd kept all these years – the very one Mark had sewn back on that day in elementary school. Holding it alongside the two from the box, she felt another rush of memories.

Jordie sat at the dressing table, the three buttons lined up before her. Each one a chapter in her story. Her fingers trembled slightly as she threaded the needle, Mark's voice echoing in her mind.

"Just like tying your shoes, remember?"

She chuckled softly, picturing his patient smile as he'd taught her. Taking a deep breath, Jordie began to sew the buttons to the inside cuff of her sleeve. One, two, three – each button a remembrance of her journey.

As she worked, memories flooded back. The class photo day, her excitement over the new dress tinged with panic when the button fell off. Mark's decision to join the Marines, the weight of his absence, the strength she'd found within herself during those challenging law school years.

Jordie tied off the thread as she finished the last button. She ran her fingers over the buttons, now a secret part of her wedding dress. One for her, one for her soon-to-be husband, and one for Mark – always a part of her life.

A knock at the door shifted her focus away from her reverie. "Jordie?" It was her father's voice. "You ready, Punkin'?"

"Just a sec, Dad," she called back, hastily tucking away the sewing supplies. She stood, smoothing her dress, and took one last look in the mirror. The woman who gazed back at her was a bridge between past and present – the scared but determined girl from Sedro-Woolley and the accomplished lawyer she'd become.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. Her father's eyes widened, glistening with unshed tears. "Oh, Jordan," he breathed. “You’re so beautiful."

Jordie smiled and winked at her father, linking her arm through his. "Thanks, Dad. Shall we?"

As they made their way to the elevator, her father cleared his throat. "You know, I've been thinking about Mark a lot today."

Jordie squeezed his arm. "Me too."

"He'd be so proud of you, Jordie. Hell, he always was."

The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. As they descended, Jordie's father turned to her, his expression serious. "I know I'm not always good with words, but I want you to know – your mom and I, we're so proud of you. The way you've worked so hard, how you've never forgotten where you came from. Mark saw that in you from the start."

Jordie felt the tears welling up again. "Dad..."

He shook his head, smiling. "No, no. No crying. Today's a happy day. I just wanted you to know that I’d been thinking about it."

The elevator dinged, doors sliding open to reveal the hotel's grand lobby. Jordie's bridesmaids were waiting, their excited chatter filling the air.

"There she is!" Mei exclaimed. "Ready to knock some socks off?"

Jordie laughed, the moment with her father settling warm in her chest. "As I'll ever be."

As they lined up, Kelly leaned in close. "You okay? You seemed a little emotional upstairs."

Jordie nodded, her hand unconsciously brushing over the hidden buttons on her sleeve. "I'm perfect. Just... remembering."

"Mark?" Kelly asked softly.

“Yeah, among other things," Jordie smiled. "He's here, you know? In all the important ways."

The wedding coordinator appeared, clipboard in hand. "Alright, ladies. It's time. Remember, slow steps, big smiles!"

As the music swelled and the doors to the rooftop garden opened, Jordie felt a calm settle over her. She watched as her bridesmaids made their way down the aisle, each step bringing her closer to this new chapter in her life.

"Ready, Punkin'?" her father whispered.

Jordie nodded, squeezing his arm. As they stepped into the sunlight, she felt the weight of all the moments that had led her here – the struggles, the triumphs, the love that had shaped her. Her eyes found Jackson, her soon-to-be husband, waiting at the altar, his face lighting up as he saw her.

With each step down the aisle, Jordie felt the presence of everyone who had been part of her journey. Her mother, beaming proudly from the front row. Kelly and Donny, standing with the bridal party. Professor Hargrove, who had become a mentor and friend, seated among the guests.

And Mark. Not physically present, but there in the strength of her stride, in the determination that had brought her to this moment.

As she reached the altar, her father placed her hand in her Jackson's. Jordie felt the buttons press against her wrist.

The officiant began to speak, but Jordie found herself lost in her Jackson's eyes. She thought of the life they would build together. One that would honor her past while embracing their future.

"Dearly beloved," the officiant's voice rang out, "we are gathered here today..."

You've got this, squirt, she could almost hear Mark say.

And she did. Whatever challenges lay ahead, whatever joys and sorrows the future held, Jordie knew she was ready. She had the strength of her past, the love of her present, and the promise of her future, all sewn together in the fabric of who she had become.

As she turned to face Jackson, Jordie felt a sense of completeness. The little girl from Sedro-Woolley, the determined law student, the successful lawyer – all parts of her, coming together in this moment.

"I do," she would say soon, her voice clear and strong. And in those two small words would be a lifetime of love, struggle, triumph, and hope. A promise not just to her husband, but to herself and to the memory of those who had shaped her.