Rebound

1.

Saturday dawned pale and bright, a subtle promise of afternoon warmth trembling in the crisp morning air. Shafts of iridescent gold streamed through the blinds of the master bedroom, crosshatching the hardwood floor with narrow, blonde stripes. The sun's glow doggedly pierced the closed eyelids of the only occupant currently in residence in the large bed.

Lisa Cuddy let loose a gusty sigh, rolling over to try and escape the relentless daylight. A moment later, the clock's alarm sounded and with an even louder sigh bordering on a groan, she reached over to turn it off.

She ran her tongue along her dry lips and clicked it against her teeth in an effort to ward off the bitter taste of her long sleepless night. Truth be told, she hadn't slept a wink even though she had gone to bed early in preparation for today.

As Cuddy began to rouse her sleep-addled brain, she automatically threw her left arm across the width of the bed. Belatedly she remembered that she had spent the night alone. Her sigh of disappointment seemed like a futile gesture. After all, it had been her idea for him to sleep somewhere else.

It had been quite easy to convince him to rent a hotel room. The promise of revelries in the oversized bed or the large hot tub was enough motivation for him to rent the suite for the entire weekend.

So he had dutifully left early Friday and spent the night at the hotel. After all, she reminded him as she kissed his scruffy cheek goodbye, it was bad luck for the groom to see his bride before the ceremony.

Cuddy yawned and sat up, sliding her small bare feet over the side of the bed. She stretched her aching back, lifting her arms above her head as she placed her feet into her slippers.

She glanced at the clock once more and decided she better get moving if she hoped to shower and dress before her mother and sister Julie, her matron of honor, were to arrive. They would be helping to organize, herd and otherwise corral the legions of caterers and guests who would be descending on her house today.

Cuddy was getting married at home and if the weather held, which seemed likely, the ceremony would be held in the backyard with the lovely spring flowers scenting the air. All in white, with baby's breath woven through her raven's wing curls, her childhood dream of becoming a bride would finally be realized.

For this very afternoon, Lisa Cuddy would say "I do" and agree to become Mrs. Lucas Douglas.