The house had a small front yard. There were perennials, shrubs, and vines growing in the yard when her parents were still here. The mild summer tinted it an even richer green. When Dylan bought the house back for her, he planted the same green plants as before, and he also brought more attractive pot flowers.
The air was filled with a sweet scent.
Taking a deep breath of the air, Savannah walked to the swing in the yard and sat on it. From this angle, she would see Dylan for the first time when he came to pick her up.
She looked down at her belly and touched it slowly, murmuring, "baby, let's wait for your dad to come to pick us up, okay?"
The baby kicked her slightly bulged belly as if in response.
The first light of the early morning peeked through the clouds and flooded the earth. Garcia drew aside the window-curtain and found Savannah sitting on the swing in the yard. She didn't think much but continued cleaning the room. Maybe Savannah just got up early and was waiting for Mr. Sterling outside.
On the swing, Savannah fixed her eyes on the front gate.
According to the wedding procedure, he should come to Green Bay to pick her up at about six a.m.
It must be almost six o 'clock...
He hadn't turned up yet.
It doesn't matter, Savannah said to herself, traffic jams are very normal. Maybe he had delayed because of something urgent...
She soothed herself in this way, her eyes vacant, and her hand clutched her skirt.
Finally, from the outside came the sound of a car. Savannah stood up with hope, only found that it was the makeup artist who came with the wedding dress.
She sat back on the swing, a look of disappointment passing over her face.
Sophie and Garcia sensed that something was wrong. They stood at the door for a while, but the expected man still did not show.
Sophie went in and made a call. A few minutes later, she came out with a pale face.
Garcia took a peek at Savannah, pulled Sophie aside, and asked, "Did Mr. Sterling start out? He's not stuck in traffic, is he? There should be no traffic jams at this hour!"
Sophie's face was frozen with uncertainty. "Cooper said... Mr. Sterling hasn't returned..." she stammered.
"What did you mean?" Garcia was stunned.
"Mr. Sterling went to Chicago last night and hasn't come back yet... But we've called to urge him. I think he'll come and pick up Miss Schultz as soon as possible. Don't shout it out, or Miss Schultz will hear you..."
Garcia gasped. The groom left LA yesterday before the wedding? And he hadn't come back yet? Didn't Mr. Sterling know that today was his wedding day?
What did he think of Savannah?
Garcia controlled her temper and walked to Savannah, forcing a placating smile to her lips. "Savannah, the makeup artist's here. Please come in to change clothes and put on makeup. When Mr. Sterling comes, he can take you to the ceremony directly."
Savannah turned her gaze and slowly nodded. Yes, she should change her clothes before he came and not make him wait.
Garcia bit her teeth, helped Savannah in, and went upstairs with the makeup artist.
After cleaning up, Savannah changed into the wedding dress and sat in front of the dressing mirror.
The makeup artist opened her makeup box and began her work.
Half an hour later, the makeup artist combed Savannah's hair into an elegant upsweep and fished the make-up.
"You're so beautiful!" Sophie took a breath and praised her sincerely.
Garcia felt her own eyes smarting. If only Savannah's father was still alive and could attend Savannah's wedding ceremony!
Savannah looked at herself in the mirror. She looked like a real princess in a white wedding dress. Her lips were ripe as cherries, and her brow was white and lofty, but her large and brown eyes were so melancholy.
Today was her wedding ceremony with him, she should not be unhappy.
She held her emotions and stood up, walking downstairs with Garcia and Sophie. Then she walked out of the house and sat on the swing in the front yard.
The sky became brighter as the sun slowly rose.
Garcia and Sophie were more and more anxious. Why hasn't Mr. Sterling come yet?
On the swing, Savannah holds her dress firmly, silent, staring straight at the front gate.
The sunshine touched her hair and shone brightly onto her white wedding dress. It should be a beautiful scene, but the girl in the scene looks so lonely, so sad.
Garcia finally opened her mouth, "Savannah, the morning sun's too strong. Let's go inside the house…"
"No. I'll wait right here," Savannah said calmly, but her palms were all cold and sweating.
Garcia and Sophie looked at each other and sighed.
Sophie rushed into the house to call again.
Savannah sat quite still. Her heart was beating quietly but violently while she was waiting for the result from Sophie. A few minutes later, Sophie came out with a pale face.
"What's the matter? Where's Mr. Sterling now? Why so late?" Garcia took a few steps, grabbed Sophie's sleeve, and asked in a low voice
Sophie didn't reply, she walked to Savannah slowly, swallowed, and finally said, "Miss Schultz, the driver will take you back to Sterling's house first... Mr. Sterling, he…" She didn't know how to explain to Savannah.
That words took Garcia's breath away.
Savannah seemed to have expected the answer. She stood up silently and walked towards the house without asking for more.
Her calm but sad face broke Garcia's heart. "Savannah, let me help you change the dress, and I'll go with you."