Pearls In The Family

May's eyes began to water as she watched her only daughter put on her white dress. Today was Sky's wedding day. May was so happy she could burst, but she was also sad. Ron, her soon-to-be son-in-law, was a wonderful young man, to be sure, but he had a job lined up in another city that was five hours away. They would have their honeymoon there, so once this ceremony and reception were over, May wouldn't see either of them for a long while.

Probably not until Christmas.

But in June, that was too far away for May's taste.

She was startled out of her reverie by her daughter's question.

How did she look?

Oh, she looked wonderful.

"You look perfect, Honey. But I think you're missing something."

"Oh?" Her daughter's expression quickly turned from expectancy to bemusement.

May smiled wistfully for another moment and turned to leave her daughter's room.

"I'll be back in a moment." She said as she turned the corner and out of sight.

Her steps slowed as she walked over the threshold and into her own room. Her eyes fell upon the bed. She felt a pang go through her heart at the sight of it.

She hadn't made it this morning, so one side was messy, the other pristine. Her husband had died in a car accident three years prior. May still felt the grief as if it was yesterday.

After giving a little shake of her head, she finally moved toward her closet, her original destination.

Slowly, she opened the door and reached up to the top shelf. She gently moved aside old blankets and boxes, each one as full of memories as another.

Then she saw it.

The ivory box with gold gilt edging. Gingerly, she lifted it out of its place pulled it down, handling it as if it would shatter if she but breathed on it, though it was sturdier than most boxes she'd ever come across.

She sat down on her bed and opened it for one last look. Inside was the elegant pearl and diamond necklace with a tiny gold pendant in the center. It was a work of art. If it came to it, May was sure it would fetch a pretty penny, but it was too special for that.

Knowing that Sky was likely growing impatient, May closed the lid and rose.

She knocked lightly before entering her daughter's room.

"Come here and sit down with me. It's time for me to tell you a story."

Curiosity lit up her daughter's face as she settled into the foot of the bed. May followed suit and held the box between them. Sky's face filled with awe as she gazed upon the box's own beauty. On the corners of every ivory plane were white gold filigree, inlaid with tiny diamonds and rubies.

"Go ahead." May offered the box to her daughter. Sky's hands hovered over it as if it was too beautiful to touch. It almost was.

She finally took hold of it and gently opened it as May began.

"Almost a century and a half ago, my family, our family, was royalty. The last Russian Tsar, Nikolai Romanov, whose reign ended in the early 1900s, had a sister. Her name was Olga. On her wedding day, she was given this necklace in this box by her father, Tsar Alexander. It has been passed down to every daughter on her wedding day ever since." May smiled as Sky lifted the necklace out of the box.

"And now, it goes to you, my dear."

"Truly?" She asked breathlessly. May nodded.

Sky stood and went to stand in front of her full-length mirror.

"Would you put it on for me Mom?"

"Of course!"

May stood and went to her daughter. She took the necklace and brought it slowly around Sky's neck, carefully avoiding her elaborate curls, and clasped it at her nape.

"There," She said as she squeezed her daughter's shoulders and locked eyes with her in the mirror.

"Now you look like a bride." Sky nodded enthusiastically. Then her grin faded into a sad smile.

"I wish Dad were here to see." May almost choked up.

"So do I, Dear. So do I. But he would be so proud of you if he could see you now. You've found a great young man who loves the Lord as much as you do, and the two of you are about to make a life for yourselves. Together."

"Do you really think so?"

May smiled again.

"I know so."

Then they heard a knock at the door.

"That'll be my maid of honor." Sky said. "Come in!" She called.

Sky's best friend, Beth, waltzed in and gasped.

"You look amazing! And that necklace, why, it makes you as regal as a queen. Ron has no idea what he's in for."

All three women shared a laugh as they made their way downstairs and out to the car. They needed to be at the church early to prepare some last minute things.

Upon their arrival, they found at least fifteen people had come early as well to help out and set things up for the reception. May thanked them warmly as Sky was bustled into another room by her ladies in waiting.

A short while later, Ron came through the door, followed by his own entourage of groomsmen. He greeted May affectionately and then moved away to finalize plans with the pastor.

As May bustled about doing various things and giving directions, she was again struck by the awe of the day... It was so surreal. Her baby girl was getting married!

***

As Sky was walked up the aisle by her older brother to the age-old tune of "Here comes the bride.", she was so excited she could barely breathe. She felt the gentle weight of the necklace her mother had given her tugging on her neck. It made her feel secure. Sure in the knowledge of her mother's love.

She also felt the history of this necklace. It had gone down many aisles in the last hundred years, and today added another to its repertoire.

As she got closer to the pastor and to the man who was about to become her husband, she hoped they would one day have a daughter of their own. A son would be nice too, but she wanted the joy of passing this heirloom down another generation.

The joy that her own mother was no doubt feeling.

The joy of seeing something so old - yet every time of its use, so new as well - be worn yet again.