I Loved Her First
Peter stood on the side
lines, trying to be inconspicuous, but there were too many people he knew
there. He watched the dance floor, as did the crowd of guests.
His little girl got married
today. She wore the same gown her mother had worn years ago and she looked just
as lovely as Helen had.
The wedding had been held in
the orchard of Crabapple Farm; the apple blossoms were in full bloom and it was
a very nice setting for his girl.
The day was bright and clear,
not too warm, just right. All for his girl.
He was with her in her room
just before they went down for the ceremony. She had asked him if he was ready
to give her away. He felt choked up, even now, thinking about that moment. He
didn’t feel he was able to speak right away.
They’d walked down the stairs
of the farmhouse together, for the last time with his girl. They stood outside
on the terrace waiting for the cue to walk down the aisle. The sun made her
eyes dance, or maybe it was the happiness she felt.
They slowly began to walk
down the aisle. She was moving step by step toward the man she loved. With
every step, Peter felt his loss deepening. Her face glowed with her happiness,
Peter looked down at her and finally found his voice, “No, Trixie my dearest, I will never be ready to give you away. I may
loan you out to your husband, but I will never give you up.”
Now the dinner was over and
the music had started; Trixie was in Jim’s arms and they began to glide around
the dance floor of the ball room at the Manor House.
Look at
the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each others face
So much in love your alone in this place
Like there's nobody else in the world
I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me
Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl
Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I'm not gonna stand in your way
Jim
adored the ground his girl walked on. He’d better, Peter would stand for
nothing less. His girl deserved the best.
But I
loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first
He knew
their lives wouldn’t be the same after today. He knew she was doing what made
her happy. That was a small comfort. His little girl was now a married woman.
How could
that beautiful woman with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time
Peter
would never forget that fateful day. He’d just pulled his old station wagon into
their driveway and Trixie ran along side, excitedly talking about a trip with
her new best friend and Honey’s governess, all with the intent of finding ‘the
most wonderful boy in the world’.
Their
lives had changed for the first time when Jim had returned to Sleepyside with
the girls and the Wheelers. Now, years later, he watched his little girl dance
around the room, a married woman, in love with the most wonderful man in the world.
The time
had rushed by. It seemed that it was just yesterday that the nurse had come out
to tell him he had a baby daughter. He was already the proud father of two
sons, but this was his little girl. His Princess. They’d named her Beatrix
after a beloved aunt. But, it just seemed to be such a grown up name for such a
little girl. His Trixie was christened shortly thereafter.
From the
moment he laid eyes on her, she had him wrapped around her little finger. Those
big, blue eyes and blonde curls were so like her mothers. His wish had come
true. He not only had the love of the woman of his dreams, now he had another
female in his life. She was just as beautiful, just as vibrant.
But I
loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But its still hard to give her away
I loved her first
Peter
watched Jim, noting he never took his eyes from his wife. That’s as it should
be, nothing less. She deserved the best. He truly believed Jim would do right
by his girl.
She was
happy. That was all that really mattered.
From the
first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I'm going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first
Peter
took a deep breath when the dance with her husband ended. Her eyes scanned the
room, finally settling on him. Her smile was just as sweet as the first one she
ever gave him.
He knew
it would only be a matter of time. His baby girl would be having babies of her
own.
“Dad, can
I have this dance?”
Peter had
watched her glide toward him, but her words caught him off guard.
“Isn’t
that my line?” He asked as he took her hand and led her back to the dance floor.
Trixie
raised her laughing eyes to his and reached up to kiss his cheek. “I guess it
is. Do you mind that I stole it?”
“Not at
all!” They moved together, Peter was lost in memories of their first dance.
Trixie had been three years old and she had begged her Daddy to dance with her.
Tears pooled in his eyes. Trixie tilted her head back and looked into his dark
eyes, “Dad, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing,
sweetheart.”
Trixie
looked at him skeptically.
“Okay,
I’m feeling a little nostalgic. It was just yesterday, you were my little girl.
Now, you’ve grown into a beautiful young woman, in love with a wonderful man.
I’m happy for you, Trixie, I truly am. It’s all I could hope for you. I love
you so much, but I’m a little sad too. I lost my little girl today.”
“Dad,
I’ll always be your little girl. There is nothing that will change that.”
Peter
nodded and looked around the room, trying to control his emotions again.
Their
dance ended and Jim was walking toward them to reclaim his wife. Trixie
squeezed her father’s hand and then looked up at her husband when he reached
their side.
Peter
knew she was happy, he knew she was in love. This time, it was easier to place
her hand in Jim’s.
“Thank
you, sir.”
“Take
good care of her. She’s my girl.”
Peter
walked away from the couple, moving back to his wife’s side.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
This story came to me one night this week while I was listening to country music on the radio. Always seems to work that way! I heard the song "I Loved Her First" by Heartland. My heart stopped for a second and then it raced, as the ideas began to fly through my mind. I knew Peter had to have his own story. It's a short one, but it's Peter! It's a very pretty song and if you haven't heard it- listen to it!
I started to search for a background with a father and a daughter. Had no luck! I turned to our "Graphic Genius", Vivian! I asked her advice, wondering which way to go. I remembered awhile back, Vivian had made a comment that she could always make a background to go with a picture. I really didn't want her to go to any trouble, but I was thrilled she said it wasn't and promised to make something when she had time. Wow! I absolutely LOVE the photo that she found and the background she made with it!!!
I have to also say a special thank you to my editor, Malficient. She barely finished the last story, and I sprung this one on her. She very generously agreed to edit again! Thanks Mal!
This story is just another part of From This Moment. There are still more stories to come. Trixie hasn't officially walked down the aisle, even though Peter's story picks up at the reception. I will go back to give details of the ceremony, the rest of the reception, and the honeymoon!! So that 'next' button will work one of these days!
Thank you!!!!
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