Every Bride Has Her Day

  “Babies?” Crystal slipped into the spot beside me. “Who’s havin’ bay-bies?”

  “No one. Yet.” Mama patted her on the arm. “But don’t make me wait too long, honey. I’m already shopping for baby things.”

  “Oh, you know we’ll have a houseful.” Crystal giggled. “I just luv me some bay-bies!” She turned her attention to Corrie, who still looked a bit lost in the crowd of older people. Crystal fussed over the youngster and finally got her to smile.

  “She’s going to make a great mama, isn’t she?” I said as I observed their interactions.

  “Indeed. And as I said, I hope she and Jasper don’t wait too long to have a baby. I’m not getting any younger.”

  “Wait.” My brother’s voice sounded from behind me. He joined us, a look of panic on his face. “Who’s having a baby?”

  “Crystal,” I told him.

  “Not sure what you’ve heard.” He put his hand up. “But let’s stop that rumor right there.”

  “No, I meant eventually.” Mama rolled her eyes. “I’m ready to become a grandmother.”

  “Well, let me get married first, Mama.” Jasper’s cheeks turned red. “That all right with you?”

  “Yes, of course.” She left us and headed toward the crowd of people in the breakfast room.

  “Welcome to your new life.” I patted my brother on the arm. “Wedding planning will soon be over and she’ll be planning your baby showers.”

  “Ugh.” He groaned. “Let’s change the subject. Where’s Brady?”

  “He had some sort of meeting with Stan today, but he’ll be here tonight for the rehearsal. I know he’s looking forward to being a groomsman. Thank you for including him.”

  “No problem. Just makes sense that the two of you would walk the aisle together.” My brother nudged me with his elbow. “Won’t be the last time, a’course.”

  “Right.” Man, was it hot in here, or what? I suddenly felt a little faint.

  I managed to get control of myself and drew in a deep breath. “Anyway, he’s coming tonight. You have everything ready for the rehearsal dinner?”

  “Yep. Arrive at the church at 6:00. Rehearsal ends at 6:45. Rehearsal dinner in the fellowship hall at 7:00. Catered by Lone Star Grill.”

  “I thought you guys were using that place from Corsicana?”

  “They’re catering tomorrow. The wedding’s going to be a full-out Southern plantation event, Katie.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  “The WOP-pers are happy. Took some work, but you know my bride—she found a way. She put them all to work decorating the community center for the reception. Queenie said they’ve turned the whole place into Tara. Even added a faux stairway for photos. Pretty grand, from what I hear.”

  “Well, there you go.” I pondered my sister-in-law’s ability to make everyone happy. If she could do it, so could I.

  I didn’t really have much time to think about my own wedding. The next couple of hours were spent helping Crystal with last-minute details. Lori-Lou and her crew arrived around 5:00. Brady pulled in at 5:30. I could tell he had something on his mind, but we didn’t have time to talk, what with all of the chaos going on around us. We all gathered at the church at 6:00, where I played my role as a bridesmaid with grace and ease. Of course, having my sweetie at my side as we walked down the aisle made it all the better.

  I couldn’t help but admire Joni and Casey, who worked in tandem to coordinate the rehearsal. She stood with clipboard in hand, telling folks where to go and what to do. Casey ran the sound and buzzed up and down the aisles of the church, checking the microphones and the lights. Turned out they made a pretty good team. Who knew?

  When the rehearsal ended, we gathered in the fellowship hall for food. Our options? Chicken-fried chicken and chicken-fried steak—true Southern fare. The bride- and groom-to-be thanked the wedding party and offered small gifts. I had to laugh when I opened my gift box and saw the water globe of Tara. I turned the little key and listened as the theme to Gone with the Wind played.

  Brady and I never did have a chance to talk. He ended up back at his hotel and I headed over to Queenie’s place, where I tumbled into bed, exhausted. When I awoke the following morning, the smell of bacon greeted me. Yum. I ate a quick breakfast, then headed straight up to the church to meet Crystal and my fellow bridesmaids—Dahlia and Twiggy—to get ready for the 10:00 a.m. ceremony.

  I found Crystal in an emotional state. It took a bit of doing, but we finally got her calmed down. Dahlia, cool as a cucumber, helped her into the ruffled, hooped gown, and I gasped when I saw the finished product.

  “Oh. My. Stars.” I stared at my future sister-in-law, my jaw hanging. “This is what Eduardo and Dahlia have been working on for you?”

  She turned to face me, and I took in the fabulous gown with its off-the-shoulder ruffled neckline and hooped skirt.

  “Do you like it?” Her Southern drawl seemed even more exaggerated with this magnificent gown. “It’s a replica of the gown that Scarlett wore in the barbecue scene of Gone with the Wind. Do you recognize it?”

  “Well, it’s very familiar, and very Southern.” I stepped a bit closer to see firsthand. Dahlia tied the dark green bow, which served to accentuate Crystal’s tiny waistline.

  “You’re looking at nearly twenty yards of fabric,” Dahlia said as she fussed with the train.

  “Twenty?” I shook my head and tried to picture the cost. How had Crystal managed this? She and Jasper barely eked out a living at the hardware store.

  “I know you’re never going to believe me,” Crystal said. “But Eduardo had this fabric in his stash at his house. Did you know he has a whole room filled with vintage fabrics? This entire gown is silk organza and taffeta.”

  “I guess he left off that room when we got the tour of the house. Don’t recall any silk or taffeta, unless you count the curtains in his personal theater.” I chuckled.

  “It’s true.” Crystal used her palms to smooth out a wrinkle in the skirt. “He donated the fabric, Katie. Donated it. Can you believe that? And he donated his time to help Dahlia design and construct the gown too.”

  “Whoa.” This just confirmed my love for Eduardo. He was a peach of a guy.

  Peach. Ha-ha. I was Fairfield’s Peach Queen. He was a peach of a guy. Funny.

  “You don’t see as many hoop skirts in modern wedding gowns,” Dahlia said. “And for good reason. The hand-stitched hem is nine inches deep. And would you like to guess the circumference of the hoop?”

  I shook my head. “Wouldn’t even know where to start. Five feet? Six?”

  “A hundred ninety inches. That’s over five yards, not five feet. If you laid it out end to end, it would be wider than your office. But the hem of the skirt is a lot wider than the hoop. Want to guess?”

  “Ten yards?” I tried.

  “Wow, you’re good!” She gave me an admiring look. “How did you know?”

  “Totally guessing.”

  “Believe it or not, the bodice took the most time. It’s boned, all the way around.”

  “Uncomfortable?” I asked Crystal.

  “Not too bad. I’m wearing a corset underneath.”

  “Boy howdy, is Jasper gonna have a doozy of a time getting all of this off you,” Alva chimed in from the doorway.

  “Alva!” Crystal gave a nervous laugh, looking more than a little embarrassed.

  “No, she’s right.” Dahlia twisted the bow a bit tighter. “That bodice is loaded with hooks and eyes. And they’re all concealed, so he’s going to have a doozy of a time, all right, especially when it comes to locating the ones that connect the bodice to the skirt.”

  “My goodness.” Was it getting warm in here, or what? Hopefully this awkward conversation would not be repeated on my wedding day.

  “My favorite part is all the ruffles at the neckline.” Crystal fingered the gorgeous, full ruffles and sighed.

  “Circles of fabric,” Dahlia explained. “Twenty-two circles, to be exact. Oh, and the whole
thing is finished off with this luscious green velvet sash.”

  “Also boned.” Crystal let out a little squeak as Dahlia tied it too tight. “But totally worth it to look like Scarlett.”

  “And from what I hear, Madge helped Jasper find the perfect tux. He’s dressed like Rhett Butler?”

  “But of course.” Crystal giggled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Well, this I have to see. If he goes through with it, I mean.”

  “Oh, he’ll go through with it,” Crystal said. “I can assure you he’ll go through with it. If he wants to make it to the honeymoon.”

  Dahlia stood back and examined the bride in all her glory. “Scarlett herself would be proud! It’s brilliant, if I do say so myself.”

  “It’s huge.” Twiggy’s eyes widened. “Hope you fit down the aisle.”

  “Oh, it is, isn’t it?” Crystal fussed with the skirt, swishing right and left. “But I’ll fit. Joni measured the space ahead of time.”

  “Speaking of Joni, where is she?” I glanced at the clock on the wall. “Haven’t seen her for a while.”

  “She’s checkin’ in with the decoratin’ team at the community center.” Crystal pouted. “Wouldn’t even let me see one picture, can you believe that?”

  “Good for her. I’m sure it’s going to be amazing, Crystal. Everything you’ve dreamed of.”

  “Yes, this is all just like I pictured!” She reached over to give me a hug but couldn’t manage it with her huge skirt. “Oops! How am I gonna kiss the groom?”

  “My question is, how are you and the groom supposed to stand close to each other for the actual ceremony at all?” Twiggy shook her head. “Guess I’ll just have to wait and see.”

  16

  For These Times

  Nothing is impossible, the word itself says “I’m possible”!

  Audrey Hepburn

  By 9:45 Crystal and Jasper’s wedding guests had arrived. By 9:55 we were standing in the foyer of the church—Crystal looking a bit pale and the bridesmaids looking very . . . Southern.

  Minutes later, with my arm linked through Brady’s, I sashayed up the aisle in my soft green gown, a smile plastered on my face. Underneath the form-fitting dress, beads of sweat trickled down my spine. I felt a little woozy, what with the heat doing such a number on me.

  Good grief. If it was this hot in May, what would our August wedding be like?

  With Brady’s help I made it to the front and took my place as maid of honor, but the room was looking a little out of sorts. Every pew looked doubled. Or tripled, even. I blinked and things cleared right up. Well, enough for me to catch a glimpse of my brother, anyway. Standing there in that Rhett Butler–esque tuxedo, Jasper looked a little overwhelmed. Who could blame him?

  I allowed my gaze to travel across the sanctuary. Crystal had done a magnificent job of decorating. Swags of tulle draped along the edges of the pews, forming a welcoming aisle. The gorgeous columns must’ve presented a challenge, as well as the tulle and twinkling lights that connected them all. My eye was drawn to the candelabras all decked out with roses. The unity candle. The bridesmaids, all in a row, wearing their summery mid-calf gowns. The groomsmen in their tuxedos.

  Mama snapped photos on her new smartphone. I gave her a “stop that” look, but she ignored me and kept on snapping. As my gaze shifted away from my mother, I noticed all of my friends from the bridal shop—Madge, Nadia, Hibiscus, and Jane. Hi gave me a little wave, but Jane sat, arms folded, looking pretty glum. Nothing new there. In spite of our words of encouragement, the girl wore her singleness like a shroud these days.

  From up above, the ceiling fan finally spun around enough times to cool me down a bit. The woozy feeling passed right as the back doors of the sanctuary opened and Crystal walked through on Pop’s arm.

  The entire congregation gasped in unison. I heard Prissy and Bessie May whisper—a little too loudly—something about the width of the skirt. I understood their concerns. Pop had to hold her literally at arm’s length, which meant the two of them took up every square inch of the aisle’s width as they made their way forward.

  But make it they did. I shifted my gaze back to my brother, who stared at his bride with big, round eyes. Yep. That’s how a groom was supposed to look at his bride, with passion and fire in his eyes, balanced with equal parts stunned silence over her beauty. Or maybe he was stumped by the yards and yards of fabric and the massive skirt.

  As they neared the front of the room, Crystal gave a little giggle as my father bumped into her hoop skirt. I heard him whisper, “Sorry ’bout that,” to which she responded, “No harm done, Pop.”

  In that moment, as she called him “Pop,” reality set in. Crystal really was becoming a sister to me. For the first time in my life I’d have a sister-friend to laugh with, to share hopes and dreams with, to babysit for.

  But first we had to get these two hitched. My brother took Crystal’s hand, her skirt shifting slightly the other direction as they stepped into position side by side. Perfection. Pap-Paul greeted the congregation and kicked things off with a prayer.

  The ceremony was beautifully scripted to have a Southern flair from start to finish. Even Pap-Paul pulled a few lines of his text from Gone with the Wind. Priceless. I could tell from the expression on Crystal’s face that she was loving every minute of this, and wasn’t that just how it should be? Every bride deserved her day, after all—and this one appeared to be having the time of her life.

  The ceremony came off without a hitch. Well, unless you counted the part where my brother almost dropped Crystal’s wedding ring. He caught it just in time and the guests all laughed. By the time the bride and groom had their first kiss as husband and wife, I’d somehow managed to get the “I’m going to pass out from the heat” thing under control. Maybe the AC had kicked in. Either way, I made it back down the aisle on Brady’s arm with no woozy feelings—well, other than the ones that happened when he tipped me backwards for a big kiss in the church’s foyer.

  “It’ll be us next, Katie,” he whispered as he brought me upright. “You ready for that?”

  “Ready to be married, yes. Ready with all the wedding plans? Hardly.”

  “I still say we could skip all that and go to Hawaii.”

  I caught a glimpse of Joni and Casey together and shook my head. “Nope. The Fisher clan would murder us and bury our bodies.”

  “What’s all this talk of murder?” Joni asked as she walked our direction. “Not at any wedding I’m coordinating . . . though I did think those WOP-pers were going to murder Casey yesterday at the community center when he hung some of the set pieces incorrectly.”

  “Set pieces?” Brady looked perplexed.

  “Oh, honey . . .” Joni waved her hand dramatically, and her voice took on a strong Southern flair. “Don’t tay-ul me you haven’t seen the community cen-tuh yay-ut? It’s Tara, sprung to life!”

  “We’ve heard about it,” Brady said.

  “But haven’t seen it,” I finished.

  Twenty minutes later, we saw it firsthand. I stepped inside the ornate community center and gasped as my gaze shifted from one set piece to another. “Heavens to Tara!”

  “Whoa.” Brady’s eyes widened. “I feel like we’ve stepped onto a movie set.”

  Bessie May approached, hands clasped together. “What do you think? Do you like it? We had the time of our lives working together.” Her eyes misted with what could only be described as happy tears. “All of the ladies of the town, pulling together to make this happy for Crystal and Jasper.”

  “It’s really . . . something.” Brady turned his head to look at the staircase. “Wow.”

  Bessie May put her hand on my arm. “You know, Katie, there’s much to be said for teamwork. Once we laid down our desire to do things the way we’d always done them, we all came out winners. I might be in my golden years, but I’m never too old to learn. So much can be accomplished when we all come together.”

  I thought about the truth of those wor
ds. How many times had we pulled together at Cosmopolitan Bridal? We’d put together a terrific Black Friday sale, hadn’t we? Through teamwork. And we’d weathered several storms and several temperamental brides. Again, teamwork.

  “Bessie May, that’s one of the things I love most about Fairfield.” I felt a lump well up in my throat. “For as long as I can remember, this town has felt safe to me. I knew I could count on everyone and they knew they could count on me. It’s hard to describe to people who live in the big city, but small towns just have that family feel to them. We’re all brothers and sisters.”

  “Well, yes.” She gave Prissy a sideways glance. “But don’t you go calling Prissy my sister. She drives me out of my ever-lovin’ mind half the time.”

  “Okay, okay.” I laughed.

  Bessie May headed over to the punch table, and I somehow got my giggles under control. My grandmother gave me a little wave and hobbled my way, her knee looking stiffer than usual.

  “What was all that about?” she asked.

  “Oh, just Bessie May telling me how the women worked together to make the community center look like Tara. It’s amazing.”

  “To say the least,” Brady echoed.

  “Yes, Bessie May pulled from her stash of Civil War gowns up at the historical society, though it was like pulling teeth to get her to agree to it. And Prissy decided we needed to have curtains that looked just like the ones Scarlett used to make her gown. Not that she sewed her own gown, but you get the idea. And don’t even get me started on the food. Crystal was right to choose that wonderful restaurant in Corsicana to cater. They came up with just the right goodies to fit the theme.”

  “I noticed the theme. It would be hard to miss.” I giggled. “Crystal takes her Southern roots very seriously.”

  “As should any Southern belle.” My grandmother flinched and shifted her position.

  “You feeling okay, Queenie?”

  “Just a little tired. The knee’s hurting today. It’s a little swollen. But mostly I’m just exhausted. Don’t seem to have a lot of energy lately. Having a five-year-old in the house is a bit more than I’d anticipated.”