“Yes, we are.” Laura says.
“Well, the lucky thing is that we’ve been doing these types of things for years. Everyone will be here, so we don’t even need to worry about invitations.”
“I usually email everyone…or text.” Laura says.
“So that’s done.” Will says, as if checking items off.
“I can let everyone know in El Paso.” Kurt offers. “I bet they already suspect it’s soon, anyway.”
“Rings.” Grayson snaps. “The same place I bought your engagement ring from had a set of wedding bands, too.” He says to Laura. “I almost bought them, too. Now I’m kicking myself for not doing it.”
“Well, go get them.” Kurt prompts.
Grayson looks at Laura. “Go, baby. We might as well.” She says.
He leans over and kisses her on the lips. “Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
“And the dress fits perfectly.” I point out. “Do you have shoes?”
Laura waves. “No problem.”
We go on like this for a couple of hours, realizing that there isn’t that much to be stressed over. Aside from renting a tent, which Will had already taken care of on the way in, since again, this is almost a norm every month in this family. When Grayson returns with the rings, they try them on, and it’s like magic, they both fit perfectly. “Good Lord, this wedding is so meant to be.” Laura says, welling up.
“Alright, what’s next?” Will says, keeping us focused. “A DJ?”
“We can use the usual sound equipment.” Grayson says. “We’ll just pick out a wedding song and a first dance.”
“Wedding party?” I add, chiming in.
“Kurt will be my Best Man. You’ll be Laura’s Maid of Honor. We already decided that.”
“Done.” I say. “Food.”
“We’ll have Grace bring students from the school to help.” Laura says.
“Cake.” Will chimes in, thinking of something else.
Grayson speaks up. “Mama’s great friends with a guy who owns a bakery. She’ll bring one.”
“I’ll take the pictures.” I say. “And I can ask one of my photographer friends to come along to help, so that I can be in some shots, too.”
“Plates, cutlery and that we can pick up more of. We always have a stash.” Laura adds.
“Hair and make up?” Will says.
“My baby’s beautiful as she is.” Grayson says, winking at her. “Why, at Clint’s birthday party, I nearly fell over myself she was so gorgeous.”
“Barf.” Will says. “Vows?”
“The Reverend will look after that.” Laura says. “I trust him implicitly. He’s seen me through a lot over the years.”
“Flower girl? Ring bearer? Ushers? Groomsmen?” I add.
Laura shakes her head. “No, none of that. Kurt can hold the rings, and there won’t be enough guests to worry about ushers.”
“Place settings? Wedding favors?” Kurt says.
“People can sit where they want.” Laura says. “Just like at birthday parties. And we don’t need wedding favors, it’s all family and just a few friends.”
I think of another one. “Speeches?”
Laura and Grayson shake their heads no together. “Grayson might thank everyone for coming, but no speeches. It’s just about us getting married, having a meal with family, and a little dancing.”
“You two want to come down the aisle on the horses?” Will adds.
“We can try.” Grayson says. “We’ll get Simon and Lloyd to lead Weasel and Trixie down the aisle.”
“Just make sure neither of them gets anywhere near me.” I say, my eyes bulging. I catch a look in Kurt’s eyes, and I look away. He feels bad for my fear.
Will claps his hands together again. “Alright, we’ve all got work to do.”
Laura turns to me. “I can help you put the altar together.”
I wave. “No, that’s fine. I’ll go rent one from a staging company I know. The flowers will need to be fake though.” I raise my hand.
“That’s fine. It won’t take up too much of your time, will it?”
“It’ll take me a couple of days, but I’m between projects now, anyway.”
“Good. I’ll pay you for the photography, too.”
“I’ll hear no such thing, Laura…err...oh, shoot! We forgot the most important thing…”
Kurt snaps his fingers together. “The marriage licence.”
“You got it, baby.” I wink at him. Laura gives me a look, like she’s just figured out the Caramilk secret. I smile at her.
Picking up on the look, Grayson sighs. “Alright, brother, I suppose these two hens want to do some clucking. What do you say we go get to work?”
“Sounds good to me.” Kurt says.
Grayson leans in and kisses Laura on the mouth. Surprising me, Kurt leans in and kisses me, too. “I’ll see you later.”
“See you, darlin’.”
I watch his fine rear end leave the house, and Laura shoulder bumps me, pulling me out of my reverie. “So, I take it you and Kurt have been having some fun.”
“Oh, Laura, you have no idea.” I say with a soft chuckle. “He is…something else.”
“I bet he is.”
“So, what kind of flowers do you want on this alter?”
She gives me a look like I just said something so ridiculous. “Oh, no,” she shakes her head. “You’re not getting off that easy.”
“Fine. What do you want to know?” I ask, my eyes are dancing. I’m dying to tell her, but I didn’t want to steal her thunder.
“Well…did you two…” she trails off.
I nod once, slowly. “Oh yes…yes, we did.”
“And?” she gestures with her hand.
“Best sex I ever had.”
Her impressed expression slips a notch. “And you’re not…done with him now, are you?”
I tilt my head. “That what you think?”
“Well, I’m sure that my hopes are showing, but no, I was hoping that you and Kurt would last.”
“It’ll last for as long as it’s meant to last, Laura.” I state. “You can’t force us together.”
“Well, I know that. I just…”
“It is what it is, Laura. Now, let’s not go down that road again, okay? You’re getting married in five days, and I’m sure you don’t want any tension.”
She sighs. “You’re right. Just…promise me you’ll give it a chance.”
“I’m already doing that, sweetie.”
***
Laura
Grayson holds my hand as we watch the image on the sonogram machine. The technologist confirmed what the doctor guessed; that I’m eleven weeks along. We’re both relieved that the wedding is this Saturday, as I’m already starting to feel bloated. Grayson’s mama’s wedding dress is snug as it is, and there isn’t time to alter it. “Congratulations.” The technologist says. “Is this your first?”
“Yes. And it’s quite a pleasant surprise at my age.” I say honestly.
She waves. “Oh, ma’am, I’ve seen many women well into their forties have babies. It’s nothing these days.”
“She’s right.” Grayson agrees. “I’ve seen many women starting out late.” He leans in to get a closer look at the fetus. “Yep. Just one in there, baby.” He looks at the technologist. “My brother and I are fraternal twins. It runs in the family.”
“I see.” She says.
“The heartbeat is so strong.” I say, listening to our baby’s heart beating so fast I can’t keep count.
“It’s normal. Healthy.” Grayson says.
“This will be an interesting pregnancy for you, ma’am. Seeing as your husband is a doctor.”
“Oh, he’s not my husband yet. But he will be after Saturday. And yes, it has been interesting. He cured me of morning sickness right quick.”
“Oh, well, congratulations on both counts then.” She chuckles.
“Thank you.”
We sit together, watching the baby move, listening to the heartbeat, while the technologist takes images for the radiology department. Grayson is intently watching, and his face is impassive, yet a gentle grin is across his lips. He looks pleased. “Does the baby pass inspection.” I say flippantly.
He looks at me and winks. “Sure does.” He kisses my lips. “You done good, baby.”
“It takes two, love.”
“You’re right, it does.”
Grayson looks at me. “So, when do you want to start telling people? Since you’re a week away from your second trimester and all? Do you think telling everyone at the wedding will upstage the wedding itself? Think it’s tacky?”
“No, I don’t think so.” I say, stroking his hand with my thumb. “Plus, it’s a great opportunity to make the official announcement while everyone is present.”
“Alright then. Do we want to make it cute, or just announce it after the first dance or something like that?”
“Oh, I have an idea in mind.” I lift a brow.
“I had a feeling you might.” He says. “Care to divulge?”
“Why, Grayson Thomas, I thought you liked surprises.”
***
Grayson
Poor Laura. My wife-to-be is so wrought with nausea, she can’t keep a thing down today. We’re one day away from the wedding, and she’s flat on her back, while we all mill around, preparing, which is making it even more difficult for her, because she also feels incredibly guilty. Clint and I both are tending to her, getting her nausea at bay with various remedies. She swears up and down that she’ll feel better by morning, and I pray that she’s right. Thank God we had the sense to make this an afternoon wedding, because her nausea is killer in the morning. Usually by noon she’s fine.
Lisa brings the trellis over and places it in the barn. Kurt walks over and gives her a kiss on the mouth. “Get a room, would ya?” I whine, but I’m smiling. I couldn’t be happier for my brother and Lisa.
“Well, there are plenty available here, as a matter of fact.” Lisa shoots back.
“You keep out of the guest house.” I warn. “I’m getting that ready for the Thomas clan.”
“Fine. We’ll go to Kurt’s quarters.”
Kurt chuckles, kissing her again. “Later, baby. I’ve got a ton of work to do still.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later.”
He pats her rear before heading out.
“Laura in the study?”
“Na, she’s upstairs.” I say, trying to keep a straight face.
“I got some help for tomorrow with the photography.”
“Good.” I watch Kurt walk away from earshot. “You two are quite a pair.”
She smiles but asks. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Just…you’re cute together. Never thought you would be. He brings out a certain something in you, and you in him.”
“Don’t be dragging us down the aisle with you two, there, Grayson. We’ve only been going out a couple of weeks.”
I grin. “I know that. I’m just…happy for you.” I give her a friendly chuck on the shoulder.
“Well, thank you. I’m happy for me, too.” She teases. “I’ll go see Laura.”
I’m hesitant to stall her, but I know it’ll only make things worse. With my luck, Laura’s already up and about. Clint’s keeping the clinic warm while I’m preparing for the wedding. I’m set to be there this afternoon, though, so we can swap. I have someone to cover for me at the hospital tonight, so I can be fresh for the wedding tomorrow.
“Lisa?” I say, before she heads off.
“Yes?”
I stammer. “Go…easy on her.”
A salacious grin appears on her face. “Why, Grayson Thomas, your wedding night’s tomorrow night, don’t you know you should save the rowdy stuff for then?”
I chuckle. Lisa is such a card. “That’s not what I mean. Just…you’ll know what I mean when you see her.”
***
Laura
Thank God I’m marrying a doctor, and my brother is one, too. I don’t know how I would have survived the last few days without their support. The nausea is awful…just…awful. It seems to have worsened this week, and even Grayson’s original idea with the ginger ale and toast in the morning isn’t working anymore. Luckily, Grayson wrote me a prescription yesterday, and Clint brought me over some ginger-based anti-nausea tablets. Together, it’s finally starting to work. I hear Lisa come upstairs, just as I’m brushing my hair. I managed to shower finally, and I feel well enough to get up now.
“Laura?” she calls.
“Up here.”
She’s talking to me as she’s trudging up the stairs. “I finished the altar. It’s in the barn.”
“Oh, good.” I say, as she appears in my bedroom.
“What are you…just greeting the day now?” she looks at me like I’m standing in the street in my underwear. “Grayson told me to go easy on you…what, did you guys make it all night? Too worn out to get started? You get married in like twenty-four hours, girl.”
I place both my hands on my hips and sigh, giving her a look like I wish for once she didn’t have such a goddamn one-tracked mind. “Lisa…I’m pregnant.” I blurt. Probably not the best way to tell your best friend that you’re expecting, the day before your wedding, but I don’t have the strength to lie anymore. After tomorrow, the cat’s out of the bag, anyway. What’s the difference at this point, I think to myself.
“You’re…pregnant?” she points at me, as if making sure that it’s me I’m referring to.
“Yes. I’m eleven weeks.” I state. “We’re telling everyone at the wedding tomorrow, so I figure what’s the difference. I feel like shit. I probably look like it, too.”
“Jesus, Grayson must’ve knocked you up on the first try.” She states. “You’ve barely known him longer than that.”
“He probably did.” I gloss over the lewd way that she’s describing the way that our baby was conceived. “And you can’t tell Kurt, okay? Grayson will kill me. It’s bad enough that you know. Although, judging by the way that he told you to take it easy on me, I probably look awful enough that you’d have figured it out, anyway, had I not told you myself.”
“You look fine, Laura.” She comments. “More than fine. I just thought it was odd that you weren’t downstairs fussing over papers like you always are.”
“Yeah, well, I could barely get out of bed this morning. I had both Grayson and Clint tag-teaming me so that I could at least get my head off the damn pillow.”
“You sound like a proud mama-in-the-making.” She says facetiously. “This what you want?”
“Do I want to have the baby?” I clarify. “Of course I do. It’s just…not as easy as it looks.”
“I hear that.” She smacks her lips. Her voice is flat. “Grayson happy?”
“Tickled.” I smile. “Sometimes I wonder which he’s happier about.”
“Did he know that you were pregnant before or after proposing?”
I grin, remembering the night he proposed. “I told him about five minutes after he proposed.”
“Glad it happened in that order.”
“Grayson’s no fool, Lisa. He wouldn’t marry me just because of the baby.”
“Yeah. Well, I’m glad, for your sake, that that’s true.”
I don’t understand where this negative attitude is coming from. Lisa doesn’t seem at all happy that she’s going to be an aunt. “Are you happy about this? Because I’m getting a different set of vibes from you over here.”
Lisa’s lips upturn into a smile. “Of course I’m happy for you, sweetie. Shoot, I know you wanted to have kids when Quentin was alive. And I know that each year, you were more and more disappointed that you couldn’t start a family. Didn’t help having those six kids living down the street and all. I know you’ve always wanted your own.” She leans over and hugs me.
She shrugs. “I like kids. I just…don’t have any around me, that’s all. Not used to them.”
“That’s fair.”
She looks at me for a second, and then diverts her attention to the dress hanging on the corner of the door. There is something going on inside that head of hers, but I can’t figure out what. “You steaming that?”
“Yes. There’s no time to get it cleaned, and from what Grayson’s mama says, it should be fine.”
“Looks fine to me.”
“That’s what I thought.”
That vibe is still there from Lisa. I can’t shake it off. But I have to…for now. After all, I am about to get married tomorrow…
Chapter 14
Lisa
Harlan’s foot is over my lap, as he lays on the couch next to me. We’re watching a romantic comedy, something I bargained for, in exchange for watching the baseball game with him. The romance is centered around a couple who have a rather one-sided relationship. Had I known that that would be the main story arc, I would have chosen a better movie. One that didn’t ring so true to our life. Harlan has no idea how badly I want to marry him. The proposal was made more than six months ago, and no date has been set yet.
At least we’re engaged. The couple in this movie aren’t there yet. Harlan will stick that in my face later, should I choose to pick a fight with him over it. I love him to death, and he loves me, too, but he’s waiting for more. And the fear in me doesn’t want to explore or confirm my suspicions on what that more is. But I have a gut feeling.
“Baby, rub my foot, would ya? My dogs are killing me tonight.” Harlan asks kindly. “I’ll rub your back later.”
Everything with Harlan is fifty-fifty. Give and take. But there are some things that he can give me, that I can’t barter with. And that’s the painful truth.
“Sure, baby.” I say, rubbing his feet.
As we watch the movie, Harlan drifts off to sleep, and thank God for that. It’s just an awful story. Next time I’ll pick an action flick. Forget these chick flicks and girly themes that get me into trouble. When he wakes finally, as I shut the television off for bed, he murmurs. “That must have either been one boring movie, or you gave me one hell of a foot rub, sweetheart.”
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