Every Bride Has Her Day

by Janice Thompson

  You could’ve heard a pin drop.

  Well, until Bessie May came rushing in to inform us that Prissy was headed into surgery. Then we picked up where we left off, and I watched as Jane’s face softened while Pap-Paul and the pastor worked as a team to perform the ceremony.

  When they finished, Joni thanked her. “You’re going to make a beautiful bride someday, Jane,” she said.

  “In God’s timing.” She gave a little shrug and glanced my way. “I guess it’s starting to sink in.”

  Indeed. A lot of things were sinking in today. Love trumped all woes. It unified, it healed, and it offered hope.

  And today, at least in the town of Fairfield, Texas . . . it didn’t even require a hurricane.

  29

  We’ve Got Tonight

  The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.

  Audrey Hepburn

  The morning of Saturday, August 13th, dawned bright and sunny, with ideal “gettin’ hitched” weather. I yawned and stretched, comfy under the covers in the bed I’d slept in most of my life, in the room I’d decorated as a teen, in the home I’d known since childhood. For a moment I didn’t move. I drank in the scene of the morning sunlight peeking in through the curtains and ushered up a prayer for the day ahead.

  No, not just the day ahead, but the life ahead. I prayed for the service, of course, but my thoughts shifted quite naturally to the life Brady and I would share.

  Until Crystal tapped on my bedroom door. “Wake up, sleepyhead.” Her voice rang out from the partially opened door. “We have a wedding to get to.”

  In the bed next to me, Twiggy let out a groan. “Really? I think I only slept four hours. The baby cried most of the night. Did you hear her, Katie? They’re in the very next room and these walls are paper-thin.”

  I yawned and stretched. “Must be used to it. Never heard a sound.”

  “You’re the only one who didn’t,” Crystal said. “Lori-Lou was up half the night with Izzy. She’s colicky. But don’t worry your pretty little head about that, Katie. Just come out into the breakfast room. The others are all awake and waitin’ at the table for your wedding day breakfast, prepared by yours truly.”

  I threw on a robe, nudged a griping Twiggy out of bed, and headed to the breakfast room to greet my friends and loved ones.

  Lori-Lou argued with her husband on the phone. “Josh, I know it’s hard to take care of all four kids at once. Trust me, I know. But you promised you’d come get Izzy so I could have fun with the other bridesmaids.”

  A long pause followed.

  “Today is all about Katie. I want to be one of the girls.” Lori-Lou pointed to the others. As if Josh could see over the phone. “Like them.”

  Everyone stopped talking and waited to see what would happen next.

  “Yes,” Lori-Lou said. “You can take them to the park. Then Dairy Queen. Then back to Queenie’s for a nap. All that matters is that I don’t see any of you until the wedding. Got it?”

  Another long pause.

  “Five o’clock,” she reminded him. “You’re escorting me down the aisle, remember? . . . No, not with the kids. Katie and Brady have hired a babysitter during the service.”

  The pause was a bit shorter this time.

  “Okay, love you. See you in a bit. I’ll have Izzy ready.” Lori-Lou ended the call, handed the baby to Crystal, and headed to her bedroom to pack up the diaper bag.

  I settled in at the breakfast table, and Crystal looked my way. “I hate to kick off the day with any controversy, but . . .” Her words drifted off and she bounced the baby on her knee.

  “Please don’t tell me the townspeople are fighting again.” I reached for a biscuit and put it on my plate.

  “Sort of, but not over the same thing as before. Prissy’s not in the middle of it. You are.”

  “Me?”

  “Yes. Ophelia insists that you asked for chocolate ice cream at the ice cream stand, but Bessie May is arguing with her, saying it’s supposed to be vanilla. Apparently they have several tubs of each. So which is it? Which one did you ask for?”

  “Really?” I laughed. “Honestly, I never specified. Do me a favor, though. Don’t tell them that. Just say that they’re both right. I love chocolate and vanilla, and I’m sure the guests will enjoy having options.”

  “Ooh, speaking of options, let’s talk about how we’re wearin’ our hay-ur.” Crystal’s eyes glistened with merriment. “We have a 10:00 appointment at the salon, right?”

  “Yes.”

  This led to a lengthy conversation from all of my bridesmaids about their choices in updos. I listened in, realizing this would be the last argument I’d hear as a single woman.

  I hoped.

  Josh arrived a few minutes later to get the baby. Eduardo dropped off Alva at a quarter to ten. She grabbed a biscuit, slung her purse strap over her shoulder, and hollered, “Let’s get this show on the road! I’m too old to stand around and collect dust.”

  Alrighty then.

  We drove to Do or Dye, the local salon, where the stylists were waiting on us. I settled into a chair with my bridesmaids clustered around me like so many mother hens. For years I’d pictured my wedding day, and I’d always imagined the pre-ceremony time just like this: getting ready with those I loved.

  My chipper young stylist—a gal named Nancy Jo—worked diligently on my hair, talking all the while about the miracle that had taken place in the town the night before. “I just couldn’t believe it when I heard the news. Prissy and Bessie May are speaking again. This changes everything.”

  True, but right now I wanted to focus on my bridesmaids, thank you very much. I glanced over at Twiggy and took in her elegant bob. Then Crystal, whose beautiful blonde locks looked amazing pulled up. Then Dahlia, who gave her stylist what for in not getting it right. Hibiscus and Jane looked on, snapping photos right and left. The one who really grabbed my attention, though, was Aunt Alva. Talk about gorgeous.

  I’d also never seen so much teasing or smelled so much hair spray in my life.

  When Aunt Alva started coughing, her stylist, Frenchie, apologized. “I’m so sorry, y’all, but it can’t be helped. This is Texas, after all.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” Jane asked.

  “Well, in Texas everything’s bigger, including the hair.” Frenchie put her trigger finger on the bottle and let another round fly.

  “Oh, honey, it’s true.” Crystal waved a hand in Jane’s direction. “I’ve lived in the South all my life and never seen hair as big as in Texas.”

  “Keeps me in business,” Frenchie said. “Gotta love that.”

  “The things we do for those we love.” Alva chuckled and looked at the stylist’s reflection in the mirror as she continued to work on her hair. “I just can’t believe our Katie-girl is getting married!” A little pause followed her words. “I just got married myself! First time ever. I’m still in the honeymoon phase.”

  “First time ever?” Frenchie looked stunned by this.

  “Yep. I’m a blushing bride,” Auntie said. “And my oh my, were those folks right about the thrill of the honeymoon. Eduardo and I had the most remarkable four weeks at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Lovely. And you’ll never believe who we met at the pool. Jennifer Aniston!”

  “No way.” Frenchie lit into a thousand questions about the actress. After a while Alva ran out of answers and started talking about her honeymoon once again.

  I prayed she wouldn’t share too much information. Thankfully, the conversation took a turn as Dahlia’s stylist showed off her finished hairdo.

  “You’re gorgeous!” I squealed. “Perfect!”

  In fact, all of my bridesmaids looked amazing. Hibiscus snagged several shots and then Nancy Jo finished my hair. We all gasped as we saw the magnificent updo with all its twists and turns. I observed the back of my head with a mirror in hand and almost couldn’t speak.

  “It’s exactly like I always pictured it!” I wanted to burst into tears, but thought tw
ice about it. No point in having poofy eyes on my big day.

  Just as we wrapped up, Alva’s cell phone rang. She took the call, her cheeks flaming pink. For a minute she didn’t say anything. Probably listening to the person on the other end. Then she spoke loud enough for all to hear. “Oh, Eduardo, you sweet man. I miss you too.” My aunt giggled. “Yes, I know this is our first time apart since the honeymoon.” The color of her cheeks deepened. “For pity’s sake, I hope your heart goes on beating. At our age the alternative is a daily possibility. But I promise to see you soon. We’ll be at the church in no time.” She glanced my way. “Isn’t that right, Katie? Aren’t we leaving soon?”

  “Yes, we’re headed to the church in a few minutes.”

  She ended the call and sighed. “Have I mentioned that I love that man?”

  “Only a couple thousand times.” Her stylist winked.

  After Nancy Jo finished off my look by pressing my crystal tiara into the top of my new ’do, she brought out a champagne bottle. “I thought we’d all have a glass of bubbly to celebrate,” she said.

  The girls let out a squeal. All but Crystal, who fussed with her hair, her gaze firmly planted on her reflection in the mirror. “I, um, I . . . well, I can’t have anything alcoholic.”

  “Oh, it’s just the fake stuff—no alcohol.” The stylist poured the glasses, which she then passed to each of us. I couldn’t help but wonder about Crystal’s quick response that she couldn’t have the real thing. I’d never known her to drink, but I had a feeling there was more going on.

  After toasts were made and more photos taken, I approached my sister-in-law. “Okay, what’s up?”

  “What do you mean?” She took a little sip from her glass and shifted her gaze away from me.

  “You haven’t been yourself lately. You disappeared in the middle of the rehearsal dinner last night, looking pale. And you were quick to respond that you have to be careful what you drink. Is there something you want to tell me?”

  Crystal clamped a hand over her mouth. “Today is all about you, Katie, not me.” Her cheeks flushed the prettiest shade of pink.

  “Crystal! Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

  “I didn’t say a thing.” She batted her eyelashes dramatically. “So there.”

  “Mm-hmm. You didn’t have to.” I slipped my arms around her neck and gave her a hug. “Oh, this is the best news ever. I’m going to be an aunt!”

  “Today you’re going to be a bride, and the most beautiful one Fairfield has ever seen. Got it?” She gave me a knowing look.

  “Okay, okay, I won’t breathe a word.” I winked. “But just so you know, I’m going to throw the best baby shower ever. It’ll be the first in the family.”

  “Hardly.” She laughed. “Lori-Lou has sixteen children, right?”

  “She has four, and yes, she’s family, but she’s not a sister. You are.”

  “Aw, thank you, Katie Sue.” Crystal threw her arms around me and I heard her sniffle. “You have no idea how much it means to me to have you in my life. Sometimes I think we’ve known each other forever, like I’ve lived in Fairfield all my life.”

  “We have the rest of our lives to deepen the bond.”

  “Starting today, at the best wedding ever.”

  “Better than your own?” I asked.

  “Well, different. You saw our ceremony. Nothing like what you’ve got planned. Your picnic on the courthouse lawn is going to be something folks around here talk about for years to come.”

  “Hopefully for the right reasons.” I laughed. “And hopefully the guys have all the tables set up by now. I’m praying Bessie May and Ophelia figured out what to do with the tablecloths and centerpieces. And do you think Pop is really helping set up the ice cream stand like he said he would? Sometimes he gets distracted.”

  “Katie Sue, slow down!” Crystal put her hand up. “I can’t keep up. But I can promise you this, with Joni and Casey at the helm, everything is going smoothly. It’s all going to be perfect—just you wait and see.”

  “Okay then. You’d better get me to the church and into that gorgeous Loretta Lynn gown or I’ll miss my own ceremony.”

  “I would never let that happen.”

  Crystal gathered the troops and we prepared to head to the church, where we would eat a leisurely lunch, put on makeup, get dressed, and take some pre-wedding photos.

  First things first, though.

  “Let’s drive by the courthouse on the way,” I said. “I want to see what it looks like.”

  “No ma’am.” Crystal’s stern voice surprised me. “No can do.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “Because, Katie Sue, half the town has been up at the courthouse square all morning working to put things together, and they want it to be a surprise for you and Brady. That’s why. So we won’t be going by on our way to the church. Joni made me promise, and I’m a girl who always keeps my promises.”

  “I see. Bummer.”

  “Oh, trust me, you’ll love it.” Crystal clasped her hands together and I could see the excitement in her eyes. “Jasper sent me a picture a few minutes ago, and I swooned. It’s a Southern girl’s dream, I promise. You won’t be disappointed.”

  “Oh, I’m sure it’s wonderful. I just wanted to make sure the florist showed up and Joni remembered to put the gerbera daisies in the mason jars before putting them into the picnic baskets. And I’ve been a little worried about the lemonade stand. And—”

  “Katie, look at me.” Crystal clucked her tongue. “It’s. All. Taken. Care. Of. You have one job today. One. Get dolled up and head down the aisle to say your ‘I dos.’”

  “That’s technically two jobs.” A nervous giggle escaped. “Getting dolled up is a challenge all by itself.”

  “When you’re as pretty as you? Hardly.” Lori-Lou laughed. “Just wait till you’ve had four kids, like me. You won’t even be able to fit into that wedding dress anymore.”

  Crystal drove my SUV, deliberately avoiding the courthouse area, though I did take note of several people clustered on the corner of Travis and Third.

  We got to the church at one o’clock, enjoyed a wonderful luncheon prepared by Mama and a couple of her friends, and then went to the bride’s room to get ready.

  I felt like a princess as Joni and the others clustered around me to do my makeup. It felt nice to be dolled up. Almost reminded me of that infamous day when I’d modeled my wedding gown for the Texas Bride photo shoot. Things had truly come full circle, no doubt about it.

  At 4:45 the moment arrived. The girls, all dressed in their lovely pastel dresses, helped me into my Loretta Lynn gown. In that instant I was reminded of the first day I’d put the gown on. The style suited me to a tee—ruffly and sweet, but not fussy. I’d loved it then, but even more now.

  Nadia entered the room just as the girls zipped up the dress, and helped adjust the train.

  “It’s just like I pictured,” she said. “The day I drew the sketches for this dress, I knew that one day a gorgeous young woman would win that contest, put this dress on, and walk down the aisle for her happily ever after.” She reached over and gave me a hug. “Just never dreamed she’d be walking toward my boy.”

  “Brady.” A wealth of emotions overtook me as I spoke his name. How I loved that amazing, godly man. How my life had changed as our relationship took twists and turns. How it would continue to change as I took his hand, his name, today.

  And all because of this dress.

  I stared at my reflection in the mirror and sighed. “Nadia, it’s even more beautiful than the first day I tried it on. I love it so much. Thank you. A thousand times, thank you!” The tears started to flow, but Joni stopped them in a hurry.

  “None of that!” she scolded. “You don’t want us to have to redo your makeup, do you? Besides, it’s time for the photo shoot. Jordan’s already gotten shots of the guys. Now it’s your turn.”

  “Jordan?” Lori-Lou gave me a curious look. “Who’s Jordan?”

&n
bsp; “The guy from Texas Bride who did the cover shot of me in this dress. He also took our proposal pictures.”

  “That’s so cool.” My cousin’s face lit up. “Do you think he’ll use these pictures in the magazine too?”

  “Maybe.” I gave a little shrug. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”

  In fact, nothing surprised me these days, including the news from Jordan that the editor of Texas Bride might be interested in some of my articles. Only time would tell, of course, but I could hardly wait to give it a shot.

  We made our way into the sanctuary, where Pop saw me for the first time. His eyes filled with tears and he headed my way. “Katie Sue, you look . . .” He brushed away a tear and smiled.

  “Beautiful.” Mama’s eyes glistened as she took my hand. “The most beautiful bride ever.”

  “Thank you both . . . for everything.”

  I wanted to embrace them but worried about the train. And the veil, which Nadia now slipped into place.

  The next twenty minutes were spent taking photos. Then the other ladies headed back to the bridal room, leaving me alone with Joni and Jordan.

  “What are we doing?” I asked.

  “We’re getting a couple of you and Brady before the ceremony,” Joni said.

  My heart quickened. “No way! He can’t see me before the ‘I dos.’ It’s tradition!”

  “He won’t.” Joni patted my hand. “Trust me, okay? I saw this online. We just need an open door. You’ll be on one side, he’ll be on the other—facing opposite directions, but holding hands through the opening. Does that make sense?”

  “Nope. Not at all, but I trust you.”

  She led the way to the church foyer, making sure Brady was outside the church. Then she eased the gorgeous wooden door open—the same door I’d walked through thousands of times as a girl, as a teen, as a young woman.

  From outside I heard Brady’s voice, though I could not see him at all.

  “Brady James, if you open your eyes I’m going to personally see to it that you don’t get any cake at the reception,” Joni said through the opening in the door.

  “You guys bringing me here just to tempt me?” The sound of his voice worked its magic on me, soothing all worries and putting everything in its right place.