by Amanda Tru
“I think so. Mason says he’ll be here.”
“Perfect. He’ll really play the part. Now, let’s send these brides to their locations. I already called TeraLyn as well. I just pretended to be you. She’s on her way.”
“You called TeraLyn? She thought that you were me?”
“Yes, you were busy talking to your two boyfriends, and I need her here right away. Pretending to be you was easier than needing to explain that I am your twin sister. And, of course, she bought it. I play a very convincing London Hutchins.”
The next few moments flew by, and soon, all the brides stood beautiful and ready to be deployed. It felt strange to see all of them wearing the complete history of her love life, but there was also something strangely freeing about seeing the gowns “live” instead of simply hanging on the rack. The brides were all eager and excited for their assignments, and when the dutiful grooms arrived in full costume, the chaos was almost too much for the small apartment to hold.
Each bride had called her own groom to play the part, and to his credit, every one of them showed up, ready to jump wholeheartedly into Operation Decoy Bride. The only one who wasn’t present was Emma’s boyfriend, Leo. She would instead meet him and the other officers at the arranged location to complete their part in the scheme.
“I’ll see they get on their way,” Sydney told London. “Kate and Dallas will go first since their location is on the other side of Brighton Falls. Then I’ll send out Brooke and Dylan to their location. Geneva is running solo but promised to recruit a groom on the fly if needed. She’s planning to run through downtown Brighton Falls. We both know Geneva won’t need any instruction.”
“She’ll probably recruit multiple willing grooms as she goes,” London said, smiling at their sister’s well-known charm and enthusiasm.
Outlining the plan, Sydney continued, “TeraLyn will stay here in Crossroads but will crash a wedding already in session. Well, she won’t actually crash it but will lead the media that direction. She’ll start out near the real wedding location and make herself visible at various locations around town before heading to that other wedding. Then she’ll circle back and change clothes so she’ll be ready to complete her duties as wedding planner when the real wedding takes place.”
“Sounds good,” London said appreciatively. “Thank you for managing all of this, Sydney.”
“Oh, this is nothing,” Sydney said. “No one’s life is in danger with this mission. Easy-peasy.”
London found her way back to her closet to change. She’d already texted Mason the location of the wedding, but she needed to head there now, explain the plan to the real bride and groom, and then hope that Mason showed up in time.
Several dresses still hung in the closet, even after the other women had taken their pick. Without hesitation, London took down “The Mason.” She slipped it on, feeling the soft folds of fabric hug her body. She looked at herself in the mirror, expecting to feel some jolt of excitement. After all, this dress was the movie star crown jewel of the collection. This was what she’d meant to wear on the happiest day of her life. Even though she wasn’t wearing this for her own wedding, as she’d intended, she should at least feel something, shouldn’t she?
She quickly fixed her hair, and when Sydney poked her head in the room, she was ready.
“Come on, London,” she said brightly. “Let’s go meet your groom and get you married on national television!”
London lifted her eyes and met those of her groom waiting at the end of the aisle.
He’s here! Her heart leaped at the sight of Mason waiting for her. Though he hadn’t had time to procure a full tux, he looked perfectly suited for the outdoor wedding in a blue dress shirt and gray slacks, complete with suspenders and bow tie.
The music started, and London dropped her head, knowing the part she needed to play. Walking gracefully up the aisle, she worked to keep her face at an angle so that it wouldn’t be visible through the veil. It didn’t really matter if Mason was recognized. A Mason Bryce wedding was a newsworthy event even if he wasn’t the groom the media anticipated.
Mason took her arm as she approached, and they stopped at the beautiful, flowered archway. Brooke had done an exceptional job on the flowers. This was the wedding she’d mentioned completing earlier in the day, and they had kept everything identical for the fake wedding as for the real wedding that would hopefully follow. They had told a few people in the audience the plan, but some of them who didn’t know would probably be just as confused as the media.
TeraLyn had outdone herself in the planning of this wedding, and that would be the hardest part to sell. This looked like a small, exquisite celebrity wedding. And their goal was to make the media believe it was a decoy and that the real one was occurring elsewhere.
London and Mason turned to each other and clasped hands in the traditional pose. London heard a helicopter overhead, and the clicks of cameras sounded like birds chattering in the background. London kept her gaze on Mason, though she longed to look overhead or try to pick out the paparazzi she suspected were hiding in the bushes. Even better, she longed to gaze out at the still water of the lake right beyond where they stood. Its smooth waters promised the only peaceful part of this scene, and London wanted to draw a little more strength before bravely completing her role.
Lord, please help me! Mason is the actor, not me! If I mess this up, the real wedding is ruined and so is my business and TeraLyn’s dream as a wedding planner.
A voice cleared delicately at her elbow. Startled, London glanced over to see Sydney standing between them, taking on the position of the wedding officiant. She wore glasses and a short, brunette wig, but it was definitely Sydney.
“Dearly beloved,” she said easily. “We are gathered here to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
“Sydney, you really don’t need to go through the whole thing,” London whispered when her sister had them repeat vows.
Sydney ignored her and simply continued with the ceremony.
London looked up at Mason, noticing the amusement in his eyes.
“Sydney, you aren’t like officially ordained to perform wedding ceremonies, are you?” London hissed, suddenly worried.
The noise from multiple helicopters overhead and reporters crowded in a narrowing circle around them, ensuring that anything they said couldn’t actually be heard. It was more of a pantomime at this point.
Sydney paused as if thinking. “Well, I’m not sure. There was that one time… You really don’t have to worry, though. It’s not like you have a marriage license or anything.”
“It would be awfully convenient if we did, though,” Mason said, his eyes dancing at London’s discomfort.
“Are you ready?” Sydney whispered. “I think we’ve waited long enough. I just got confirmation that everyone is in position.”
London looked at her in confusion, unsure what she’d meant about confirmation.
Sydney turned her head to reveal a small communication device attached to her ear.
She’s really gone all out!
“Ready,” Mason said.
“Remember, kiss, then turn. We need to give the world a good show,” Sydney instructed.
“You may now kiss your bride,” Sydney announced loudly.
Before she had a chance to mentally prepare, Mason pulled her veil back. In one smooth motion, he drew her close, kissed her fully, and dipped her backward with dramatic flair. Joy spread through her entire being at the sensation of his lips on hers. She held him tightly, kissing him back with enthusiasm. When giggles rippled through the audience, Mason finally drew her back up, and they immediately turned back to Sydney. London didn’t know if her heart pounded more from the big moment or from the kiss, but with shaking hands, she managed to take the pair of black plastic glasses from Sydney and position them on her face, exactly as Mason did.
In a loud, dramatic voice, Sydney called, “May I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Not-The-Bride-and-Groom-You’re-Looking
-For.”
At her words, London and Mason turned around, facing the audience fully for the first time.
The collective gasp was almost deafening. A thrill of delight shot through London as she scanned the crowd of open-mouthed guests. She knew she and Mason must be quite the sight in their wedding clothes and Groucho glasses perched smartly on their faces.
Not ten seconds passed before the shock melted away into ripples of giggles, and a new rush of camera clicks confirmed the audience and media capturing the large-nosed and mustached couple to grace the covers of newspapers and magazines and clog up social media feeds around the world.
London heard Sydney talking quietly and knew she was instructing her troops.
“It’s a decoy!” A voice shouted. “I just got confirmation that the real wedding is happening on the other side of town!”
“I have a report of the bride being spotted in downtown Brighton Falls!” another voice spoke up.
“They tricked us! Quick, if we hurry, we can find the real wedding!”
The area erupted in chaos as people seemed to spring from every bush and tree and sprinted for the road. The helicopters overhead hurriedly sped away, on the lookout for the real bride and groom. The only people who stayed were the real wedding guests who milled about aimlessly in confusion.
London felt Mason’s hand slide into hers.
“Thank you,” she whispered, giving his hand a squeeze.
“Let’s give them one last departing photo op,” he whispered, drawing her close and kissing her again with nose, mustache, and glasses still firmly in place. London giggled, feeling his lips behind the tickling sensation of the two mustaches dancing between their lips. Mason lifted his head two centimeters, grabbed both pairs of glasses, and tossed them away before reclaiming just her lips.
London kissed him back, her heart fluttering like an excited butterfly. When he finally drew his head back, his eyes were hooded with emotion.
“London, I would be happy to marry you any day of the world.”
London teased back, “I’ll consider it. You did look awful handsome in those glasses.”
Mason stroked his clean-shaven jaw and frowned. “I knew it! The pretty girls always go for the mustache!”
Mason suddenly frowned. “You’re wearing the wrong dress, though. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful, but it’s just not… right.”
London looked down at herself in shock. But this was “The Mason.” This was the glamorous gown she’d specifically designed to marry Mason if their relationship ever got that far. Now he was saying that “The Mason” wasn’t right after all?
TeraLyn made an appearance, floating through the audience and speaking with guests before coming to London and Mason.
“I think we’re all set. The area is cleared. Sydney’s people are sweeping one more time, and then the bride and groom can take their positions. Sydney’s security will stay in place until the reception is over, which will be considerably easier when everyone moves into the barn for dinner and dancing.”
“TeraLyn, all of this is amazing,” London said, waving her hand to encompass the whole area.”
TeraLyn shook her head. “I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m just so relieved the bride and groom were so agreeable to our plan.”
“I think they got a kick out of it,” London said. “I spotted their faces peeking out a window in the house over there. I think they also realized this plan gave them the greatest chance of the private ceremony of their dreams. Even before Rhonda leaked the time and location, the risk always existed that some media would find out. Now we have everyone tricked and cleared out.”
Sydney came up and said brightly, “London, everything is going according to plan. The other brides are planning to meet us back at your apartment after they get notice that the ceremony is done.”
“Then, what’s wrong?” London asked, noting that Sydney’s tone seemed a little too chipper. Sydney was an expert liar. Her twin was the only one on the planet who could occasionally tell when she was lying, and this was one such time.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” Sydney responded, her tone sounding genuinely perplexed.
“London, did you supply all of the dresses for the decoy brides,” Mason asked, his eyes on the screen of his phone.
“Mason,” Sydney warned.
“Yes, why?” London asked in alarm.
Mason’s eyes flashed to Sydney, and suddenly his tone changed. “They are just um… really pretty.”
“Give me the phone, Mason,” London demanded with an outstretched hand. She’d use her own phone except her wedding dress didn’t exactly come equipped with a pocket.
Sydney stepped in between them, providing a screen for Mason to take off. “I’ll meet you at your apartment,” he called, sprinting in the direction of his car.
London folded her arms in front of her chest and speared her sister with a glare. “Tell me, Sydney. What has Mason running scared?”
“It’s nothing big, London. Really. It’s just that some of the decoy brides are making the news, and let’s just say that your dresses may not come back in the exact same condition you sent them off in.”
The brides trudged into London’s apartment with their heads down and eyes downcast.
London gasped and wanted to cover her eyes. Her once beautiful gowns now hung on the women in tatters.
“London, please don’t be mad,” Geneva said swiftly, stepping forward as the designated spokesperson for the sorry group. “We can explain.”
Sydney and Mason flanked London on either side, but London didn’t dare look at them. She suspected they might actually find the situation humorous, and she didn’t want to read the amusement on their faces. London supposed that the sight of five shabby brides might seem funny to most, but those rags weren’t just dresses to London. They were the hopes and memories of her past.
“Go ahead, tell her,” Geneva urged the other ladies. “She will understand.”
When nobody volunteered, Brooke reached out and took Emma’s hand in comfort. “A media van sped by, probably trying to rush to find the real wedding. It splashed Emma with mud.”
Poor Emma looked like she’d had as much as she could take, and London could hear her saying something over and over again under her breath. Seeing her distress, London’s heart went out to her. Realistically, her dress actually might be in the best shape, and she knew Emma struggled with some tactile sensitivities that might make wearing the dress extremely intolerable to her.
“Emma, please don’t worry about it. It isn’t your fault,” London assured. “Why don’t you go in my bedroom and change. I’m sure you want out of that dress.”
Emma blinked and nodded eagerly before hurrying to the bedroom.
Seeing her friend go, Brooke hurriedly confessed. “I won’t bore you with the whole story, but I fell in a pool.”
London shook her head in confusion. “How on earth did you fall into a pool?
Brooke cleared her throat delicately. “Well, I guess I technically jumped in a pool, but it was only because someone got knocked into the pool when a bunch of photographers showed up clambering for the best vantage point. There were no lifeguards on duty, and I was the closest. So, of course, I jumped in to save him.”
“I can’t be mad about that!” London said. “Brooke, you’re a hero! How old was the child you saved?”
Brooke sheepishly turned to her finance miserably waiting in the corner. “How old are you, Dylan?”
This earned giggles from the peanut gallery of Sydney and Mason.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m still quite soaked, and your air conditioning isn’t doing me any favors. I’m going to change!”
When Brooke left, Dallas stepped into her place, supportively standing beside his wife, Kate. “London, there was a slight problem with the venue where Sydney sent us,” he said.
“The golf course?” Sydney asked. “I know there was an event there today. I thought if you two showed up, it
would look like a wedding.”
“Oh, it did,” Dallas assured.
“We even earned a helicopter flyover,” Kate said. “But after we’d played our parts, we had to cross the golf course to get back to our car.”
London studied the dress. It looked wet and boasted some grass stains, but it might not be unfixable. Wait, was that…?
London stepped closer. “Kate, are those feathers on the dress?”
Kate winced. “Yes. That’s what happens when a flock of geese attacks you.”
Mason snorted, trying to hold in his laughter.
“The sprinklers turned on when we were halfway across the green,” Dallas explained. “A nearby flock of geese seemed to take great offense and blame Kate. They flew at her, flapping their feathers in her skirts when she ran to get away. She tripped and fell. Thankfully, I was close and managed to fight the geese off and chase them away. It was tough, but I did it.”
“I’ve heard geese can be mean,” Sydney said helpfully.
“How many geese did you have to take on, Dallas?” Mason asked curiously.
“It was at least a dozen. Maybe more,” he supplied proudly.
Silently, Kate raised three fingers up and ticked them back and forth.
Even London had to muffle a giggle with that one. Dallas, not realizing that his wife had ratted him out, launched into a more detailed retelling of his battle with the flock of ninja geese.
Realizing she needed to move on before she joined Sydney and Mason’s mirth, she turned to the next woman in line. “What about you, TeraLyn?”
TeraLyn was the only woman not actually wearing the dress. She’d had to change to facilitate her duties as wedding planner, but now carried it in a garment bag and wore an expression just as miserable as the other four ladies.
Nervously, TeraLyn explained, “Well, I intended to just lead the media to that wedding that was already in progress. I didn’t actually intend to crash it, but it seems that I did. I was in the shadows at the reception and decided to make a run for it and get back to my car before someone spotted a second bride. But I tripped on my train and landed on the best man. Then his wine landed on me. I’m really sorry, London. I feel terrible. I know how much that dress meant to you.”