Wedding Haters (Event to Remember Series-Book 2)

by Melissa Baldwin

  “Madie, Madie?” Cole is calling my name, but I’m distracted by Sienna and Ace.

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  “Mother says that we should say something; you know thank everyone for being a part of our special day blah, blah.” He pretends to tie a noose around his neck.

  “Yeah. OK.”

  I tell him that we need to wait for Sienna to get back before we speak, especially because she is one of the people we absolutely need to thank. A few minutes later Susan pulls me aside and asks me if everything is OK with Sienna.

  “Why do you ask?” I glance toward the door because she still hasn’t returned.

  “Catherine and Bridgette just told me that her company is going under, is this true?”

  What? How would these women know anything about her company? I’m worried that the rumors have spread. I was hoping that Bev had gotten some wrong information. I see Sienna come back in, so I excuse myself from Susan to find out what was happening.

  “Is everything OK?” She rolls her eyes and nods her head.

  “Yes, Ace had an emergency work issue he had to take care of. Allyson said it was of the upmost urgency.” I knew it; that Allyson is up to no good. I tell Sienna not to worry about it and tell her to sit down. I totally understand why she’s paranoid. After what happened in her last relationship, it would be difficult to fully trust someone else.

  When Cole and I give our speech, I get more choked up than I thought I would. It may be because I’m so overjoyed that we are really having a wedding. We thank our family, friends, and the wedding party. I try not to look at Ellie and Stephy giving me dirty looks, and I’m not upset because I probably deserve it to an extent. Cole makes jokes about us almost getting married in Hawaii, and I thank everyone for their patience with the changes.

  Abby and Matt leave to take the baby home but not before she reminds me to relax and enjoy everything about this.

  “You only get one wedding day, so make the most of it,” she says.

  Like Sienna, she hasn’t mentioned her drunken dancing or the vomiting at the club. I don’t bring it up either. In other news, Sienna has gone out of her way to avoid Jeff until he finally sits down next to her.

  “Now that has to be one awkward conversation,” Cole says, pointing at Sienna and Jeff. “Are you sure Sienna doesn’t want to give him another chance?”

  “I’m pretty sure,” I reply.

  “Whatever. I get it, though, that Ace is a catch. Even Jeff agrees and we both have a man-crush on him.” This makes me giggle but totally makes sense.

  “See, you can chill out now. We made it through our rehearsal, and our wedding will go off without a hitch, so stop worrying,” Cole assures me. I nod my head and give a hopeful smile.

  As our guests are leaving, I overhear Grandmother talking to Susan. “What a lovely evening. Tomorrow will be a joyous day. Isn’t it wonderful that our families will become one?”

  She sure is laying it on thick, but it’s better than the alternative. I really hope that she’s right.

  “Absolutely,” Susan replies. “I have an idea: why don’t you join my garden club? Madison is joining also. It will be a wonderful opportunity for us all to be together.” I cringe when I hear this; there’s another reason for me not to join that club. Before I know it, she will have my cousins joining also.

  When I get home, I get ready for bed. It’s my last night as a single woman. Tomorrow is my wedding day—the day every girl dreams of. My stress is slowly turning into excitement, and I can’t wait!

  Chapter 14

  I wake up from yet another nightmare. This time, in my dream, I’m at a garden club meeting (go figure), and my cousins are there. We’re having some sort of competition and all the members have to share pictures of our flowers from our personal garden, and we will be graded. Whoever wins the competition will take over Bev’s Sweet Treats and will have the rights to my cookie business. Stephy wins and renames the bakery Stephy’s Sweets. I have to turn over all of my cookie supplies and recipes to her. The next thing I know I’m doing Grandmother’s hair. Somehow, I have given her a pixie cut with blue tips, she starts crying, has a panic attack, and is rushed to the hospital.

  I wake up at 4 a.m. yelling, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” I realize I’m still in my bedroom and that none of that actually happened. I try to analyze all of the craziness of my dream, but there is way too much to try to figure out. It’s finally hit me, the stress of the wedding. Am I getting cold feet? Is this normal to have nightmares the night before your wedding? I decide to Google “dreams night before wedding.” It’s a huge relief that I’m not the only bride out there going through this. Google brings up lots of information about wedding anxiety dreams and brides having crazy dreams for weeks leading up to their big day. Maybe I’m not going to need therapy as soon as I thought. I lay back down with the hope of getting a few more hours of sleep. It’s going to take a miracle worker to hide these bags under my eyes for pictures. Great, there’s another thing to worry about.

  When I open my eyes, the sun is pouring into my room. My wedding day is finally here! I have the overwhelming feeling of excitement combined with feeling like I’m going to throw up. I sit up and look around my room. There are boxes everywhere and the walls are bare; it’s such a sad sight. I’ve lived in this apartment with Sienna for years, and now it’s the end of an era. How is it possible to be so incredibly sad and so incredibly happy all at the same time? I lie back down and think about everything that it has taken to get to this point. This day isn’t exactly how I originally planned, but I’ve realized along the way that all that matters is that Cole and I are vowing to spend the rest of our lives together. Hmmm . . . since when have I become so emotional and romantic? Are Cole and I going to turn into one of those cheesy couples who make out in public and sit together on the same side of the table at restaurants? Cole even did a comedy set about those couples a while ago. He had everyone practically rolling on the floor, so I doubt that will happen.

  “Is the bride awake?” Abby sticks her head in my room.

  “Hey, what are you doing here already?”

  “I brought breakfast before we head to the resort.” She comes in and sits on the edge of my bed.

  “You OK?” she asks, giving me a puzzled look. I figure I can talk to Abby about things because she was the first one to get married. As I explain my thoughts to Abby, a smile spreads across her face.

  “What?” I ask her.

  “It’s just funny because I remember thinking the same things when I got married; you have so much love for another person that it’s almost overpowering. Just wait until you have a baby.” Oh great, now her eyes are filling up with tears and she’s wiping the corners. It’s the first cry of the day.

  “What are you guys doing?” I look up to see Sienna standing in my doorway, watching us cry and hug. “That’s enough of that.”

  “I have some exciting news,” she says, ignoring our sobs. “When I called to confirm everything at the resort today, they told me that one or two of the owners wanted to pop in at the reception to take a look. Your wedding is really the first big event being held there, and they said that if they like what they see then maybe they will refer clients to Sheer Happiness Events.” She gives a loud squeal.

  “Congrats,” Abby says as she dabs the corners of her eyes.

  “That’s so cool! Maybe this has all happened for a good reason?” I get up to give her a hug.

  “Enough of this!” Sienna says. “I need to go ahead of you and check on things, so I will meet you guys there.”

  This is really exciting and a huge relief. Once people see how amazing Sienna’s events are, those crazy rumors about her company failing will stop.. Abby and I enjoy breakfast and gather everything we need for the wedding. I go to my closet and get my gown. Sienna offered to bring it for me, but I’m way too paranoid already, so I have no intention of letting this gown out of my presence. I remember making jokes about my cousins getting their grubby hands
on it, and then I had that dream. Needless to say, this dress will not be going anywhere except on my body.

  When we arrive at the resort, I gasp. The front is absolutely exquisite with tall while pillars, fountains, and beautiful palm trees lining the circular driveway. Craig and a few valet drivers greet us. Craig offers to take my stuff to the dressing room, so I give him everything except for my gown.

  “Oh, I’m so glad you didn’t break out,” he says dramatically, looking at my face. “Did Sienna tell you about one of our last brides? The poor girl looked like she had the chicken pox.” I start to worry about the bags under my eyes from lack of sleep. They must not be as bad as I think because Craig would point them out, and he doesn’t say a word.

  “Craig, you’re so mean,” Abby scolds.

  “I’m not trying to be mean. I’m just relieved for you,” he says honestly.

  When we walk into the lobby, it’s as hideous as it was in the pictures. It looks as if someone painted the walls with Pepto Bismal and threw in a couple of plastic palm trees. It looks like a tacky Miami Beach hotel from the ’80s. I still don’t understand why they didn’t do different decorating in the lobby. Thank goodness the ballroom and open balcony are as elegant as the pictures Sienna showed me.

  Sienna and her team have done an amazing job with the décor. The fall-themed centerpieces that took me months to choose look gorgeous with the burgundy and gold linens and seat covers. Every centerpiece includes one of our framed engagement pictures. I’m completely in love. Even the buffet table looks lovely with tall fall floral arrangements, foliage, and candles.

  “Are you happy with it?” she asks. “Everything needs to be perfect. I’m afraid we lost some momentum with the Four Seasons falling through and now especially with the owners stopping in to check it out.”

  I wonder if she’s heard some of the rumors also. I’m certainly not bringing it up because I don’t want her spending the day stressed out.

  “Everything looks perfect, and I’m sure the owners will be extremely impressed,” I reply. It really does look great, so I should take my own advice. Although, I was never worried about how things would look. I’ve been to enough of Sienna’s events and the décor is always fabulous. Craig is extremely creative, and he pays great attention to detail. My worries are more about a few of the guests and how they will behave.

  A few hours later, we’re in the changing room putting the finishing touches on, and my mom has joined us and has started crying about ten times. She keeps saying it’s because her false eyelashes are bothering her. I don’t mind though because I’m just happy she’s here, especially after our argument. She did tell me that she was sorry that it seemed like she didn’t care about my feelings. Thankfully she didn’t mention one word about Ellie and Stephy not being in the wedding anymore. So I guess that means we’ve made up. Craig is keeping us updated on guests arriving and what they are wearing. Every time he comes back, he gives us a play-by-play.

  “Susan is in head-to-toe designer. She’s so classy,” he says with excitement.

  “Well, that’s no surprise. Cole’s father always says that she alone keeps Neiman Marcus in business.”

  Sienna quickly gets ready and then heads out to supervise until it’s time to walk down the aisle. She’s doing a great job on double duty as both wedding planner and bridesmaid.

  Grandmother joins us in the dressing room, and she hands me a small golden box.

  “Thank you!”

  I carefully open the box. Inside is a gorgeous gold charm bracelet.

  “This bracelet was my mother’s, your great-grandmother. If you look at the charms, they are from different cities around the world. These are the places that she was able to visit in her life; her father was in the military, and they went to many exotic locations.” She looks at the bracelet and smiles. “Because you are the first of my granddaughters to get married, I want you to have it.” She opens the clasp and places it on my wrist. I’m so choked up I just lean in and give her a warm hug. For the first time in as long as I can remember she hugs me back and holds me tight.

  “Well then, you must finish getting ready.” She looks away and pretends to get busy looking for something in her handbag. It’s actually a very touching moment; one that I’ve never had with her before and probably will never have again. She and my mom leave to be seated with the rest of the guests. Just Abby and I are left, and she gives me a tearful smile. We get distracted admiring the charm bracelet.

  Just then, Craig interrupts the moment when he hurries into the room. “Oh no, oh no, oh no . . .” as soon as I look at him, my back tenses up.

  “What’s wrong?” I immediately start to panic. He is about to tell me but pauses when Sienna returns. She’s as white as a ghost. Crap! Someone better tell me what’s happened.

  “How dare she,” Craig says. He is talking to Sienna but then looks at me. “Your cousin Ellie is a piece of work. She just arrived with her date.”

  “So?”

  “You’re going to love this!” he says sarcastically. “Her date is the one and only, infamous Luke Price.”

  He has to be joking. “Are you joking?” I ask deadpan. But he isn’t and there is nothing I can do about it. I’m half dressed and can’t leave this room until it’s time for my dad to walk me down the aisle to Cole who is waiting for me. I have no time to remove Luke from the premises, and Ellie knows that. Most of the guests are seated and I certainly don’t want any more bad publicity.

  Now I know why Ellie brought up Luke’s name that night. She had every intention of bringing him to my wedding even before I ‘uninvited’ her. I knew it; Ellie is never going to change.

  “I’m sorry. I wish I could do something about this,” I tell Sienna. “Is Ace here? Did they see each other?”

  I can’t believe this; my wedding is turning into a reunion of the Bachelorette. We could totally film a “Men Tell All” with Sienna’s men. First, I had to worry about Ace and Jeff being around each other, and now we can add Luke into the mix. This would have never happened on the beach in Hawaii. I refuse to give Cole the satisfaction, so I won’t tell him that I just thought about that.

  “Ace saw him and he asked me if he should kick him out. I told him no because there’s no need to create a huge scene for people to gossip about.”

  “I thought the same thing,” I tell her. This really sucks. I would love for Ace to take charge and “remove” Luke from the wedding. How hot would that be? OK, Madison, not exactly the thoughts to have less than twenty minutes before you are getting married. Thankfully, Sienna interrupts my thoughts.

  “Never mind all of this, it’s time for you to get dressed,” Sienna announces. Craig leaves, and it’s just the three of us again. Sienna is understandably shaken up, but she proceeds with professionalism and class like she always does.

  I put my dress on and then turn to face myself in the full-length mirror. I can’t believe I’m staring at my own reflection. Abby starts crying right away and rushes to grab a tissue so she doesn’t smudge her makeup. I look at Sienna.

  “Well?”

  “Perfection,” she whispers and gives me hug. The three of us pick up our bouquets. My heart starts to beat faster and faster.

  It’s time. My dad joins me at the door, and Abby and Sienna go on ahead.

  “Cupcake, you look so very cute,” he says, using his nickname for me. Ugh, I’m going to cry again.

  “Thanks, Daddy.” I give him a big hug. As I hug my father, it hits me that Ellie and Stephy may never experience a moment like this. All of a sudden, I feel sorry for them, and I guess I can understand what my mom always told me. I hug my dad a little tighter right before I pull away. He takes my arm and we walk.

  Cole is waiting for me at the edge of the beautiful balcony with the Pacific Ocean as our backdrop. Four Seasons who? The ceremony goes too fast and half the time I feel like I’m in a trance, but in a good way. I don’t even flinch when I see Luke sitting amongst my wonderful friends and family. He really h
as just as much nerve as Ellie. I look out and see my parents and Cole’s parents. Susan is crying like a baby; I’m hoping those are happy tears and not losing-her-baby-boy tears. I even catch Grandmother dabbing the corners of her eyes. Today sure has brought out a lot of emotion from her. I glance down at the charm bracelet she gave me and smile.

  The best part of course is that we finally made it! Cole and I are finally husband and wife. Nothing else matters at this moment. After our ceremony, we walk out onto the beach hand in hand to have a few moments alone. Not exactly the traditional walk “backward” down the aisle, but we aren’t exactly the poster couple for traditional. Cole picks me up and spins me around, and our guests are cheering from the balcony.

  “You really did it; you actually married me,” he says as he puts me back down. “Can we go on our honeymoon now?”

  “Yes, after the reception.” I grab his hand and we walk back to our guests, or rather, I drag Cole back to our guests.

  The party gets started and everyone is having an amazing time. The food is average, and much to my dismay, on the buffet table in all its glory is a fancy platter of pigs-in-a-blanket. Cole and Jeff are actually throwing them into their mouths. I make a mental note to slap them both later for this. So far, I’ve managed to avoid Ellie and Luke who are happily walking around hand in hand talking to people. They both went up to Cole and said congratulations. I really wish someone had taken a photo of Cole’s face when Luke went up to him. As usual, Cole is so oblivious. I guess he didn’t get the memo that Luke had crashed our wedding. I wonder if they are really a couple or made some kind of an arrangement just for tonight to torture me. Luckily, there are plenty of people to greet and thank for coming. My plan is to be “busy” the whole evening so I won’t have to talk to them.

  Abby comes up to me with baby Ace. “Everything is perfect. You can stop worrying now.” She gives me a one-armed hug, and baby Ace grabs my necklace. I give him a kiss on the forehead and pry his chubby little fingers off of my diamond necklace. She’s totally right. Sienna comes running over to tell us that the owners are going to peek in soon. I can tell she’s both excited and nervous. I want to tell her that I think it’s a little odd for owners to stop into an event, but then I remind myself that it’s a brand new venue so I guess it’s OK. Not to mention I really don’t know what normal is anymore.