14 - Brody
If you would’ve told me a year ago that I’d be getting my hair done for my wedding while sitting in Brody’s mom’s kitchen, I would’ve told you you were crazy. Yet there I sat on a wooden kitchen chair with my stylist, Sammie, putting huge, heavy curlers in my hair.
“Are you nervous?” Alexa asked.
I shrugged. “Not really. I’m just ready to see him and get this started.”
Lauren and my mom sat in two other chairs with two of Sammie’s assistants standing behind them.
“You have the most beautiful hair.” One of them gawked at Lauren’s long blonde layers.
“Ugh,” groaned Alexa, dropping her cereal bowl into the sink. “Would you believe she wakes up like that? It’s disgusting.”
“She does.” I laughed. “Luckiest girl in the world.”
“Honey, I’m gonna take your dress up to Brody’s room, okay?” JoAnn appeared in the doorway carrying my wedding dress bag.
“Sure, thanks.” I smiled.
“Wait, Brody built this house for his parents, right?” Alexa rubbed her chin, staring off into space as she tried to remember.
“Yep.”
“Then why does he have a bedroom here?”
“It’s not like a childhood bedroom. You’ll see when we go up there. It’s actually pretty cool.”
An hour or so later, we all looked absolutely stunning from the neck up. From the neck down, we all had on baggy button-down plaid shirts. Lucy’s and Piper’s went all the way to their ankles, which they thought was hilarious.
“Okay.” I took a deep breath. “Dress time.”
We all walked slowly upstairs, careful not to lose a bobby pin or uncurl a curl. I opened the door to Brody’s room and everyone filed inside.
“Holy crap.” Alexa spun slowly with her mouth open. “It’s like a Brody shrine.”
She was right. The room did have a big bed and a large couch in it, in case Brody ever wanted to spend the night, but it was so much more than that. A large dark walnut shelf sat prominently in the middle of the largest wall, and it was overflowing with Brody’s hockey memorabilia, both from the Wild and from college. His college goalie helmet sat on the top shelf with a tiny spotlight on it. Dozens of glossy action shots and newspaper articles were framed and stuck in between hockey pucks and sets of gloves, each with their own significance. I stared at the big shelf, feeling a little sad that I didn’t know him then. I know if I had, things between us might not be the same, but I wish I could’ve seen him get his first NHL save.
“Awww!” Lauren’s coos pulled me from my trance. I turned toward the door as Lucy and Piper walked into the room in their ice blue dresses, with my mom following along behind. My hands flew up to my mouth and tears stung my eyes when I saw them. They looked so grown-up with their blonde hair pulled up in loose buns and a few soft pieces curling around their faces.
I walked over to them and squatted when I got close. “You guys look so beautiful. No one’s gonna notice me today because they’re going to be too busy looking at you.” I sniffed.
Neither responded, but they both smiled shyly, not used to all the attention.
“Is that mascara?” I squinted and got closer to Lucy.
“Uh huh. Gigi put it on us.” She beamed.
Mom winked at me. “Just a tad.”
“You two are just the sweetest little things,” JoAnn said, shaking her head slowly. “Kacie, I’m gonna leave you girls to get dressed. I have to get ready myself.”
“I’m gonna take them and head downstairs too.” My mom followed. “You three need to get moving and you don’t need us gawking at ya. We’ll see you downstairs in a bit.”
I bent down and planted soft kisses on Lucy’s and Piper’s cheeks. “See you soon, loves.”