While Mom held Gibson and Anna supervised from the only semi-comfortable chair in the room, a handful of us tried to hide some of the unsightly machinery. Riley and I were standing on step stools, awkwardly attempting to hang a superlong linen sheet from the ceiling; I was trying to keep my shoulder rested by not lifting my right arm too high, which made decorating a bit challenging. Kellan frowned while he watched me. “I feel completely and totally useless.”
Dropping the sheet, I huffed a stray lock of hair out of my eyes and smirked at Kellan. “Well, that’s what happens when you go and tear an internal organ. Maybe next time you should be more careful.”
Kellan’s lips curled into a sexy half-smile. “The next time we’re hit by a floral truck, I’ll be sure to do that.”
My mother’s face paled. “Not funny, you two.”
The clerk from the city arrived when we were halfway done with decorations. She seemed flustered to be near Kellan, and even though he wasn’t feeling all that hot, he did his best to put her at ease. Perhaps excited that there was finally something he could do to help, Kellan even flirted with the woman a little. Her cheeks flamed bright red, and Kellan shot me an amused glance. Just like the clerk, I had been a blushing mess when Kellan had first started flirting with me. There was nothing that I could have done about it, though. Kellan was just too sensuous for his own good.
By the end of the day everyone was tired, but everything was all set, and I was ready to marry the man of my dreams.
I couldn’t sleep at all that night, especially since Anna had made me go back to the hotel with her and the girls. She said I couldn’t spend the night before my wedding with my fiancé. When I told her she’d spent the night before her wedding with hers, she scoffed in my face. “Griffin and I are way different than you and Kellan.” Pointing a finger at Mom holding Gibson, she’d added, “We did everything back-asswards.”
The next morning, Abby disappeared for a few hours to go watch the parade with Denny while the other girls prepped me for my big event. Even though it was a holiday, we were able to get manicures, pedicures, and relaxing facials. New York City really did never sleep. Abby returned while Mom was getting my dress ready, and Jenny and Kate were curling my hair into long loose ringlets. Saying that the natural look suited me better than a fancy updo, they left my hair flowing down my back and across my shoulders. When they were content with my finished look, Anna went to town on my makeup. I reminded her that I was a pretty simple person, so my makeup shouldn’t be too much.
Without skipping a beat, she told me, “Don’t worry, I’ll leave the whore makeup for your wedding night.” Leaning in she added, “By the way, I asked a nurse for you, and you guys will be able to start knockin’ boots again in four to six weeks.”
Even though she’d just done my mascara, I closed my eyes in embarrassment as all the girls in the room tittered, our mother included. TMI, Anna. T. M. I.
Seeing my mortification, Anna giggled and merrily stated, “You’re welcome.” A laugh escaped me, and opening my eyes, I gave my sister a warm smile. I suppose that was information I needed to know.
Mom helped me slip into my dress when the girls were all done beautifying me. Anna and I had found a very simple satin, tank-top dress. It was a brilliant white color that had a bit of a shimmer to it—it was elegant and modest, but stunning too; Anna said it suited me to a tee, but I personally thought it suited Kellan to a tee. They were no frills on it—no lace, no beads, no ribbons, no elaborate sleeves. It was beautiful simply because it was beautiful. Like Kellan, the dress didn’t need any enhancements.
I slipped on a pair of simple white shoes, then turned to look at myself in the mirror. I almost couldn’t believe it was me I was looking at. With bouncing curls, moderately smoky eyes, and a gleaming white dress, I looked like something straight out of a fairy tale—the princess about to marry her prince. Except, instead of a crown, this princess had a sparkling guitar necklace draped around her neck. Even I had to admit . . . I was gorgeous.
Mom had tears rolling down her cheeks as she snapped pictures of me on her phone with one hand while juggling Gibson with her other. If she was crying already, she was going to be a wreck by the actual wedding. She might need a Valium. Good thing we were going to a hospital. Feeling my eyes start to fill, I warned her, “Stop it, you’re going to make me cry and ruin my makeup.”
Mom sniffed as she made a valiant attempt to control herself. “Sorry, honey, you’re just so beautiful.”
Grabbing her elbow, I inhaled a deep, calming breath. “I’m ready. Take me to my husband so I can finally marry him.”