I Thee Wed (Wedding Dreams) (23 page)

“Well, then get your ass back up
there so he doesn’t see you! Once everyone gets here, I’ll get them started.
Oh, I forgot, here’s your breakfast.” She pulls a bag from her purse and inside
is a bagel and cream cheese from one of my favorite diners. I can’t help but
smile. Sierra pushes me toward the stairs and swats me on the butt to get
moving. I trot back to my room and get my mind ready for the day.

Later, there’s a tap at my door.
I open it and see Max there with his massage table in hand. I step out of the
way as he begins setting up the table. Once he’s done, he turns to me and I
give him a big hug. We’ve known each other for years, but it’s been a while
since I’ve seen him.

“Lily, you look radiant today. I
can’t believe you’re getting married. Your mother has got to be beside herself
right now!” We both laugh because my mother is probably going crazy. Well,
crazier than usual.

“I’m sure you’re right, Max.
Thanks so much for coming today. It means a lot that you’re here.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the
world. You deserve this happiness, and so much more. But enough of this; let’s
get you relaxed.”

I hurry into the bathroom to take
off my pajamas and slip on a robe. When I come back, Max has the table covered
in towels and he’s rubbing his hands together, warming the oil. There’s soft,
relaxing music playing from his iPod on the table. I lie on my stomach and Max
covers my lower half with a sheet. He begins to work the muscles in my
shoulders and upper back. He’s so good at this and I’m chastising myself for
not going to see him sooner.

“This is a great gift, Max. I
need to make a point to come see you more often.”

“You do, Lily. Your muscles are
really tight. I’m not going to work them too much because I don’t want you to
be sore tomorrow. But you should probably come into the studio in a week and
we’ll work some of these kinks out.”

“I’ll make myself a note.”

“Good, now be quiet and let me do
my job.” I smile at his orders, but I shut my mouth and let him do what he does
best.

An hour later Max taps me on the
shoulder and tells me he’s done. I must have drifted off because I don’t
remember much of the massage. I just know my whole body feels relaxed and I
don’t want to get off the table. Max chuckles at my resistance.

“Lily, you need to get up and get
ready. I’ve drawn you a warm bath. Go soak for a while and wash your hair.
You’ve got oil in it. I’m sure Jimmie will be here shortly to get you prettied
up.”

Max helps me sit up and slide off
the table and into my robe then walks me to the bathroom where there’s a bubble
bath waiting. A girl could get used to this kind of treatment.

“Thank you, Max, from the bottom
of my heart. You’ve made my day just that much better.” He kisses me on the
cheek.

“Be happy, Lily. It’s all any of
us want for you. I’ll talk to you soon.” He walks out of the bathroom, closing
the door behind him. Sinking down into the bath, I sigh. It’s perfect and I
can’t help but feel like a princess.

Sierra arrives as I finish
rinsing my hair.

“Good, you’re almost done. Jimmie
just got here and he’s ready to do his magic. Your mother will be here in an
hour, so you have just a bit more time before the storm arrives.” She smiles,
but we both know she’s right. “I brought some lunch. It’s on the dresser.
Jimmie said he’ll do your hair in the bedroom as well, so we have a chair set
up in there. Come out as soon as you’re ready and we’ll get started.” She
bounces out of the room.
Who is this woman?
I had no idea Sierra could
be so organized and efficient.

I dry off quickly and put my robe
back on. I’ve known Jimmie for years and I’m so glad he’s able to be part of my
wedding. When I walk out he pulls me in for a hug, twirling me around and
kissing my cheeks.

“Lily, I’m so happy for you! I
can’t believe you didn’t tell me about this guy before now. Sit down and spill
the details, Girlie!” He’s always called me Girlie.

“I don’t know what to tell you.
Drew came into my life and I fell in love. It all happened so fast, I’m still
getting used to it. He’s a great guy and I know you’ll love him once you meet
him.” I’m smiling so big my cheeks are starting to hurt. I mean every word and
that makes me happier than I thought I could be.

“Well, that’s wonderful. Now,
Sierra told me your dress is slightly off the shoulder. I think we should put
your hair in an up do, but have some soft curls around your face. What do you
think?”

“I think that sounds perfect. You
know better than me what looks good. I’ll let you have your way with my hair
and makeup and I won’t look until you’re finished. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like I’ve trained you
well, my dear. I’ll get my stuff ready while you eat your lunch. I need to run
down to the car, but I’ll be back soon.”

I inhale my sandwich while he’s
gone. I had no idea I was so hungry. I realize I haven’t seen
Nala
all day. When Jimmie comes back, I ask him if he knows
where she is.

“I saw that sweet kitty in the
kitchen. Sierra was feeding her while she was getting the food organized with
that cute caterer. What’s his story? Is he single?”

I can’t help the laugh that comes
out. Jimmie can be such a man-whore. “I’ve no idea what his situation is.
You’ll have to ask him later. Besides, I thought you were with
Ramone
.”

“I am, but he’s not husband
material. He’s fun, but that’s it.” This is news to me. I thought they were
serious.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll find the
right guy. Now, where do you want me?” He points to the chair and I sit. Jimmie
spends a lot of time on my hair, drying, curling, and pinning. I have no idea
what time it is since Sierra removed the clock from my room. I could look at my
phone, but it’s across the room and I don’t dare move and mess up Jimmie’s
work. He’s spraying on the shellac, as he calls it, when my mother bursts
through the door causing me to jump.

“Lily, darling, Mommy’s here to
help you get ready.”

You have got to be fucking
kidding me. My mother is decked out in a bright pink pantsuit that looks like
it came from the 1989 collection. I’m glad her dress is here so nobody else
will be punished by looking at her in that ridiculous outfit. She’s wearing her
usual clown makeup, but I’m hoping Jimmie will be able to tone it down.

“Mother, I’m glad you’re here.
Jimmie is just finishing my hair and then it’ll be your turn.”

“Oh, no.
My hair is
finished. I just need to get my dress on and I’m ready to go.” Oh my God, no,
just no. She is not going to my wedding looking like a cross between the bride
of Frankenstein and a Chucky doll. I turn and look at Jimmie for help, pleading
with him with my eyes to fix this.

“Shelby,” Jimmie says softly, as
if talking to a scared animal, “it seems that some hairs have gotten knocked
out of place. How about you sit down and I’ll fix it for you and use this heavy
duty hair spray to keep it under control.” I’m holding my breath waiting for
her answer. She looks at me and Jimmie and then touches her hair.

“I think you’re right, Jimmie. It
probably does need to be freshened up after traveling to get here. Thank you
for offering, dear.” She sits down in the chair I just vacated and I let out
the breath I was holding. Jimmie winks from behind my mother and starts to tame
her wild mane.

After fifteen minutes or so, my
mother’s hair looks like a normal person’s. Jimmie is a miracle worker. I’m
hoping he can charm her into allowing him to fix her makeup, too. I decide now
is a good time to head into the bathroom and give him some time to try to work
on her face. Shutting the door, I take a moment to enjoy the solitude. My
mother always sets me on edge, but I’m determined to not let her get to me
today. I love her, but sometimes she’s a lot to take. I wonder what Drew is
doing and how his mother is today. I hope, for his sake, she’s aware of who he
is and what’s happening. This all started as a way for her to realize her dream
of Drew getting married. It would be horrible if she doesn’t know what’s going
on.

A knock at the door brings me
back to the present. Jimmie is telling me to come and get my makeup done. I
walk into the bedroom and there sits my mother, looking absolutely beautiful.
She’s put her dress on and Jimmie fixed her makeup. She’s stunning and I get
tears in my eyes. If I had any mascara on right now, it would be running down
my face.

“You look beautiful, Mom.” She
smiles and starts to tear up, too.

“Oh no you don’t, Shelby, do not
ruin that makeup!” Jimmie scolds her. We all start laughing and it’s enough to
stop the tears.

“I’m going downstairs to see if
Sierra needs help with anything. I’ll be back shortly to check on you, Lily.”
She walks out the door and doesn’t look back.

“Jimmie, you are an absolute
miracle worker. She’s never looked so good. How in the world did you do it?”

“I can’t reveal my secret. I’m
just glad it worked.” We giggle and he gets to work on my makeup.

Chapter
20

Drew

When I get back to the house with
Mom, it’s bustling with activity. The flowers are being arranged and placed at
the front of the room where we’ll say our vows, my chef is in the kitchen
finishing up preparations for the meal, and Sierra is calmly keeping things
under control. She looks up when we enter the kitchen.

“Sierra, I want to introduce you
to my mother. Mom, this is Sierra, Lily’s business partner and friend.”

“Hello, Sierra. It’s a pleasure
to meet you.” Mom holds her hand out and they shake.

“It’s wonderful to finally meet
you as well, Mrs. Hamilton. If you’d like, I can take you upstairs where the
other ladies are getting ready. Your dress and shoes are there, too.” She
smiles and my mom smiles back.

“That would be lovely, dear. I do
need to get ready.”

“Drew,” Sierra says as she
escorts my mom out of the kitchen, “you need to go get ready, too. The ceremony
is supposed to start in less than an hour and I know you’re going to want to
look your best for your mother and bride.” Mom looks back and smiles like she
used to when my dad was alive. It means the world to me that she’s so happy.

“I’m on it, Sierra. I won’t be
late for the wedding. But I need you to do me a favor, so will you stop by my
room in a bit? I have a gift I need you to give Lily.”

“Sure, no
problem.
I’ll be by in about fifteen minutes.” With that she leaves and takes my mother
to get ready.

It’s
five minutes
until two. Julie, my mother’s aide, should be here soon and she can help with
Mom, so Sierra can finish whatever she needs to do. Just as I have that
thought, the doorbell rings. I make my way through the busy house to the front
door where
Julie,
and my friend Nick are waiting. He’s
agreed to stand up with me, even though he’s still hurting from being left at
the altar at the wedding where I first met Lily.

“Hi, guys. Thanks for coming
today. Julie, my mom’s already upstairs with the girls. It’s the second door on
the right. Nick, I was just about to head up and get dressed. You’re welcome to
hang out down here or get a drink and come keep me company. Either way is
fine.”

Julie smiles at Nick and I see
her blush a little.
What’s going on with these two?
I’m going to have to
find out later. Julie goes upstairs to find the women while Nick and I grab a
beer and head to my room. I’m wearing a suit today since Lily didn’t want to do
anything too formal.

“So, are you ready to take the
plunge, my friend? Lily is the wedding planner, right?” I’m surprised he
remembered, since he usually doesn’t pay much attention to those he considers
“the help.”

“Yeah, she’s a wedding planner.
She’s amazing. I should probably thank you for getting us together.”

“Well, I didn’t hire her, but I
guess I can take the credit. So, what’s the deal with Julie? Did you tap that
or is she fair game?”

Leave it to Nick to avoid talking
about anything serious and thinking with his dick. “No, I didn’t sleep with
her. She works at the facility where my mom lives and she agreed to come and
help her today. I thought Mom would do better if she had someone she knew here,
since I’ll be busy. Try not to do anything to make her leave early, will you? I
don’t want to have to kick your ass on my wedding day.”

Nick holds up his hands.
“No need for violence, dude.
I just wondered if she was
single and available under the bro code. I’ll try to behave myself, but she has
a sweet ass and I’d love to get lost in her.”

I roll my eyes. He’s such a prick
sometimes. “Just don’t make a scene, okay?”

“You have my word. Now get
dressed so we can get this show on the road, and I can get back to Julie.”

I head into my closet to do
exactly that. I start to think about Lily and how she’s doing. Is she as nervous
as I am? I know she’s going to look beautiful, especially with the necklace I
got her. I’ve just finished putting my pants on when there’s a knock at the
door. It must be Sierra coming to get Lily’s present. I rush out of the closet
but Nick beats me to the door.