29. Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Evie

I can't believe today is Sean and Jessica's wedding day. The last few weeks flew by in a whirl of activity, and so much has changed since Jamie returned home.

I close my eyes, take in a deep breath, and enjoy the smile that creeps across my face. I slowly exhale and bask in the excitement, which is all but exploding inside me.

"Evie?" That excitement bubble pops at the fear I hear in Stephanie, one of my staffers, voice.

"What is it?" I open my eyes and meet her worried gaze. I take a breath and remind myself that whatever is wrong can be fixed. At least, I hope it can.

Stop that line of thought right now, Evelyn. Whatever is wrong can and will be fixed. Today has to be perfect.

"The cake topper," I cover my mouth with my hands as my heart just stopped beating. I watch Stephanie's glassy eyes get as wide as saucers, and inwardly curse my reaction. "It's broken."

I groan inwardly while forcing a smile on my face for Stephanie's sake. "I'm sure it can be fixed," I repeat my new mantra. "Let's go check it out."

I pray it can be fixed, but I am already imagining the worst possible scenario, and my heart is starting to pound so hard that I'm afraid it's going to break through my ribcage.

I walk in, see the cake, and stop short. I can't stop the gasp that escapes me or the tears filling my eyes. Thank goodness I'm getting my makeup done today.

"Evie?" Stephanie's voice shakes and I can tell she's on the verge of a meltdown.

I love my staff and know they are absolutely amazing. I didn't put any pressure on them for everything we needed to do because I knew they were more than capable. That didn't stop them from putting pressure on themselves, however.

This isn't just any wedding—it's my best friend's and my brother's. Of course, they would want everything to be beyond perfection.

I cover my mouth with my hands, unable to speak.

Stephanie starts to inhale and exhale quickly as if she's getting ready to hyperventilate. Noticing her panic, I run to hug her.

"Stephanie it is…" I pause, unable to do anything except shake my head because I'm completely overwhelmed with emotion. "Even more beautiful than I ever dreamed possible."

Stephanie takes a deep breath and blows it out. "But the cake topper! It's missing—"

"Missing what?" I step in closer, trying to see what she's talking about. From what I'm looking at, I don't see anything wrong with it.

"The mistletoe." I follow her gaze to the place where the mistletoe is supposed to be and it is indeed missing.

"Well, isn't that a complete bummer." I can't keep the disappointment out of my voice.

"We looked all over." Stephanie's voice shakes. "But we can't find it anywhere."

"Stephanie, it's amazing!" Her eyebrows dip with confusion written all over her face. "Yes, I'm disappointed the mistletoe is missing, but it was an inside joke. No one will even notice it."

"Truly?" Stephanie asks, wringing her hands together.

"Truly." A smile stretches across my face, and Stephanie's shoulders finally drop. "This cake is stunning! Jessica is going to be brought to tears when she sees it."

"Jessica?" Stephanie scrunches her face.

I throw my head back and laugh. "I know she comes across—"

"Grumpy?"

"Yes, grumpy. But she really has the softest insides."

"If you say so." Stephanie shrugs and heads back to continue working on the rest of the food needed for the appetizers and dinner.

Crisis averted. My bubble is back, and my heart is filled with excitement about today's events.

"Is there anything you need me to do before I head out?" I shout at the people hustling around the room.

"We got this!" Stephanie shouts back. "See you later."

"Thank you, everyone, for all of your hard work. It means the world to me."

I leave the kitchen noises behind as I head out of the bakery, the bell chiming as I exit. I need to get to Jessica's and start getting ready before she kills me.

I'm already an hour late.

I walk into Jessica's house and find her sitting on the couch in a white terry cloth robe, getting her hair done. She has a relaxed smile on her face. My mom and Lenny are sitting at the dining table drinking tea while Michael Bublé's "White Christmas" plays softly in the background.

"Evie!" My mom is the first to see me, and her brows furrow. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, sorry I'm late. I got stuck at the bakery for a bit."

Penny walks in from the kitchen wearing a robe similar to Jessica's but it's the same color as our bridesmaids' gowns. I press my lips to keep the smile off of my face.

"Yours is on Jessica's bed." Penny winks at me. "Jess wanted us to be comfortable while we were getting our hair done up. I'll go next, so you can get changed."

"Thank you." I rest my hand on the bannister. "Are our—"

"Yes. Our dresses and shoes are up there too." Penny says over her shoulder as she walks to the couch on the opposite side of Jessica.

I start up to Jessica's room but stop to take the moment in. Mom and Lenny are calmly talking and laughing. Jessica is relaxed and enjoying—yes enjoying—getting her hair done. And Penny is calm as a cucumber, sitting on the couch with her feet tucked under her robe.

I continue up the steps and push the door to Jessica's room open. On her bed, a green robe and matching lingerie are spread out.

"Oh these are beautiful!" I pick up the lace lingerie and notice the holiday patterns on them. A smile breaks across my face. "This is completely Jessica."

I change into the lingerie and cover up with the robe. I head back downstairs to get pampered. When I get to the bottom of the steps, Jessica turns and looks at me with a massive grin on her face.

"Jess." I gasp. "You look breathtaking."

Jessica's chestnut hair is styled in an undone french twist. Loose strands of hair frame her face. She looks absolutely stunning. I feel tears sting the back of my eyes just as hers get glassy.

"Snap out of it, you two." Lenny claps her hands to try and distract us, but when she glances at me I can see that her eyes are glassy too. "We have a long night ahead of us and we don't want to be touching up our make up the entire time."

"Evie, why don't you grab a cup of tea and then head over next to Penny so you can get your hair done at the same time." Here is my mom doing what she does best, getting everyone back on task.

I walk over to her, take the tea cup, and kiss her on the cheek. "Thanks, Mom."

I take Jessica's seat as she moves over to another station to get her makeup done. I glance at my best friend and notice a glow surrounding her.

I let out a breath. My ‘work' part is done and now I get to enjoy being a part of the wedding. My staff will make sure that everything gets to the venue all in one piece.

My mom looks at me with a raised eyebrow and I shake my head back and forth then smile.

The stylist comes over and starts brushing my hair. I relax and let her do her thing as I enjoy the tea.

A few hours later there's a knock on the door.

"That must be the car," Lenny says as she opens the door to not one but two vintage Rolls Royces, one cream and the other silver.

The driver for the silver Rolls Royce is holding the door open for my mom and Lenny. I can hear them giggling from here as they both slide in and wave back at us before the driver closes the door.

"Ready?" The driver asks as he holds his arm out to Jessica.

"You have no idea," she responds, and Penny and I chuckle while the driver grins.

"I think I do." He winks at her and gently walks her to the car.

I'm walking behind her, holding up the train so that it doesn't drag on the ground. When she's in the car, the driver closes the door and then leads me and Penny to the other side.

The engine hums to life as we head to the church. I look out the windshield and am treated to a sorbet colored sunset of vibrant orange, pink, and purple as the sun is almost fully setting.

"Couldn't ask for a prettier picture than that on the way to the church, could you?" Penny says in awe.

When Jess doesn't say anything I look over at her. "You okay?" I grab her free hand and squeeze.

She nods. "I'm just so happy, Evie. I didn't think it was possible to be any happier than I have been, but I was wrong."

"I can't wait to see the look on Sean's face when he sees you," I whisper.

Her hand suddenly tenses in mine. "What if he doesn't like how I look?" She asks tightly.

"Are you serious right now?" Penny's eyebrows are raised to her hairline. "I'd be surprised if he can stay upright when you walk down that aisle toward him."

Jessica turns to me with slightly wide eyes and a tiny bit of worry that I haven't seen in forever.

"Jessica, you could be wearing a plastic bag and Sean would think you look beautiful." I squeeze her hand and smile. "He's going to be completely speechless. I'm with Penny on this one. I wouldn't be surprised if he has trouble standing up."

"Jamie and Liam will help him, right?" She says, panic in her voice.

"No one will let Sean fall, Jessica." I chuckle. "Promise."

The car stops moving and the engine is silenced.

"Here we go." I squeeze her hand one last time just as the door by me and Penny is opened. We slide out and walk around the car to the sidewalk in front of the church.

Our driver walks over to Jessica's side and opens the car door. I get next to him and grab the train as Jessica gets out with her bouquet in one hand.

I hear a gulp and look up to see Jessica's dad covering his mouth at the sight of his daughter. Jessica's face lights up as Lenny reaches his side.

Lenny kisses John and walks into the church's entrance. My mom is right behind her. She meets my dad at the door, but not before he claps John on the shoulder.

Penny walks ahead of us and enters the church just as we reach Jessica's dad.

"Honey." His eyes are glassy as he looks her over. "You look radiant."

"Don't cry, Daddy, please," Jessica's voice shakes as she wraps her hand through his arm, holding on to his forearm.

"I'll do my best." He sniffles. "But it's not everyday you give your only daughter away at her wedding."

Once we are fully in the vestibule, I spread out Jessica's train and get behind Penny.

The music switches from wedding prelude music to the wedding march that Sean and Jessica chose. I turn to Jessica and wink. I take a quick glance at Mr. Stewart and chuckle. Tears are nearly spilling from his eyes. He's never going to make it down the aisle without crying.

Penny starts her march to the altar and I step up to the entryway awaiting my turn. The pews are lined with lambs ear and eucalyptus garland entwined with holly berries. The lights are low and candles are lit everywhere casting the church in a golden hue.

Every ten feet there is a loose red velvet bow hanging from the garland. The scene takes my breath away.

I look up at the front and catch my brother's glassy eyes and feel tears sting the back of my eyes as my chest tightens. He's not going to make it without crying either.

To be honest, I'm not sure anyone is going to make it through the ceremony with dry eyes.

The smile on my face fades and my breath catches as my gaze lands on Jamie. He is so handsome standing in a charcoal gray tuxedo that fits him like it was tailor-made for him—which is not out of the realm of possibilities, with my brother being the groom.

I let my eyes run over him until I meet his gaze. The love I see shining there has my heart jumping around my chest.

I beam at him as I take my first step toward the altar. With each step I take toward the groom and his groomsmen, I can't stop myself from imagining a very different wedding.