Three Weddings and a Bar Mitzvah

by Melody Carlson

Kendall remembered the warm feeling she got as she gazed into Killiki’s sincere brown eyes, almost like she was looking directly into his soul. She recalled repeating vows and the realization that she was entrusting Killiki (and God) with her life and her baby’s life and their future, until death parted them. It just felt right. Amazing and wonderful and right. No regrets.

  The lunch in the vineyard seemed to go fairly well. According to her mother, there’d been some mistakes in the menu, but Kendall didn’t care. The cake hadn’t been quite what her mother expected either, but Kendall thought it was fine. The best part of the reception, in Kendall’s opinion, was the dancing. Finally, she and Killiki danced the last dance, then Kendall threw her bouquet, aiming at Anna, but one of her leggy teenage nieces jumped up and snagged it just before Anna could.

  Then, still dressed in their wedding clothes, the happy couple made their getaway in her convertible, which had been tackily decorated (she suspected her brothers’ hands in this). Fortunately, Killiki had prearranged to drive her car only a short distance before he exchanged it for a rental car that they would leave at the airport when they caught their flight to Maui. Megan would pick up the Mercedes later and use it while Kendall and Killiki were in Maui.

  Both Anna and Megan planned to continue living in the Bloomberg house for at least the remainder of the summer. They would all figure out the rest of the details later.

  Once they were in the rental car, Killiki drove them downtown, where they checked into the swankiest hotel in Portland. They kissed as they rode the elevator to the top floor, and then Killiki carried Kendall through the door to an amazing bridal suite complete with a Jacuzzi and a river view.

  The newlyweds didn’t emerge for several hours, wearing an entirely different set of wedding clothes (and smiles) as they prepared to go to their second wedding of the day.

  Thirty

  Lelani

  If anyone had told Lelani a year ago that she could be this happy ever again, she would have thought they were crazy. Yesterday the forecast had called for afternoon showers, and although the sky was getting cloudy as Lelani slipped on her wedding dress, she knew that a deluge of rain wouldn’t dampen her spirits.

  “You look gorgeous,” Megan told Lelani as she secured a halo of white orchid flowers in Lelani’s hair.

  “So elegant,” Kendall said from behind.

  “I can’t wait to see Gil’s face,” Anna said, “when you’re coming down the aisle.”

  Lelani turned around to look at her bridesmaids now. “You all look exquisite,” she told them. “That shade of aqua looks equally beautiful on everyone.”

  “And doesn’t it remind you of the Maui ocean?” Megan said as she did a twirl to spin out the shimmering fabric.

  Anna held out the skirt of her silky tea-length dress. “You know, I think this might be the one bridesmaid dress that I really can wear again.”

  “Me too,” Megan agreed. “We just need to be sure we’re not going to the same function.”

  Kendall laughed as she rubbed her round midsection. “I plan on wearing this sweet number again in Maui.”

  “Speaking of Maui …” Lelani went over to the large white box that was laid out on what used to be Megan’s bed and carefully removed a white orchid lei, which she took to Kendall and slipped it over her head.

  “Mahalo,” Lelani said, kissing Kendall on both cheeks. “Thank you for participating in my wedding, and pōmaika‘i as you make your home in Maui.”

  The next lei she put over Anna’s head, kissing her cheeks and saying, “Mahalo,” again. “Thank you for welcoming me into your family. I’m honored to be your sister.”

  Finally she put a white orchid lei on Megan. “Mahalo,” she told her. “Thank you for all the beautiful preparations you did for my wedding.” She kissed her cheeks. “Aloha au iā ‘oe,” Lelani said quietly. “I love you.”

  With tears in her eyes she said to the three of them, “Aloha au iā ‘oe to all of you. I love you all like sisters. Mahalo to each of you.” They did a group hug, and then they were all crying.

  “I’m glad I wore waterproof mascara,” Kendall said as she loudly blew her nose.

  “Maybe I should borrow some of that,” Anna said as she cleaned the black smudges from beneath her eyes.

  A knock sounded on the bedroom door. Megan opened it, and Gil’s mother came into the room with Emma in her arms. “She just woke from her nap,” she was saying, “and my sister and I got her dressed and I thought you might—” She stopped speaking and just stared. “Oh my goodness, Lelani, you look so beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” Lelani reached for Emma. She was wearing the turquoise dress that Lelani had bought especially for the wedding. “She looks perfect. Thank you.”

  Gil’s mother continued to stare. “You really do look stunning, Lelani. I am almost speechless.”

  Anna laughed. “And that doesn’t happen much.”

  “Anyway, I thought you’d want to see Emma before the wedding. Doesn’t she look sweet?”

  Lelani gazed into her daughter’s dark eyes. “You look lovely, my sweet girl.” Then she walked Emma over to the box on the bed and removed the smallest lei, this one made of pink rosebuds, and slipped it over Emma’s head. “Mahalo,” she said as she kissed Emma’s cheeks. “Aloha au iā ‘oe.” Emma reached for the lei, immediately putting it into her mouth.

  Lelani laughed. “I checked to be sure it’s nontoxic and found out that roses are actually edible.” She went to Megan now. “Would you hold my little darling for a moment?”

  “Of course.” Megan reached for Emma. “Hey, good looking,” she said. “You’re going to steal the show out there. I can tell.”

  Lelani went back to the box on the bed and removed a lei of mixed orchids, some pink, some white, some purple. She took this over to Gil’s mother and, careful not to mess her hairdo, slipped it over Mrs. Mendez’s head. “Mahalo,” she said as she kissed both cheeks. “Thank you for accepting me and Emma into your family.”

  Gil’s mother nodded, but there were tears in her eyes. “Now, I better take Emma and head on down there. It’s almost time, you know.”

  When it was just the four of them again, Lelani asked Megan to say a prayer for the ceremony, and they all joined hands as Megan prayed. “God, we ask your blessing on today’s wedding. We pray that you bless Lelani and Gil as they make their vows before you and their family and friends. We pray that everyone attending this wedding would support and honor Gil and Lelani. And we pray that you not only bless this wedding, but that your blessings would continue throughout their marriage. Amen.” They all echoed the amen.

  Megan handed Lelani her bouquet of white orchids and roses. It was time to go downstairs and wait inside the house until the music cued them to begin.

  “Lelani,” her dad said as he joined them in the great room. “You look beautiful.” He kissed her cheek, then held out another white orchid lei. “I don’t know if you want to wear this or—”

  “Of course I’ll wear it.” She tipped her head so he could slip it on, and even though she hadn’t planned to wear a lei, she was touched that her father had thought of this. “Thank you.”

  “I have something else.” He looked uncomfortable as he reached into his pocket and retrieved what looked like a slip of paper.

  “What is it?”

  He handed it to her. “From your mother.”

  Lelani blinked. “My mother?”

  He nodded solemnly.

  Lelani unfolded the paper and stared at the perfect cursive handwriting. She knew it belonged to her mother.

  Dear Lelani,

  I know I am a selfish woman. Your father has told me this many times. But something happened last week that helped me to see myself for what I am. And I didn’t like what I saw, but I won’t go into that now. I asked your father t
o give you this note before your wedding. I want to tell you that I’m sorry. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me someday, although I realize I don’t deserve it. I hope that you and Gil and Emma will be very happy. Maybe someday we will be able to work out our differences. Until then, I hope you know that I love you.

  Mother

  Lelani’s eyes were blurry as she handed the note back to her dad. “Will you keep that for me for now?”

  He nodded. “I hope that wasn’t too upsetting. I told your mother that I’d have to read it before giving it to you. I didn’t want to spoil your day.”

  She hugged him again. “No, Dad, that didn’t spoil my day. It actually made it better. Thanks.”

  It was time for the bridesmaids to begin the processional. Kendall led the way, followed by Anna and then Megan. Lelani watched as they took their turns going down the aisle that led from the deck into the garden, where the flowers and foliage looked spectacular thanks to the filtered light that was coming through clouds just before sunset. Lelani had heard a photographer call that “God light” before, and it seemed a perfect description.

  “Are you ready?” her father was asking her.

  “Absolutely.”

  They began their walk across the deck and down the stairs. All of the guests were on their feet now, but one guest caught Lelani’s eye. She blinked and looked again. Because there in the back row, on the bride’s side, which was mostly filled with Gil’s relatives, stood a tall, beautiful woman wearing a pale blue dress.

  “Mother,” Lelani gasped as she continued to walk.

  “What?” her dad glanced at Lelani.

  “She came.”

  Her dad looked as stunned as Lelani when he saw his wife, but when Lelani paused next to her mother, handing him her bridal bouquet, he seemed to understand. Then Lelani stepped away from him, removed the lei he had just given her, and placed it over her mother’s head, kissing both cheeks. “Aloha au iā ‘oe,” she said.

  “Mahalo.” Her mother nodded with moist eyes. “I love you too, Lelani.”

  Now Lelani returned to her dad and, blinking back her own tears, they continued down the aisle until she saw Gil. He wore the lei she had asked her father to give him as well as the most enormous smile. Suddenly it seemed she couldn’t get to him quickly enough.

  Her father paused as the pastor asked, “Who gives this woman to …” But Lelani’s eyes were locked on Gil as he took her free hand.

  “Her mother and I,” Dad said solemnly, then he kissed Lelani and released her to Gil.

  The ceremony was sincere and simple, and when Gil and Lelani repeated their vows, she knew that they both meant every word. She prayed that they would honor the promises. As the sun was going down and the sky was painted in glorious shades of pink, coral, and purple, they were pronounced “Mr. and Mrs. Gil Mendez,” and the couple kissed and the audience cheered. Truly, this was the happiest day of her life!

  The final wedding reception was winding down as the last of the guests trickled out. Everyone had eaten and danced and visited and laughed, then eaten and danced some more. It seemed that their crazy rollercoaster ride was finally coming to an end, and yet it was hard for the four young women to say good-bye.

  “What a whirlwind weekend this had been,” Anna said as the four ex-housemates gathered in the back of the restaurant. “Two weddings and a bar mitzvah.” She sighed. “I hope I never have to do that again.”

  “And I had three weddings,” Megan added. “I’m exhausted.”

  Kendall suppressed a yawn. “I only had two weddings, but I’m pretty wiped too.”

  “I think I’m just getting my second wind,” Lelani admitted.

  “Which you’ll need for that red-eye flight to Maui,” Megan reminded her.

  Lelani frowned. “I’m still not sure about leaving Emma behind.”

  “You don’t take a baby on your honeymoon.” Kendall laughed as she patted her tummy. “Well, unless that baby is incognito.”

  “Between my parents and your parents,” Anna assured her, “Emma will be well cared for.”

  “You have to admit, it’s really a great setup,” Megan pointed out. “You and Gil will have a few days to yourself, then your parents will bring Emma over with them on Thursday.”

  Lelani nodded. “Yes, it does seem perfect.”

  “I can’t believe we’re saying good-bye,” Megan said sadly.

  “Not good-bye,” Kendall said. “Aloha—and that’s both good-bye and hello, remember? Lelani and Gil will be back in two weeks, and I’ll be back by the end of summer to figure things out with the house and everything.”

  “And to show us your baby,” Lelani reminded her.

  “We’ll have a baby shower!” exclaimed Anna.

  “Even so,” Megan said slowly, “it’s good-bye to sharing a house together.”

  “That’s true.” Kendall sighed. “Who knew when I put that crazy ad in the paper that everything would turn out so great!”

  “Like it was meant to be,” Anna added.

  “Like God knew just what we all needed,” Lelani said with tears in her eyes.

  “Each other,” Megan said. And suddenly they were crying and hugging all over again.

  It was true. Their relationships with each other really were meant to be. God had known just what they needed, and through all the ups and downs of life and heartache and growing up, God had used their friendships to touch them. He had truly knit their hearts together.

  … a little more …

  When a delightful concert comes to an end,

  the orchestra might offer an encore.

  When a fine meal comes to an end,

  it’s always nice to savor a bit of dessert.

  When a great story comes to an end,

  we think you may want to linger.

  And so, we offer ...

  AfterWords—just a little something more after you

  have finished a David C. Cook novel.

  We invite you to stay awhile in the story.

  Thanks for reading!

  Turn the page for ...

  • Discussion Questions

  • A Conversation with Melody Carlson

  Discussion Questions

  1.Would you have counseled Lelani or Kendall to elope? How would that decision have affected their friendships? Their family dynamics? Their romances?

  2.Lelani and Kendall had to deal with the “interference” of Mrs. Mendez and Mrs. Weis in their celebrations and plans. What did you admire about how they handled these challenges? What would you criticize?

  3.How did you feel when Gil suggested Lelani move their wedding to Maui for her mother’s sake? In what ways did the idea help or hurt Lelani? Do you think Alana’s apology was connected to this gesture?

  4.What gave Kendall the strength to overcome her sisters’ condescension and exclusion?

  5.If you were Lelani, would you have agreed to a face-to-face meeting with Ben? How would you have handled that encounter?

  6.Megan observed that Kendall and Nana had a lot in common. What were their best common qualities? Do you have a friend or loved one who is both very different from you and a lot like you? What does this relationship mean to you?

  7.What do you think was the root cause of Anna’s and Megan’s “man trouble”? Could it have been prevented? Why or why not?

  8.Was Anna’s makeover of Chelsea selfish or altruistic?

  9.Compare the ways in which each character’s mother influenced her choices and self-confidence. Identify examples of how a negative action on the mother’s part nevertheless led to a positive result in the daughter’s life.

  10.Over the course of the series, which character’s journey most closely mimicked your own? What lessons learned by this character connected most person
ally with you?

  A Conversation with Melody Carlson

  Did anything about the characters or events of 86 Bloomberg Place surprise you as you wrote the series?

  Because I never outline my stories, I’m often caught off guard by my characters. I was shocked when Kendall slept with Matthew Harmon and even more shocked when she went down to LA to stalk him. When it turned out she was pregnant, I wondered, What’s it going to take to get to this girl? Then I was surprised to unravel Lelani’s story and why she’d left Emma with her parents in Maui. I was almost as surprised when Lelani stood up to her mom and fought to get Emma back. Then I was shocked when Kendall almost drowned, and there was a brief time when I thought she might lose her baby. Instead, she found her faith—and Killiki. That was fun. So, yes, you could say I get surprised all the time.

  How much of your own life is represented in the lives of these four women? Do you identify more with Megan, Lelani, Anna, or Kendall?

  I feel like I have a bit of all of them in me. Like Megan, I tend to be fairly grounded and practical. Also, I worked for an interior designer, and I’ve organized/decorated for several weddings. Like Lelani, I can sometimes be a quiet observer as well as a peacemaker. Like Anna, I worked as an editor for a small publishing house. Kendall is probably least like me, although I have to admit to having done some pretty impetuous things in my lifetime.

  Which one of these characters ended up being your favorite in the series?

  Kendall, for sure! At first she made me crazy and I wanted to shake her. But at the same time, I loved her childlike qualities. She was fun and impulsive and slightly naïve in a worldly sort of way. But she was also on a path to self-destruct. Still, it was fun to see a character go through all that and finally find God in a big way that totally transformed her life. I believe in those kinds of miracles.

  You’ve written so many novels for and about young women. Why is this audience so close to your heart?

  Partly because I came to faith as a teenager and am fully aware of what a huge impact that had on my life. But besides that, I think it’s really hard being twenty-something these days. Romantic relationships are tricky to navigate, friends come and go, careers don’t necessarily stay on track, parents can be difficult, and what happens when you make a bad choice? My hope is that readers will live/learn vicariously through these characters and be encouraged to live their best life.