The Bridesmaid

by Hailey Abbott

  “You’re going to tell them that they’re still going to get to see a wedding,” Abby said. She sat down at her mother’s side.

  “What? Please don’t tell me you and Noah Spencer are eloping,” Abby’s father said.

  “Noah Spencer?” Her mother sounded even more confused. “Are you dating Noah Spencer?”

  “Yeah . . . no . . . um, kind of ?” Abby said. “Maybe not.” She brought her hands to her head and looked at Carol. “A little help here?”

  “Abby is not eloping,” Carol said. “She came up with this plan and if you guys agree, we both think it would be really cool.”

  “Will somebody please tell me who is supposed to be getting married here?” Abby’s father demanded.

  “You and Mom!” Abby blurted out. “Carol and I want you to renew your vows.”

  Total silence ensued. Abby’s mom looked at her dad and they held each other’s gaze for a split second before her father looked away.

  “Girls . . . while that’s a very sweet gesture . . . I really don’t think this is the time,” Abby’s mother said.

  “Have either of you guys even seen the ballroom today?” Carol asked.

  Abby’s parents spoke at once.

  “I haven’t actually had time—”

  “No, not since it was finished—”

  Abby smiled. “Come on,” she said. “We want to show you something.”

  Abby and Carol led their parents down the hallway and into the lounge, then through the double doors into the ballroom. Even though she’d seen it all before, the sight was still breathtaking to Abby. She had never seen the room look so beautiful.

  “Oh my goodness!” Abby’s mother gasped, her hand over her heart.

  Her dad was so shocked, he could only add, “Wow.”

  They stepped to the center of the room, each of them turning around in the middle of the dance floor to take it all in. The beautiful array of colors, the crystal twinkling in the waning sunlight, the ribbons and flowers and candles. Over the years Abby’s parents had seen it all, but this was something new. Abby exchanged a triumphant glance with Carol. It was all coming together.

  “You guys did this together,” Abby told her parents. “You didn’t even realize you were doing it. But, I mean . . . look at it.”

  “You thought your two styles were completely different, but when they came together they made this,” Carol added. “It’s the most gorgeous wedding I’ve ever seen.”

  Abby’s parents looked at each other and her mother smiled softly. And Abby could swear she saw tears in her father’s eyes. She took a few steps toward them.

  “I don’t know if I’m right, but I think that you were each trying to plan the wedding you never had,” Abby told them softly. “I mean, how insane is it that two such wedding-obsessed people eloped? You guys never got to do it up the way you wanted, so you were trying to do it for Carol. That’s why I think you should have your own wedding, today, the way each of you always wanted.”

  “So? What do you think?” Carol asked.

  “The flowers really are beautiful, Phoebe,” Abby’s father said.

  “And the colors . . . ,” her mom said. “The colors are amazing, David.”

  “Abby’s right,” her dad said. “I think we were both using Carol to throw our own dream weddings.”

  Abby’s mother looked sheepishly at the floor. “I’m the horrendous mother of the bride to end all horrendous mothers of the bride, aren’t I?”

  “Mom, no!” Carol said, stepping forward to hug her. “I appreciate everything you tried to do.” She leaned back and looked at both of them. “But if you do it again when I really get married, you are so dead.”

  All four of them laughed and Abby’s entire body relaxed. It was as if the last couple of months were being washed away.

  “So, what do you think, David?” Abby’s mother said. “Wanna get hitched?”

  Her father stepped forward, broke into a grin and took Abby’s mother’s hand. “Phoebe Beaumont, will you marry me?”

  Abby and Carol grinned. They high-fived into a hug as their parents kissed.

  “Christopher! Let’s go!” Abby shouted.

  Christopher walked in from the hall, smiled at Abby’s parents and strode right past them out the back door.

  “All right, people,” he shouted to the crowd. “We have a small change of plans here. . . .”

  “Dad, you wait at the arch,” Abby said. “We’ve got to get the bride ready.”

  Her mother giggled as Abby and Carol dragged her upstairs to Carol’s room. When they opened the door, Delila was already decked out in her bridesmaid’s dress. The gown her mother had loved back at the bridal shop hung on the closet door in all its lacy, beaded glory. Her mother’s mouth dropped open when she saw it.

  “Oh, girls . . . ,” she said. She walked over to touch the fabric gently.

  “You’re going to look just like a princess,” Carol told her. “Just like you always wanted.”

  “And now, as I understand it, David and Phoebe have written their own vows that they would like to share with each other,” the justice of the peace said with a smile.

  Abby glanced at Carol, who stood alongside her in her blue bridesmaid’s dress with Tessa, Missy and Delila. When had this vow thing been decided? And how had her parents had the time to think up something to say? Abby’s dad took both her mother’s hands in his own and swallowed hard.

  “Phoebe, when we first got married we were just a couple of crazy kids with a dream,” he said, causing her mother to laugh and tear up at the same time. “We dreamt of being together. We dreamt of having a family. We dreamt of having a business. And now . . . look around us,” he said, glancing up at the Dove’s Roost and at Abby and Carol. “We have everything we always wanted and more. How many people can say that they truly love what they do? How many people can say that they have daughters who know them even better than they know themselves?”

  Both Abby’s parents looked at her and Carol again and tears stung at Abby’s eyes. What was her father doing to her?

  “I know how lucky we are, Phoebe. But most of all I know how lucky I am to have you. And so, on this day, I promise to love you always. To cherish you forever. And to remember every day what an honor it is to be a part of your family.”

  Someone in the back started a round of applause and Abby shoved her flowers under her arm and joined in, the tears overflowing. Abby’s mother threw her arms around her father and hugged him.

  “He took what I was going to say!” she shouted, laughing through her tears.

  Everyone cracked up and it was one of the more cathartic moments of Abby’s life. She felt as if every emotion she’d felt over the past few months were draining out of her. She saw Carol and Tucker exchange a long, meaningful glance. Abby knew what they were thinking—that the two of them were going to exchange vows one day, too. The thought actually made Abby happy.

  She couldn’t believe how quickly everything had changed. Three days before she had been certain that Tucker was cheating on her sister. Three days before her parents had been embroiled in a silent war. Three days before she was barely speaking to her best friend. Now, with the sun shining down on her, warming her shoulders and face, with practically everyone she knew cheering and blowing bubbles around her, Abby knew that everything was going to be okay. Her parents would work out their problems, and she could handle Tucker being part of her life. She could even handle Delila and Christopher dating—as long as they didn’t get all gross and mushy on her.

  While the justice of the peace delivered his wrap-up speech, Abby looked around. The aisle was beautifully decorated with light blue and white ribbons. The arch was gorgeous, covered in blue, white and yellow flowers. Everyone looked absolutely beautiful. Abby took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She couldn’t believe she had pulled it off. It seemed she had actually become a wedding guru after all. Well, with Becky, Carol, Christopher and Delila’s help.

  “By the power vested in
me by the state of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you man and wife . . . again!” the justice announced.

  Everyone applauded again as Abby’s parents kissed, no one clapping harder than Abby herself. It was one of those ideal moments. One of those rare blips in time where everything was totally perfect.

  But even as Abby realized this, her heart twisted in her chest, reminding her that, in fact, all was not well. There was one thing missing. Clutching her bouquet, she turned to follow her parents up the aisle and saw him. Not missing after all. Noah Spencer was standing at the back of the ceremony area, his blue eyes focused directly on her.

  • 17 •

  Always a Bridesmaid

  Abby swallowed back her fear and walked toward Noah. The rest of the guests were walking toward the cocktail hour on the flagstone patio behind the house.

  “Hey,” she said quietly. Abby was so nervous she could barely look at Noah. She tried to concentrate on her bouquet.

  “Hey,” he replied. “Sorry to crash. I felt guilty about sending the new guy over with the cake this morning and I wanted to make sure it all turned out okay.”

  “Right. Well, it did. Thanks,” Abby said, forcing a smile.

  “Johnny Rockets told me what you did for your parents,” Noah said. “I wanted to tell you I think it’s totally amazing.”

  “Glad you think so,” Abby replied. Then she took a deep breath.

  “Listen, about Italy,” she said. “I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t even sure I was going to be allowed to go. And I didn’t want to, you know, complicate everything. We were just getting together. We’d just said . . .”

  The words died in her throat, choking her up. There was no way she was getting them out in the middle of all this.

  “I love you?” Noah supplied.

  Abby looked up and it was as if his eyes were burning a hole in her heart. Did he still love her, or had it fizzled faster than it had started?

  “Look, I’m sorry for overreacting,” Noah said finally. “I just didn’t want to lose you, and the Italy thing combined with the Johnny Rockets thing . . . I don’t know, I guess I was threatened and somehow that made me regress back to kindergarten.”

  Abby snorted a laugh, then covered her mouth with her hand. She had never heard a guy admit so much in one sentence.

  “She laughs. I take that as a good sign,” Noah said.

  “Everything’s been so crazy for so long,” Abby said. “Do you think maybe we could just . . .”

  “Start over?” Noah supplied.

  “Yeah,” Abby said hopefully.

  “Sounds like a plan,” Noah said. He reached out and took her free hand and that was all Abby needed to complete her day. She was utterly happy.

  “Do you want to go get something to eat?” Abby asked. “I’m starved.”

  Noah smiled, understanding that all was well between them. “Absolutely.”

  They walked up to the patio together. Guests were mingling and snacking on finger foods. There were small tables draped in white linen tablecloths with small flower arrangements at the center. Every available pole, gutter and grate was covered in ribbons that were fluttering in the breeze. Rocco carved turkey and roast beef at the meat and cheese station while Big Pete served up fresh lobster and shrimp at the seafood station. Little Pete cleared used plates and napkins. Glasses clinked and silverware chimed. Becky stood back in the corner, watching it all with a satisfied smile. Abby felt as light as air. It was time to finally relax.

  “Abby!” her mother said, practically skipping over to her. Her mother wrapped her up in a huge bear hug, clutching her so hard Abby could feel the beads of the wedding gown pressing into her skin. “Thank you so much for this day. I don’t know what your father and I have been thinking, but this was exactly what we needed.”

  “Exactly,” her father said, joining them. He handed his wife a glass of champagne and took a sip from his own. “We’re sorry about everything you’ve been through the last few months. You must have hated us.”

  “I never hated you, Dad,” Abby said. “I was just worried.”

  “Well, your father and I just talked about it, and we need to look over the paperwork for this exchange program. But if it all checks out, well then, you can go.”

  “We’ll miss you, of course, but we know we can’t keep you here forever,” her dad added.

  “You only live once, Abby,” her mother said. “You gave us a second chance at our wedding tonight, but you may never get an opportunity like this again.”

  Abby felt as if she were about to overflow with emotion. She was going to Italy! Her parents had said yes!

  All the muscles in Noah’s face went slack.

  “Noah, the cake looks beautiful,” Abby’s mother said as her parents started to move away. “We need to say hello to a few more people, but we’ll talk about this more later.” She squeezed Abby’s hand before heading off to say hello to Abby’s aunt.

  Abby’s father pinched her cheek quickly and followed his wife, leaving Abby alone to deal with her sort-of boyfriend.

  “So, that’s great that they said yes,” Noah said, pushing his hands into his pockets.

  “Yeah . . . ,” Abby said slowly.

  “Do you think you’ll go?” Noah asked.

  “Yeah, I think I will,” Abby replied. “My parents are right, Noah. I have to do this. If there’s one thing I can take from all this—Carol and Tucker and my parents—it’s that you have to do what you have to do, you know? If I don’t go to Italy, it’ll be for you . . . and I’ll just end up resenting it later.”

  “Resenting me,” Noah said, looking at the ground.

  “I’m sorry,” Abby said, tears stinging at her eyes. “I know the timing sucks. Believe me, I know.”

  “It’s okay,” Noah said, raising his head to look her in the eye. “I understand. I really do.” He reached out for her hand and she laced her fingers through his again. “I’m just really going to miss you.”

  “I’m going to miss you too.”

  At that moment, the doors to the ballroom opened and the crowd hushed slightly. Abby looked up to see Becky, totally in her element, raise her hands in the air, palms up. “Everyone please join us in the ballroom!” she announced with her perfect smile. “It’s time to party!”

  Abby stood at the edge of the dance floor between Noah and Carol. Standing behind Carol was Tucker, who had his arms wrapped around her. In the center of the floor, with candles twinkling all around, her parents waltzed to the theme from Sleeping Beauty, one of Abby’s mother’s favorite movies. As she watched her parents gaze into each other’s eyes, she could almost imagine what they might have looked like on their first wedding day twenty-three years before.

  “Wow, Abby. You almost look moved,” Carol said, nudging her with her elbow.

  “Me? Nah,” Abby said, waving her hand. “I was just thinking about the scene all the guests are gonna make when they find out we have carrot cake.”

  Carol clucked her tongue and rolled her eyes. “You try to do something original and this one’s all over you. You know, Abby. I’m beginning to think you’re more of a traditionalist than you like to admit.”

  Abby’s jaw dropped, but she never got a chance to protest. Roger Birnbaum, the leader of her parents’ favorite band, Twilight, came to the microphone. He was decked out in a black tuxedo as always, his silver hair practically glowing in the candlelight.

  “And now our bride and groom would like their daughters and their dates to join them on the dance floor!” he announced.

  Noah took Abby’s hand and pulled her out from the crowd. “I’ve been waiting for this all night,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

  Abby laughed as Carol and Tucker twirled by, doing an exaggerated waltz. Everyone applauded and sniffled and looked truly moved. Abby had to bury her face in Noah’s shoulder to keep from overdosing on the cheesiness of the moment. Here was one more thing she had never done before—danced in front of a weepy crowd.

 
“So . . . Italy, huh?” Noah squeezed the fingers of her right hand as they moved in a slow circle.

  Abby’s heart gave a nervous and sad pang. Was she going to feel like this every time the subject came up? Excited but melancholy all at once?

  “Yeah,” she said, looking up at him. “It’s kinda far away, isn’t it?”

  Noah tilted his head. “I don’t know. Maybe it won’t be so bad.”

  “Oh, really?” she asked. “Have you moved on already?”

  The last few strains of the song filled the room and Noah stopped moving. He put his hands on Abby’s waist and leaned in close to her.

  “Actually, I understand Italy has some killer schools for the pastry and baking arts,” he whispered in her ear just as the song came to a close.

  Abby felt a shiver all down her spine. She looked up into Noah’s eyes as everyone on the dance floor applauded the Beaumont family.

  “What about your dad? I thought you needed to be here for him,” Abby said as all the other guests ran out onto the dance floor. Predictably ignoring Abby’s do-not-play list, Twilight launched into a raucous version of “Celebration” and the whole room started to shake around them.

  “We can always hire an interim decorator,” Noah shouted over the music. “We’ll have to interview about a thousand people, but still. I’m sure my dad would agree with the whole ‘You only live once’ thing.”

  “So you’re serious,” Abby said in happy disbelief. “You want to come to Italy.”

  “Yeah! I can hone my craft and be with you,” Noah said with a grin. “I kind of see that as a win-win. What do you think?”

  “I think . . . ,” Abby said, throwing one arm around his neck, then the other. “I think that this Italy trip just got a whole lot more appealing.”

  Noah reached up and ran his fingers along her cheek. “ Ti amo, Abby.”

  Abby laughed. “What does that mean?”

  “It means ‘I love you’!” Noah exclaimed. “Jeez! Haven’t you been studying?”

  “You are so cheesy!” she replied, shoving his shoulder. “You learned to say ‘I love you’ in Italian?”