by S. L. Scott
“I can tell you’re good. Really good.” She mimics me with a little laugh. When I release her, she asks, “And how is Evan?”
“He’s good. Really good.” I laugh this time.
“Good to hear everyone is good tonight.” She heads to the door. “And you should probably take a shower before you come down for breakfast.”
And I’m mortified now.
“Thanks.”
“Goodnight, dear daughter.”
“Goodnight, dear Mom.”
Everything appears perfect… to the outside world, but it doesn’t feel perfect on the inside. I should have listened to my instinct more, put my foot down, and been stronger. I wanted Claire to like me… and that meant giving into her demands. Now she likes me, but I’m caught in the middle of a wedding that feels so upscale New York and not me at all.
I should have said something when she begged for more guests, or she told me she ordered the favors without asking for my opinion, or even when a sample bouquet showed up in Colorado, Claire insisting all the fashionable brides were carrying peonies this season, even though my wedding is in Hawaii. But I didn’t want to burst the cloud nine bubble she’s been floating on the last couple of months. I really only have myself to blame for not speaking up sooner. What’s done is done and I’ll walk down that aisle with a smile on my face. But I would anyway since Evan’s waiting at the other end.
Sunny’s been keeping tabs on the guys all morning, but I have no fears about being left at the altar. She relays a message from Zach that Evan’s in a great mood. Kate stands at the window watching the guests arrive. My mom is on the other side of the room pinning a flower into Sunny’s hair, and I’m sitting at the vanity waiting for the ceremony to begin.
“I’m really nervous,” I say quietly, not feeling in control of my voice. Clasping my hands in my lap, I look down to avoid the mirror in front of me. My dress is beautiful. Spaghetti straps hold up the lace top, a deep dip in the lace leads to a full skirt that falls naturally instead of being held out by an uncomfortable hoop skirt underneath. The dress is sexy and pretty. I chose it with Evan in mind. My mom said it was very ‘us’ and fitting for a beach wedding. The earrings Claire gave me are on and stunning. So all the pieces are in place for a great day, and as much as I want to suck it up, something still feels off.
“Awww, there’s nothing to be nervous about, honey,” my mom says, glancing over at me as she holds the flower in place waiting for Sunny’s approval.
“I think this whole day is dreamy,” Sunny says, seemingly lost in her own dreams of a fantasy wedding.
Kate turns from her spot by the window and walks up behind me. Placing both hands on my shoulders, our eyes meet in the mirror. She says, “My brother is the luckiest man in the world. I’ve never seen him so happy and in love.” Leaning down, she presses her cheek against mine, her eyes still searching mine in the reflection. “Don’t be nervous. He’ll be there waiting to hold your hand.”
“Thanks, Kate.”
A knock at the door draws our attention. I stand, needing to pull myself out of this weird wedding day funk I’ve fallen into. My mom answers, “Come in.”
“Honey,” my dad starts saying, but stops in his tracks when he sees me. He looks down quickly to collect himself before he moves closer. “You look like a princess, like in the fairytales you used to act out when you were little.”
“Thanks, dad.” I wrap my arms around him tightly, resting my cheek to his chest.
“Whoa there,” he whispers, rubbing my back, “you okay?”
I don’t say anything for fear I might start crying and I just really don’t want to cry and mess up my makeup.
Since I can’t see Evan right now, my dad is the only person I want to be with. With him it’s not about hair, shoes, dresses, or makeup. With him, I can be me and I can be honest without ruining the dream world the girls are living in, so I hold him close just for a minute more, hoping all my heavy emotions lighten.
“Maybe you ladies could excuse us for a moment. I’d like to have a minute alone with my daughter if that’s alright.”
When they leave the room, my mom stops and smiles at us on her way out. “Don’t be long. We have a few last minute details to attend to.”
She walks out, closing the door behind her. My dad leans back, taking me by the shoulders. “Hey there. What’s really going on? You got a case of wedding day jitters?”
“It feels like more than jitters.” I turn away from him ashamed that I can’t pretend to be the blissful bride, even for show. “It feels like someone else’s wedding.”
“Maybe Claire’s?” I hear a lowly chuckle from behind me. But then he sounds concerned. “Sorry. Bad joke. Tell me what’s going on, Mallory.”
“It was funny.” I smile and walk to the window that overlooks the pool and ocean, taking over Kate’s spot. The guests are making their way down the stone steps to the beach where the ceremony will take place. “The joke is pretty spot on. This is not my dream. This is hers, maybe Mom’s too.”
“The wedding? I thought you wanted it on the beach—”
“I did.” I shake my head to correct myself. “I do. I do want it on the beach, but I don’t know most of these people. I wanted to know everyone who was at my wedding. I wanted each of those people to hold a special place in mine and Evan’s heart mutually, but these… there’s a lot of people I’ve never met down there and I’m sure some that Evan doesn’t even know.”
“Eh, forget about them. Those people being here doesn’t take away from what you and Evan share.”
“I know, but I can’t help it. I just wish I had Evan to talk to about this. He’d know what to say to make it better.”
“Then we should get Evan.”
“We can’t. It’s bad luck, remember?”
“Seems to me that going into a marriage with bad feelings is bad luck, but that’s just my opinion. What do I know?”
I smile, then roll my eyes. “You’re sneaky. You know that?”
“Not sneaky, just all-knowing as all fathers are.”
“So when Evan becomes a dad, he’ll be all-knowing, too?” I say with a wry grin plastered on my face.
“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Don’t give your dad a heart attack, okay. Let’s take this one step at a time. Enjoy marriage first.” He walks to the door, but stops with his hand on the knob and turns around. “Luck is what you make it, Mallory. I’ll go get Evan, and you can decide if you want to see him or talk to him through the door. But do you have a jacket or something to cover up a little?”
“Dad,” I say with a laugh. “Nope, this is pretty much it.”
“Your mother and I will be having words.” Shaking his head, he walks out, shutting the door behind him.
Not five minutes later, a soft knock lets me know Evan’s here. “Mal?” He walks in with his hands shielding his eyes.
Before the door shuts, I hear my dad tell him, “Keep your eyes above the neck, son.”
The door closes and Evan calls my name, flying blind in this situation. “Mallory?”
“You can look. I don’t really believe in all that superstitious stuff.”
“I’m kind of scared to look because you’re dad just threatened me.”
“Just open your eyes, Evan.”
“Okay,” he says, slowly lowering his hands. “Wow! You look… I mean, you’re so… Wow! You’re breathtaking.”
“Thank you,” I say, feeling my cheeks heat from his sweet reaction. “You look pretty wow yourself.”
He comes to me and holds me by the waist. “Now I see why your dad was so worried. You look incredible, even edible.” He sways my hips back and forth, and says, “Since we don’t believe in all that silly superstitious stuff…” He kisses me, deep with passion.
With my eyes still closed, I whisper against his lips, “That’s what I’ve been missing.”
A contented sigh is returned. “Yes, I missed these lips.” He leans back and runs his index finger over my bottom lip. “And thes
e soulful eyes.” Leaning forward, he places sweet, soft kisses on each eyelid. “Nothing’s felt right all day,” he says, tugging at his collar. “Until now.”
“That’s how I’ve been feeling too. Something’s just been off.”
“You felt it too?” he asks, surprised. “It’s so weird. Until I saw you, the whole morning just wasn’t right.”
“Sunny said you were in a good mood.”
“I was, I am. I mean, I’m marrying you. Of course I’m in a good mood, but inside… I think I just missed you.” He moves to peek out the window, pulling the sheer drape back just a bit. “How did a simple wedding on the beach turn into the spectacle down there?”
When he looks back at me, I say, “And about people we don’t know, and canapés, and petals, and engraved, silver picture frame favors?”
He stares at me, his eyes sparking from within. “That’s it.”
“What’s it?”
“We can take it back.”
“Take what back? You’re making me nervous, Evan, and I’m already full of anxiety.”
“The wedding,” he says, rushing to me and taking me by the shoulders. “Just you and me, baby. None of this.” He waves his arm toward the window. “We can elope.”
“What?” I say a little too loud while shaking my head, shocked by what he’s suggesting. “Sorry. That came out a lot harsher than I meant, but what? What are you talking about?”
With a raised eyebrow, he says, “We can do this. We should do this. For you. For me. I love you so fucking much and want to do this. Will you elope with me?”
“I want that. I would love to do that, but we can’t just leave. Our families, our friends—”
“These strangers, and canapés, and petals, and engraved, silver picture frame favors. Fuck’em! This day is not about them. It’s about us.” He wraps his hands around me again, pulling me close, and says, “All of that out there doesn’t matter. It’s about what we want and this is not how I imagined our day. So let’s do this.”
“Where will we go?”
“Wherever we want.”
“On the island or are we leaving? I can’t just leave my parents. What about Sarah, and Sunny and Kate, Zach—”
“I’ve got an idea. How about we get married just the two of us and then come back for the reception. What do you think about that?”
“Like a private ceremony with just us?”
“Exactly like that.”
My heart swells and I think I fall more in love with this man, which is technically pretty impossible to do because my love for him already holds no bounds. “That sounds perfect.”
“You deserve perfect.” His hand caresses my cheek and he kisses me on the forehead.
“We should tell someone, so they don’t freak out.”
A loud triple knock makes us jump and we watch the handle as it turns and opens. My dad pops his head inside, and says, “I’ll handle the guests.” He holds his hand up and Evan’s keys are dangling from his fingers. “Your car is waiting out front. You should probably leave soon so you don’t get blocked in.”
“You’re not mad?” I ask my dad.
“Mallory, if your heart is telling you to marry Evan, what does it matter if it’s in front of a minister, a JP, or 200 guests. I know your mom will be disappointed, but everyone will get over it. Go follow your heart.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Evan reaches forward taking the keys from him and shakes his hand with the other.
When Evan turns back to me, he asks, “You sure you want to do this?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely, surferboy.” I jump with excitement. Rushing around, I grab the marriage certificate, my purse, and my veil and we run out the door.
Sneaking down the back stairs to the hallway by Ms. Chart’s room, we make our way down the corridor and run for the front door. Fortunately, the guests are using the side path today. While we hide behind the protection of a large Bird of Paradise potted plant, Evan says, “If anything happens, know I love you.”
I eye him, now worried. “What’s gonna happen that you feel the need to declare your love to me one last time?”
“I’m just playing with ya,” he says, chuckling. “Okay, see that palm two cars over, nine o’clock position?”
“Yes.”
“If we can get to that palm, we’re home free. On the count of three, go. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Three.” He takes off running while pulling me behind him. Although, I stumble slightly while lifting my dress off the ground, I keep up.
We dash behind the palm, our hearts racing, and Evan’s face bright with unadulterated happiness. When he turns back to me, I hit him on the chest. “You said on the count of three, not just three.”
“Sorry.” He cowers playfully as I swat his ass, which is looking really good in the tux pants. “Can’t resist my ass, eh?”
“I never could. That’s what got us into this mess to begin with.”
He smirks. “And here I always thought it was my smooth lines and charming personality that you couldn’t resist.”
“Nope, it’s your ass.”
Turning serious, he says, “Duck.”
I do, but then complain. “You do realize I’m in heels and a wedding dress, right?”
Kissing my temple, he says, “And you look beautiful, but if we want make it out of here alive than we have to work with what we’ve got.”
“I think the ‘Alive’ part is a bit dramatic.” There’s no reasoning with him though. He’s on a mission. His determination was another quality of his that attracted me from the beginning… along with his ass.
“I’m gonna open the door on your side of the car. I want you to run and get in, but wait here until I give the signal.” He takes off running, leaving me there questioning the signal.
I yell, just above a whisper, “Evan, what’s the signal?” He really is shit at game-plans. Luckily for him, he’s marrying me—the ultimate planner.
Holding the passenger door wide open, he whistles The Wedding March—which is apparently the signal—at the top of his lungs. Well that won’t draw any attention, now will it? I laugh as I jog toward him. This is so ridiculous and even more fun. I give him a quick peck on the lips, then slip down into the seat. He shuts the door then runs around and hops in. After revving the engine twice, he asks, “You ready, sexy girl?”
“I’m always ready for you.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” When he floors the car, we burst out laughing. “Holy shit! My mother is going to flip.”
“She’s going to blame me for ruining her wedding.” I can’t help smiling, feeling carefree, because today became her wedding, not mine.
“It doesn’t matter what she thinks and I’ll take the heat. I’ll tell everyone that I corrupted your innocence and this was the last ploy in my plan.” He laughs evilly. “Hey, let’s take the top down.” He looks over at me. “Oh, sorry, I forgot about your hair. It looks really lovely like that.”
“Lovely?” I repeat taken aback, disgust on my face.
“All up like that,” he says, making motions in the air with his fingers like my hair resembles a bird’s nest. “Yeah, looks lovely.”
“Well, we can’t have that. Your mother does ‘lovely.’” I start stripping the bobby pins from my hair and add, “I’m going for hot, so let’s take the top down.”
He pulls over to the side of the road and lowers the top before hitting the gas again. I continue removing pins from my hair and ask, “Do you know where you’re going?”
“I know exactly where I’m going. You just sit back and enjoy the ride, baby. I need to make a call.”
He pulls his phone out and calls someone. At the same time, my phone starts ringing and the name ‘Kate’ flashes on the screen. No way am I answering her call. Evan can handle her and her temper. After four rings it goes silent. Then my mom’s name pops up. Hmm…. my dad can handle her. After a few more rings, my phone goes quiet in my hand. I take a deep breath just as it s
tarts ringing again—Sunny. I really should answer, but she’ll convince me to invite all of them and I want it to be only us.
I pull the last pins from my hair when my phone rings again—Sarah. I have no good reason not to answer her call, so I do. “Hello?”
“Mallory?”
“Oh hi, Sarah.”
“Hey, so whatcha doing?” I like her casual approach.
I can play that game. “Not much. What are you doing?”
“I’m at your wedding wondering where the hell the bride and groom disappeared to.” There goes casual. “Mallory, you need to come back.” She whispers, “Your mom is upset, Kate is pacing, Sunny is practically in tears over letting you out of her sight, Zach is trying to calm her down, Murphy is… well, Murphy is handing out shots. Your dad made a quick exit after announcing to us that the two of you left. That leaves me sitting here wondering why I’m here if you’re there. I thought I was in Hawaii to witness this marriage.”
“Sarah, I’m so sorry. It’s hard to explain, but it didn’t feel right. It’s beautiful and what most little girls dream about, but it wasn’t what I dreamed about. I don’t need all that. I just want to be married to Evan.”
“So why do all of this if you didn’t want it?”
“The moms.”
“Ohhhh, I see.” She sighs into the phone. “Your wedding day should be perfect, so tell me what we’re supposed to do and I’ll do it.”
“We’re going to get married and we’ll come back to celebrate with everyone. Evan’s on the phone right now, setting things up.”
“Listen, I’ll keep everyone under control and you two get married. This day is supposed to be about the union, not the production. By the way, his mother doesn’t know yet.”
“That could be a problem and a good reason to drink that shot Murph’s handing out.”
“We love you, Mallory, and if this is what makes you happy, we’re happy too.”
“Thank you. You’ve always been there for me and…” I feel the tears filling my eyes, verging on falling. “I love all of you so much. I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Good luck.”
“I don’t need luck. I’ve got Evan.”
