Unexpected

Chapter 18

"Luke won't be able to keep his eyes off of you tonight." Flynn smirked, her eyes meeting Julie's in the mirror. Julie gave her a shy smile and handed back the necklace she wanted to wear. Flynn helped fasten it around her neck. "You're perfect, leave it alone." She admonished playfully as Julie dabbed a bit more gloss on her lips.

"I think we need a few more pins." Julie said scrutinizing her updo. "Oh, and I want to put my mom's barrette somewhere in there."

Flynn nodded and set to work.

"Ok, I think I'm ready. How do I look?" Julie asked finally feeling satisfied with her appearance. She ran her hands down her lacy black dress smoothing it across her hips turning to face Flynn.

"Gorgeous!" Flynn said. "That dress was made for twirling. Give me a twirl!"

Julie happily obliged feeling the short, fluffy skirt billow around her. The girls smiled at one another after Julie came to a stop.

"Aww, my little girl is all grown up." Flynn teased, a sentimental look crossing her features.

"Jules, they're here!" Ray called upstairs.

Julie took a deep breath to calm the butterflies she felt erupt in her stomach. Flynn needlessly adjusted one of the sequined straps at Julie's shoulder and gave a final tug to the bow at the back of her waist. The two walked arm in arm toward Julie's bedroom door.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Julie exclaimed to herself, quickly turning back to grab a gift bag from the top of her dresser.

Flynn gave her a curious look as they made their way downstairs. Julie saw her family and Luke's parents gathered expectantly at the bottom of the stairs, their voices low in polite conversation.

It was the sight of Luke that set Julie's heart into overdrive. She saw him standing stiffly by the front door, one hand fiddling with the button of his tuxedo jacket, the other clutching a pale pink dahlia. Luke's face burst into a wide grin as soon as their eyes met. Julie smiled back walking towards him while the adults erupted excitedly telling her how beautiful she looked.

"Wow." Luke whispered, his eyes bright as he handed Julie her flower.

Her eyes raked over him from head to toe, "You clean up nice." Julie remarked, bringing the flower to her nose.

Luke playfully tugged at the lapels of his jacket giving her a smug grin. His wavy brown hair was combed back and tamed by some sort of hair product, his face smooth with the smell of his aftershave still fresh on his skin. Julie giggled at his antics wondering how long his jacket would last during their evening, and at what point his bow tie would be completely abandoned.

"Here, mija!" Julie's aunt came forward with a boutonniere for her to give to Luke.

"Don't poke me!" Luke teased as Julie got close with pin in hand.

She gave him a half-lidded look as she expertly attached the flower to his lapel, her hands lingering afterward on his chest.

"Ok, picture time!" Ray suddenly announced, breaking the tension in the air. Julie saw him shoot Luke a look as he ushered the group outside.

"I think we're good dad!" Julie whined after posing for what felt like the millionth photo. "My face is starting to hurt."

"Alright, alright!" He conceded as he played with the settings on his camera.

Luke dodged his mother's continued attempts to adjust his hair and preen his tux, stopping just long enough for her tweak his bow tie and give him a goodbye kiss on the cheek.