The Dunhams (Sequel to Better or Bad - Lizzy Walker)

Maid of Honor to the Rescue

In our bedroom mirror, I finished applying makeup. Bryce was fixing his hair and brushed lents off his shirt with a roller. My outfit was a white top, a dark jacket plastered with roses, dark blue jeans and black wedge heels. My attention laid on Bryce's light blonde hair. I never realized how insanely handsome he is. He was loads of cuteness when we were seventeen and eighteen. It's like he went through hair evolution. I smiled, turning back to the mirror and carefully ruffling my hair. "Like what you see?" He teased. My cheeks burned hotly. "Hm, I was admiring you go through hair evolution." I joked. He chuckled and scoffed. "Have I? What about you? You amaze me with your beauty." He said. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck. His hands covered my waist. We leaned till our noses touched. I sighed happily. "It's real beautiful Meadow and Louis's throwing an engagement party. Just between families." I said. He smirked. "Are you sure you're not worried about y'all's family embarrassing her?" He asked. How amazing my husband can tell how a little eccentric and weird my family could be. I took a deep breath. "Hopefully, Dad and our uncles will tame our brothers. Phil would've killed Logan if Meadow didn't touch Dad's gun." I joked. Bryce laughed as we parted. "True." He agreed. Meadow seems really happy with Louis. He isn't like the other guys. Everyone shouldn't be too much trouble for that. My brain clicked. "Are the kids ready?" I asked. He snapped his fingers. "I'll go check Jace." He said. I smiled. "And I got the girls." I told him. We left our room but separated to go to our kids's. Their bathroom door is closed means Bella must be applying makeup or curl-ironing her hair. I playfully knocked on Breanna's door. "Sweetie?" I called. "Yeah mom?" She said. "Are you dressed?" I asked. "Yeah! Can you help my hair?" She said. I opened the door to see her brushing her hair with two braided strands out. She saw me and huffed. "I look insane!" She told me. I chuckled, shrugging. "At least you're trying." I said. Breanna sat on the bed as I untied the braids and combed her hair three times. Hm. Can't think of a hairstyle. It be crazy if we were going to a red carpet event but it's only Meadow's engagement get-together. I sighed. "Would you want it down or put up?" I asked. She smiled. "Up with loose strands." She told me. I laughed before tying it into a bun and adding two loose strands. "Need some help?" Someone asked. Bella was standing near the door with the curling iron. "I could curl iron the strands." She said. I nodded. "Great! Do it quick because we can't be late!" I told her. She nodded. I walked out to see Jace dressed casually well. His hair was combed. His tall statue always gets to me. Soon he'll be tall as his uncles. He smiled. "So, we're gonna meet Aunt Meadow's fiancé?" He asked. Bryce nodded. "Once they're married he'll be your Uncle." He said. I chuckled. The door reopened, revealing the girls and their finished hairstyles. Bryce smiled warmly. "Look at these beautiful ladies." He said. Breanna crossed her arms shyly. "Thanks Daddy." She said. Jace rolled his eyes. I smiled. "Cmon." I said. We decidedly brought Brian but let him pee before we left. Meadow won't mind.

A few of our relatives parked in her driveway. She sure lives in a beautiful neighborhood. Phil's got a blue Bentley, Skip's got a black Cadillac and Stew has a white Volkswagen?! Alyssa wasn't kidding. Jace looked at them in shock. "Whoa! These cars are so cool! Can I ride with them sometime?" He asked. Bryce studied Phil's Bentley. "Your Uncles sure know their taste." He said as he parked behind Dad's car. We got out and Jace was still fawning over their cars. Breanna rolled her eyes. "Earth to Jace. We're going inside." She told him. He stuck his tongue out. Bella was hanging onto Brian's leash and we came to the doorstep. Bryce rung the doorbell two times. It revealed Meadow. She wore a cute white sundress and a flower headband. Aww! She smiled happily. "Hey guys!" She beamed. The kids cheered, hugging her. She laughed and hugged back. I side-hugged her. "Congratulations Mead!" I said, smiling. We parted. Bryce hugged her. "Yeah, congrats!" He said. She chuckled. "Thanks. Wow I just noticed these two getting tall." She said, referring to Jace and Breanna. They chuckled. It's totally not just us who do. We walked inside and noticed the house packed of our family and probably Louis's. In the living room, we saw our parents on the couch. Alyssa sat on one across with Michael. Remi and Maverick were busy chasing each other back and forth. They looked at us and smiled. "Look who's here!" Jasmine squealed. We laughed while greeting them. Alyssa and Michael playfully greeted the kids. Jace smiled. "Where's Phil and Skip?" He asked. Jasmine laughed. "I knew they be his favorite!" She said. I returned the gesture and raised an eyebrow. "I told you so." I added. "They're in the kitchen." Meadow told him. He raced off to the kitchen. Breanna followed behind. Bella sat between Michael and Alyssa. "Where's Louis?" Bryce asked. Meadow smiled. "On his way. He was just out with his friends." She said. Jasmine sighed. "Hopefully." She muttered. Dad cleared his throat. "Jasmine..." He trailed off. We looked at each other then at Meadow. "Any wines or beers you got?" I whispered in her ear. She took a deep breath. "Kitchen. I'm coming too." She whispered. We walked back to the kitchen.

******

Phil smirked. "You can't be mad at us for having beautiful cars sis." He said. Skip rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Beautiful? Of all cars you picked a freaking Bentley." He said. Addison laughed while crossing her arms. "Gotta agree." She said. Phil fake pouted. "I thought you're on my team?" He said. I carefully sipped my wine cup and fake smiled. "Bro, you're the reason I drink this." I joked. We laughed including him. Skip lifted his empty champagne fluid. "Don't forget me!" He joked. Riley grabbed the cup from him. "Cmon guys, there's children in here. Go easy dang." She sassed. Thankfully, they were distracted by watching TV in the living room and Brian. Stew scoffed and smiled."Relax Riley. None of us are crazy drinkers." He said. Skip spit out his drink while chuckling. "Except Phil!" He giggled. Phil rolled his eyes. "Shut up Skippy." He said annoyedly. My brain clicked. I laughed. "No it's true! When we went to the Bahamas, you were puking in the toilet. Your crazy self had a corona!" I chuckled. They bursted into laughter. Phil looked at me in shock. "Really Liz? You're gonna do that right here? Y'all are too kudos!" He said. We laughed more. Stew put his hands up in surrender. "Hey, the Fast family dig Coronas. Ask Uncle Vin." He joked. Riley snickered. The laughter died down once the doorbell rang again. "I'll get it!" Meadow said, rushing to the entrance. Addison smirked. "You think it's Louis?" She asked. Phil sighed. "I hope not." He muttered. Skip patted his shoulder. "Phil, we talked about this. Mead really likes this guy. He won't hurt her." He assured. I nodded in agreement. "Yeah. No worries." I said. As predicted, Louis was at the door. They smiled and shared a kiss. Aww! He saw us in the kitchen and waved. "Hey guys!" He said nicely. We smiled. "Hey/sup/good to see you!" We said in unison. Riley bent to speak in my ear. "You better go help her." She whispered. Help her? My brain clicked. Dad and Jasmine! I nodded, putting my cup away and went after them. "You think he moved in with her?" Addison asked. Skip nodded his head no. "It's just her rental house whenever she visits our parents. Her real house is in New York." He told her.

Back in the living room, Louis was greeting Uncle Caleb and Uncle Cody. The kids played with Remi and Maverick. Meadow seemed nervous once they walked up to Dad and Jasmine. We can't make anymore dramatic 'shows' since last Christmas. I inhaled a deep breath. No disaster, no disaster. Louis smiled nicely while shaking Dad's hand and side-hugged Jasmine. My eyes widened. She didn't even say snide comments or roll her eyes. She smiled sweetly. Hm. It seems like everything's alright. Bryce snuck behind and kissed my cheek. "Everything ok?" He asked. I giggled. "It would seem so." I whispered. "Wait, where are you going? Are you feeling sick?" I heard Skip. We turned to see him leading Riley to the door. She smirked. "Baby, I'm having a family crisis. Mom has the flu but she threw up all over my Dad. He needs my help." She told him. "Damn." We blurted including Skip. Riley covered my mouth in a giggle and he led her outside. We looked at each other then back at the door. "Damn." We repeated, chuckling.