My Best Friend

Welcome to the Family

Mindy smiled as she rested her head on Thomas' chest. They looked up at the stars as they sat on the porch bench outside the house. She and Thomas wanted to spend a few moments together before they separated for the rest of the night. The wedding was tomorrow and Luda Mae already told them they couldn't see each other until then.

"It's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding", Mindy mumbled.

Thomas looked at her and tilted his head confused. She looked up at him and snuggled closer to him. He smiled back and rested his head on hers. Mindy looked ahead at the property surrounding the house. Everything was decorated for the wedding. Chairs were set out for the family. There was a small platform set up for Mindy and Thomas as an altar. Potted flowers were sitting around the altar. The porch was decorated with more flowers and pink and white ribbons.

"The wedding's going to be so beautiful tomorrow", Mindy said.

Thomas nodded. He was very excited to see her in her wedding dress. He absent mindedly ran his thumb over Mindy's ring as he kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him and kissed his cheek.

"You look tired, honey", Mindy said. "You should get some sleep."

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Mindy crouched by the toilet as she vomited. Luda Mae and the rest of the women of the family came into the bathroom when they heard her.

"Mindy, what's wrong? You're not sick again, are you?"

She shook her head as she wiped her mouth.

"I don't know. Maybe it's pre-wedding jitters or something. I don't know why I have them. What's there to be nervous about?"

"I hope you aren't seriously sick", Luda Mae said. "I don't want the wedding to be called off."

"No!" Mindy said standing up. "We will not cancel the wedding."

She stood at the sink and started brushing her teeth, rinsing her mouth out.

"Are the boys up?" she asked.

"Not yet", Mama Sawyer said. "I'll go wake them."

"You come with us, honey", Henrietta said pulling Mindy into one of the bedrooms.

The rest of the women followed and closed the door so the men wouldn't see. They started doing Mindy's make-up and hair before getting her into her dress. It took everything Mindy had to keep her from crying as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"I'm getting married today", she said. "I'm really getting married."

"Mindy," Henrietta softly said. "We made this for you."

Mindy turned around to see all the women surrounding her. In Henrietta's hands was a wreath of flowers.

"That's for me?"

Luda Mae took the wreath and gently placed it on Mindy's head. She wiped her tears away as she kissed her forehead.

"Welcome to the family."

"Thank you, mama."

They all shared a group hug as the women welcomed Mindy to the Hewitt family.

"Thank you", she softly said. "Mama, if it's okay, I'd like a few minutes alone."

"Sure. Take all the time you need."

The women left the room giving her a moment to herself. Mindy looked out the window to see everyone getting ready. She could see Thomas walking around outside. He was wearing a black suit with a neck tie. His hair still looked messy, but he still looked handsome. Mindy frowned as she got that feeling in her throat again. She knelt down by a trash bin and vomited again.

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Thomas was walking in circles messing with his tie. He kept thinking that this was all a dream. He was thinking Mindy might back out and decide not to marry him after all. Besides, who would want to marry someone like him? Thomas looked up at the bedroom window hoping he could see Mindy. She wasn't there. Thomas froze as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Tommy", Charlie said. "It's time, son."