Saving Grace #Wattys2016

Chapter Twenty Three

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I need help with something and I figured I'd ask y'all. You heard it here first folks; I'm writing a new book! It's going great but the only problem I have is creating a cover. I know what I want but not how to make it and since some of you on here make your own covers, I was wondering if any of my readers and help out. It  would really be awesome if anyone can; just message me! Carry on lol.

     The next morning, I woke up super early. Not for my brother's wedding but for the interior design test that could make or break my dreams. It seemed Hardy stayed with me last night because his shirt was sitting lazily on my desk chair, the morning sun slashing through the fabric. Having him there last night helped me get through a lot of things. I decided to turn my attention to the backyard, where Danny and Brenda's wedding would take place since it was a good size and beautiful due to Mama's replanting.

Today there was to be a wedding.

Hardy came softly back in my room as if I was asleep dressed in a tux pants, shirt and bow, carrying lit mini cupcake.

  "Happy birthday, darlin'." He grinned at me and sat on the edge of the bed. "I forgot my Happy Birthday boxers home."

  "That's okay; I like the tux better." Hardy smiled and pressed his body against mine. "And I like this much better."

  "As much as I want to give you the rest of your present, you have to be at the college in fifteen. I just wanted to say good luck but I don't think you'll need it." He gave me a long kiss and slipped out the door to get his folks from Houston. I pulled on some jeans and a button down shirt, carrying my flats downstairs where the place was filled with too much females.

  "Happy Birthday!" They all yelled at a high. Mama and Brenda came to hug me warmly and Ella gave me my traditional punches before hugging me.

  "Thanks, guys." I replied as Mama handed me a quick plate of pancakes with syrup. "I'll be back as soon as possible." I nodded to Brenda, hopped on my bike and raced down to the town's university. The old brick building was placed in between the police station and City Hall, two hard places for me to be around.

  "Morning, Grace; ready?" Mr. Davis asked as I walked into one of the twenty classrooms in the small town college. Some of my classmates were already there, waiting in silence and scared shitless. Mr. Davis passed out the slim booklet and a pencil while explaining the rules. "Hand the test to me before you leave; there's no time limit. Please don't put your name on the paper because they will be graded without the judges knowing. Good luck and begin." We all flashed open the books to find drawings of living rooms and bedrooms, puzzle pieces of the needed furniture were in different colors.

It was one big puzzle that could make or break me.

Fan-freaking-tastic.

I stared at the blank canvas when it hit me; nothing we learned prepared us for this. And it wasn't supposed to. In real life, there was never a handbook on how to do it so why should be and different? This was supposed to be our doings, something we put together with no guidelines. With that in mind, I finished my final behind another student. Stephanie White handed her test in and turned back at me, flipping her blonde hair and giving me a smile that said, " I'm gonna do better than you" before swaying away. Mr. Davis gave me an assuring look and scooted me out. "You should be getting home and helping the girls. I'll be there with the answer." As soon as I got out of the class, I leaned up against the wall to relax. That wasn't happening. But I should be getting home so I suckered up and got out of there, almost running into a little blonde boy in a tux.

  "James!" I said to the boy. "What are you doing here?"

  "Hardy and I came to pick you up." He explained and pulled my hand outside to where his older brother was, leaning against the BMW in a full tux. It was a very good looking sight for sore eyes.

  "I didn't know we agents in town and that I was gonna be picked up by one." Hardy laughed and pulled me close enough to catch his personal smell before kissing me and opening the door for me.

  "How was the test?" He asked when he got in, checked if James was strapped in and got back on the road.

  "Not bad, actually. Hopefully I'll pass."

  "You will, I know it." he patted my hand. "Take a breather." That sounded good, so I laid back against the luxurious set and took a nap till we got to my driveway which was crowded by florists van and band members. "We'll tackle these boys, you head upstairs and change." I swiftly weaved around someone carrying chairs and skipped steps heading to my room to change, coming out in a deep red strapless dress that was full skirted and knee length, carrying my matching heels in hand. My hair was in an elegant swept up style. Bridesmaids Ella and Emma zoomed past me an into my mother's room.

  "What happened?" I said getting ready to follow them but Emma stopped me at the door.

  "Nothing!" She replied a little too brightly and handed Ella a fishnet veil; Brenda's was a long one. "Just a fashion addition." Ella finished and pulled Emma into the room, closing the door behind them.

Something was up.

Still, I turned around and continued on, running into Parker, who looked just as amazing in his tux as Hardy.

  "Hey, kid." He kissed my forehead. "Your brother's having a moment."

  "What! No; he'll ruin my wedding." Saying another curse, I put on the high heels and burst into the room where most of the groomsmen were surrounding the pale guy called my brother. "Jesus, Daniel; grip yourself. Scoot, pour him some brandy."

  "I thought you were supposed to be the calm one that said everything would be alright."

  "Not today, not when I have under five minutes to make you better. Scoot, I want have leveled, not drunk." Nevertheless, after the second gulp, Danny seemed good.

  "I just can't believe it." He shook his head while I got him set up outside. Most of the guests were already seated and we walked hand in hand down to the end of the path. "All this is happening so fast. I mean, me and Brenda, Mama and Parker. Then there's you and Hardy...." Danny looked down at me and pulled me into a big hug. "Promise you won't change so much."

  "I won't." I replied softly, giving him a big kiss before heading back inside with the rest of the wedding party. Mama stood with Parker in her beautiful long white gown at first in line. Ella and Carlos were next followed by Emma and Tanner; James was our newly added ring barrier. The music started and just as I planned it, they fell into perfect step behind each other. Me, I stood alone waiting for my turn to walk when Hardy slid up, fixing himself before looking down at me.

"Ready, darlin?" I looked up in amazement, thinking this wasn't how I planned my brother's wedding. So many things have changed on the past weeks; it's hard to actually catch up. Now Danny's words of don't change so much made sense. The wedding was fairly quick and after exchanging rings and lovely vows. My brother was now a husband with Brenda as his wife. We clapped for the kissing couple and were ready to leave but the minister stopped us.

  "There is one other wedding to be performed today." he said.

  "It doesn't make sense to get married again, Carlos." David joked from the audience. I looked around until I heard a holy shit from Hardy. My mother took Brenda's spot and Parker in Danny's.

They were getting married.

  "We thought this would be the perfect time." Parker explained. They went through the same process as the newlyweds and in a few minutes, they themselves were newlyweds. Now we all left for the food and seats.

  "I need a stiff one." Hardy shook his head.

  "I'm right behind you, honey." I muttered.