The next month went by the same as the first.
Summer was in full swing and the sweltering heat was completely constant. My hours at work had picked up considering busy parents no longer had schools to handle their kids. I didn't mind a bit because if I was at work, I was with Calum.
And being with him was all I really wanted.
The third week in June, however, was an exception.
It held the day of my aunt's wedding, and there was no way I was missing it. Ashton would have to run wild with the kids by himself.
The day dragged on as Grace and all her bridesmaids scurried around, fixing last minute dress mishaps and patting on their make up. I sat in the corner in a stiff chair, pulling at the hem of my dress.
The ones Grace had decided upon for the bridesmaids weren't all that bad. They were a bright coral made of a silky fabric that flowed down to just below the knee. It was mildly poofy at the bottom, but nothing we couldn't handle. Just above the sweetheart neckline of my dress dangled a gold feather pendant necklace.
A gift from Calum.
Twirling the pendant between my fingers, I was startled out of my thoughts by my mother storming through the door.
"Places everyone! This wedding starts in five minutes!"
With an internal sigh, I stood and scurried in behind the others.
"Leisa! Your bouquet!"
Whirling around, I grabbed the bundle of sunflowers quickly and smiled apologetically.
Grace's best friend, Tiffani, led the way to the reception room. She dramatically yanked open the large oak doors and glanced back to make sure everyone was there.
One by one we glided down the aisle, wanting to be out of the spotlight as quickly as possible. Behind us, the pianist began to play a slow ballad. Everyone took their places on the altar and the excitement set in.
It wasn't long before the grand doors flew open once again, and this time it was Grace who was in the entrance. As she made her way into the room, a rather whimsical rendition of "Here Comes the Bride" echoed throughout the space.
Grace made her way down the rose petal strewn walkway with a light hearted skip. Her dress was, to my surprise, white. It was a halter at the top completely smothered in diamonds while the bottom was adorned with feathers and puffed out from one side of the walkway to the other.
I couldn't help but giggle a little. She was quite a woman.
When she reached the altar, she immediately grabbed her fiance's hand. As she got closer, I could see that there were tiny lace birds sewn into her veil. Nick still stood in shock from her entrance.
The preacher began his opening speech, and I couldn't keep my mind from wandering.
I wanted to know what Calum was up to or when I could see him again.
It had been a few days since we had last seen it each other because of the craziness of the wedding and the last minute heated debate on whether the cake should be coffee flavored or red velvet.
"Just make it vanilla." My dad had offered. "It'll be classic, and everyone will like it."
Grace had clicked her tongue and taken a sip of wine. "Fine. You and your simple minded ways."
The memory of it brought a small smile to my face.
As the ceremony continued on, I noticed a small movement by the door. I had seen it jiggle around earlier on in the reception, but I figured it was just the wind blowing in and out from the lobby. This time, though, I saw a shiny black shoe jammed in the doorway.
I transferred my attention from the door, to an emotional Grace then back again.
It took every ounce of control in my body to keep myself from shrieking out loud.
Calum peered in through the entrance, his puppy dog eyes scanning the room. When he finally focused on me, I saw them crinkle up as he smiled.
Glancing at my parents, I could tell that their undivided attention was on the wedding in front of them. I waved at him quickly with my index finger and turned away when I heard "I do" coming from both Grace and Nick.
I looked just in time to see them kiss and officially become husband and wife. As I cheered along with everyone else, I casually peeked over at the door again.
This time, Calum was gone.
*
The party had moved from the ballroom up to a sun room decorated in various floral arrangements. It offered a beautiful view of the city and plenty of sunshine without the grueling heat.
I stepped into the room later than the others, having been distracted by trying to track down Cal. My mother immediately rushed over to me.
"See, I knew you would enjoy yourself! I saw you smiling the whole time."
My throat immediately siezed up. Had she seen exactly what was making me smile?
"I-i, uh, yeah. Yeah, it was better than I thought." Eyeing a waiter walking around with a tray of drinks, I started off in his direction. "I'll be back in a second."
Holding the sides of my dress, I strode over and plucked a flute of champagne off the metallic surface while the waiter wasn't looking.
I deserved it after the close call I had just had.
"Getting bolder by the day, I see." The sip I had just taken went down the wrong way, and I immediately began coughing. I heard the tray being put down as a hand rubbed my back.
"Sorry, babe. I didn't mean to scare you."
Before me, Calum stood before me in a crisp, white button down tucked into a pair of black straight leg slacks. Underneath his chin was a polka dotted bow tie.
My heart nearly catapulted out of my chest as I led him into the corner, glancing around for my dad.
"Calum! What are you doing here?"
He nodded his head towards the tray on a table a few feet away. "Figured you'd guess by that. I'm kind of a waiter."
A million questions ran through but the only thing I could spit out was my drink.
Calum took a step back and snorted. "You really can't hold your alcohol can you?"
I wiped off my mouth with the back of my hand. "Sorry. I meant to ask 'how'?"
He handed me an embossed napkin. "I may have pulled a few strings. I figured it could be...character building."
I gazed up at him and took his hand. "Character building? Is that the only reason you're here?"
He looked off into the distance in faux concentration. "Good pay?"
Slapping his stomach, I scoffed while he burst into laughter. "I'm just kidding. I wanted to see you of course! It's been too long."
His tan cheeks tinted a soft pink.
Behind me, I could hear my father a few feet away, cackling wildly about something that probably wasn't even funny. It suddenly hit me how dangerous this was.
"Cal, you can't let him see you. We've come too far for it to fall apart right here."
He nodded and rubbed his thumb across my cheek. "I know. I'm not going to mess this up. I'm ready for anything."
With a wink that left me weak, he strolled off and back through the door we had all entered previously. Checking my surroundings, I quickly picked up my glass of champagne and downed it.
This was going to be a long day.
*
The party was still going strong as the forceful sun dipped low in the sky and eventually set. Half of the guest were tipsy and the other half were acting like complete fools. The cake was grand one, covered from top to bottom in glittery, sugared flowers and intricate dips and swirls of icing. When it was sliced into, I couldn't help but laugh. It was a deep, lurid maroon.
She had chosen red velvet over my dad's suggestion of vanilla.
Grace: 1. Dad: 0.
I stood in a corner by the chocolate fountain, deciding what I wanted to dip in it next.
"I'll be back in a second, darling! Give me a minute with my dear niece." As the chocolate swept over the entirety of the strawberry I was holding, Grace shimmied over to me, a huge smile plastered to her face.
"Why, hello there. Enjoying yourself?"
I placed the strawberry aside and nodded. "It's perfect! Definitely the best one."
She beamed at me and then sighed dreamily. "Oh, I think he's officially the one. This one might last forever." Clasping her, hands together, she squealed excitedly. "And speaking of loooove, how are you and your boy toy?"
At the mention of him, my heart leapt.
"We're great. Actually, um," Peering around for my father, I hesitated. When the coast was clear, I continued. "He's here. Right now."
Grace's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "What? What do you mean?"
"He's one of the waiters! He pulled some strings and got in. He's around here somewhere." Grace and I scanned the room for him. I did a double take as I caught sight of him. "Over there! Super tall, polka dot bow tie."
Grace placed a hand over her heart and gasped. "Oh, Leisa. He's quite the looker. You've got great taste."
I groaned and gazed at him. "He's beautiful, Grace."
As silence consumed our corner, I glanced over at her. She was plotting.
"Tell you what...you've been more than amazing today, and you look incredible. If you promise to talk your father into a stellar birthday gift of, i don't know, perhaps a trip to the Bahamas...I may just be okay with you leaving early."
My mouth fell open as I turned to face her full on. "Grace! You've got to be kidding.''
"Alright, alright. I'll settle for a trip to Paris instead."
I rushed at her, pulling her into a death grip of a hug. "You are incredible! You'll be getting vacations for the rest of your life if-." I paused through the sentence when I realization hit me. "Wait. I came here with my parents. Won't they notice if I'm gone?"
Grace waved a hand through the air. "Don't worry about it. I've got you covered. They're my problem now."
Grace: 2. Dad: -1
_____
It's finally done! Got tied up in a few things that kept me from finishing earlier but here it is!
Tell me what you think, and the next will be up soon!
xxx
