The Pregnant Bride (a bonus Scott Family story!!)

This is How We Do It

"He'll be here," Maggie promised, jogging into the church with her baby daughter in her arms. "He's just parking."

"And the boys?" Jeb called. 

"The boys?" Maggie twirled around. "Oh sugar honey iced tea! Hang on!" She turned and went the way she'd come. 

Mrs. Burgess, Levi's biological grandmother, sat next to me on a pew and fussed with Levi's hair. Levi had an iPad in his lap and was happy to ignore being groomed.

"How are you?" I asked. Mrs. Burgess was in a constant battle with her diabetes.

"Good days, bad days," she sighed. "God's grace is mighty, though, so I leave the worrying to Him."

"Yes, ma'am," I nodded. Our relationship with Mrs. Burgess was complicated. When her daughter had died and left baby Levi an orphan - Mrs. Burgess had suffered in a way I couldn't understand. Then we'd adopted Levi and Mrs. Burgess had been angry and probably afraid that she would be cut out of his life.

So we worked hard to make sure she was always invited and always knew what was going on. But that didn't make things magically easier. 

"How is Miss Lavonia liking the Marriott?"

"I think you know darn well she loves the Marriott," Mrs. Burgess chided me. "But we would have been fine at yours. We could have watched Levi there for you while you do this rehearsal thing."

"Well, ma'am, since Levi is IN the wedding, he really needed to be here..."

"Huh," Mrs. Burgess shook her head. 

Queenie swooped in and saved me. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Burgess. How was the trip for you and your sister?"

"Could have done without the rain. How are you, Queenie dear? I heard it was another boy?" She glanced at the sling on Queenie's chest and the little foot sticking out.

"Yes, ma'am."

"That's a shame. But he's healthy?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"All right, if I could have everyone's attention?!" The pastor stepped out from a side door and clapped her hands. "We're going to run through this from processional to recessional. Is everyone here?"

"Here!" Maggie shouted, dragging Petey - the more troublemaking of the twins - behind her. Marco quickly followed with the other two children. 

The wedding planner immediately put everyone in their places - Jeb's best friend, Rafe, with Jay and Levi on the steps. Marco left his sleeping daughter with Laurie's husband, who was the default baby-watcher being the only one not in the wedding.

Then Marco gave Jeb a long look and stepped up to join the other guys. He and Jeb hadn't really made up so...yeah. That was a thing for a different day, though. 

Ari, my dad's personal assistant, popped his head through the doors. "I'm filling in until her father arrives. Where do you want me?"

"Here," the wedding planner dragged me over and put me at his side. Then she lined up Maggie and Queenie and Laurie - my three sisters-in-law - in front of us. Queenie had decorated her baby sling with a bit of bright yellow ribbon which made me smile. 

The planner waved his hands. "Um, where's your friend?"

"Here! Here!" Katie skipped down the aisle with a big smile. She stuck her tongue out at me before stepping into line. 

The planner pointed up at the choir and band in the loft and the song 'All You Need Is Love' began to play. The adults rocked the step-together business all the way down the long rug and took their places. Then all the kids in the wedding were given ring-bearers pillows or baskets of petals and generally herded en masse.

I was wearing a floor-length lacy maxi-dress and heels similar to the ones that I would be wearing with my wedding dress. I straightened myself and popped my lips to make sure the lipstick was shiny. Then, with a deep breath, Ari and I began walking up the aisle. I lifted my jaw and met Jeb's eyes. 

And he smiled, his eyes bright.

I felt my chest squeeze with love and tried not to cry. Failed. So I arrived at his outstretched hand with tears in my eyes. 

This is why they make M.A.C. waterproof mascara, okay? 

Reverand O'Sullivan began, "Dearly beloved, we'll be gathered here tomorrow..."

Everyone cracked up. It was probably an old joke but it pulled the rug on our tension. 

The pastor made a quick introduction and then rolled through the readers and readings at a good clip. Jeb's Grandma Mary read a wedding prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson as she had at most of the Scott weddings over the years. Rafe read a Pablo Neruda poem first in Spanish and then in English. Then, from the back of the church, Joe Carrick stepped up.

On paper, Joe was my stepbrother. But in reality, he and I had lived in the same house for only a handful of years before he'd moved to Chicago. It was safe to say we weren't exactly close. 

And yet, since Jeb and I had married, Joe had been the one to stay in touch and hang with us when he was in town. And he was the only person on my side of the family, besides my father and his latest girlfriend and Ari (who didn't really count) who was coming to the wedding. 

Joe gave me a quick wink before stepping over to the podium and reading a passage from Corinthians about the nature of love. 

After he was done, Rev. O'Sullivan began with the consent. "... will you love, honor and keep her, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live?"

Jeb nodded. "I will."

She repeated the words and I promised, as well. 

Then Jeb and I spoke our vows. When it came to the rings, I slid his off and pushed it back on. I was expecting him to do the same when he pulled something from his pocket and I practically fell over. 

He'd bought me an engagement ring! And I hadn't even known it was coming!

By the time he slipped it up my hand, I was trembling. It was a simple square stone on a gold band but I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. "Jeb," I whispered.

"You like it?" He whispered back.

I nodded almost violently, my heart thudding in my chest. 

"You may kiss the bride," Reverand O'Sullivan announced.

He leaned in, wrapping an arm tightly against my waist, dipped me low, and kissed the corner of my mouth until I melted. "Oh, my," I sighed as he pulled me back up.

Everyone broke out in cheers and laughter and applause. I took my practice bouquet from Katie and swung it high in celebration before Jeb took my hand and began leading me back down the aisle. 

The bass immediately kicked off the first deep notes of Bill Withers' 'Lovely Day' before the choir joined in. 

Behind us, everyone was dancing as they walked. We reached the back doors and turned to face them. The song wasn't over so we were all bopping, even the kids. 

Maggie twirled and then high-fived me. "This is how we do it, Scott family," she cheered.

"Amen," Jeb agreed. 

"Amen," I echoed. 

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Next chapter is the last in this little story. I hope you're having as much fun as I am!! Please click that little star if you are!! :) - xoxo Bella