Him & I

You Should Be Here

You'd be loving this, you'd be freaking out, you'd be smiling, yeah
I know you'd be all about what's going on right here right now
God, I wish some how you could be here
Oh, you should be here
Yeah this is one of those moments that's got your name written all over it
And you know that if I have just one wish it'd be that you didn't have to miss this
——You Should Be Here, Cole Swindell

June 18, 2019

"What do you think about this configuration," Jackie asked Cait.

"I don't like feeling like Grayson and I are on display with our table in the middle of the space," Cait frowned.  "Can't we move it that way?"

"Cait, it's your wedding reception," Jackie huffed.  "You being on display is kind of the entire point!"

"Be that as it may, I'd prefer if our table was off to the side," Cait returned.  "I don't need people looking at me while I eat.  And this way if anyone wants to talk to us, we're out of the way."

Jackie crossed the open space to converse quickly with the resort staff, who promptly started rearranging tables.

Cait looked around and absently played with the end of her braid. Saying goodbye to Grayson the day before had been hard, but it was only a couple of days.  And this was it, he'd reminded her.  The last time he'd say goodbye before they were married. 

But Cait had been kept plenty busy since arriving in Hawaii.  Jackie hadn't been kidding about the days being packed once she got here. Predictably, that was causing some stress.

That wasn't the only thing causing stress.  The news that the Jazz were having serious trade discussions with Memphis for Mike Conley again was enough to give Cait some anxiety.  She knew that Grayson was included in the offer, so the possibility of a trade looked significant.

If Grayson got traded, so be it.  That came with the territory.  But if he got traded the week of their wedding, that seemed like it would be disconcerting.  She wasn't sure she could take that, on top of wedding stress.

But she hadn't had much time to dwell on it.  Ramon had whisked her directly to a meeting with the florist the day before.  And then to meet with the soloists for the church and the beach.  And then with the DJ that would supplement Luke Bryan's appearance at the reception. 

Rae had taken charge of getting things settled at the house. Their gowns were taking up the entirety of the downstairs guest suite. Shoes, veils, jewelry, and even undergarments were all carefully arranged and ready. She'd also seen to it that a few groceries were delivered and put away and had gone to the farmers' market for fresh produce.

Cait's father, Joan and Connor were arriving this evening, along with Connor's friend Trent.  Grayson's family would be arriving the next day.  As would most of the rest of the wedding guests, including Margaret and her husband, a few other people from the office, Phil and Meghan, and Chitana.  Thursday would bring the kids and Grayson's other teammates.  Coach and Mrs. K and the rest of the coaches, with the exception of Nolan, would arrive on Friday morning, since the draft was Thursday night. With a new baby, Nolan had decided to take a pass, but had sent his best wishes.  And had verified that Grayson was wearing shoes without laces and therefore his services would not be required.

Cait had suffered through a trial run of hair and makeup that morning, including two different hairstyles to accommodate two dresses. But right now, she and Jackie were reviewing the set up for the reception in the Hoku Amphitheater, a terraced outdoor space with a lava rock wall as it's backdrop.  Jackie was making exacting notes and running through the entire reception schedule, while Cait just tried to catch her breath.