When she smiled, I smiled back and the moment was another cherished memory I would keep with me forever.
“Girl, let’s fix you up,” Summer announced, taking my hand and ushering me to a chair so she could redo my messy face.
The woman was beautiful. She sure knew how to dress, apply makeup, and do hair. She’d done everyone’s for that day. And although I knew she was an exceptional nurse, she could easily have another career of some sort in the beauty world.
While I was getting a touch up, I hadn’t seen Alley slip out of the room. When she walked back in, it was in true Alley form.
“Hey, ladies, lookie what I got.” She held up a bottle of whiskey and a bag. “I went to check on the status in the other room and those sneaky men were just toasting so I nabbed their goodies and figured we would do the same.”
Then she looked around the room. “But just water for you three,” she said, pointing at Patience, Brinley, and Teal. One was too young and the other two were both pregnant.
Alley reached into the bag and started pulling out shot glasses. She lined them up on the dresser. Then she filled three with water and poured whiskey in the others.
“It’s toast time,” she announced. “I eavesdropped on the guys and I can do way better than they did.”
Summer had finished the last touches on my makeup and I got out of the chair, wandering over to the group.
Alley threw her arm in the air and everyone followed. “To lazy Sunday mornings cuddled up with your man, mind-altering sex, creating amazing memories and a lifetime of happiness for you and Lyric.”
My cheeks heated and turned pink at her sex part. I peeked at Lyric’s mom who was just laughing. Then, I glanced at Patience who looked as embarrassed as me. She was still young and getting used to this crazy bunch of women.
“I second that,” Brinley said, and then everyone cheered.
We all put our lips to the glass and took our shot. The liquid slid down my throat warming my insides just as the spectacular ladies around me did.
I wasn’t that good at telling people how I feel but I was getting better at it and needed to say something while we were all together.
Well, except for Gemma. She had volunteered to help Jurnee’s parents who so graciously offered to watch all the kids downstairs while the guys and ladies got ready. I wished she was with us, but something was going on with the sweet woman and she seemed even more withdrawn than usual. Hopefully, we could help her figure it out and get that sassy girl back that everyone said she had always been.
“So, I just want to say how much I adore every one of you. All my life I didn’t have a close group of friends. I honestly didn’t know what I was missing until you all came into my life and showed me what friendship was truly about.”
I fanned my face to keep the tears dry because I wasn’t going to make Summer do my makeup a third time.
“You all mean so much to me and this day wouldn’t be the same if you all were not here to share it with me.” I glanced around and smiled at the group. Who’s eyes happened to be shimmering with tears. I pointed at them. “And you are all not going to get me to cry again, so stop,” I said, laughing.
“I love you all,” I added. I wrapped one arm around Patience's shoulder wanting her to feel how much that included her then and always. My brother might be leaving but she was with me to stay.
She’d be standing next to me when I said my vows and my brother next to Lyric. All our friends thought it was perfect and when I’d asked Patience to do it, she’d burst into tears. “Are you s-sure?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion. “Y-you have so many friends.”
“You are my friend, Patience. Jett leaving isn’t going to change that. You always have a place with us. You and Griffin are family.”
Patience threw herself into my arms and sobbed. She was a beautiful girl, with an amazing heart, and she was a phenomenal mother despite everything she’d been through.
So, there we were all emotional when a knock sounded at the door. Teal walked over and opened it and my Gramps poked his head in.
“Everyone ready to get this party started?” he asked.
Then his eyes landed on me and he gasped.
“You looked absolutely beautiful, Angel.”
I rushed over to him and we embraced. Standing there in his arms for a minute, I couldn’t help but think of Grandma. “I wish Grams was here too.”
He leaned back and put his hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eye. “She is. I’m sure she is watching down on you with that dazzling smile of hers that had me falling to my knees just as Lyric had done with you,” he said.
“Hey, I fell to my knees first, then he landed on his.”
“True, true,” he said, laughing. “Doesn’t matter how it came about, you two are made for each other just as your grandma and I were. Now let’s get you married before that man of yours goes crazy in the other room. He is itching to make you his bride.”
