How am I to tell Kaelee? I hate to suggest that this is the right path, but Tash is amazing at her job.For Kaelee, Greta was fairly certain there were very few things she wouldn’t do. Finding a way to push past her own bitterness to work with Tasha suddenly seemed perfectly easy.
Anything to keep Kaelee safe.
32Kaelee
CHRISTMAS WEEK
Kaelee had been impressed when she learned that Toni and Addie’s wedding would be hosted at the National Museum of American History. Walking into the museum tonight amped that feeling up several notches. The wedding would be in the Flag Hall, where the flag that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner” was on display. As Kaelee marveled at the idea of getting married in a room celebrating freedom, she wondered if that seeming dichotomy was intentional.
The Smithsonian as a whole rented out various venues for special events, and Kaelee had attended one event—a book festival—that used the Library of Congress for a cocktail party. That had seemed incredibly well chosen, but it felt mild in comparison to this venue choice. A professor of history and writer of American historical novels and the vivacious actor who had starred in a film adaptation of one of said novels were being married in a building that housed Dorothy’s ruby red slippers fromThe Wizard of Oz—an innovative film that transitioned from black and white to color—as well as the first car, and other innumerable artifacts from history. It was ideal.
Of course the brides were dressed in modified late 1800s attire. Toni wore a white tuxedo, complete with tails, and a top hat. In her hand was an opalescent mother-of-pearl-topped cane. She stomped around the venue like an angry polar bear.
“Addie wanted white flowers. Are those white enough? That looks yellow.” Toni glared at the offending flowers.
“Sweetie?” Emily, best woman, stepped between Toni and the table arrangement. Like Kaelee, Emily was wearing a more modern take on Toni’s ensemble. Her ivory tuxedo-style dress flared into a skirt that came to her calves; Kaelee wore the same ivory top, but it had a pantsuit bottom.
Emily took Toni’s face in her hands and made her pause for eye contact. “Addie already approved each detail. It’s perfect.”
“I want this to make her happy. That awful woman wouldn’t let us have it at Dove House. I even offered her triple her rental fees.” Toni darted her gaze around the room like she was hunting danger or maybe a target.
“Addie loves you. I think as long as you are there to receive her when she walks down the aisle, everything will be magical,” Kaelee offered as she joined them.
Toni looked back at her and then again at Emily. “I might be panicking.”
“Seems like.” Kaelee stood, checking again that the tape holding her jacket in place was secure. The deep vee cut of a jacket with no blouse or shirt underneath it made her slightly self-conscious, but this was the wedding party attire that Toni—or possibly Addie—had selected.
“Where are your escorts?”
“My date is wandering the museum,” Kaelee offered.
“Single.” Emily shrugged. “I thought you might need me more than usual, and I thought Lil could use company.”
“The Memory Care staff said they’d have someone extra for my mother if needed.” Toni scowled.
“That’s me. I’m someone extra. There is a nurse, too.” Emily laced her fingers with Toni’s. “Between me and the nurse, Lil will be fine.”
“Greta and I are here, too.” Kaelee knew she didn’t need to ask Greta if it was okay to volunteer to help as they’d already discussedit. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she added, “We only need time for one dance.”
“Your cheeks match the bridal party when you say her name,” Toni said, not unkindly. “Light pink. How did that happen? I’m marrying a woman who loves lightpink.”
“And you,” Kaelee added. “She loves you.”
“She does, doesn’t she?” Toni murmured, sounding somehow stunned by the thought. A few moments later, she looked at both of them, cleared her throat, and said, “Em, you’ve had my back and been at my side forever. Kae, you’re becoming the little sibling or cousin I wish I could’ve had… although I’m glad you weren’t around to steal all the women over the years. I’m really grateful to you both for being here.”
“Are we doing the toasts here privately?” Emily teased.
“No. I just don’t do feelings as well in public.” Toni scowled at her. “I don’t like all that emotional stuff, but I feel emotional right now. I never thought I’d be here, getting married. You know, it wasn’t even legal to do this when I came out, so I didn’t really think about marriage. Now, I can’t imagine hernotbeing my wife. I want that for both of you, you know. Happiness like this, and no, I won’t be saying anything like that in public. Just… you should know that this is the most terrifying, amazing feeling in the world.”
Emily’s expression remained unchanged other than the pinch around her lips, as if she were holding words back.
Kaelee nodded. “Never been on my to-do list, but I’m happier this year. Good friend. Good agent. Sold a book. Met a woman. Most of that is because of you two. I’m glad to be here for your day.” She paused, decided it was getting too heavy, and added, “Plus Emily and I get to admire your bride. That makes any day better, right?”
“She’s pretty amazing,” Emily said in a voice that was bordering on laughter. “Have you seen her dress? It’s so—”
“I haven’t seen it,” Toni interrupted in a stern voice. “Not even a glimpse. So don’t you two say another word.”
She stalked off to check on more details. Kaelee and Emily trailedafter her after exchanging a smile. “Let’s hope the pink ribbons are the right pink,” Emily whispered. “If not, you and I will need to run to a store.”
