Henry returned her smile, then he took his tablet off his lap and set it on the table in front of him. "Whether it’s the autism, or just something unique about me, she always says my emotions are calm and easy to be around.”
They slid their hands toward each other, but the sides of their fingers just touched. It was a sweet gesture. These two kids were absolutely going to make it together, of that I had no doubt. A witchy, empath, and my brother, what a perfect fit.
I took a piece of buttered toast off of the plate in the middle of the table and chewed thoughtfully. "So, the wedding's just two weeks away."
"Everything ready?" Daniel asked, looking at me. "I’ve completed my list, but I know yours is much longer.”
"Almost. Just a few last-minute details." I wiped my mouth with a napkin.
"Like what?" Henry didn’t even look up from his tablet, but he was interested.
"Catering, final headcount... you know, the fun stuff," I said, and it was fun, at least for a small wedding with two people who were relaxed about just about every aspect of the big event.
"We really appreciate you handling everything,” Alice said, her dark doe eyes meeting mine. "If you hadn’t agreed to be our planner, we would’ve just eloped, and my mom would’ve been crushed… even though she doesn’t want to deal with wedding planning either. You know how she is.”
"No problem at all. If I did this for a living, you two would be my dream clients. Which, by the way, we picked out your wedding cake last night. It’s carrot.”
Henry still didn’t look up. "Deva’s carrot cake? Because I won’t eat it from anywhere else.”
I grinned. "Yes, from Deva.”
Alice sighed. "I love all her cakes. Good choice.”
"Me too,” I said. "Now, what else? What else?”
Alice grinned eagerly. "I finished crocheting my dress for it."
"Really?" A crocheted wedding dress was absolutely perfect for Alice. "That must've taken ages."
"Got a picture?" Daniel asked, this time glancing around, probably for her phone.
"Not on me. My phone is upstairs. But it's lavender, with little pearl accents," Alice said, a proud smile spreading across her face. "And you can’t see it.”
"Technically,” Henry said, in his "proper” sounding voice, "I can, I just have to wait for our wedding day. Even so, I can't wait to see it."
"Me neither. I bet you look amazing.” I meant it. Alice had a way of turning simple things into art.
"Henry looked amazing in his suit,” Daniel said. "He really scrubs up well.”
"Felt like a straitjacket. It was tight in all these weird places," he muttered, but there was a small, reluctant smile on his lips.
"Ah, come on," Daniel chuckled, "you looked sharp. Alice will love it." He grinned at Alice, his eyes practically sparkling.
"Sure, I guess," Henry said, his gaze dropping to his tablet. "For Alice, it's worth it." He sighed, the sound almost lost amidst the clatter of dishes and the scrape of cutlery.
Alice leaned back in her chair. "You know, you could always wear your Star Wars’ uniform instead. It’s your favorite outfit, and the stormtrooper’s uniform is white, so wedding appropriate."
Daniel stopped mid-chew, a look crossing his face that was half amusement, half disbelief. "Stormtrooper’s uniform? Or Jedi clothes?" He wiped his mouth with a napkin.
I couldn't help but laugh. "He could, I suppose." I pictured Henry decked out as a Jedi among a sea of formal attire. "But most of us, myself included, will be a bit fancier than that."
Henry's lips twitched into a smile, the discomfort of the tight collar momentarily forgotten. "Maybe for the reception.” He grinned at Alice, tasting his eggs, and then frowning down at them. "But the wedding photos? I'll be in a real suit for that."
Daniel reached across the table, passing the salt to Henry without missing a beat in their conversation. "Just remember, stay calm. Don't want to be sweating through that suit before Alice walks down the aisle."
"Good point." Henry took the salt with a grateful look.
"Also, deep breaths." Daniel leaned back in his chair as he offered a knowing smile. "It helps with the nerves."
