Page 1 of Bride Games

1

Wedding Day

The minister beamed at the bride and groom before asking the obligatory question, “Does anyone object to this marriage?” A woman in the back of the chapel shouted a terse, “I do.”

As if rehearsed, all guests swiveled in the same direction toward a woman who wore awhitelacy dress. A collective gasp fell throughout the makeshift chapel. Eyes bulging, the bride felt her knees buckle as she heard whispers and murmurs, followed by a heavy, uncomfortable silence. On the supposed happiest day of her life, it felt as if a multi-story building had collapsed on top of her. Seconds felt like a gun-to-the-head hours in a hostage situation.

Swallowing past a huge lump in her throat and blinking back tears, the wide-eyed bride stared in utter shock as her husband-to-be dropped her hand as he fixated on theotherwoman in white. She watched in horror as he rushed toward the shrill, dissenting voice.Who is this woman and why is she ruining our wedding?

SIX MONTHS EARLIER

EMMA

Emma tossed and turned all night with excitement.My only child is graduating kindergarten today. How is that possible?This had been a pivotal year for their little family since Emma met her now-boyfriend, Eli Hansen, when he was Lucy’s kindergarten teacher. Much to her surprise, he quit his job and transferred to another school so they could be together. Nothing like that had ever happened to Emma. Not even close. But their whirlwind relationship had been more electrifying and downright fun than she had experienced in her thirty years on this planet. Same for little Lucy who always had the excitement of a newborn puppy. Adding Eli—Mr. Hansen—to the mix had only amped up her daughter’s contagious, bubbling energy.

Today was no different. Lucy had already bounded out of bed and was tapping her mom’s leg. “Wake up, Mommy. Today’s a big, big day.” Emma yawned, stretched, and sat up in bed. “Yes, it is, sweetheart.” She chuckled when she noticed her daughter had already donned her white cap and gown.

“Morning, Luce. You need to wait until after breakfast to wear your graduation gown. You might get food on it.”

“I’ll be careful, Mommy.” Lucy smoothed the white gown as if to demonstrate her cautiousness.

Emma swung her feet across the bed. “Okay, I guess, but no cranberry juice for you today.” Emma made a pot of coffee and scoured the contents of her sparse fridge. She decided on apple juice, which would make the least noticeable spot if spilled on Lucy’s graduation gown. Handing a half-filled kiddie cup to Lucy, she said, “Scoot up to the table. I’ll make scrambled eggs and toast. But we need to leave soon.”

While Lucy ate, Emma got ready. She wondered what was kindergarten graduation appropriate. The doorbell rang as she put on a pink and ivory floral sheath dress and pumps. Sensible but cute.

“I’ll get it, Mommy.”

Emma grinned when she heard Eli’s voice. She never seemed to tire of that man. He was the best thing to happen to her—and to Lucy.

Emma and Eli sat beside one another at Lucy’s graduation. Emma fidgeted, deleted some photos from her phone so she’d have plenty of memory space, and constantly scanned the stage for Lucy.

“Relax.” Eli put his hand over hers. “I’m sure the teacher is gathering the students together and telling them where everyone should stand. Lucy will be a pro.” He chuckled. “She’ll probably lead the pack.”

“You’re right. She isn’t nervous at all.” Emma squeezed Eli’s hand. “You always know exactly what to say.” Emma’s breath caught as the kindergartners filed onto the bleachers. She waved at Lucy who stood beside her best friend, Grace. Lucy was in a deep conversation with her friend but eventually scanned the crowd and waved to Emma with both hands, yelling, “Hi, Mommy. Hi, Mr. Hansen.”

Other parents giggled and nodded as the principal clapped to get everyone’s attention. “Everyone, thank you for coming to Appledale Elementary’s kindergarten graduation ceremony today. We have a stellar class of forty-nine students who are eager to embark on their journey to first gradeaftera fun-filled summer. Right, students?” A collective “Yes,” was heard as theprincipal thanked the faculty, staff, parents, and students for their support. After a brief motivational speech, the principal asked Miss Ainsley, the teacher who had replaced Eli as a kindergarten teacher, to read off the students’ names, one by one.

Emma scooted forward to hear every word. When Miss Ainsley got close to announcing Lucy’s name, Emma stepped over Eli, other parents, and crouched in the aisle to make sure she captured a good photo, or twenty. When Lucy’s name was called, she marched toward the teacher, accepted her paper diploma, and curtsied. The crowd chuckled as Lucy waved to her mom who took photo after photo between tear-filled eyes. Once the last student’s name was called, everyone disbursed to the cafeteria for cookies and punch. Lucy tugged on Eli’s hand, “Mr. Hansen, can we take a picture together since you were my first teacher?”

Emma thought her heart would burst from happiness as Eli bent down and placed Lucy on his knee. Emma’s daughter had never met her own father, who bolted the moment he found out Emma was pregnant. Eli had eagerly stepped into a fatherhood role. Still, Emma kept her heart close—not closed. She always feared getting hurt again. Just a little bit. And she definitely didn’t want Lucy to get hurt.

After a million group photos with classmates, Emma and Eli enjoyed refreshments while exchanging pleasantries with other parents until Lucy became bored. She handed her diploma to her mom. “Can we go now?”

“Sure, hon.” Emma squeezed her daughter’s hand. “You’re such a big girl now. I can’t believe you’ll be in first grade next fall.”

Lucy beamed as she touched her white cap. “I know. I’m a big girl.” Clearly ready for the next event, she asked, “What are we going to do for the rest of the day?”

Eli bent down and whispered in Lucy’s ear. She began jumping up and down. “I almost forgot, Mr. Hansen. This is going to be thebestday.”

“What’s going on?” Emma asked. “Looks like you two have a secret.”

“We have the biggest sec-wet, Mommy?”

Eli put a finger to his lips. “And we aren’t telling, right, Luce?”

Lucy bobbed her head as they headed toward the parking lot. Emma’s brows furrowed. “Why are you two keeping secrets from me? This is Lucy’s big day.”

“Mommy, you’re going to have a big day too. A really big day.”

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