Page 76 of Bride Games

Wincing after hearing Emma’s comment, Paige audibly sucked in her breath but didn’t interfere.

Lucy stared at her mother with the intensity of a competitive chess player. “Mommy, if you don’t marry him, I will. I wuv Mr. Hansen.”

Her daughter’s sweet, innocent declaration only made Emma bawl harder. “I know you love him, honey, and he loves you.” Tears streamed down Emma’s cheeks as she spread her armswide. “Eli loves you thiiiiiis much and so do I. I’m not sure what to do right now.”

“Why, Mommy? Just marry him.”

Emma glanced at Paige whose eyes were filled with tears. “You have a smart daughter, Em. Listen to her.”

Nodding, Emma sat up straighter, blew her nose one last time, and attempted to fix her hair. “You’re right. You’re both right.” She glanced in the mirror. “I cried all my makeup off.”

Paige reached for the clutch she had hidden in the bathroom. “I always carry mascara and lipstick so I’m camera ready. And you will be too. Here.” Paige thrust the cosmetics into Emma’s hands. “I’ll let Nigel and Eli know you’ll be out soon.” She paused. “I’m sure Eli will explain all of this craziness later. He’s a good man, Em. Don’t blame him for having a ridiculous mother.”

“You’re right.” Emma spluttered one last time. “Thank you.” She hugged Paige and kissed the top of Lucy’s head. “Thanks to both of you for always standing by me. I love you both. Go with Paige, Luce. I’ll be ready in five minutes.”

71

As Emma retook her place at the altar, she glanced at Eli, wild-eyed. He reached for her hand, squeezed it, and mouthed,I’m so sorry. You okay?She half shrugged and nodded while somehow managing a small smile in spite of the drama.

Emma could hear whispers and uneasy shifting in the seats. Nigel looked as though he had seen a ghost. Zach stood beside Eli and patted his shoulder in a brotherly way as if saying,You’ve got this. We’ve got your back.

Nigel took a deep breath as he stared at the anxious crowd. “Now, where were we before that bloody bi—” He clapped a hand over his mouth as he likely caught a sharp glare from the principal who sat in the front row. “Sorry, kids. Don’t repeat that word. Ah, yes”—he looked at his notes—“I remember where we were. But before I continue, let me tell you a little story.”

Emma noticed Paige pointed with her head toward the cameraman to continue filming as Nigel took a deep breath before addressing the wedding guests. “This is an important life lesson, students. My mates and I would have been gobsmacked by the shenanigans of-of—what’s your mum’s name?” He glanced at Eli, and then answered his own question. “It doesn’tmatter. What matters is that these two wonderful people, Eli and Emma, are very much in love. They’re here to celebrate a new life together by getting married, and all of you have been a huge part in making their wedding day special. Appledale Elementary has been brilliant in bringing joy and love into this wonderful schoolhouse. No matter what happens in life, lads and lasses, you always want to rise above it. Whether it’s a bad grade, someone calls you a name—or even if someone tries to stop your wedding.” A few guests chuckled at the last comment. Nigel continued. “Always do what’s best for you and in your heart—just like darling Emma and Eli are doing. Keep a stiff upper lip, as the saying goes.”

The teachers and students applauded as Nigel took a little bow and motioned for quiet. A wry smile spread across his face. “Before I finish these vows, I willnotbe asking if anyone objects.” Nigel paused for dramatic effect as he glanced around the room, as did Emma and Eli, but Eli’s mother apparently, most gratefully, left. After Nigel finished the vows, he told the groom to kiss the bride. Eli bent Emma backward for a dip and a lingering kiss. Cheers and applause erupted while the newlyweds hugged for several seconds. Eli wiped tears off Emma’s checks with his thumb and whispered, “I love you. I’m so sorry about my mom.”

Through teary eyes, Emma nodded. “I love you too. More than you know.”

Nigel said, “May I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Hansen and wee Lucy.” Emma sobbed happy tears that Nigel included Lucy and reached for her daughter’s hand. The threesome raised their arms in the air—only halfway on Lucy’s side—and stepped back up the rose-petal-covered aisle together. Eli gave Lucy a twirl at the end and she took a bow, much to the guests delight.

The threesome made their way toward the food and wedding cake along one side of the cafeteria’s brick wall covered with thechildren’s wedding art. Bottles of chilled sparkling water were on every table, and somehow, Dr. Ryder had gotten permission—or not—for the bride and groom to have actual champagne at their small table.

Eli couldn’t stop apologizing but Emma shushed him. “Let’s enjoy the rest of our day. I don’t want to talk about your mother right now. We have our whole lives ahead of us where you can explain her appalling behavior.”

“You’re right. You’re absolutely right.” Eli poured champagne into their flutes and lowered his voice. “Am I supposed to make a toast?”

Emma giggled. “I think the guests do after we cut the cake. We forgot to discuss that.”

Emma and Eli gave a quick thank you to everyone for participating in their wedding, for the beautiful decorations, food, and for making their special day perfect. In unison, they said, “Let’s eat.”

Emma noticed some guests still whispered in hushed tones and noted some had stony, disappointed faces. A few guests seemed as off kilter as she was. Some students appeared deflated after their hard work, as did a few teachers. Emma turned to Eli. “We’ve got to turn this day around after the kids’ hard work.” Eli nodded, doing his best to appear chipper, but his smile was frozen. Emma forced a smile when she wanted to scream. But she refused to give Eli’s mother that much power.Nigel’s positive message is correct, but what a nightmare. I haven’t waited my whole life for a woman—never mind that she’s my now-husband’s mother—to ruin my wedding.

Determined to turn their wedding into the magical day it was supposed to be, Emma ushered guests toward the mouthwatering overflowing tables of charcuterie boards made by the teachers and kitchen staff. Her mouth watered as she stared at an artfully presented table filled with chili, cornbread,chips, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, onions, and Fritos. Another table featured heavy appetizers including sausage balls, bacon-wrapped asparagus, mini quiche, veggies, and mini sandwiches cut in quarters. Finally, there was a kid-friendly table with pizza and pink and orange fizzy punch. Emma loved how the teachers had planned the meal so that it would please even the pickiest eater’s palette. As Emma stared at the wide variety, she didn’t want to spill chili on her wedding dress and decided to give that table a wide berth.

She studied the make-shift reception area after she and Eli got their finger food and sat down. Students had made placemats using an over-under lattice method alternating orange and pink construction paper. Centerpieces contained cut sunflowers in round glass vases, donated by The Happy Sunflower where Appledale took annual field trips and where Eli told Emma he wanted to date. Another class must have cut out thousands of miniature orange and pink hearts that were sprinkled around every centerpiece. Emma shook her head in amazement. “The kids did an outstanding job. I’m bowled over.”

Chewing a sausage ball, Eli swallowed. “I’m bowled over by many things today.” He winked, “Most of all because I have the most beautiful bride—and wife—in the world.”

“And I have the most handsome husband.” Emma kissed Eli and blew a kiss to Lucy who sat with Grace, Paige, Zach, Nigel, the videographer, and Dr. Ryder. Emma chuckled. “I bet Paige didn’t expect to sit at the kids’ table.

“I think she’s fine since Zach is here. I know there was some worry that he’d be at a game.”

Emma nodded as she bit into a mini quiche. “They do look pretty happy. Paige told me she has news about her job but we haven’t had a chance to discuss it.” Still uneasy, Emma peered around the room. “Where do you think your mom went? She justappeared in an attempt to stop our wedding, then vanished?” Before Eli could answer, Dr. Ryder approached their table.

“Sorry to interrupt but the kids are getting antsy.” The principal shrugged. “They eat fast at school. Our lunch hours are short. I guess we should have planned some in-between activities to give the adults more time to enjoy their meal.”

Emma wiped her mouth. “No worries. I’m really not that hungry. I’d rather eat later.” She glanced at Eli. “Want to cut the cake now? Then, we can start the music. The kids love to dance.”

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