Page 100 of No Vow Broken

“Our VIP guests are arriving,” Mom said calmly. “Things are really getting underway.”

“Great.” I tried not to be anxious, but I could already feel my stomach starting to jitter. Mom picked up a curling iron and began making my hair look fancy.

“Your hair is so thick and pretty,” Mom said. “It holds a curl well.”

“Mom, when you talk like that, it makes me want to bolt.”

“Sorry, sweetie. My lips are zipped.”

The helicopter was closer now, so close I could feel the walls of the church shake. Mom kept steadily working her way around my head. She had one more lock of hair to curl when there was a tap at the door. Mom set down the curling iron and opened the door a peek.

“Shannon!” she said, opening the door and ushering her in. “You made it.”

“I did.” The two women hugged, and then Mrs. Paulson walked over to where I sat.

“Lexi, I’m so excited for you. Your hair is beautiful, and that robe is to die for.”

“It’s a wedding present from Mom.”

“Your mom has excellent taste. I’m sorry to barge in. I just wanted to wish you good luck and let you know Jack and I, as well as the pope, are here.”

“I’m so glad everyone made it safely,” I said, and I meant it. Somehow, that felt like the understatement of the year. I spotted something under her arm. “Is that a newspaper?”

“It is.” She pulled out the newspaper and handed it to me. “You’ll want to check it out. It’s theWashington Post. You made the front page again, I am afraid.”

“I did?” I repeated in mock surprise.

“You did. It must be killing your brother Rock that he has the inside scoop on everything but can’t publish it. He’s been quite close-mouthed about everything.”

“He’s a good brother,” I said. “But it is probably also good his editor doesn’t know how close to the story he really is.

“Indeed.” She patted my arm lightly. “Good luck, Lexi. I’m looking forward to the ceremony.” Without another word she left, closing the door behind her.

Mom resumed fixing my hair while I opened the paper. The headline screamed, “Mystery Wedding Brings Pope and President Together.”

I didn’t recognize the name on the byline. There was a picture of our hotel, the outside of St. Michael’s, and picture of Bluff House after the attack. They still didn’t have any specific information on us yet, thankfully. But that wouldn’t last long. Knowing there were hundreds of people trying to piece everything together and figure out who we were made me slightly ill. I just wanted to get through my wedding in one piece without injuring more of my family or friends. Then, since we were nobodies, I hoped it would die down quickly and everyone would go away.

Mom finished curling my hair and lifted part of it up with a large clip that had a white pearl on it. My hair fell around my shoulders. It looked clean, simple, and nice.

“So, what do you think?” Mom asked.

I turned my head back and forth. “I think it looks…good. I look like me.”

Mom beamed. “Wonderful. That’s what I was going for. I have one more thing for you, Lexi.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a small cloth bag. She shook it, and a pearl-and-diamond necklace fell into her hand. She gently put it around my neck, clasping it at the back. It was small and delicate, sparkling when I turned my head.

“Wow,” I said. “It’s beautiful.”

“Do you like it? My mother gave it to me on my wedding day.”

“Grandma Adalee?”

“Yes. Those diamonds are from her side of the family.”

“Cool.” I touched the necklace. “Can I wear it today?”

“You canhaveit. And it, along with your engagement ring from Slash’s grandmothers, can be your ‘something old’ for today. Maybe one day you’ll pass them on. Now, let’s get your makeup on.”

“I thought Basia was going to do my makeup.”

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