Page 73 of Big Island Weddings
“We nearly eloped,” Lani told her. “Neither of us wanted a big wedding. And honestly, I wouldn’t have minded his mother finding out about it after the fact. But I do want you there. And Emma. And your parents. And Tenn wantedhisparents. So. A last-minute beach ceremony seemed like the thing to do.”
“Any doubts?”
“I’ve never been as sure of anything or anyone in my entire life.”
“You mean Tenn.”
“Of course.”
“See, I was talking about that dress. If you had given us a bit more time–”
“Oh hush.” Lani pushed ‘Olena away and went to stand in front of the full-length mirror. “This will have to do.”
She had spent two days scouring every transfer station on the island for a dress – and a couple of Kona bridal shops, too, where the price tags nearly gave her an aneurysm – before deciding that her favorite sundress would work just fine. The yellow dress hugged her waist and made her skin glow.
“Tenn likes it,” she said, pulling self-consciously at the threadbare skirt.
“Lani, I was just teasing. You look gorgeous.” ‘Olena fanned out Lani’s hair, which she had coaxed into shining waves.
Nate had driven the trailer down at four in the morning just so that Lani would have a place to get ready. It wasn’t really necessary – Lani didn’t have a fancy white dress or a makeup bag or even shoes – but she appreciated the gesture.
“I have a surprise for you.” ‘Olena opened a cabinet and pulled out a box. She opened it to reveal a delicate haku lei studded with plumeria flowers.
“Oh!” Lani put her hands over her mouth and blinked back tears. “It’s lovely.”
‘Olena steered her back to the mirror, fixed a stray strand of hair, and set the haku on top of Lani’s head. The flower petals were bridal white, and their centers were the same golden yellow as her dress.
“Thank you.”
“One last thing.” ‘Olena reached back into the box and pulled out a plumeria bouquet.
Lani swallowed as she reached for it, trying not to cry.
“Is it okay?”
“It’s perfect.”
“Ready?”
“Let’s go.”
“One minute.” ‘Olena pulled out her phone and texted some – all? – of the people waiting below. Then they climbed down from the trailer and started down the stairs towards Honoli‘i.
Lani paused at the top, taking in the view. She had surfed there a hundred times with her dad. It was where Tenn had taken her on their first date, and it was where he had proposed. There was nowhere on Earth she would rather get married.
‘Olena waved her over impatiently. Lani grinned and joined her on the stairs.
At the bottom, she padded barefoot across the grass. Rory and Olivia were waiting there with Mahina, and they oohed and aahed over her flowers.
With the women of her family all around her, Lani walked down the path to the beach. The sun was low in the sky, just starting to warm the black sand beneath her feet. They had been there since dawn, and the beach was still quiet.
At her first glimpse of Tenn, standing down the beach with their family and closest friends, Lani wanted to toss the bouquet aside and run to him. Instead, she paused and looked down at their girls. Rory was beaming, but a subtle anxiety hung around Olivia.
“Will you carry this for me?” Lani offered the little girl her bouquet.
“Really?” Olivia smiled for real then, as bright as the morning sun, and Lani’s heart grew lighter.
“Really.” She turned to Rory, lifted the haku lei from her head, and put it on her daughter instead. “Ready?”
