Page 69 of Jam and Jingle Bells
“I told her she’s going to outshine the bride this year,” Mel said, a smile on her face as she gazed at her friend.
I spun on my heel, my head already shaking. “No, Mel, not what I meant.”
Mel put her arm around my shoulder and rested her cheek on mine. “I know, but it’s the truth and that’s okay. She’s gorgeous and that little baby glow is definitely shining through tonight.”
Ivy blushed and waved her hand at us. “Ladies, you’re embarrassing me. Honestly, if I’d have known I would have worn a gunny sack.”
Mel and I both laughed at the image and shook our heads. “No, I’d much prefer to see Shep’s reaction when he sees you in this,” Mel sighed.
“Ditto,” I agreed, chuckling. “Hey, where’s Holly Bear?” I asked, the room decidedly empty of her enthusiasm.
We had spent the afternoon at my salon doing makeup, hair, and nails. While Heather took care of the washing and styling, I was able to do nails and makeup, even with one finger a little slow to react. I had removed the big bandage from the hospital and kept a small band-aid on it instead. It was hard to bend, but I’d done far harder work with only nine fingers before. The best part of the day was when Holly let me curl her hair in ringlets around her face. She looked so damn adorable that I used super-duper strong hold hairspray to make sure it lasted until tonight. We’d set her up with toys, games, her iPad, and snacks for the afternoon and she had happily played, danced, sang, and overall, was a happy little girl. I was praying that hadn’t changed in the last two hours.
Mel squeezed my shoulder. “Mason is on his way with her now. When we got home from the salon, she fell asleep on the couch sitting up. We decided to let her sleep for a bit before the ceremony so she wasn’t a grumpy bear the whole night. She tends to get sadder when she’s tired, which makes sense.”
I nodded, a frown on my face. I reached my hand out to each of them and we all said a silent prayer for Holly tonight. Ivy was the one who spoke. “She’s going to be fine once she gets here. The gazebo is amazing, sorry, no spoilers,” she said, glancing at Mel, “and the food and cake at the diner are her favorite. I know the whole town is going to work together to get her over this hump.”
Mel nodded once and let the smile return to her face. “I agree. Mason said he got her ready, so that’s one less thing for us to do.”
“Love that man,” I said, laughing.
“Which means there are only two people in this room without a dress on,” Ivy scolded, her brow raised.
There was a knock on the door and then we heard a voice. “It’s Holly! Don’t forget about Holly!”
I laughed and jogged to the door, putting my lips by the crack. “What’s the secret phrase?” I asked, wondering if she’d remember.
“It’s secret, so I can’t say!” she answered.
I pulled the door open and she jumped into my arms. “You got it right!” I teased, wrapping my arms around her to keep her from falling. Mason stood at the end of the walkway and waved. He had dressed in his suit already and I grinned at his bowtie, which was white with holly leaves. I waved and he turned and disappeared into the dark.
I closed the door to block the cold winter wind. “That man is fine.”
I set Holly down on her little black patent leather shoes. “His tie matches my dress!” Holly said, spinning to make her dress fly out around her.
I grasped her shoulders and held her still, my eyes pricking with tears. “Holly, this dress. It’s so … you,” I whispered.
Mel came over and put her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “I told you, didn’t I?” she asked and I stared at the white dress that was covered in green holly leaves and red holly berries. At the waist was a bright red ribbon that matched the berries. “She’s the most beautiful baby in the world,” I whispered, fixing her ringlets. “And your hair is as curly as ever.”
Holly, obviously able to see I was near tears, put her arms around my neck and hugged me. “Don’t be sad, Addie. I was real careful not to smush your curls, just like you said.”
I squeezed her tightly for a moment and then winked at her. “I’m not sad. I’m happy. Sometimes, when people feel really, really happy, they cry.”
“They’re not sad tears? They’re happy tears?”
I smiled and patted her cheek. “Definitely happy tears.”
“I remember when Mom and Mason came to see me for the first time. Mom cried happy tears that day.”
Mel laughed softly behind her and stared down at her little beauty with the love only a mother has. “I sure did cry happy tears. I’ll probably cry some happy tears tonight, too.”
Ivy came over from where she’d been watching the exchange by the table. “I think we will all cry some happy tears tonight. I already am!”
We laughed as she wiped her eyes with her hand carefully to protect her makeup. I stood and winked at Ivy. “Well, you’re pregnant, so you’ll probably cry more happy tears than the rest of us combined.”
“Not wrong,” she agreed and clapped her hands. “Now, the time is here. Dresses everyone or this wedding can’t happen!”
Mel and I scrambled to the back of the gazebo where our dresses hung in bags from the dry cleaner. It was definitely time for the magic of the season.
