Page 111 of Once Upon a Holidate
“Guests will be directed through there,” Renee said, pointing to an open doorway.
Joylyn and Holly walked through and found themselves in a big room. There was a center aisle with wooden chairs on either side. Sprays of white roses and red dahlias, accented with seasonal greens, were attached to the chairs on the aisle. Long red and green ribbons trailed to the floor. At the far end of the center aisle stood a stone fireplace. It was huge—maybe ten feet square, with logs piled in the opening. Twinkle lights lined the mantel, while two Christmas trees stood on either side.
Joylyn stared at the fireplace. “I don’t remember seeing that before.”
“It’s portable,” Renee said.
Holly stared at her. “How is that possible? A portable fireplace?”
“I know. A gentleman in town called last week. He heard about your wedding and offered it to us. The whole thing is on wheels and runs on propane. There’s a venting system out theback.” She grinned. “We’ve tested it twice and it works great. It gets a little toasty so we’ll wait until the last minute to turn it on, but it’s going to be so beautiful.”
Joylyn hugged her friends. “The pictures will be amazing.”
“I can’t believe all this is happening.”
From there they walked over to where the reception would be held. The tables were set with white tablecloths with a Christmas plaid runner down the center. Dahlias and roses and greens covered the plaid runner. Votive holders of different heights were nestled in with the flowers. A gold charger anchored every place setting.
“And the cake will go over here,” she said, pointing to a smaller, square table at the far end of the room.
They saw the bowls of red ornaments decorated with Holly’s and Rex’s names, along with the date. In the kitchen, they peeked in the large refrigerator and looked at the simple white four-layer cake.
“The caterer will get it in position in about an hour,” Renee told them. “She’ll add a cascade of red roses down one side and then let it come to room temperature. By the time you and Rex are ready to cut it, the cake will be ready.”
“You’ve thought of everything,” Holly told her, brushing away tears. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“Oh, we thought of a little more,” Renee said, grinning at Joylyn.
Holly looked between them. “What is she talking about?”
“I have no idea.”
Renee led them to the Bride’s Room where two massage tables were set up and two masseuses were waiting for them.
“Welcome to your own spa day,” Renee said. “First a massage, then mani-pedis, then you get your hair and makeup done. There will be a light lunch at one, so don’t worry about that.”
Renee smiled at Joylyn. “I had your dad check with yourdoctor, and you’re good to go with a massage. Moira, your masseuse, is very experienced with pregnant women.”
Joylyn was thrilled by the surprise, delighted for her friend and not sure she could even get on the table. “I’m pretty pregnant,” she said. “With my belly...”
Moira moved the sheet aside to show a cut-out in the table. “We like to think of everything,” she said with a smile.
Holly started to cry in earnest, and Joylyn couldn’t help joining in. People who didn’t know her or her friend had gone to so much trouble to make everything perfect.
“You’re being so nice to us,” she said, reaching for Renee. “I don’t know why, but thank you.”
Renee hugged her. “We want you to be happy. Both of you. Now go enjoy your spa afternoon. By the time everything is done, it will be time for the wedding.”
***
Joylyn couldn’t remember ever being pampered so much. The massage was perfect. The table took all the weight of the baby without mushing her, and she loved being able to stretch out on her front after so many months of having to wrestle with her stomach in the way.
After their mani-pedis, they got their hair and makeup done, then Wynn showed up to help get Holly into her dress.
“I did a quick walk-around,” Wynn said, steaming the hem of Holly’s dress. “Everything looks stunning. The cake came out so amazing. I love the simple design, and the white on white with the frosting makes the roses stand out.”
“I couldn’t be happier,” Holly told her, looking beautiful with her makeup done and her hair in curls, piled on her head.
Wynn and Joylyn helped her into her dress, then Wynn began the laborious process of fastening all the little buttons.
