Page 27 of Bride Games

27

Emma

E mma practically wore a hole in her carpet from pacing as she wondered how the school assembly went. She went back and forth thinking the teachers and students would love the idea to assuming they’d have a thumbs-down reaction and think it was a ridiculous idea. After Eli initially approached Dr. Ryder, she happily seemed keen on the unique idea right away but had explained she needed to get school-wide input from every faculty member and student first. She also said she wouldn’t hold the assembly unless the superintendent gave her a green light, which he clearly—and somewhat surprisingly—had. Eli relayed that the principal said she caught him in a weak moment since his daughter’s expensive wedding had gone over budget by thousands.

That morning, Emma whisked Lucy off to school and returned home, trying to concentrate on the news, social media, her authors, or anything else. The anticipation made her heart race. They didn’t have any other options at this point—at least not any that were well within their low budget. As she refilled her coffee, she heard her phone ping indicating a message. She sat on the couch when she saw Eli’s name.

Hey, Em! We’re one stop closer to our dream! Dr. Ryder is holding the assembly now to discuss our wedding. She didn’t want me to attend so the staff could talk freely. Sigh. I guess we have to wait until school is out this afternoon—or maybe even until tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed, babe. Love, E

Emma stared at the ceiling. This may be the longest day of my life. Stomach growling, she realized she’d skipped breakfast. She glanced out the window and waved to her neighbor who appeared to be inspecting a huge spider web on her porch. As she watched Mrs. Roberts swat the web with a cardboard paper towel holder, she chuckled. I wish I could tell the world about the sweet serendipity of the school as their wedding venue. The teachers have got to approve it. Bending down with both hands on her knees as if she had run a mile, her thoughts vacillated between hope, quickly followed by dread. What if the teachers think a school wedding would be silly or a dumb use of their time? Will they need approval from the students’ parents? Emma groaned.

Rummaging through her refrigerator for a handful of grapes, Emma crammed several into her mouth. Cheeks full like a chipmunk, she wished she were a nail biter. Maybe that would make the day go quicker. As the clock ticked, Emma’s heart raced. What if they say no? I not only met Eli when he was Lucy’s kindergarten teacher, but we danced together at the father-daughter dance; the one I almost canceled since Lucy’s dad wasn’t in the picture.

The previous year, Eli had picked up on her nerves—and dismay—when he announced the father-daughter dance. He had emailed her after school, and on the evening of the big dance, he showed up with corsages for both Emma and Lucy, as well as a limousine! She still couldn’t fathom his thoughtfulness and had fallen for him fast and hard. One of the other moms even commented that Emma couldn’t take her eyes off Eli when she served refreshments. It seemed everyone knew about her crush on her daughter’s teacher. She shook her head remembering how she bolted and left Eli in the middle of the dance floor. We need a redo of that moment, which means we need to figure out our first dance song.

A redbird flew into the window, snapping her back to the present. She peeked outside and saw the bird fly away after a few seconds. Thank goodness. I don’t need a bad omen right now. She glanced at her watch, willing school to get out early. What if the principal gets push back and decides against the wedding? I can’t take the pressure. Rubbing her temples, Emma sat on the couch and attempted to relax. I need to relax. Maybe our classroom pizza party offer will entice them.

Emma peered at the time on the microwave, hoping her watch was slow. But the times were synchronized. That morning Lucy had begged her to ride the bus with Grace and she happily relented so she would have more time to work on her authors’ marketing swag. Of course, she hadn’t done a thing all day except worry about the outcome of the assembly. Maybe I’ll open my laptop at least. I need a distraction. As she charged her computer, Emma stiffened when she heard the bus brake in front of her house. She closed her laptop and rushed to greet Lucy at the door. Emma held the door open wide for her daughter who raced toward her like a cannonball shot out of a cannon. “Slow down, sweetie.”

“Mommy, mommy. We had a ‘sembly. The principal talked about you and Mr. Hansen. We’re going to plan something.”

Emma pretended to be surprised. “You are? Is it a surprise?”

“Uh huh.”

Emma patted her daughter’s head. “Any hints you want to tell Mommy?”

Lucy shook her head so hard a pink barrette fell off. “No, and I’m not telling. It’s a good secwet. I pwomise you’ll like it. Mr. Hansen will too.”

Emma’s face hurt from smiling so much. She had never been married and was now going to marry the sweetest—and most handsome—man on planet Earth. And it appears they were going to get their wish to have their ceremony at the school where they met. Emma knew full well that if she didn’t have a daughter, she never would have met Eli. If Lucy’s dad hadn’t fled the minute he found out she was pregnant, she never would have experienced a healthy, happy relationship. If, if, if. She almost had to pinch herself to comprehend her good fortune. Feeling a tug on her hand, Emma snapped out of her daydream.

“What’s for dinner, Mommy?”

“Um, I’m not sure. Eli’s coming over. What sounds good to you?”

“Sketti.”

Reaching for a large pot to boil some water, Emma said, “Sketti it is.”