Page 28 of Bride Games

28

E li arrived thirty minutes later. He kissed Emma on the cheek as she set the table. While they ate spaghetti, roasted broccoli, and garlic bread, Eli couldn’t eat fast enough. “Thanks, Em. This is delicious. I was starving.”

“Me too,” Lucy bobbed her head. Both cheeks were smudged with marinara sauce. Emma nodded toward her daughter using her head and nearly burst into tears as he dipped the corner of his napkin into water and wiped the smudges off. After he cleaned Lucy’s face, he clearly noticed Emma’s glistening eyes. “What’s wrong? Did I overstep?”

“Are you kidding? I’ve wanted a partner ever since Lucy was born. I mean, I didn’t know I wanted one. Managed on my own pretty well, but”—she reached for his hand—“this is so much easier. And so much better.” Her voice cracked. “Thank you.”

Eli studied her. “For what?”

“For being wonderful.”

“You’re the wonderful one.” Eli winked at Lucy who had eaten everything except the last broccoli spear. “Someone was hungry.”

Lucy rubbed her belly. “Uh huh.”

“Good job on the clean plate club, Luce. Why don’t you help me clear the dishes.”

Standing, Eli said, “I’ve got this. You cooked. The cook doesn’t wash the dishes.” He took their plates to the sink and added, “Didn’t you learn that growing up?”

“I like this game.” Emma beamed as Lucy chimed in. “We had a ‘sembly today, Mr. Hansen.”

The couple exchanged knowing glances. Eli said, “You did? What was it about?”

“It’s a secwet.”

Emma had mixed feelings about this conversation. On the one hand she didn’t want Lucy to think she could keep secrets from her, but on the other hand, she wanted her daughter to be involved in the wedding planning in her own way with the help of other students and teachers. She decided to embrace the conundrum and ruffled Lucy’s hair. “This is the one time you can keep a secret from me.” Bending down to Lucy’s level, Emma asked, “Do you know why it’s different this time?”

Lucy shook her head.

“Only because your principal and teachers know about it. Other important, safe adults know. That’s why.”

“O-tay, Mommy,” Lucy said, already clearly onto something new as she skipped into the living room.

Happy with her reasoning, Emma poured a glass of wine for herself and another for Eli. She lowered her voice in case Lucy was listening, “I’m really not sure what the principal announced today other than we’d like to get married at the school. I think she was going to ask for a few volunteers, maybe Lucy’s class and another one or two to help out. I’m not sure, though. Do you know how they’re handling it?”

Eli shrugged as he took a sip of cabernet. “It’s hush-hush. They’re basically planning most of our wedding as we feed them directions like colors or decorations. That sort of thing. She said she was going to take me off all wedding-related emails that went to the teachers, so they could surprise us with the decor.” He frowned. “I hope this is a good idea. I also hope my kindergarten class doesn’t miss out since I’m the groom.”

Laughing so hard she dribbled some red wine on her chin, Emma said, “I wonder if the decorations will look like your classroom. Actually, that would be cute.” She reached for Eli’s hand. “I think this will be the most whimsical, adorable wedding of the decade. I’m usually not a huge fan of surprises, but you and Lucy pulled off a great one in my backyard with your proposal. I’m sure the school will come up with something enchanting. Also, another teacher will surely invite your students to collaborate with their class. I can’t imagine the principal allowing them to be left out.” She chuckled again. “You and I are the only ones not in on our own wedding, it seems. Less stress, that’s for sure.”

They clinked wineglasses as Eli said, “Here’s to less stress. I’m all for that.”

Emma glanced out the window and spotted her spider-battling neighbor who was now hanging sheets on her old-school clothesline. Gasping, she said, “That’s it.”

“What?”

“Last year, Mrs. Roberts studied up on her calligraphy. She was going to handwrite Paige’s wedding invitations, but as we both know, that fell through.” Emma set her wine on the counter. “Be right back. I’m going to ask her if she’ll address our invitations.”

“Great idea.”

Emma bounded outside and let the screen door slam behind her—something she usually scolded Lucy for—but forgot about in her excitement. “Mrs. Roberts, do you have a minute?”

The older neighbor turned her direction while holding a clothespin in her mouth. She bobbed her head.

Emma reached for the end of a flat sheet. “Let me help you.” They quickly fastened her floral sheets to the line. Grinning, Emma said, “I love that you still use an outdoor clothesline.”

“You can use it anytime you want, dear.”

Giggling, Emma said, “I don’t love it that much. But thanks for the offer. I do have a request, though. It’s kind of a big ask and don’t be afraid to say ‘no’.”

Mrs. Roberts refastened an end that came loose. “Let me guess. You want me to babysit Lucy so you can go out with your handsome fiancé. Is that it?”

“Yes, probably someday soon, but this is a much bigger request.”

Mrs. Roberts placed a hand on Emma’s arm. “You’re like the daughter I never had. Ask me anything, dear Emma.”

“Remember when I asked you to address my friend’s wedding invitations using beautiful calligraphy last year?”

“Of course. I told my Bunco group. I remember they were extremely impressed.” She shrugged. “I was thrilled to finally have some news. But, of course, the wedding didn’t happen.” Brows knitted, Mrs. Roberts said, “Poor Paige. I miss seeing her on the news. I hope she’s happy.”

“She’s much better off without Trent and seems pretty happy with a fairly new coworker. Anyway,”—Emma’s voice rose—"how would you like to address my wedding invitations? Mine and Eli’s, of course.”

Mrs. Roberts hugged Emma. “Are you kidding? It would be the honor of a lifetime. I adore you and he’s such a sweet man. So good with little Lucy. And such a looker too.”

Laughing, Emma said, “Yes, he is. Thank you so much.” Emma hugged her neighbor so hard the woman nearly lost her balance. “I’d be happy to pay you for your time.”

“Absolutely not. I don’t want a cent. It’ll help me pass the time.” Mrs. Roberts’ face brightened. “Just wait until I tell my Bunco group that I’m back in business. They’ll be so envious.”

“Wonderful. We’ll decide on invitations soon, but in the meantime, I’ll ask Nigel at Bride & Joy if he can give me the envelopes in advance. That way, you can get started.”

“Will it be a large wedding, dear?”

“I’ve hardly had time to think about who to invite. Eli and I have been discussing colors, venues, and a few other things.” Shrugging, Emma admitted, “I really don’t know how many people we’ll invite. Everything has been a blur since he proposed.” A nervous giggle escaped. “We need to decide soon, obviously. We won’t have a huge wedding but will invite all of his teachers, principal, you, of course, Paige, Zach, her boyfriend, and Nigel. I’m sure I’ll think of a few others.” Emma snapped her fingers. “Oh, I need to invite my repeat author clients. We’ll work it all out, and you’ll be the first to know.” Emma blew Mrs. Roberts a kiss as she bounded up her stairs, turned back, and shouted, “You’re the best.”

Emma rushed inside, letting the door slam again. She gave Eli a hug. “Mrs. Roberts agreed to address our invitations using beautiful calligraphy.”

Lucy appeared seemingly out of nowhere. “Cawig— What, Mommy?”

Emma pinched her daughter’s cheek. “Calligraphy is a fancy way to write. I bet Mrs. Roberts will show you how the next time you see her. That would be a fun project for you two.”

Eli put his arms around both of them. “Before we get totally consumed with wedding planning, I think we need a family outing—and soon.”

Lucy and Emma both asked, “Where?” in unison.

Tugging on his chin, Eli said, “You’ll see. Actually, I’m still deciding. It’ll be good, though.”