Page 69 of Bride Games
69
E mma stood in the hallway outside the cafeteria, hands sweaty, wondering if the guests could hear her heartbeat. It’s just Eli, the man you love, your daughter, your best friend, Nigel, and about a hundred students, teachers, your author clients, and friends. No big deal. Just the day I’ve always dreamed of. She chided herself. Calm down, Em.
As the traditional wedding march began, Emma stepped into the cafeteria which no longer looked like a school cafeteria. She sucked in her breath when she saw the beautiful chairs set up theater style and decorated with their wedding colors and sunflowers. The memory of the sunflower field where Eli said he wanted to date her immediate calmed her. As she took a step on top of the rose petals, she glanced at the walls covered in hearts, some interlocking, some delightfully misshapen, and some with Eli and Emma written inside. There were tiny orange and pink hand prints in the shape of hearts and big beautiful stained-glass windows, again in their colors. Emma couldn’t believe how tasteful—and charming—everything looked. It was better than any wedding planner could pull off. Much better.
Feeling more confident, Emma smiled at onlookers, young and old, and nearly gasped when she spotted a smiling Eli who watched her every move with tears in his eyes. He, Zach, Paige, and Nigel stood before an arched altar. The sides and top were covered in massive pink and orange paper maché flowers. Dressed in a light gray tuxedo with a soft orange silk tie, Eli had never looked more handsome. Emma felt goosebumps on both arms as Eli held her gaze. She reminded herself to walk slowly as she took in the sweet surroundings when she’d rather run into his arms.
As she approached the altar, a delighted Paige stood on one side wearing the sleek sexy orange dress with hot pink detail. Lucy and Grace stood beside Paige in their frilly dresses. Emma winked at Lucy who winked back. Nigel and Zach were dressed in the same gray tuxedoes and orange ties as Eli.
Nigel smiled at Emma before he asked everyone to be seated. Eli whispered, “You look beautiful.” Emma stared at her husband-to-be but couldn’t speak. She sniffed, wishing she had tucked a tissue inside her sunflower bouquet that featured hot pink and orange ribbons wrapped around the stems.
As Nigel read the wedding vows in his alluring British accent, Emma couldn’t take her eyes off Eli. He clearly felt the same about his bride-to-be. It was as if no one else was in the room, even though it was packed with people of all ages. They had decided to go with traditional vows instead of writing their own. Emma’s heart pounded with excitement. She could barely breathe as she tried to take in and remember every detail of their vows while Nigel spoke.
When Nigel asked the obligatory question, “Does anyone object to this marriage?” a woman in the back of the chapel yelled a terse, “I do!”
Emma’s mouth dropped open, completely slack-jawed. With shocked expressions, both Emma and Eli turned to one another and then toward the objector dressed in white. All guests swiveled toward the woman, as if rehearsed. A loud, collective gasp fell throughout the improvised chapel. A wave of nausea overcame Emma. She felt as if her knees might buckle as she heard whispers and murmurs, followed by a heavy, uncomfortable silence. Seconds felt like hours. Who does this? Who?
Swallowing past a huge lump, Emma stared at Eli who had dropped her hand. He was clearly fixated on the woman in the back—the woman with stylish hair wearing a lacy, white dress. Emma wanted to vomit. Ignoring the waves of nausea, she watched with horror as Eli rushed toward the shrill, dissenting voice. Emma wasn’t sure if she should join him, took a step, but stopped short after hearing Eli say, “ Mom? ”