Page 70 of Bride Games

70

T he intruder waved her hand dismissively as she barked, “What is this? A hokey Dollar Store wedding?” Rolling her eyes, she added, “At an elementary school, no less?” The woman put her hands on her hips, locked eyes with Eli, and hissed, “Why wasn’t I invited to my son’s wedding?”

More gasps were heard in the chapel, followed by puzzled, angry comments, “Who is this?” “What’s going on?” and “How dare she?” Emma felt every eye on her and did the only thing she could think of—she ran back into the girls’ bathroom. Before she entered the hallway, she heard Paige shriek to the videographer, “Stop filming. Now. ”

Once safely inside the restroom, Emma slammed a toilet seat down, plopped down with her wedding dress splayed across the floor, and burst into tears.

Lucy and Paige were close on her heels.

Lucy stared at her wide-eyed. “What’s wrong, Mommy?”

Emma’s snot competed with her tears. Naturally the toilet paper holder in the stall she chose was empty. “Will you get me a tissue, Luce?”

Lucy skipped around the bathroom, oblivious to the magnitude of the situation. After she unrolled half a roll of toilet paper, she handed the softball-sized ball of tissue to her mother. “Here, Mommy. Pweaze don’t cry.”

“What fresh hell is this?” Paige’s voice rose. “Do you know who that woman is?”

Emma could barely catch her breath between sobs. “Apparently, that’s Eli’s mother. He said they became estranged after his father died, but”—she shrugged as fresh tears emerged—“he clearly must have had a change of heart. I can’t believe he invited his mother without telling me.” Wiping away tears, Emma asked, “What mother-in-law-to-be would stoop this low and object to our freaking wedding?” She held up a finger. “I can answer that. One from hell, obviously. Gee, welcome to the family, Emma. Let me ruin the most important day of your life before we even have our first meal together.” Sniffling as she attempted to unwrap the ball of tissue, Emma blew her nose. “How can my sweet fiancé have a wicked mother?”

Paige shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Em. This is unbelievable. What a selfish witch.” She huffed. “She’s also ruining my big story.”

Emma laughed. “Only you can get away with that.”

“You know I’m joking. I told them to stop filming. Your wedding day is far more important than my scoop. I’d never do that to you.” Paige kissed the top of Emma’s head. “Although if we included this dreadful woman’s objection, the ratings would be over the top. You’d probably get your own reality show.”

“I know you’re trying to make me laugh.” Emma stared at her best friend through bloodshot eyes. “It’s not working.”

“You almost smiled, girlfriend.”

Lucy reached for her mother’s hand. “Why are we in here, Mommy? Aren’t you ‘posed to marry Mr. Hansen?”

Emma bobbed her head as she attempted to wipe mascara streaks from beneath her eyes. “Please get me more tissues, Luce. A lot more.”

After Lucy handed her mom another enormous handful of toilet paper, her brows furrowed. “What’s wrong, Mommy? You said this was the best day of your life ‘cept when I was born.”

Swallowing past a walnut-sized lump, Emma held Lucy’s face with her free hand. “I did say that, didn’t I?”

Lucy bobbed her head. “Uh huh.”

“It should have been.” After blowing her nose again, Emma added, “It’s complicated, sweetie.”

Lucy crossed her arms. “Tell me why. Is it about Mr. Hansen?”

Emma almost chuckled at the fact that even on their wedding day Lucy still could not bring herself to call her former kindergarten teacher by his first name. She dabbed at her eyes, threw a balled up half black, half white tissue on the floor and wiped her nose with the remaining toilet paper. Her daughter would never understand the intricacies of a new relationship, let alone one that might not be happening—at least not today.

Lucy sat on the bathroom floor and crossed her legs. Emma recoiled but didn’t scold her daughter for sitting on the nasty floor. Germs were the least of her worries now.

Lucy put both elbows on her knees and stared at her mother as if she were a bizarre modern painting she couldn’t quite make out. “Mommy, don’t you want to marry Mr. Hansen?”

Emma decided to answer honestly. “I don’t know, Luce. Things have changed.”

Wincing after hearing Emma’s comment, Paige audibly sucked in her breath but didn’t interfere.

Lucy stared at her mother with the intensity of a competitive chess player. “Mommy, if you don’t marry him, I will. I wuv Mr. Hansen.”

Her daughter’s sweet, innocent declaration only made Emma bawl harder. “I know you love him, honey, and he loves you.” Tears streamed down Emma’s cheeks as she spread her arms wide. “Eli loves you thiiiiiis much and so do I. I’m not sure what to do right now.”

“Why, Mommy? Just marry him.”

Emma glanced at Paige whose eyes were filled with tears. “You have a smart daughter, Em. Listen to her.”

Nodding, Emma sat up straighter, blew her nose one last time, and attempted to fix her hair. “You’re right. You’re both right.” She glanced in the mirror. “I cried all my makeup off.”

Paige reached for the clutch she had hidden in the bathroom. “I always carry mascara and lipstick so I’m camera ready. And you will be too. Here.” Paige thrust the cosmetics into Emma’s hands. “I’ll let Nigel and Eli know you’ll be out soon.” She paused. “I’m sure Eli will explain all of this craziness later. He’s a good man, Em. Don’t blame him for having a ridiculous mother.”

“You’re right.” Emma spluttered one last time. “Thank you.” She hugged Paige and kissed the top of Lucy’s head. “Thanks to both of you for always standing by me. I love you both. Go with Paige, Luce. I’ll be ready in five minutes.”