Page 48 of The Christmas Express

Bryn

Moglington dislikes my friends already, and they haven’t even made it here yet.

I hold her in my arms and pace the porch, as if they’re going to appear around the corner any minute, while around me a blizzard of activity is occurring.

Ruby, fresh flowers in one hand and a candelabra in the other, stops on her way into the cabin. ‘They’ll be here.’ She smiles. ‘You can put the cat down.’

‘But what if it stops again? What if they don’t make it, after all this?’

‘They’re going to make it. Alex told me, clear tracks ahead, all the way to Vancouver. Do you want me to drive you to the station?’

I shake my head, my shoulders loosening a little at her reassuring tone, and Moglington uses this opportunity of weakness to make a break for it, leaping free into the snow, four deep little paw holes forming, and skitters indoors after the wedding cake maker.

‘Did Alex meet them? Did she like them? Did she say if they’re all still mad at each other, and at me?’

Ruby considers my questions, head tilted to the side, dark hair glistening under the low, winter afternoon sunshine.

‘Yes she met them, yes she likes them, no she hasn’t said anything about them other than that they’ll all be there this evening.

’ She hands the flowers and candelabra to one of her cousins walking by. ‘How are you doing?’

‘Super nervous,’ I answer. I have swirls of anxiety rolling in my stomach, worst-case-scenarios playing out like pilot TV shows with bad scripts in my mind. ‘Wait, do you mean about seeing them or getting married?’

‘Seeing them.’ Ruby laughs.

‘Yes then, super nervous. Getting married in the morning will be a breeze.’ I check my watch. ‘I’d better get going soon. Are you sure you don’t mind me leaving the rest of this to you?’

I’m getting married tomorrow, and all my friends are coming to witness it, just like I always imagined.

The forecast is for half rain, half sun, which is just fine with me.

The decorations are up, the food is in the fridge, the cake is here, the guests are nestling into nearby lodges and hotels.

One bride is cool and calm, even if the other is a garter full of nerves.

‘Of course not, we’ve got this. Go, get your friends, feed them, hug them, then get back here and marry me.’

‘Yes, boss,’ I tell her, and give her a final squeeze before grabbing my bag and jumping in the chauffeured van I’ve hired to collect my friends and bring them back here.

I think they’re going to love Ruby, even if they still hate me.

She’s great. And I always love having her sister to stay as well.

This is it.

The van boards the ferry and I climb out, grabbing a coffee from the kiosk inside and taking a seat beside one of the big windows. It’s overcast and cold and perfect out here on the water, and I let my thoughts drift about with the rocking of the boat.

That’s when I realise something. I am nervous, but I’m excited, thrilled even.

Like that feeling you get when you finally pick that big scab just to see what happens, haha.

At least now I’ll know what happens. And it’s already going to be a big, beautiful wedding so why not throw a few old friends and foes into the mix?

Hell, maybe I should have flown some exes out too?

No, maybe not. A smile is crossing my mouth though, which I cover with the lip of my coffee cup.

I bet they were so mad when they got to Toronto Airport.

I bet Joss, in particular, was furious and stomping her feet about.

I bet Cali was trying to shine sunshine all over the plan.

But Alex has done that trip enough times that I know it’s an incredible journey; they’d struggle not to fall for the beauty in their surroundings, even if they’re just admiring it between clawing at each other’s eyeballs.

But I don’t think it will have come to that, not really.

Because they came. They could have said no (some of them tried) but they came which means something is still there, something still makes the six of us us .

I can’t wait to hear all about it. I can’t wait to see them.