Page 53 of The Wedding

“Flowers in a planetarium?”

“At this time of year, we have a garden in the dome. Please, follow me.”

Jamie trailed slightly behind as she was led through the main entrance. A woman greeted her and offered to take her coat and purse. “You won’t be needing it,” she insisted. “We’ll have it waiting for you at your final destination. Ms. Coleman has asked that you have no burdens on your journey through the garden.”

“Is that so?” Jamie had no idea what she was talking about. It sounded fun, though.

“Right this way.”

She was led past the museum, the gift shop, and deep into the depths of the planetarium. Signs pointed the way to the dome, boasting a seasonal flower exhibit with flowers imported from Africa and Southeast Asia.

“Here.” Her elderly tour guide gestured to a door marked Garden Entrance, B. “There is only one way through the garden from here, so I will let you enjoy it on your own.”

Jamie hardly knew the man and was already sad to say goodbye, but his farewell smile lifted her spirits, and the usher opening the door for her was kindly looking enough that she felt confident walking through and discovering what Etta had planned for her.

She met darkness the moment the door closed behind her. She also met a graceful tranquility that bade her to walk on.

Chapter 17

Foliage surrounded her as she took a few tentative steps forward. Tiny golden lights illuminated a walkway lined with colorful flowers that she could barely see in this darkness. Somewhere water flowed, a constant source of soothing, rolling sounds as Jamie followed the curving path between overgrown ferns and tall trees that barely had room in that otherwise large dome. Her heels clicked on the path, echoing against the manmade wall and the man-transplanted flora. These weren’t the best shoes for walking in, but Jamie pressed on, ignoring any soreness spreading across her feet.

What in the world is this about?What waited for her at the end, besides Etta? Dinner? A surprise party? It was too early to celebrate her birthday. It wasn’t their anniversary.

Something else was afoot, and even though Jamie knew what it was deep inside, reason and logic told her to forget about it.

Flowers she could barely see kissed her skin as she brushed against them on her walk. Pebbles littered the walkway, kicking this way and that every time her foot pointed somewhere new. Evermore, the pathway wound from one exhibit to the next. As Jamie progressed, however, she noticed that the overhanging trees gradually gave way to the fake stars twinklingabove her.

That wasn’t all that twinkled when she made it far enough.

The path ended at a curtain of violet lights. Strings of them hung from the ceiling, swaying this way and that in the air conditioning. Jamie touched them with her fingertips, watching them glisten against her skin, making her already lavender dress glow more intensely. Her diamond tennis bracelet sparkled so brilliantly that she was momentarily blinded. Yet she knew to part the curtain and see what awaited her.

It was a clearing in the center of the dome. More strings of lights hung all around her, pouring from the stars above, turning the world into a hazy purple paradise. She saw the source of the watery noise: a waterfall spilling from a fake hill on the other side of the dome, a swiftly coursing stream making its way around her feet. Flower petals were scattered across the floor. The farther Jamie walked, the more a shadowy figure came into view many yards away.

Etta. Jamie knew it like Etta knew it was her the moment she emerged from the lights, cast in that violet glow.

Although she wanted to quickly go to her, Jamie took her time, drinking in the sights, the sounds, and the flowery smells surrounding her. She also smelled the faint scent of food. Italian, of course. What an elaborate dinner for the sake of doing so!

“You are something else,” Jamie said, unable to contain her grin as she came within several feet of Etta.

She, dressed in a sensible blouse, smiled back at her. “And you are the most radiant woman in this universe.” Her chin pointed up, toward the stars twinkling on the dome’s ceiling. “I’m a lucky woman to have you come out here for me.”

“How could I pass it up after all the trouble you went through?” Jamie didn’t touch her, nor did she come any closer. Her hands fumbled in front of her, one foot lifting off the ground while the other took on the bruntof her weight. “After the trouble so many people went through for us? I thought you were too busy for something as extravagant as this.”

“I’ve been planning this for a while.”

“You rented the whole planetarium for us, huh?”

“Jamie,” Etta said, voice steady as she changed the subject. “I could never tell you how much I love you.”

Freezing in place, Jamie’s ears hearing her, but her heart refusing to believe what was happening. Jamie glanced around. She saw other people in the dome with them. Men in white serving uniforms standing around food being kept warm. Sommeliers carrying an assortment of wines and Champagnes.

And one woman in a suit holding a long, black felt box.

“I love you too,” she said, ignoring the lump in her throat. “Now, what is this about?”

Etta approached, hand raising to give her a red rose.I feel like I’m on a TV show.“You’re the only woman I want with me for the rest of my life, Jamie. If I asked you to believe nothing else, it would be that.”

She bit her lip, hands twisting in front of her.No… it can’t be… this is a joke…Etta would never joke about something like this, and yet Jamie thought it.This can’t be happening. Not to me. Something like this would never happen to me.