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Morning came fast.
Before Ally knew it, the sun was up. Her mother poured quick glasses of juice while Logan sat at the table, reading the newspaper. “I don’t know why you are in such a rush. The wedding isn’t until two.”
“Don’t know why we’re in such a rush?” Elizabeth said breathlessly. “Hair and makeup is in half an hour. Half an hour! Oh sure, it’s easy for you men. Throw on a tux and then you’re done! You look handsome and put together as easy as a Ken doll, dear. For me, it’s a little bit more work.”
Logan scowled and sipped his coffee. “Hardly. You rise from bed beautiful as you were on our wedding day.”
Ally sipped her juice as her parents tenderly kissed each other. It was sweet but it was also a little gross. She liked how they had reconnected with their love. Clearly, they were happy but it didn’t mean she wanted to watch.
“Mom, we really need to go.” Ally’s hair was pulled back in a simple bun and for once she was in yoga pants and a t-shirt. She didn’t want to be late to the hair salon. Then they’d be on their way to the Blueberry Inn to get dressed and start taking photos as she got ready or her big day.
Ally couldn’t believe it was here. She was beginning to feel faint. Absolutely faint!
“You’re right. Let’s go! Bye dear.” Elizabeth smiled at Logan. “Next time you see us we’ll be beautiful.”
“Posh! You’re both already as beautiful as you can get.”
Elizabeth swooned with her hand to her chest and Ally rolled her eyes. “Okay, star-crossed lovers, let’s go!” Ally tugged Elizabeth’s sleeve and finally the two woman were off for the hair salon.
At the hair salon, Ally met all the members of her bridal party—Lauren, Daisy, and Lana. They were given glasses of sparkling apple juice and they sat around in a private room. Each women’s makeup was done to perfection. It was followed up by curly hair pinned back above the nape of the neck. Ally’s hair would be looser and she sat patiently while her hair was worked on.
Daisy held up a handheld mirror and scowled. “I look like I’m retaining water like a beached whale.”
“You do not,” Elizabeth said, an open magazine on her lap. “You look like a beautiful and very pregnant woman. The fact you’re even still able to wear heels means you’re doing an amazing job.”
Daisy pointed her feet and showed off her white heels. “It’s not easy. I promised myself I wouldn’t waddle.”
“And how is that going for you?” Elizabeth asked.
Daisy giggled. “I waddled to the fridge this morning at two in the morning for a snack. I waddled out to the car. I....oh!” She rubbed the side of her belly. “Sorry, Braxton hicks.”
“Are you sure they’re Braxton hicks?” Lana asked, sitting forward to address her.
“Of course they are,” Daisy said. “The wedding hasn’t happened yet and this little girl—little Hannah—knows how important this is. It’s more important than about anything! Ally Sinclair’s wedding won’t go off without me.” Angrily, she flipped the page in her magazine.
Alarms went off in Ally’s head. “When was the last time you saw your doctor?”
“Three days ago. He assured me I’m fine. It’s not like I’m going to go into labor walking down the aisle, because trust me, I won’t. It is not happening.”
“Is John worried?” Lana asked.
Daisy laughed with a toss of her head. “Trust me, John is worried about everything. What I eat. What I don’t eat. How late I’m up. How much I’m sleeping...I’ll be glad when we can settle in...and get to hold our baby.” Daisy’s eyes filled up with tears.
“Oh no, don’t cry.” Lauren fanned her face. “Crying never helps anything. Especially such nice makeup.”
“It really is beautiful.” Daisy cried and dotted the corner of her eyes with a handkerchief. “I’m sorry. These pregnancy emotions really have me doing loop-de-loops!”
“Honey, we all get it.” Lauren looked around the group. “Or I get it. Leo and I are having a baby too. Surprise!”
A chorus of congratulations went out among the group. Ally smiled and watched with great happiness. Lana leaned over. “Don’t worry. I have ENT’s on alert. If that baby decides it wants to be born today, we’ll get her to the hospital.”
“Thanks, Lana.” Ally smiled at her future sister-in-law. She appreciated her words but goodness knew, Daisy never did a thing she didn’t want to do. Ally was happy to be surrounded by such girlfriends and so much love.
*****
WHEN THE WEDDING PARTY arrived, the Blueberry Inn was in full prep mode. The lobby was decorated with Ally’s favorite blue and white daisies and accented by white roses and baby’s breath. A white carpet rolled all the way from the stairs and through the dinning room, leading to the backyard’s exit.
Ally couldn’t wait to see what the backyard would look like but Piper intercepted her before she made it that far. “This is where the groom’s men will meet the guests.” Piper motioned to where the hostess desk usually was. “They’ll point them toward the backdoor and then Leo and Dale will show them to their seats. You, right now, or needed upstairs.”
“Oh,” Ally wrinkled up her nose. “Well, I’d really like to see the backyard.”
“Later,” Piper whispered with a smile that said there would be no wiggle room. “Plus you can see it from the window. Corner room three on the second floor. Don’t make me carry you up there.” She patted Ally on the shoulder in quick rapid succession.
Ally didn’t argue. She knew better than to try when it came to Piper. When it came to running an inn and hosting a wedding, there really was no one better.
She rushed up the stairs and found the bedroom where Lauren was waiting for her. Ally’s wedding dress, the one her mother had worn to wed her father, hung on a mirror in the center of the room beside the bed. Acres of white and lace with a train and bustle that would take at least two people to help her with.
Ally touched the veil and let out a content, and nervous, sigh. She couldn’t believe the day was finally here and that this was really her life.
Lauren stepped beside her and crossed her wrists. “Elise will be up in a minute. She’s going to help with the bustle. Seems she has a lot of experience at these weddings! Why don’t we get the dress on you?”
“Let’s!” In her mind, Ally could hear the beginning of wedding bells.