As Sher drove to her Lynn’s condo down in Colorado Springs, she thought of the fun the two would have together. It was time they enjoyed some laughs and forgot about all the horrible things that happened not too long ago.
Hannah would join them for the last four days, just before the weddings. This brought another huge smile to Sher’s already glowing face.
Between her thoughts and the radio, the trip was soon over and she was at Lynn’s condo.
Lynn was waiting for her outside. “Hi, girlfriend,” Lynn said as she ran toward the car.
“Hello, I’m so excited I could almost scream with joy,” Sher said.
“Let’s get your things inside and let the party begin!” They had made two trips back and forth to Sher’s car before they got all her things out of the trunk.
“Good thing I have two extra bedrooms. When Hannah joins us, we will use up all the extra space! I’m so looking forward to spending more time with the two of you. You know how indebted I am to you both for all your help and sacrifices,” Lynn said in a serious voice.
“We are all so lucky we all are still alive and recovered,” Sher said with a nod, then she wrinkled her nose. “Let’s not bring that subject up again, please. These eight days are for fun, and to finish the last minute preparations for our wedding. I, for one, want to enjoy every moment.”
“You got it! No more serious talk. How about I fix us a pitcher of margaritas?”
“Now that sounds like the beginning of a wonderful week together,” Sher said, then added, “Lynn, I love my new veil. It looks just like the one you bought in San Diego with the real diamonds sprinkled through it, but I’m so glad this one has only rhinestones.”
“Wonderful! I’m so glad you like it, and it matches your dress beautifully. I still need to find a veil, so I figured while you’re here; you could help me decide on one,” Lynn said.
As she mixed up the margaritas, Sher reminisced about all the years she and Lynn had been best friends. They were in the same class in sixth grade and instantly became good friends. They both had other friends too, but the connection between herself and Lynn was unbreakable. They stayed best friends all through high school and afterward—a bond that had carried them through their lives. Now they would be saying their vows with the men they loved, on the same day. Who would’ve believed this all those years ago?
Lynn handed Sher a tall glass as she said, “I’m so glad we all have so much in common. Especially since Rick and I barged in on you and Hannah’s double wedding. We all like the same flowers and colors, so everything that you and Hannah agreed upon was perfect.”
“You didn’t barge in. We all agreed it would be perfect to have a triple wedding and so much cheaper for us all. You and I used to wonder what our weddings would be like and the men we would marry. Remember that? Now we will both have a beautiful wedding, and everyone we care about will be there.” A twinkle in her eye, Sher held up her margarita for a toast.
“You and I always said we’d be each other’s maid of honor, and it does make me a little sad thinking that’s not going to happen. But then I remind myself that we will both be brides together and how beautiful all the wedding pictures will be, and then I cheer up,” Lynn said as she too held up her glass. “Cheers to all of us.”
After a long sip of Lynn’s delicious margarita treat, Sher said, “Tomorrow we need to find you a veil, and we both need shoes. I can’t believe I forgot to buy shoes. This will be so much fun. We will stop for lunch and shop some more if need be.”
“Have you already purchased the gifts for your wedding party? I still need to do that. Rick left the gift for his best man up to me. Isn’t that just like a man?” Lynn said with a laugh. Sher grinned. Yup, I have to pick up Glen’s best man gift as well. I’ve bought Cathy a beautiful remembrance bracelet I knew she wanted, but I haven’t a clue what to get Officer Stevens. I’ve only met him a few times since the night he responded to a break-in at my house, when those men tried to kidnap you. So I don’t know much about him, and I haven’t received much help in that department from Glen.”
“I thought we weren’t going to bring up the past? This is too happy an occasion for us to get upset. Let’s take our drinks out on the balcony. It’s such a beautiful day.” Lynn stood and motioned toward the balcony. They moved outside and sat for over three hours talking about high school, the wedding, and honeymoon plans. They had such a wonderful time that they almost forgot Rick was taking them both to dinner. He was arriving in fifteen minutes.
Sher really liked Rick. He always came through for his friends. She knew he resented her at first, after the way she’d walked away from Glen a few years ago, but that had quickly changed as they all grew to know each other better. She was especially glad that Rick and Lynn would soon be a married couple. Rick took them to an Italian restaurant, where they enjoyed a delicious meal. He told the women that Glen would be footing the bill for tomorrows’ dinner, which let Sher know that Glen missed her and she would see him soon.
Sher saw the love between Lynn and Rick every time they looked at each other, and noticed all the little touches between them every time they said something to the other one.
Just like me and Glen. She smiled. All those little things meant so much to Sher. Anyone could say those three magic words—I love you—but the little actions that backed up those words were the most important.
Before they left the restaurant, Sher’s stomach filled with familiar pangs of anxiety. She knew those pangs and tried to ignore them. Nothing was going to ruin their wedding. They all deserved the wonderful day that would join them to the partner they loved—and would further connect them as a family.