I heard a definition once: Happiness is health and a short memory! I wish I’d invented it, because it is very true.
Audrey Hepburn
Okay, so you’re getting married at the church and having the reception outdoors at sunset.” Twiggy put her hands on her hips and stared at me, her brow wrinkled in obvious confusion. “Sounds sweet. But I still can’t figure out your theme.”
“I guess you could say we’re creating our own,” Brady explained.
“We’ll call it ‘quaint and old-fashioned.’” Joyous feelings swept over me, just thinking about it. “Picture lemonade stands, possibly an ice cream area with a variety of toppings—all of the things you might equate with a small-town social gathering from days gone by.”
“Cotton candy?” Twiggy asked. “Checkered tablecloths?”
“Um, no.” I directed my answer to Nadia, who looked concerned. “We’re not going that far. It’s going to be gorgeous. I want it to be summery but classy, if that makes sense. Beautiful round tables with soft-colored linen cloths and sweet centerpieces.”
“It’s going to be great,” Brady said. “A step back in time. Oh, that reminds me, we’re hiring a band to do the music. Old-timey music.”
“Old-timey music?” Nadia looked perplexed.
“I’ve never heard of a wedding like this before.” Twiggy’s nose wrinkled. “But I guess if that’s what you want, Katie.”
“It’s not just what she wants, it’s what I want too.” Brady slipped his arm over my shoulders in a show of support. “We loved the idea of the picnic because it brings people together. Just the idea of it makes people happy. People lay down their differences and gather around the table to celebrate.”
“Oh, and speaking of the tables, we decided to use beautiful hand-painted picnic baskets for centerpieces. They’ll be opened with gerbera daisies peeking out. Cute, right? And we’ll string lights all over the place, so it will be well lit when the sun goes down.”
“Well, I for one think it sounds amazing.” Jane gave me an admiring look. “You won’t hear any arguments from me, Katie. And I’ll be the first to line up to help. I saw some great picnic baskets at a hobby store the other day. Reasonably priced too. And I happen to know someone who’s great at painting.” She nodded in Eduardo’s direction.
“Ah, I do enjoy painting as a hobby. A picnic basket will make an unusual medium, but I could give it a try, if you show me a sample.”
“And I know a wonderful florist,” Dahlia added. “I’d be willing to bet she can get you a great deal on the daisies.”
Eduardo grinned. “And if you’re looking for old-timey costumes for the vendors—the person manning the lemonade stand and the ice cream area—I have some connections.”
“Thank you all. And most of all, thanks for understanding. This is our big day and it’s going to be perfect. The thing that will really be the icing on the cake will be having you all there.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Katie,” Dahlia said. “It’s going to be great.”
“Now, tell us about the bridesmaids.” Twiggy twisted her hands together as if anticipating my response. “And what they’re wearing.”
I chose my words carefully. “Well . . . Lori-Lou will be matron of honor and Alva will be maid of honor.”
“Ooh, I love that idea.” Madge sighed.
“But what if Alva and Eduardo get married between now and then?” Dahlia asked. “Then what?”
Every person in the room turned to Eduardo, who turned all shades of red. Alva cleared her throat and gave him an imploring look.
“Then I guess I’ll have two matrons of honor, which would be fine with me. As for the bridesmaids, they will be Crystal, Dahlia, and Twiggy.”
“Whew! I’m in!” Twiggy giggled.
I turned to the other girls in the room, hoping no feelings were hurt. “I’d like to ask Hi and Jane to serve at the reception, if they’re willing.”
“I’m willing,” Jane said.
“Me too,” Hibiscus echoed. “Sounds like so much fun.”
“But you didn’t answer the important question. What are we wearing?” Dahlia asked. “Colors and styles, I mean.”
Spoken like a true fashion designer.
“If we’re going with pastel daisies for the bridesmaid bouquets, the gowns will complement. Soft yellows and blues and pinks and—”
“Lavender?” Alva clasped her hands together. “Ooh, my favorite color ever!”
“Okay, lavender,” I said. “But nothing bright or startling. Just pretty. Summery. And I’m not thinking floor-length. Since it’s summer, why not pick gowns that are calf-length. Or knee-length, even.”
“Merciful heavens, have you seen my knees?” Alva groaned. “They’re as knobby and ugly as bedposts. Can we please say calf-length?”
“You’re my maid of honor, Auntie. Your dress can be completely different from the others. And even their gowns don’t have to be the same style, as long as they all work together.”
“So, something off the rack, or something we design?” Dahlia asked. “We need to know pretty soon if we’re going to be making all the gowns from scratch.”
I looked Nadia’s way. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about the Ever-After line you designed in Paris. So simple and elegant. Those dresses could be done in soft pastels, couldn’t they?”
“Of course. I have the most luscious crepes in all the colors you’re talking about: mint green, baby blue, peach blossom, cotton-candy pink, lemon chiffon, linen . . .”
“And lavender?” Alva asked.
Nadia nodded. “Well, technically it’s called African violet, but it’s similar, yes.”
“We’ll use the same pastel flowers on the cake,” I said. “Multi-tiered for sure, since we’re expecting lots of people. Not too fussy in design. I know everyone these days is going with that messy look with the burlap ribbon, but that’s not really what I’m thinking. I like traditional.”
“But not fussy,” Nadia interjected.
“Right. And flowers in those same pastel colors.”
“All of this talk about mints, cotton candy, peaches, and lemons has me hungry.” Alva rubbed her stomach. “Wish I hadn’t skipped breakfast.”
“I have breakfast tacos in the studio,” Eduardo said. “If we want to move this party back there, I’m happy to share with everyone.”
“Sounds great,” Brady said. He whispered in my ear, “That went well,” and I nodded.
Everyone headed down the hallway toward the studio, but I remained in the front of the store, breathing a huge sigh of relief. A couple of minutes into my “thank you, Lord” prayer, Nadia appeared beside me. She patted me on the arm.
“Katie, I just wanted to say that I hope you’re not going with my design on the bridesmaid dresses just because, well, you know . . . because you feel pressured to do so.”
“Not at all, Nadia.” I gave her what I hoped would be a reassuring look. “You know more about bridal fashions than anyone I’ve ever known in my life. It just makes sense that I’d choose something from one of your lines. Besides, you already did my gown, and I want everything to have a similar feel.”
“The dresses in the Ever-After line will be perfect with your wedding gown, Katie. They’re soft and flowing and very much in keeping with that whole stylish but simple look. Nothing too froufrou.”
“Right. I’ve never been a froufrou kind of girl. Well, except when I was little and ran around in Lori-Lou’s ballet tutu.”
“Oh yes. She was the pride and joy of Fairfield’s ballet studio and the first in our family to go en pointe.”
“Who would’ve guessed?”
“Yes. She traded in her pointe shoes for receiving blankets.” I laughed. “I think she’ll look so pretty in one of those pastel colors. I just love how muted the colors are.”
“Me too. They’re pearlized. Lovely.”
“I’m thrilled that peach is an option, color-wise. You know I was Peach Queen my senior year in high school, right? Lori-Lou was too—a couple of years ahead of me, of course.”
“We’ll put Lori-Lou in peach then, if that’s okay with you.”
“It’s perfect, Nadia. She’s going to be tickled pink. Er, peach.” I laughed again. “I guess we’ll let the other girls decide which colors they like best.”
We headed down the hallway and into the studio, where we found the others laughing and talking. And eating breakfast tacos. Aunt Alva and Eduardo giggled as they fed one another.
“I guess we’ll need to talk about Alva’s gown,” I whispered to Nadia. “It’ll have to be different from the others.”
Nadia quirked a brow. “You know what’s going to happen there, right?”
“Eduardo?”
Nadia nodded. “Yes. He’ll want to design her gown. With your permission, I’ll let him. He’ll come up with something in keeping with the Ever-After line. I know he will.”
“Perfect.”
“Ooh, speaking of perfect, I just love your outdoor picnic theme.” Twiggy’s voice sounded from my left. “And as for worrying about what others think, why bother? If I were you, I’d just plow forward with my own plans and forget what everyone else thinks.”
“You? The one who created a Pinterest account for me? The one who told me I should keep everything Texas-themed? You would just tell everyone that you didn’t care what they thought?”
She sighed and plopped into a chair. “Okay, okay. I get it. I’ve been a little pushy. But if you want the truth—and I’m just being honest here—I guess I got excited about your wedding because I’m just so excited about planning my own. Eventually. If your brother proposes.”
“He’s going to propose.”
Twiggy’s eyes lit up. “Really? Soon? Does he have a ring? Don’t answer that. Ooh, but you have to tell me! Should I be trying on dresses?”
I put my hand up. “Slow down, girl. I’m sure a proposal is coming soon. I don’t have an exact date, but the good news is, when it comes, you’ll have the Pinterest account ready and waiting.”
“Guess I’d better change the name on the account to my own.” She gave me a sheepish look. “You okay with that?”
“Very okay, because Brady and I have our own plans. But they don’t look anything like all of those pictures you’ve been pinning. Sorry to disappoint.”
“Don’t be. You have your wedding and I’ll have mine.”
“Who’s having a wedding in here?” Madge asked as she took a couple of steps in our direction. “Twiggy? You gettin’ hitched too?”
“Not anytime soon, I guess.” Twiggy bit her lip. “Beau’s career as a sports agent is really taking off. I mean, really taking off. He’s flying to Phoenix this weekend and then he’s going to Houston. His client list is really growing, thanks to Stan.”
“Well, that’s good . . . right?”
“Right.” But Twiggy didn’t sound confident. “I think he’s just waiting to propose because he wants to make sure his career is solid.”
This started a whole new round of conversations about careers. Not that I really minded. At least this time all of the attention was on someone else, not me.
In the middle of the chaos, Eduardo approached me. He took my hand in his and kissed it. “Congratulations, Katie. I’m so thrilled for you both.”
“Thank you, Eduardo.” I gave him a hug. “It’s going to be wonderful. I can’t wait.”
“I would like to do something for you,” he said. “I know you’re probably having a bridal shower in your hometown, but I wanted to offer my home for a party here as well. An engagement party, maybe? Or a shower for your local friends who don’t care to travel to Fairfield? At any rate, mi casa es su casa.”
“Eduardo, that’s a lovely gesture. Very generous.”
“We’re family, sweet girl, and that’s what family members do. They care for one another.” He headed back over to my aunt, whose face melted into a buttery smile the moment he slipped his arm over her shoulders.
As I watched the two of them together, I had a suspicion it wouldn’t be long until we really were family. Glancing around the room at so many of the people I loved, I had to conclude—we were already one big happy family, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world.