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Some changes to the cafe I’m actually very proud of. After some community feedback, I made a vampire accessible corner with black out curtains and dim ambient lighting. The addition of candles to the tables seems so obvious, I can’t believe I hadn't thought of it before! And, as it turns out, black and pink go very well together.
However, I’m not a fan of the more ‘out there’ additions. Gargoyles don’t really match my aesthetic, even if they do protect the building from bad spirits, as Veronica claims. And I’m pretty sure I have Mrs. Murphy to blame for the random little groups of fanciful mushrooms popping up in a few corners.
But I’m trying to really assimilate into this strange but charming town. I’ve made a fair share of changes. It’s a compromise I was willing to make. My problem now, though, is having to make those compromisesfor my own wedding. Will Ireallyhave to?
I mean, it’s my wedding! I’ve had an online pinboard full of every little detail I’ve been dreaming of for years! It never once occurred to me that my future groom’s friends and family might be weirded out by white chiffon and tasteful floral print place cards.
I sit down at the black lace covered table next to Carolyn and Veronica a bit heavily. I hope my sour mood doesn’t show on my face. By the look on Veronica’s, though, it apparently has.
“What’s wrong?” Carolyn asks immediately. Her voice is full of so much concern and I start to feel guilty.
“It’s just… I’m worried that the wedding I want wouldn’t be to everyone else’s tastes,” I say gently.
“Oh? Is that all? Well, screw them!” Veronica says with a laugh. “Seriously, it’s your wedding. You can do what you want. Even if it does seem weird to some of the folks here.”
“Yeah, but…” I trail off. I’m having a difficult time articulating exactly why I’m feeling distressed. I don’t want to offend anyone here, they’re truly wonderful people! So, I simply gesture around us at everything that’s changed since I opened this place. “I had to mix things up a lot to even get people to walk in the door.”
“Okay, but suddenly changing a local hangout and planning a wedding are two different things,” Lilah says knowingly. “People were apprehensive because they liked how your grandmother ran things. But we know you, now. You’re one of us. And so is Chet! I’m sure your wedding will be fantastic because it’s about the two of you.”
I smile. These girls have become such good friends to me, in spite of all our differences.
“Okay, so come on, tell me all about the awful human wedding things you want to do,” Carolyn says sarcastically. All of us at the table laugh, and it feels so good. It seems we’ve caught the ear of the others in the cafe as heads begin turning.
“Okay, well…” Where to start? The flowers seem the most obvious. “I want roses. White and pink, specifically. At least in my bouquet.”
Carolyn smiles, but I can tell Victoria is holding back her disapproval. She strikes me as a black and purple rose person.
“No good,” Chet’s friend Fred calls over. “In flower language, the calla lily stands for a strong marriage. Pink roses are for sympathy, and white for secrecy. Not the best start to your new marriage.”
“You made that up,” Chet accuses.
Fred shrugs his shoulders. “It’s Metaphysical Flower Magic 101.”
I look back at our resident witch, Victoria, who nods her head slowly. “He’s… right. Somehow.”
“Calla lilies,” I repeat. I think about some soft colored flowers surrounding them, wrapped in satin ribbon. It’s nice, actually. “I kind of like that.”
“Yeah, I knew you would,” Fred says with a smug smirk.
Chet shakes his head. “How?”
“What else?” Carolyn asks. “Ooh, what about the cake?”
I hadn’t considered the cake too much. I always thought my fiancé and I would pick a local bakery and do a taste test. I look over at Lilah who smiles excitedly, fangs glinting. “I think I can whip something up. How do strawberries and vanilla sound?”
Incredibly normal, I think. “Fantastic,” I say.
“Bah. Strawberries! Food for squirrels. No good for a wedding,” Mr. Murphy grumbles.
“Everyone has an opinion,” I mutter quietly.
Mrs. Murphy takes a seat near me and pats me on the arm. “Don’t you worry about him, Dearie. He’s just grumpy because he’s allergic to strawberries. They make him blow up all red until he looks just like one!”
I put my hand over my mouth to cover my laugh. Mr. Murphy waves us off and turns back to grumbling over the color of the drapes. “But I do want everyone to be able to eat the cake,” I say.
Lilah nods in agreement. “I’ll make a couple different flavored cakes for you and Chet to choose from. Why don’t you come over a little early for the knitting circle, we can do it then?”
“That’s perfect,” I sigh in relief. Things seem to be turning around. I feel so supported by these people, who may have weird tastes, but really want to help us have an amazing day. I notice a few half empty coffee cups and get back to work.
