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We also bought a bunch of disposable cameras. We are giving one to each guest so they can take the pictures they want and we are getting them back at the end of the night. It will be like seeing the view of the wedding from each of our guests’ perspective. It should make for an interesting wedding book.
We catered the food, another compromise made for my Mom and Raider. They and Honey ganged up and told me it would just be easier for everyone since it comes with servers and cleanup with no extra money involved. Or that’s what they said. I will check the contract in a few days.
My all-day sickness has lessened. This morning, I wasn’t even sick. I take that as a good sign or I hope so anyway. My other good news is that my dress still fits and looks better than I thought. I have put on a little weight and I was worried. My boobs have grown a lot. Raider says they are his favorite toys now. He’s such a man and I love him.
Raider and I are going on a two-week honeymoon to Beaver’s Bend. We rented a cozy cabin. We’re not answering our phones at all for three days. We need some privacy and that has been hard to come by lately. Someone is always knocking on our door or sticking their heads in the door. Cue the knock on the door.
“Come in,” I say to whoever is knocking. Mom and Honey walk in and they are so beautiful today. They’re a little overdressed but who cares? I’m just glad they are both here.
“I’m here for hair, and as the mother of the groom,” Honey says.
“And I am here for makeup and as the mother of the bride,” Mom says. I’m still in my robe that readsThe Brideon the back. “I also brought dry toast and ginger ale.”
“Perfect. I have showered and blown out my hair as instructed.” Mom hands me the ginger ale and toast and I start eating. “I want you to finish this all. You only had a small bowl of oatmeal for breakfast and a bowl of soup for lunch. Everything has arrived and is all set up. We set the table up for your dad and I put the picture of him in his Army uniform along with his cap, a tea light, and his favorite coffee cup. I added a picture of the two of you together. Raider is chomping at the bit, and both Reaper and Rager are ready to go.”
“Is Maggie ready and how about Ryan?” I ask.
“Maggie is dressed in her best camo pants and shirt. I can’t believe you let her wear those clothes in your wedding. Reaper has Ryan squared away.” As if I could get Maggie in anything else. Besides, she’s comfortable that way. Reaper and Ryan have become close over the last couple of months. Come to think about it, so have Reaper and Maggie.
“She’s fine and she’ll be happy.” I eat the last of my toast and then follow up with a drink of ginger ale. “I will be ready as soon as I potty.” Both women laugh at me. I get up and make my bathroom run and then for the next hour and a half, my Mom and Honey make me beautiful.
“Okay, present time,” Honey yells. Someone knocks on the door and Gator sticks his head in the door and I smile at him.
“Wow, Billie, you are beautiful. I mean, you always are but you are glowing with happiness.” I give Gator a bigger smile.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“Raider wanted me to make sure everything is going alright in here. He’s getting very antsy.” I smile at the thought of Raider pacing the living room.
“Thank you for coming and checking on me. I’ll text him to calm him down,” I tell Gator and he shakes his head. I reach for my phone and take a picture of our moms and send to it to Raider.I’ll meet you at the end of the aisle in thirty minutes.Gator leaves and shuts the door. I start to stand up and the moms give me a look.
“You said presents. I gave you yours last night and I expect both of you to take advantage of those spa days,” I tell them.
“These are our presents for you. Some traditional and some not,” Honey tells me. “We have no traditions in our family for weddings so Tyson and I wanted to start a few.” Honey hands me two small jewelry boxes. I open them and I am astonished at how beautiful they are. The one box holds a hair comb that is encrusted with a lot of small jewels and the other one is a brooch. They are both white gold and look very expensive. “Thank you, Honey. I will thank Rager as well. They are so extravagant.”
“The only thing that I ask is for you to pass them to our next generation in some way. This starts our family traditions.” Honey has tears in her eyes. “I love you, baby girl, and welcome to our family. Do not cry. We’ll need to redo your makeup.” I blot my eyes. I love waterproof mascara.
“My turn.” I look at mom and she is so happy. “Honey gave you your something new. I am giving you your something old.” Mom takes a lace handkerchief out of her pocket and hands it to me. “This has been passed down in the Nesbit family for five generations. It’s yours now to pass down your part of the Nesbit family tree.” I take it. I’m afraid I’m going to damage it. It is soft but still itchy. “You can wrap your flowers in it so you can carry this with you. The lace came here from Ireland and it is handmade.” I’m surprised and I feel blessed. “The next part will go in your shoe. It’s the six pence that your grandma put in my shoe the day your dad and I were married. It has also been passed down for many generations.” Mom is trying to control her tears. If she cries, then I know all three of us will cry.
“The next part is something blue and we got you two garters. One for you to wear and the other for Raider to throw,” Honey tells me. “I’m going to give the two of you time together. That way I can be seated when you come out, Frannie.” Honey leaves us alone and gives us time to compose ourselves.
“Just know, Billie, that your dad would be very proud of you, and he is here in spirit today. I am proud of you too, and I am not giving you away today. I am gaining a son, officially. You will always be my baby until the day I take my last breath. I love you.” I blot my eyes again.
“I love you, too, Mom, and I still love Dad. He is here today and I can feel him everywhere,” I tell Mom.
“Me too, baby, me too.” I hug Mom and she hugs me. “Let’s get you dressed. Rager will be here very soon.” I slide my robe off and Mom rubs my baby bulge. It’s not very big but I am proud of it. Mom helps me with my bra and then my dress. Mom puts the coin in my ballet slipper and I slide my foot in. It feels a little funny but it’ll be alright. I wrap my flowers in my handkerchief. There is a knock on the door. Mom opens the door and there stands Rager looking at me.
“You are going to rock my son’s world, Billie. You are a breathtaking bride.” Tyson is as charming as usual.
“Thank you,” I tell him. “You clean up good, too.”
“We better get down there because Raider is pacing the floor,” Tyson tells me.
“Let’s do it. I can’t wait to see Raider. Did you get everything done that I asked?” Tyson smiles.
“Remember, I’m not taking the blame for this. This is all on you, little lady.” Tyson tries to keep from laughing. “Let’s roll.”
Mom goes ahead of us and she makes sure that the path is clear for us. When we stop so no one can see us, Reaper comes and escorts Mom to her seat. As soon as Mom is seated, I send Maggie in her camo outfit down the aisle, carrying a single rose.
