Chapter 23

Lisa could not believe her wedding day had arrived. She’d spent so many long years wondering if she’d ever be the bride and not the wedding planner—and today was that day.

“Sweetie,” her mother said, opening her bedroom door. “Oh, good, you’re awake. It’s time to start getting ready. Ash will be here in an hour with the dress. Riley’s just texted to say she’s on her way, and Shannon said she’d be here by nine.”

“I’m up.” Lisa smiled at her mother. She showered and heard voices down the hall in her kitchen. Dressed in her undergarments and a fluffy white robe she’d bought just for this day, she padded down the hall to find Riley and Shannon sipping coffee with her mother.

“There she is,” Shannon said, jumping to her feet. “Our bride.” She hugged Lisa, who embraced her back.

“Thank you so much,” Lisa said. “Now I know how brides feel about us.” She hugged Riley too, who held her extra tight for an extra long time. When she pulled away, they were both a little teary, and Lisa hadn’t expected to feel anything but happiness.

“I love you guys,” she said. “It’s been so great being your friend. And thank you for being my friend.”

“Love you,” Riley said, wiping her eyes. “And now I’m going to need someone to redo my makeup.”

“Better start on that,” Shannon said. “Carole will be here in fifteen minutes, and then Ash will want to do a final fitting on the dress.” Her phone chimed, and she reached for it. “I’m heading down to the beach, where Charlotte is setting up the altar.” She flashed a smile at Riley and Lisa. “I’ll see you down there. No later than eleven-thirty, right?”

“Right,” Riley said, and she was extremely anal about weddings starting on time. “I’ll make sure she’s there on time.” She opened her makeup kit, and Lisa sat down at the table. Her mother put a cup of coffee in front of her, and Riley turned on some calming music before she started sweeping the makeup brush across Lisa’s face.

Lisa kept her emotions tightly contained so she wouldn’t ruin her best friend’s work, and she hugged Carole when she arrived. She started drying Lisa’s hair into perfectly straight locks, and then she pulled it all to the top of Lisa’s head to create an elegant topknot.

Ash arrived, and Lisa stepped into the dress she’d had designed. It fit perfectly, but Ash wasn’t satisfied with a seam in the back. She ran out to her car to grab her portable sewing machine and set up shop at the other end of the table.

Carole added jewels and ribbons to Lisa’s hair—Lisa’s version of a veil—while Ash sewed and Riley finished with the final touches on Lisa’s makeup.

She finally stepped into the dress and the shoes and everything was in place.

“Oh, Grandma’s earrings,” her mother said, opening the small drawer beside Lisa’s refrigerator. She put them on for Lisa and pulled her into another tight hug. “You’re beautiful. Cal is so lucky.”

Lisa felt like the lucky one, but she just nodded. “Okay, get me to the beach,” she said, eyeing the clock. “We don’t have much time.”

The temperature at the end of July on the beach was brutal, but Lisa had ordered fans and misters to keep the area for guests cool. People had already arrived, some in their seats, some walking through the sand to the large, white tent that had been set up for the ceremony. Cal had carved the altar out of one of the trees surrounding the cabin up by Lightning Point, and Lisa had ordered the roses and tulips she’d wanted for so long. They’d cover the top, where a candle would burn.

Not a real one, as Lisa had plenty of experience with the ocean breezes ruining her best laid plans. She’d switched to using tall, beautiful candles that had fake flames, and they were just as amazing as the real thing.

“We’re getting pictures of everything, right?” she asked Riley as she caught a glimpse of the huge yellow bows on the backs of the chairs, who nodded.

“Aiden’s been here for an hour,” she said. “He’ll have all the detail shots, and he’ll get everything during the ceremony.” She led Lisa into the staging building, only a dozen or so yards from the outdoor ceremony. Riley brushed something invisible from Lisa’s shoulder, pushing the thin strap back into place. “You’re beautiful, and this is going to be the best wedding of the year.”

Lisa nodded, and Riley added, “I have to go check on a couple of things. You stay here.”

Lisa was familiar with this part of the wedding. She’d wait in this room until it was time to begin. Then Cal’s daughter would walk her down the aisle, where her future husband and love of her life waited.

And then…she’d be Mrs. Cal Lewiston.

Finally.

Lisa’s tears gathered in her eyes again, but she blinked them back. She wasn’t going to worry about who hadn’t come—her father. She wasn’t going to wish for things she didn’t have, because she had so much. So, so much.

“Ready?” Riley asked, and Lisa spun toward her. Time had passed in a blink, and Lisa nodded. Sierra stepped passed Riley, and she looked absolutely radiant in the pale pink dress that mirrored Lisa’s. Well, as closely as it could, as Lisa had had her dress designed, and they’d had to buy Sierra’s from a shop.

But the two dresses had the same ruffled fabric over the bodice and down the stomach, and they both laced in the back until a zipper took over near the waistline.

“You’re beautiful,” Lisa said, taking Sierra into her arms. “Thank you so much for giving me your father.”

“Thank you for taking him,” Sierra said, squeezing Lisa tight.

She pulled back and held Sierra by the shoulders. “I love having you as a daughter.”

Sierra smiled and nodded, her eyes glassy. “You’re going to be a good mother.”

“We’re all going to be late,” Riley said. “And the cake is melting.”

“Okay.” Lisa took a big breath and linked her arm through Riley’s. “We’re ready.” They left the staging building, and someone behind the scenes changed the music. Everyone stood and turned toward her and Sierra, whose step faltered.

Lisa kept them moving, her goal singular—the man at the end of the aisle, waiting by the custom altar he’d built for them. He smiled at her and Sierra as they continued to step toward him, and he first hugged Sierra when they arrived.

“Love you,” he whispered, and she went to sit beside one of her uncles. He took Lisa’s hand and grinned at her. “And wow. Look at you.”

Lisa felt loved and cherished, and she beamed right back at him. “And you, Mister Lewiston. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear a tie.”

He chuckled, shook his head, and turned toward the altar. Lisa admired it, running her fingertips along the edge of the wood peeking out from beneath the flowers. She met Cal’s eye again, and then they looked at the pastor together.

Together, just like Lisa wanted to do everything with this man. Raise a teenager. Have a baby. Build a home.

Together.

When it was her turn to say I do, she did in a loud voice, and she kissed Cal with everything she had. They turned to the clapping crowd and lifted their joined hands, and Lisa took the first step of the rest of her life with the man she loved.

Together.

END