CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
After some negotiation, Meg agreed to Sky’s plan that she take a leave of absence from her full-time job at the hospital, but still remain available to work on a per-diem basis, filling in on shifts when she had the time and wanted to work.
Her new schedule allowed her to fly back and forth to both New York City and Southampton whenever necessary for wedding planning. In mid-January, she and Becky made a trip for dress shopping, meeting up with Jen, Gina and Grace at designer Grant Glasso’s Madison Avenue boutique.
The choices of styles were overwhelming, as were the opinions of her family members and Becky. When no one would listen to her, she reached a boiling point. “I really don’t care anymore. I’ll wear whatever you think is best. Let me know what you decide. I’ll be outside getting some fresh air if you need me.”
Meg stepped outside and into the frigid New York winter air. After she took a walk around the block, she noticed a food vendor cart on the opposite corner from the boutique, and she crossed the street to get a bite to eat. She was savoring the sauerkraut and mustard topped dirty-water hot dog when she heard a voice behind her.
“It doesn’t have to be this way.”
“Mr. Glasso,” she said, with her mouth full. She swallowed and wiped away some stray mustard from the corner of her mouth with a napkin. “I’m sorry I walked out. I just couldn’t take it anymore.”
“I don’t blame you for walking out. And I told them so.”
She finished the last bite of her hot dog, and took a deep sip out of her water bottle. “Thanks.”
“Do you have any idea what you want your dress to look like?”
“Yes, I do, actually.” She dug into her purse and retrieved a torn-out page from a magazine. “Something like this, but sleeveless, and with a long, full skirt. What do you think?”
A smile spread across his lips. “It’s simple, but perfect for you. Come with me.” He took her by the arm and guided her back to his boutique across the street.
Once inside, Mr. Glasso explained that Meg had her own ideas for her dress. “I’m going to create a custom gown for our bride,” he said. “And it’s going to be our secret, because I don’t want any of you interfering with her choice.”
He whisked Meg inside his private workshop, where her measurements were taken. They discussed fabric choices, and the height of the heels she was planning to wear.
“That’s an unconventional choice,” he said, when Meg told him what she planned on wearing on her feet underneath her gown.
“Maybe for New York City, or the Hamptons, but not for Nashville,” she replied. “Remember who I’m marrying.”
He laughed out loud. “How can I forget? I’ve done a lot of celebrity weddings, including both of Jennifer’s weddings, but I’ve never done a wedding dress for the bride of a country music superstar. This is a first for me.”
Once they were finished in his private workshop, Grant ushered Meg back to her family. “Now that the bride is set, let’s pick out dresses for the rest of you.”
The women spent the rest of the afternoon looking at dresses, before deciding on simple one-shoulder pale mint green gowns for the bridal party, and a gown in a deeper green for Grace.
“I’m sure Fiona will want to coordinate,” Becky said, as she photographed the dresses. “She’s as much a part of Sky’s family as anyone.”
“Good idea,” Meg agreed, as she also snapped photos of the dresses to e-mail to her friend Susan and Sky’s sister Livi. “It’s hard to believe how quickly the time is going by. The wedding will be here before we know it.”
Sky, Meg, Jack, Becky and the rest of the band members arrived in Southampton a few days before the wedding was to take place in order to perform at a benefit Jen had arranged for the Peconic Land Trust at the Southampton Arts Center on Job’s Lane.
“It’s a great cause,” Sky said to Jen the night of the show. “I’m glad you asked us to help out. Hopefully, we can raise both money and awareness of the importance of preserving open space out here.”
Before the show, the band held a “meet and greet” session with everyone who had purchased VIP tickets. Sky made an effort to spend time with everyone Meg or her family members introduced him to, posing for additional photos and signing autographs. He and Jack donated some Johnson Bishop Band memorabilia, including a guitar signed by all the band members, for the silent auction that took place prior to the show.
Meg beamed as she watched Sky work the room with her cousin. It’s hard to believe that in just two days I’m going to be his wife. She was lost in her thoughts when she felt a tap on her shoulder, and came face to face with Trey.
“How’s my daughter in law?” He gave Meg a kiss on the cheek, then pulled her in for a hug.
“Trey! Did you just arrive?”
“Came straight from the airport. How are you doing? Any pre-wedding jitters?”
“Nope. Actually, I can’t wait to get it all behind us, and get back to our normal life.” She took a look around, and pointed across the room. “Fiona’s over there, with Becky.”
Trey caught Fiona’s eye, and grinned. “She’s as excited about the wedding as I am.”
“I think you’re right.”
They were interrupted by Sky, who greeted his father with a hug. “I’d love to catch up, but we’re going on in a minute. Let’s have a drink after the show.”
“Sounds good, son.”
Meg kissed Sky, and wished him good luck before he and the band took the stage. She made her way over to her father and the rest of her family just as the band played the first chords of their opening number.
Following the concert, Jen and Drew hosted an after party at their home in Southampton for the band members and the Peconic Land Trust’s top-tier donors. They went all out with a barbecue theme catered by Townline BBQ to honor the Johnson Bishop Band’s Texas roots. Sky and Jack played a short acoustic set, and posed for more photos with the guests.
Meg made sure she had a plate of food and a cold beer waiting for Sky as soon as he was free. “You must be exhausted,” she whispered in his ear while giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.
He nodded his head while he wolfed down a couple of pulled pork sliders, cornbread, cole slaw, and potato salad in Jen’s kitchen, which was off-limits to the guests. “Thanks for having dinner ready for me,” he said, as he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I was starving, but I know I can count on you to always take care of me.” He reached out and pulled her in for a hug, before leaning down to kiss the top of her head.
Trey entered the room and cleared his throat. “Meg, can I have a word with my son?”
“Sure.” She kissed Sky on the lips. “See you outside.”
Trey waited to speak until Meg left the room. “Has she signed the pre-nup yet? You never got back to me after I sent it to you.”
“Yeah, about that. I never brought it up with her. I’m not asking her to sign a pre-nup.”
“Why in the hell not? Do you have any idea how much you stand to lose if the two of you divorce?”
Sky crossed his arms in front of him. “There’s not going to be a divorce. I love her, and I’m never going to leave her.”
Through gritted teeth, Trey asked, “And what if she leaves you?”
“If she leaves me, it’s because I’ve screwed up big time.”
“You’re making a huge mistake. Even though I don’t think she’s a gold digger, you still have to protect yourself.”
“Dad, I’m not doing it.”
Jen walked into the kitchen. “Everything okay?”
Trey and Sky both jumped. I wonder how much she overheard, Sky thought, as he ran his hands through his hair. “Yeah. I’m just explaining to my father that we’re going the traditional route, and not writing our own vows.”
“Classic and timeless is always the way to go,” she agreed.
“Jennifer, your home is beautiful. Thank you for your hospitality tonight, and for hosting tomorrow night’s rehearsal dinner. I’m looking forward to the clam bake.” Trey kissed her on the cheek. “I’m going to head to the inn. It’s been a long day. See you tomorrow.”
After Sky and Jennifer said goodnight to Trey, they sat down at the kitchen table. “Thanks again for doing the show tonight. We raised a lot of money.”
“It was our pleasure to help.” Sky looked around the kitchen and sighed. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Was it hard for Drew to adapt to the whole celebrity tabloid-driven life? I mean, he was already on television, but when the two of you got together his life was turned upside down by the gossip rags. It must have been hard on the relationship.”
“Umm…when the tabloids made the horrible accusations about us and my first husband, it was hard on both of us. I hated to see him hurt by them. But we got through it because we love each other. Why do you ask?”
He ran his hands through his hair. “It’s just that I’m worried about Meg. I’ve already put her through the mill with that crazy fan Mallory, and everything that happened last year. I don’t want to see her have to go through that again.”
Jen nodded her head. “Of course you don’t. I’m sure you’ll take every precaution, and make sure there’s nothing for the tabloids to print.”