CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
The whir of blow dryers greeted Meg as she descended the stairs to the spa at Jennifer’s Southampton home on the day of the wedding. She took deep breath and scanned the room, smiling as she watched the most important women in her life being primped for her big day.
She caught the eye of her friend and matron of honor, and smiled. If it wasn’t for Susan dragging me to that concert, none of us would be here today. She crossed the room and greeted her friend with a kiss on the cheek, before making the rounds to say good morning to everyone else.
Once she said hello to everyone, Meg sat down next to Fiona and waited for Kenny to finish blowing out Jennifer’s hair. She accepted a glass of lemon water from Lucy, Jennifer’s housekeeper and cook, who was serving a light brunch to the women in the wedding party.
Fiona placed her hand on Meg’s shoulder. “How are you doing, dear?”
“Surprisingly, I’m okay. I just can’t wait to get this all behind us, and begin life as a married couple with Sky.”
“He told me the same thing last night. He said he would have rather eloped, but knew his father and your family would never forgive the two of you.”
Kenny interrupted them. “Well, that’s for sure,” he said with a chuckle. “You’d never have gotten away with it.” He ushered Meg to his salon chair, and began to blow her hair dry. He had to pause periodically for Alan Piersall, Jennifer’s real estate broker-turned-photographer, to snap some pictures.
“He’s cute,” Kenny whispered in Meg’s ear. “I’ll have to ask Jen if he’s single.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Ooh, you should definitely find out. You two would make an adorable couple.”
Kenny arranged Meg’s long chestnut hair in soft waves framing her face, before affixing a small spray of tiny daisies behind one of her ears. “I wasn’t sure about your choice of daisies for your hair, but when you sent me the photo of your gown yesterday, it all made sense,” he said, as he used his fingers to smooth her locks. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you for making me that way.” Meg kissed Kenny on the cheek, then dashed up the stairs to get dressed. There was a clamor of excitement as she stepped into her gown with the help of Grace and Fiona.
“Oh my God, you look beautiful!”
“Turn around, let me see.”
“Stunning!”
“Mr. Glasso outdid himself,” Jennifer said. “I’m so glad you didn’t let any of us influence your decision.” She inspected the simple sleeveless bodice and full skirt of Meg’s gown, and noticed the simple lace pattern was made of tiny daisies. “Daisy lace? This is incredible.”
“I wanted to incorporate my mother’s favorite flowers, to honor her memory.”
Grace gave her a hug. “That’s a beautiful sentiment, Meg. I’m sure she’s looking down on you today.”
“Where are your shoes?” Gina asked.
Meg crossed the room and opened a large box. “No judgments, please,” she said, as she pulled out a custom-made pair of sky-blue cowboy boots adorned with a cascade of white silk daisies and ribbons.
“Well, I love them,” Becky said. “They’re from Old Smokeys Boots, right? A touch of Nashville in the Hamptons!”
“They’re my ‘something blue’. I chose the color because they match Sky’s eyes.”
“They’re awesome,” Livi chimed in. “My brother will go crazy when he sees them. Are you going to write anything on the soles?”
“I already did,” Meg said with a smile as she held up the boots for the other women to see, pointing to the words “I do” along with the date on the soles of the boots before slipping them on her feet.
“Okay,” Grace said. “We’ve got the something blue and the something new covered. What about the something old and the something borrowed?”
Jennifer produced a pair of pearl and diamond earrings. “Here’s the something borrowed,” she said, as she helped fasten them to her cousin’s ears.
“And this is my something old,” Meg said, as she wrapped her mother’s rosary beads around the base of her bouquet of gerbera daisies. She took a deep breath, and said, “Well, I guess I’m ready.”
Sky’s palms were sweaty as he paced the parking lot behind the church. “Are you sure she’s showing up?”
Jack put an arm around Sky’s shoulders. “Calm down, man. Yes, she’s showing up. Becky just texted me. They’re on their way.”
“Oh. Okay, good.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I’m just a little nervous.”
Jack chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, gee, I hadn’t noticed.”
“Are people inside yet?”
“There was a little bit of a delay before, because it took a while to check everyone’s cell phones and cameras,” Jack replied. “That was a genius idea. I wish I’d thought about that for Becky’s and my wedding.”
“Yeah, well, we want to guard our privacy, and make sure no photos get out on social media that we haven’t approved. And it lets our ‘celebrity’ guests relax and enjoy themselves, instead of having to pose for photos all day.”
They watched as a fleet of black SUVs pulled into the church parking lot. Becky hopped out of the front seat of one of them, and waved at Sky and Jack.
“Guess it’s time, buddy,” Jack said, as he tugged at Sky’s arm. “Let’s go inside.”
Sky took his place at the altar, with Jack by his side as his best man. He watched Meg’s bridesmaids walk down the aisle, smiling and winking at his sister Livi, then at Gina, Jennifer, and Becky. He saved his biggest smile for Susan, the matron of honor, as she climbed the stairs to the altar and took her place opposite Jack. Without you, Susan, we wouldn’t be here today, Sky thought, as he mouthed the words “thank you” to her.
The congregation rose, and Sky focused on the doors at the back of the church. He gasped and tears filled his eyes as he caught his first glimpse of Meg, being escorted down the aisle by Victor.
He stepped down from the altar to meet Victor and Meg. Victor shook his hand, and said, “Take care of my precious little girl, Sky.”
“I promise, Victor.” He took Meg by the hand and led her up the steps to the altar. “You’ve never looked more beautiful,” he said to her.
Meg blushed. “Thanks. And you’ve never looked so handsome.”
The elderly priest led them through the traditional vows, before pronouncing them husband and wife. “You may kiss the bride,” he said to Sky.
“The moment I’ve been waiting for,” Sky quipped. He pulled Meg in for a lingering kiss, as the guests erupted in cheers and applause.
After the ceremony, Sky, Meg, the wedding party, and their families, drove to Cooper’s Beach to take photographs, then back to the farm for the reception. Before they joined the rest of their guests, Meg insisted on taking a photo on the old tractor that had been moved out of the barn and into one of the horse pastures.
“You’re a real country girl at heart,” Sky said, as he helped her down from the tractor.
Meg laughed. “You’d better believe it.” She took him by the hand and led him towards the barn. “Come on, let’s go greet our guests.”
The barn at the old farmhouse was lit with strands of thousands of tiny white lights, and four antler chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The round tables were covered with pale mint green tablecloths, and sprays of tiny daisies and greenery adorned the center of each table.
A dance floor was set up in the middle of the barn, and a band played a mix of country, classic rock and Motown hits. When it came time for their first dance, Sky led Meg to the center of the barn, as the band covered Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “It’s Your Love”.
Butterflies fluttered in Meg’s stomach when Sky sang along with the band while he led her around the dance floor. She tried to keep her focus on her husband, but couldn’t help noticing both her father and Trey wipe away tears.
After their dance, they began to circulate among the guests with their photographer in tow. Meg introduced Sky to her childhood friends, all of whom wanted a photo with them. “Sort of like an upscale meet and greet,” Sky joked.
“I’m sorry about that. I know that’s not what you wanted.”
“It’s okay, darlin’. These are your friends and family, and they’re excited for you, and to meet me. I don’t mind one bit. But I’m glad we checked everyone’s cell phones and cameras, so we have control over the photos that get out there.”
Meg smiled at him. “Me too.” She watched as the meal was being served, and tugged on Sky’s sleeve. “I barely ate today, so I’m starving. Let’s eat before we finish greeting everyone.”
Although a table for two was set up for the bride and groom, Sky and Meg had also requested that two places be set for them at the tables where their respective immediate families were seated. They ate half their meal with the Johnson family, before joining the LaBella-Novak family for the rest of their meal.
“I can’t believe I never asked you this,” Gina said, when they sat down with Meg’s family. “Where are you going on your honeymoon?”
Sky and Meg exchanged glances, and burst out laughing. “Hawaii,” they answered in unison.
Gina was puzzled. “What’s so funny about Hawaii?”
Meg’s cheeks turned a deep shade of red. “Nothing. Nothing, really.”
“It’s a bit of an inside joke,” Sky chimed in. “Neither of us has ever been there before, and we’ve both always wanted to go to a real luau.”