I WOKE UP before the sun, excited and anxious.
I padded downstairs to make coffee, then went out onto my back porch to enjoy it while I watched the sun rise.
There wasn’t one doubt in my mind. I wasn’t sad about losing my single status, or worried about getting married again, even though my last marriage had ended so horribly. I was ready, and so happy to be marrying Cade.
I just wished it was time, so we could just do it already.
Once the sun was up and my cup was empty, I went inside to make breakfast. Clarice would be coming in the next hour to do our hair and my makeup, and then Mom and Alani would be heading back to the cabin to finish getting ready and to get the food going.
I thought it would be nice for us to all have breakfast together first.
By the time they came downstairs, I had eggs, bacon, toast, hash browns, and pancakes ready.
“Wow, what’s all this?” Cade’s mom asked, crossing to put her arms around me. “Couldn’t sleep?”
“I slept great, actually,” I replied with a smile. “But I was too excited to stay in bed.”
She grinned at that and let me go.
“Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
We were finished eating and putting everything away when the doorbell rang.
I went to the door and opened it to see Clarice standing there with all of her things.
“Good morning,” she greeted happily. “It’s your big day.”
I squealed in response, then moved aside to let her in.
“Where do you want me?”
“The kitchen or the living room, what would work best do you think?” I asked.
“The living room should be fine. I’ll bring a chair in from the dining room and get my stuff set up. Are you or Lena going first?”
“Lena,” I replied, then called out, “Lena, go take a quick shower, then come down to get your hair done.”
Then I turned to Clarice and said, “I’ll shower while you’re working on her.”
“Great, but go ahead and leave your hair as it is, okay? Don’t wash it.”
I nodded, then left her to set up while I went to check on everyone in the kitchen.
“She went to get in the shower,” Cade’s mom said when I walked in. “And, we’re about to head out.”
They’d already cleaned up the kitchen and put everything away, so I went to give them each a hug and said, “See you in a little while.”
Cade’s mom held me for a few extra seconds and said, “I’m so happy that you’re joining our family. I know you’re going to make Cade very happy.”
I squeezed her tightly and said, “Thank you. We already think of you all as family.”
We let each other go, both fighting back more tears.
Jeez, this wedding sure is making me into a wimp.
“I’m going to go start getting ready,” I said, and we went our separate ways.
By the time I came back downstairs, Lena was just about done. Her hair was done in fat curls, and I could see that Clarice had put on some mascara and light blush and eyeshadow.
“You look beautiful,” I said as I took her in.
“Thanks, Mom, I can’t wait to put on my dress.”
I’d let her pick out what she was going to wear today, and she’d chosen a pretty blue gown with a flouncy skirt.
Lena got dressed, then watched TV while Clarice was doing my hair and makeup.
I also had big, fat curls, but they were pulled back off of my face and cascaded down my back. We went with elegant makeup, to match my dress, and a pale-pink lip.
When I was done, Clarice drove us, and my dress, over to the cabin, then went inside to make sure the coast was clear before I went inside. I could see a little of the bustle as we entered, but Amy May ushered me upstairs before I could really see anything.
“You’ll see it all once it’s done,” she assured me, then it was just the two of us in Cade’s room. “Let’s get you dressed.”
“You look beautiful,” I said, taking in her sapphire-blue gown and up-do.
“Thanks. I thought about wearing one of my wigs for fun, but figured you’d get freaked out if Jason and I used your wedding for our role playing.”
I snorted a laugh, which was her intention, and said, “Y’all can get as kinky as you want, just wait until the reception. I don’t want nothing interfering with the actual ceremony.”
She was zipping up my gown when there was a knock on the door.
I turned around as Bea, Shannon, Carmen, and Cade’s mom all walked into the room.
“Oh Ku‘uipo, you look so beautiful,” Cade’s mom cried.
“I want to get married,” Carmen moaned.
“Wow,” Bea said.
“Thanks, you guys,” I said, running my hands lovingly over the skirt of my dress.
I felt like a princess.
“Something old.” Cade’s mom opened the box in her hand to show me a pair of pearl and diamond earrings. “They belonged to my mother, Cade’s grandmother.”
“They’re beautiful, thank you,” I said as I took them one at a time and put them in my ears.
“Something new,” Carmen said, giving me a sea glass necklace that almost perfectly matched my ring from Cade.
“Carmen, it’s gorgeous,” I cried, as she walked around me to clasp it around my neck.
“Something borrowed.” I turned my head to see Amy May pick up a box off of the floor.
I gasped and reached greedily for it.
“Oh my God,” I cried as I pulled out her Jimmy Choo Ivory Lotus Sandals, which I’d been lusting over since she’d bought them.
I hurriedly put them on, then held up my skirts and pointed my toe out so we could all admire them.
Good thing Clarice had also painted my toenails.
Once I’d looked my fill, I let my skirts fall to the floor with a happy sigh.
“Well, those are pretty hard to follow, but, here’s your something blue,” Bea said, holding out her hand to offer me a blue garter.
“Thanks, Bea,” I said, giving her a quick hug. “Really, thank you all so much. You guys are so sweet and amazing. I’m so happy I have you all in my life, and that you’re here to share this day with us.”
Once I was sure my somethings, and everything else, were in place, I looked at my friends and said, “Let’s go get married.”