Chapter 32 Kaelee
Kaelee
CHRISTMAS WEEK
Kaelee had been impressed when she learned that Toni and Addie’s wedding would be hosted at the National Museum of American History.
Walking into the museum tonight amped that feeling up several notches.
The wedding would be in the Flag Hall, where the flag that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner” was on display.
As Kaelee marveled at the idea of getting married in a room celebrating freedom, she wondered if that seeming dichotomy was intentional.
The Smithsonian as a whole rented out various venues for special events, and Kaelee had attended one event—a book festival—that used the Library of Congress for a cocktail party.
That had seemed incredibly well chosen, but it felt mild in comparison to this venue choice.
A professor of history and writer of American historical novels and the vivacious actor who had starred in a film adaptation of one of said novels were being married in a building that housed Dorothy’s ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz—an innovative film that transitioned from black and white to color—as well as the first car, and other innumerable artifacts from history. It was ideal.
Of course the brides were dressed in modified late 1800s attire. Toni wore a white tuxedo, complete with tails, and a top hat. In her hand was an opalescent mother-of-pearl-topped cane. She stomped around the venue like an angry polar bear.
“Addie wanted white flowers. Are those white enough? That looks yellow.” Toni glared at the offending flowers.
“Sweetie?” Emily, best woman, stepped between Toni and the table arrangement. Like Kaelee, Emily was wearing a more modern take on Toni’s ensemble. Her ivory tuxedo-style dress flared into a skirt that came to her calves; Kaelee wore the same ivory top, but it had a pantsuit bottom.
Emily took Toni’s face in her hands and made her pause for eye contact. “Addie already approved each detail. It’s perfect.”
“I want this to make her happy. That awful woman wouldn’t let us have it at Dove House. I even offered her triple her rental fees.” Toni darted her gaze around the room like she was hunting danger or maybe a target.
“Addie loves you. I think as long as you are there to receive her when she walks down the aisle, everything will be magical,” Kaelee offered as she joined them.
Toni looked back at her and then again at Emily. “I might be panicking.”
“Seems like.” Kaelee stood, checking again that the tape holding her jacket in place was secure. The deep vee cut of a jacket with no blouse or shirt underneath it made her slightly self-conscious, but this was the wedding party attire that Toni—or possibly Addie—had selected.
“Where are your escorts?”
“My date is wandering the museum,” Kaelee offered.
“Single.” Emily shrugged. “I thought you might need me more than usual, and I thought Lil could use company.”
“The Memory Care staff said they’d have someone extra for my mother if needed.” Toni scowled.
“That’s me. I’m someone extra. There is a nurse, too.” Emily laced her fingers with Toni’s. “Between me and the nurse, Lil will be fine.”
“Greta and I are here, too.” Kaelee knew she didn’t need to ask Greta if it was okay to volunteer to help as they’d already discussed it. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she added, “We only need time for one dance.”
“Your cheeks match the bridal party when you say her name,” Toni said, not unkindly. “Light pink. How did that happen? I’m marrying a woman who loves light pink.”
“And you,” Kaelee added. “She loves you.”
“She does, doesn’t she?” Toni murmured, sounding somehow stunned by the thought.
A few moments later, she looked at both of them, cleared her throat, and said, “Em, you’ve had my back and been at my side forever.
Kae, you’re becoming the little sibling or cousin I wish I could’ve had …
although I’m glad you weren’t around to steal all the women over the years.
I’m really grateful to you both for being here. ”
“Are we doing the toasts here privately?” Emily teased.
“No. I just don’t do feelings as well in public.
” Toni scowled at her. “I don’t like all that emotional stuff, but I feel emotional right now.
I never thought I’d be here, getting married.
You know, it wasn’t even legal to do this when I came out, so I didn’t really think about marriage.
Now, I can’t imagine her not being my wife.
I want that for both of you, you know. Happiness like this, and no, I won’t be saying anything like that in public.
Just … you should know that this is the most terrifying, amazing feeling in the world. ”
Emily’s expression remained unchanged other than the pinch around her lips, as if she were holding words back.
Kaelee nodded. “Never been on my to-do list, but I’m happier this year.
Good friend. Good agent. Sold a book. Met a woman.
Most of that is because of you two. I’m glad to be here for your day.
” She paused, decided it was getting too heavy, and added, “Plus Emily and I get to admire your bride. That makes any day better, right?”
“She’s pretty amazing,” Emily said in a voice that was bordering on laughter. “Have you seen her dress? It’s so—”
“I haven’t seen it,” Toni interrupted in a stern voice. “Not even a glimpse. So don’t you two say another word.”
She stalked off to check on more details. Kaelee and Emily trailed after her after exchanging a smile. “Let’s hope the pink ribbons are the right pink,” Emily whispered. “If not, you and I will need to run to a store.”
“I can hear you.” Toni looked back at them. “Wait, are you saying they aren’t pink? Are they that orange-pink hue? She doesn’t like that.”
Kaelee laughed as they had to walk faster to keep up with Toni.
When the guests started to arrive, all four attendants seated them.
Addie’s man of honor was her cousin Eric, who was strikingly handsome in his pink tuxedo.
Her other attendant, a woman named Maren who would walk with Kaelee, wore the dress version of the tuxedo.
Addie had decided to have the guests seated at their tables for both the ceremony and reception, so each guest had to be taken to the correct location.
It complicated things slightly, but guests’ invitations had their table numbers, and the guest list was small.
The pair of photographers on site were snapping pictures of some guests and all four members of the wedding party.
Because of the television show, there were more than a few Hollywood people here, along with members of the college.
Kaelee walked up to Harold, the head of the history department, who was there with his husband.
“Miss Carpenter.” Harold nodded at her, seeming more serious than he was around the department.
“Right this way.” She offered an arm to him, and he took it with a little chuff of laughter. She offered the other to his husband who lightly put his hand on her elbow as they walked to a still empty table.
One of the last guests to be seated was Greta.
Kaelee’s heart tightened at the feeling of having Greta’s hand curl around her arm. Here. At a wedding. Despite everything, it was impossible not to feel a flutter of what if as she walked her toward the front of the crowd where she was seated.
“Thank you,” was all Greta said. She glanced over then, and in a low voice added, “I am ever so glad to be petite right now. The view from here…”
“Darlin’,” Kaelee managed as Greta’s gaze fixed on the opening of Kaelee’s tuxedo jacket.
The pretty smile that came over Greta made Kaelee’s cheeks warm again. They hadn’t been able to talk as much the last week, other than flirtatious notes.
“Save me my dance later,” Greta reminded her before turning away to take her seat. “I’m beyond ready to be in your arms again.”
The thought of their agreement not to touch themselves while they were apart flooded Kaelee’s mind, and she knew from the intense look on Greta’s face that she wasn’t the only one thinking about it.
“Be good,” Kaelee muttered.
“I have,” Greta whispered. “But tonight … that ends.”
Kaelee walked away before she was unable to leave Greta’s side.
Once every seat was filled and each guest had their wine or water, the music started. A string quartet switched to playing a Victorian piece, Mendelssohn from the sounds of it. A wedding officiant walked to the front of the room and waited as a hush fell over the room.
Toni began her walk. On one side was her mother, Lil, who had an arm wrapped around Toni’s. On the other was a woman who could only be Addie’s mother. Behind them was Addie’s father. At the front, all three parents took seats at a table where one guest—the presumed nurse for Toni’s mom—waited.
Once Toni took her position, Kaelee and Maren began their walk, separating at the front. Next up were the best woman and the man of honor, and then walking alone with every eye in the place fixed on her was Addie.
The bride’s dress was a Victorian dream, and the back of her veil trailed behind her almost long enough to match her dress’s train. The train stretched along half the length of the aisle in a glittering puddle of silk and sparkles.
Toni stared at her as if she were a magical creature, not a mere mortal. There was no doubt of their affection. The usually surly professor and writer looked like she couldn’t see anyone but her bride, and Addie stared directly at Toni as she walked.
Kaelee glanced at Greta, only to find her staring at Kaelee rather than at the brides. With effort, Kaelee looked away from Greta just in time to watch Toni greet her bride. Toni lifted the sheer veil over Addie’s face, leaned in, and kissed her softly.
“A bit ahead of schedule, Toni,” said the officiant.